Best Brokers in Singapore 2026 — IBKR vs Webull vs Longbridge Compared
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Most Singapore investors end up with the wrong broker for the same reason: they pick the one with the biggest welcome bonus and never revisit the decision.
The broker you start with shapes your habits, your costs, and your market access for years. A platform that looks free because it charges no commission may be extracting that margin elsewhere — through currency conversion spreads, poor execution quality, or features you will eventually need and cannot get. Switching brokers later is not impossible, but it is friction most people avoid, which means the initial choice sticks.
Three names dominate the serious Singapore investing conversation in 2026: Interactive Brokers (IBKR), Webull, and Longbridge. All three are MAS-regulated. All three offer access to US, Hong Kong, and Singapore markets. All three have meaningful welcome rewards for new accounts. Beyond those surface-level similarities, they are meaningfully different platforms — built for different investors, with different cost structures and different ceiling on what you can do with them.
I have tested all three and reviewed them individually. This guide distils the comparison into a clear framework: what each broker does best, who each one is built for, and how to make the right choice for your specific situation.
Here are the three best brokers for Singapore investors in 2026.
What to Look For in a Singapore Broker
Before the rankings, the framework. These are the criteria that actually differentiate brokers for Singapore investors — not the ones that look good in marketing materials.
Commission structure and real cost. Zero commission is not always the lowest cost. Brokers that charge no commissions often recoup revenue through wider bid-ask spreads, currency conversion markups, or payment for order flow. Understand the full cost of a trade, not just the headline commission figure.
Market access. US, HK, and SG markets are the baseline for most Singapore investors. The question is what you need beyond that — European equities, futures, bonds, forex — and whether your broker can grow with your portfolio over time.
Currency conversion fees. Singapore investors buying US stocks are constantly converting SGD to USD. Even a small difference in conversion rates compounds significantly over years of regular investing. This is one of the most under-examined costs in brokerage comparisons.
Regulatory standing and asset protection. All brokers on this list are MAS-regulated. Verify that client assets are held separately from the firm’s own assets — this is required under MAS rules but worth confirming for each platform.
Platform quality across devices. The platform you use daily shapes your investing discipline. A cluttered or confusing interface leads to mistakes and avoidance. Test the mobile app and web platform before committing.
Idle cash management. Most investors hold some cash in their brokerage account at any given time. Whether that cash earns yield — or sits idle at zero — is a real cost difference that most comparisons ignore entirely.
The 3 Best Brokers for Singapore Investors in 2026
| Broker | Best For | Commission (US stocks) | Welcome Reward |
|---|---|---|---|
| IBKR | Serious investors, global portfolios | From USD 0.005/share | Up to USD 1,000 in free stock |
| Webull | Newer investors, US-HK-SG focus | Commission-free | Up to S$1,888 + S$100 bonus |
| Longbridge | Cash-conscious investors wanting idle yield | Commission-free (lifetime) | Up to SGD 1,300 + Cash Plus boost |
1. IBKR — Best for Serious, Cost-Conscious Investors
Interactive Brokers has been the benchmark for institutional-grade retail investing since 1978. For Singapore investors, it offers something no other platform on this list can match: access to 150+ markets across 33 countries from a single account. US equities, European stocks, Hong Kong-listed securities, SGX listings, options, futures, forex, and bonds — all under one login, at commissions that are among the lowest globally available to retail investors.
The platform runs on IBKR Pro for Singapore-based accounts — a per-share commission model for US stocks starting at USD 0.005 per share, with a USD 1.00 minimum. That structure is more efficient than a zero-commission model for anyone trading at meaningful size. A USD 10,000 trade costs approximately USD 5.00 at IBKR — versus embedded spreads that can equate to multiples of that on commission-free platforms. IBKR also pays competitive interest on uninvested USD cash, removing the idle-cash opportunity cost that most Singapore brokerage accounts ignore.
The honest caveat is the onboarding experience and Trader Workstation (TWS) interface. Both are more complex than what Webull or Longbridge offer. IBKR Mobile and the web-based Client Portal have closed much of the usability gap, but this remains a platform for investors who approach their portfolio deliberately — not as a casual activity.
