FUTU vs Tiger Brokers - 2025 Multi-Dimensional Comparison (with Tiger Brokers April account opening benefits)
A comprehensive comparison of FUTU and Tiger Brokers in terms of fees, account opening, benefits and other dimensions, to analyze the “Hong Kong and U.S. stock brokerage firms which is better”. At the end of this article, Tiger Brokers will offer you a limited time benefit in April: HK$1200 voucher + 30 times commission-free card for transferring your position!
Why compare FUTU and Tiger Brokers?
With the increasing demand for global asset allocation, investment in Hong Kong and US stocks has become the choice of many investors. Among many brokerages, FUTU and Tiger Brokers are the two most popular Internet brokerages, but they have their own advantages and disadvantages.
Users are most concerned about the following questions:
- Which brokerage firm has lower commission?
- Is the account opening process complicated?
- Is the safety of funds guaranteed?
- Which is the better APP experience?
- What are the current promotions?
This article will be from a number of core dimensions (regulatory security, transaction costs, account opening process, APP functionality, market coverage, welfare policy, etc.) for a detailed comparison, and attached to the Tiger Brokers in April the latest account opening benefits, to help you make the optimal choice.
Trading Platform and Functions
FUTU Securities
- Trading varieties: support Hong Kong stocks, U.S. stocks, Japanese stocks, A-share pass, financing transactions, IPO subscription, stock fixing and so on.
- Derivatives and Cryptocurrency: Provide ETF, options, futures, cryptocurrency trading.
- Wealth Management: FUTU Elephant Wealth provides cash treasure, funds, U.S. Treasuries, structured products, etc.
- Community Function: FUTU Bull Circle active investment community, users can share investment experience.
Tiger Brokers
- Trading varieties: supports U.S. stocks, Hong Kong stocks, A-shares (Northbound Pass), Singapore stocks, Australian stocks, futures, options, funds and so on.
- Features: Provide U.S. stock L2 quotes, broken stock trading (starting from 1 U.S. dollar), U.S. stock IPOs to fight the new and so on.
- Community Function: Tiger Trade's active global community allows users to discover more investment ideas.
Regulation and Fund Safety (the most important part of investment)
When choosing a brokerage firm, fund safety is the primary consideration. The following is a comparison of the main regulatory qualifications of the two brokerages:
| Comparison Item | Futu Securities | Tiger Brokers |
| Regulatory Bodies | Hong Kong Securities and Futures Commission (SFC), US SEC/FINRA | US SEC/FINRA, Singapore Monetary Authority (MAS), Hong Kong SFC |
| Custody | Hong Kong Stocks: Hong Kong Securities Clearing Company (HKSCC) US Stocks: DTC |
Hong Kong Stocks: HKSCC US Stocks: DTC |
| Funds Deposit | Partnered banks in Hong Kong and the US (e.g., HSBC) | DBS Bank (Singapore) and other partners |
| Investor Protection | SIPC coverage (up to $500,000 USD) | SIPC coverage (up to $500,000 USD) |
| Additional Protection | Hong Kong Investor Compensation Fund (up to HK$150,000) | No equivalent fund in Singapore |
Security Summary:
- FUTU is more mature in the Hong Kong market, suitable for Hong Kong stock investors, and the fund custody process is more transparent.
- Tiger has a wider layout in the global market (especially US and Singapore stocks) and is suitable for multi-market investors.
Note:
- Both brokers are strictly regulated and fund safety is guaranteed, but FUTU is more direct in Hong Kong stock clearing, while Tiger is more flexible in cross-border fund management.
Comparison of Transaction Costs (Directly Affecting Returns)
Transaction costs are the key to long-term investment. In order to help investors have a clearer understanding of the cost differences between the two brokerage firms, we have compiled a comparison of the core costs of U.S. stocks, Hong Kong stocks, options, and financing rates based on the official information, and have attached the calculation of actual trading cases.
Comparison of U.S. Stocks Trading Fees
1. Stock/ETF Trading
| Fee Type | Futu Securities | Tiger Brokers |
| Commission | $0.0049/share (min $0.99) | $0.0039/share (min $0.99) |
| Platform Fee | Tiered ($0.005–$0.003/share) min $1 |
Fixed $0.005/share min $1 |
| SEC Fee (Sell) | 0.0000278% of transaction value (min $0.01) | Same as Futu Securities |
| Transaction Activity Fee (Sell) | $0.000166/share (max $8.3) | Same as Futu Securities |
| Clearing Fee | $0.003/share (up to 7% of transaction value) | Same as Futu Securities |
Key Differences:
- FUTU adopts stepped platform fees, which are more cost-effective for high-frequency trading (rates are lower than Tiger's when trading >274,000 shares per month).
- Tiger's fixed rate is simple but costly for large trades.
Real-world example calculation (trading 500 shares of Apple at $170):
| Broker | Commission | Platform Fee | Total Cost |
| FUTU | $0.0049/share ×500 ≈$2.45 | $0.005/share ×500 ≈$2.50 | 4.95 |
| Tiger | $0.005/share ×500 ≈$2.50 | $0.005/share ×500 ≈$2.50 | 5 |
2. US Stock Options Trading
| Fee Type | FUTU Securities | Tiger Brokers |
| Commission (Fixed Plan) | $0.65/contract (min $1.99) | $0.65/contract (min $1.99) |
| Platform Fee | $0.30/contract (min $1) | $0.30/contract (min $1) |
| Regulatory Fee | $0.013/contract | $0.012/contract |
| Clearing Fee | $0.02/contract (max $55) | $0.02/contract (max $55) |
Key Difference:
- Both rates are close, but Tiger supports 13 combined options strategies with margin reductions.