What IBKR is great at:
- Global market access — 150+ markets, 33 countries, all asset classes
- The lowest currency conversion fees available: 0.002% with a USD 2 minimum
- Institutional-grade portfolio reporting — time-weighted returns, P&L attribution, asset allocation breakdowns — built in
- Interest on uninvested USD cash balances at rates that are competitive with high-yield savings alternatives
Where it falls short:
- Onboarding is longer and more document-intensive than Webull or Longbridge
- TWS has a steep learning curve — the Client Portal and mobile app are more accessible but still more complex than competitors
- The USD 1.00 minimum commission makes very small trades (under USD 200) proportionally expensive
- No CPF account support — cash investing only
Pricing:
- Account opening: Free, no minimum deposit
- US stocks (Fixed): USD 0.005/share, minimum USD 1.00, maximum 1% of trade value
- US options: USD 0.65 per contract, no base commission
- Currency conversion: 0.002% of trade value, minimum USD 2
- Data subscriptions: Basic data included; exchange-specific real-time data from USD 1.50–10/month (optional)
- Welcome reward: USD 1 in IBKR stock per USD 300 deposited, up to USD 1,000 (vesting conditions apply)
Bottom line: IBKR is the right answer for Singapore investors building a serious, long-term portfolio across global markets — and the wrong answer for anyone who wants a simple, frictionless experience starting out.
2. Webull — Best for New-to-Intermediate Investors in US, HK, and SG
Webull Singapore launched in 2022 and has grown quickly among younger, cost-conscious investors who want commission-free access to US, HK, and SG markets on a platform that does not require a manual to navigate. Regulated by MAS under a Capital Markets Services licence, Webull Securities (Singapore) Pte. Ltd. covers the essential markets most Singapore retail investors actually use.
The platform charges zero commission on US, HK, and SG equities — with regulatory fees such as the SEC fee on US sells still applying, but no additional platform commission layered on top. Charting tools are above average for a commission-free broker, real-time level 1 data is included, and fractional share access means you can buy into US blue chips like NVIDIA or Amazon from as little as S$1. US options trading is also available at USD 0.65 per contract. The welcome reward programme is the most aggressive of the three brokers reviewed here — up to S$1,888 in NVIDIA fractional shares as a standard new-user reward, plus an additional S$20–100 referee bonus exclusive to sign-ups via a referral link.
The meaningful limitation is market scope. Webull’s three-market footprint (US, HK, SG) covers the majority of what most Singapore retail investors need today — but investors who eventually want European equities, bond exposure, or non-US derivatives markets will need to add a second broker.
What Webull is great at:
- Genuinely commission-free US, HK, and SG equity trading — no embedded spread markup on the equity side
- The largest upfront welcome reward of the three brokers: up to S$1,888 + S$100 referee bonus via referral link
- Fractional share trading from S$1 — the most accessible entry point for US stocks
- Clean, mobile-first interface — the most beginner-friendly platform in this comparison
Where it falls short:
- No access to European, Australian, Japanese, or other global markets beyond the core three
- No idle cash yield — uninvested SGD earns nothing while sitting in your account
- Welcome rewards require manual claiming in-app within 30 days or they are forfeited
- No futures or bonds; limited fixed income access
Pricing:
- Account opening: Free, no minimum deposit
- US, HK, SG stocks: Commission-free (regulatory fees apply)
- US options: USD 0.65 per contract
- Currency conversion: Embedded spread (not published as a separate line item)
- Welcome reward: Up to S$1,888 in NVIDIA shares based on deposit tier; additional S$20–100 referee bonus via referral link (campaign runs to 30 June 2026)
Bottom line: Webull is the right starting broker for Singapore investors who want a simple, commission-free platform focused on US, HK, and SG equities — and the wrong broker for anyone who needs broader market access or wants their idle cash earning yield.
3. Longbridge — Best for Investors Who Want Commission-Free Trading Plus Idle Cash Yield
→ Open a Longbridge SG account
Longbridge is the least talked-about broker on this list and arguably the most underrated. Launched in Singapore in 2022, it covers the same core three markets as Webull — US equities, Hong Kong stocks, and SGX-listed securities — but adds two features its direct competitors do not offer: Cash Plus and commission-free US options trading.
Cash Plus is Longbridge’s idle cash management feature. It automatically invests your uninvested SGD into high-liquidity money market funds, generating yield on capital that would otherwise earn nothing while sitting in a brokerage cash account. There is no lock-up period — you can withdraw at any time. For investors who maintain any meaningful cash position in their brokerage account, this is a structurally better proposition than platforms that leave idle cash at zero yield. At typical money market rates, SGD 10,000 sitting in Cash Plus generates meaningful annual income that a competing platform simply does not offer.
Longbridge also offers lifetime commission-free trading for referral sign-ups on US, HK, and SG equities, commission-free US options (conditions apply), and free real-time Level 1 market data for HK and SG markets — something Webull includes but other platforms frequently charge for. The welcome reward via referral code UIO57VZ3 stacks three separate incentives: SGD 10 in GRAB fractional shares on account opening, an 8% interest boost coupon for 7 days on Cash Plus, and deposit-based rewards scaling up to SGD 1,300.
What Longbridge is great at:
- Cash Plus — the only broker in this comparison that puts your uninvested SGD to work automatically in a money market fund
- Commission-free trading on US, HK, and SG equities with lifetime terms for referral users
- Commission-free US options trading (conditions apply) — the only platform in this comparison offering this
- Lower minimum deposit to unlock referral rewards: SGD 2,000 vs S$3,000 for Webull
Where it falls short:
- No European, Japanese, or other global market access — the same limitation as Webull
- Referral users are not eligible for the standard Welcome Rewards programme — you follow the referral reward track instead, which is comparable but different
- GRAB stock coupon expires 30 days after crediting — missing it forfeits the reward
- Smaller brand presence than IBKR or Webull; community and support resources are less established
Pricing:
- Account opening: Free, no minimum deposit
- US, HK, SG stocks: Commission-free (lifetime for referral users, conditions apply)
- US options: Commission-free (conditions apply, valid until further notice)
- Cash Plus: No lock-up, no fee; yield varies with money market rates
- Real-time market data: Free for HK and SG Level 1
- Welcome reward via referral: SGD 10 GRAB shares + 8% Cash Plus interest boost + up to SGD 1,300 in deposit rewards
Bottom line: Longbridge is the right choice for Singapore investors who want commission-free access to the core markets and a broker that does not leave their cash idle — particularly for those who maintain any meaningful uninvested cash position between trades.
→ Open your Longbridge SG account with referral code UIO57VZ3
How to Choose the Right Broker for You
The decision is simpler than most comparisons make it appear. Match your profile to the right platform.
If you want the widest market access and the lowest long-term trading costs → IBKR. No other broker accessible to Singapore retail investors offers 150+ markets, sub-0.01% currency conversion, and institutional-grade portfolio reporting under one account. The learning curve is real; the cost savings compound over years.
If you are starting out and want a simple, commission-free experience focused on US, HK, and SG equities → Webull. The interface is the most approachable of the three, the welcome reward is the most generous in absolute terms, and the fractional share access means you can start with any amount. Graduate to IBKR when your portfolio and trading frequency justify the per-share commission model.
If you want commission-free trading and cannot afford to leave your idle cash earning nothing → Longbridge. Cash Plus is a genuine structural advantage for investors who carry any uninvested cash position. If you park SGD between trades, Longbridge is the only platform in this comparison that pays you for it.
If you need CPF investment scheme support → none of the above. All three brokers support cash investing only. For CPF-OA investing, you will need a CPFIS-approved broker such as DBS Vickers, OCBC Securities, or UOB Kay Hian.
If you are an active options trader → Longbridge for zero per-contract cost, IBKR for access to non-US options. Webull charges USD 0.65/contract, which is standard but not the lowest available here.
If you want the simplest welcome reward to claim → IBKR. Stock reward accrues automatically with deposits — no manual claiming required. Webull’s reward requires a manual in-app claim within 30 days of eligibility; missing this forfeits the reward entirely.
The Best Broker Stack for Singapore Investors
You are not limited to one account. Many serious Singapore investors run two brokers in parallel — and for good reason.
The combination that makes the most sense for most portfolios:
Longbridge as the primary account for US, HK, and SG investing — commission-free trading, Cash Plus earning yield on idle cash, and commission-free US options. Lower friction, better idle cash economics.
IBKR as the secondary account for global diversification — access to European equities, Japanese markets, bonds, futures, and the lowest currency conversion fees when moving larger amounts across currencies.
Total cost of running both: zero account fees, zero minimum deposits, and fees only when you trade. The incremental cost of maintaining the IBKR account alongside Longbridge is negligible — and the market access it unlocks is meaningful once your portfolio reaches the scale where international diversification beyond the core three markets becomes relevant.
Webull fits best as an entry point before migrating to this two-broker stack — particularly for investors who want to learn the mechanics of stock investing with a simple interface before deciding on their long-term platform configuration.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which broker is cheapest for buying US stocks from Singapore?
For small trades under USD 200, Webull and Longbridge are cheaper because their commission-free model avoids IBKR’s USD 1.00 minimum. For trades of USD 5,000 and above, IBKR’s USD 0.005/share rate typically undercuts the embedded spread costs on commission-free platforms. For very high-volume traders, IBKR’s Tiered pricing goes even lower.
Are all three brokers safe and regulated in Singapore?
Yes. IBKR operates through Interactive Brokers Singapore Pte. Ltd., Webull through Webull Securities (Singapore) Pte. Ltd., and Longbridge through Longbridge Securities Pte. Ltd. — all regulated by the Monetary Authority of Singapore (MAS) under Capital Markets Services licences. MAS requires client assets to be held separately from company assets at all regulated brokers.
Can I use any of these brokers to invest my CPF money?
No. IBKR, Webull, and Longbridge all support cash investing only. None are approved under the CPF Investment Scheme (CPFIS). For CPF-OA investment, you need a CPFIS-approved broker — DBS Vickers, OCBC Securities, and UOB Kay Hian are the primary options.
Is it worth opening accounts with more than one broker?
For many Singapore investors, yes. Running Longbridge for commission-free day-to-day trading and Cash Plus yield, alongside IBKR for global market access and low currency conversion on larger transfers, is a cost-efficient combination with no meaningful downside. The only admin overhead is managing two logins and tracking performance across accounts — which a spreadsheet or portfolio tracker handles easily.
Which broker has the best welcome bonus for Singapore investors?
In absolute dollar terms, Webull’s programme is the most generous — up to S$1,888 in welcome rewards plus an additional S$100 referee bonus via a referral link. Longbridge’s stacked package (GRAB shares, interest boost, deposit rewards) offers strong value at lower minimum deposit thresholds. IBKR’s reward scales with deposits up to USD 1,000 and accrues automatically without manual claiming. The best reward depends on how much you are depositing and whether you want cash-equivalent rewards or stock.
Which broker should a complete beginner use in Singapore?
Webull. The interface is the most accessible, the fractional share access means you can start with a small amount, and the commission-free model removes one variable from early investing decisions. Once you are comfortable with how markets work and your portfolio has grown to a size where fees and market access become meaningful, re-evaluate whether IBKR or a two-broker combination makes sense.
Final Verdict
Three brokers. Three distinct investor profiles.
- IBKR — the benchmark for serious investors who want the lowest long-term costs, the widest market access, and institutional-grade tools. The platform has a learning curve. The advantages compound for decades.
- Webull — the right starting point for new-to-intermediate investors focused on US, HK, and SG equities. Clean interface, commission-free trading, and the most generous welcome reward in absolute terms.
- Longbridge — the underrated option for cost-conscious investors who want commission-free trading and cannot justify leaving their idle cash earning nothing. Cash Plus is a structural advantage with no direct equivalent among its competitors.
None of these is the wrong choice for the investor it is designed for. The mistake is picking one based on the welcome bonus and discovering six months later that it does not have the markets you need — or that the platform you dismissed as complex would have saved you SGD 800 in annual fees.
→ Open an IBKR account
→ Open a Webull SG account
→ Open a Longbridge SG account
Which broker are you using as your primary account — and would you switch? Drop your experience in the comments.
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