Practical example (buy 10 Tesla call options):
| Broker | Commission | Platform Fee | Total Cost |
| FUTU | $0.65×10 ≈ $6.50 | $0.30×10 ≈ $3.00 | 9.5 |
| Tiger | $0.65×10 ≈ $6.50 | $0.30×10 ≈ $3.00 | 9.5 |
Hong Kong Stocks Trading Fees Comparison
1. Stocks/ETFs Trading
| Fee Type | Futu Securities | Tiger Brokers |
| Commission | 0.03% of transaction amount (min HK$3) | 0.03% of transaction amount (min HK$7) |
| Platform Fee | Fixed HK$15/transaction | 0.03% of transaction amount (min HK$8) |
| Transaction Fee | 0.00565% of transaction amount | 0.00565% of transaction amount |
| Stamp Duty | 0.1% of transaction amount (min HK$1) | 0.1% of transaction amount (min HK$1) |
| Clearing Fee | 0.002% of transaction amount (min HK$2) | 0.002% of transaction amount (min HK$2) |
Key Differences:
- Small trades (<HK$50,000): FUTU fixed HK$15 platform fee is cheaper.
- Large trades (>HK$500,000): Tiger's pro-rata fee may be lower.
Practical example (trading 1 lot of Tencent, share price HKD 300):
| Broker | Commission | Platform Fee | Total Cost (Including Stamp Duty) |
| FUTU | 300×100×0.03% ≈ HK$9 | HK$15 | HK$9 + HK$15+ HK$3 = HK$27 |
| Tiger | 300×100×0.03% ≈ HK$9 | HK$9 | HK$9 + HK$9+ HK$3 = HK$21 |
2. Hong Kong Stock Options Trading
| Fee Type | Futu Securities | Tiger Brokers |
| Commission | 0.2% of transaction amount (min HK$3) | 0.2% of transaction amount (min HK$3) |
| Platform Fee | HK$15/transaction | HK$15/transaction |
| Exercise Fee | HK$2/contract | Same as Futu Securities (HK$2/contract) |
Key Difference:
- Both rates are exactly the same, but FUTU dark liquidity is better.
Financing Rate Comparison
| Currency | Futu Securities | Tiger Brokers |
| US Dollar | Annualized interest rate: 6.8% | Annualized interest rate: 6.5% |
| Hong Kong Dollar | Annualized interest rate: 6.8% | Annualized interest rate: 6.8% |
| Singapore Dollar | Not supported | Annualized interest rate: 4.8% |
Key Differences:
- Tiger USD financing rate is lower (6.5% vs. 6.8% for FUTU).
- FUTU does not support SGD financing, Tiger is suitable for Singapore investors.
Other Fees Comparison
1. Deposit / Withdrawal Fees
| Operation | Futu Securities | Tiger Brokers |
| Deposit | Free (Supports FPS/eDDA) | Free (Instant deposit via DBS) |
| Withdrawal | Hong Kong stocks: HK$500 per transaction US stocks: US$150 per transaction |
Not mentioned (No record in the materials) |
2. Account Management Fees
- FUTU: No account management fees, but 6.8% interest is charged when cash balance is negative.
- Tiger: Dormant accounts (no trading for 36 months) may be subject to restricted functions.
Which brokerage firm saves more money?
| Transaction Type | Recommended Broker | Reason |
| High - frequency trading of US stocks | Futu Securities | The tiered fee structure is more cost - effective. |
| Small - value trading of Hong Kong stocks | Futu Securities | The fixed HK$15 platform fee is lower. |
| US stock options | Tiger Brokers | The combination trading strategies are more flexible. |
| Financing needs | Tiger Brokers | The US dollar financing interest rate is lower at 6.5%. |
📢 Act Now: 👉 Tiger Brokers April Welfare Entrance, Invitation Code HAWK8888 (Transfer position to receive up to HKD 1,200) 👉 FUTU Securities official website (Lifetime commission-free for Hong Kong stocks)
(Data as of April 2024, the latest rates are subject to the official website)
Account Opening Procedure and Deposit Methods
FUTU Securities Account Opening
- Applicable to: Suitable for those who have a bank account in Hong Kong (Mainland users need to open accounts with an offline witness or check).
- Required documents: ID card, proof of address (such as utility bills).
- Deposit threshold: the first deposit needs to be ≥ 10,000 Hong Kong dollars (or the equivalent in U.S. dollars).
- Arrival time: eDDA in seconds, cross-border remittance 1-3 working days.
Tiger Brokers account opening
- Applicable people: Support Mainland users (need to have proof of existing overseas brokerage account).
- Required documents: ID card + proof of overseas brokerage (e.g., screenshot of the account of IB, FUTU).
- Deposit threshold: 0 threshold, no mandatory requirement for first time deposit.
- Arrival time:
- DBS/POSB Bank (Singapore): 5 minutes to the account
- Cross-border remittance: 1-3 working days
Account opening summary:
- FUTU is suitable for users with Hong Kong cards, the process is more strict but stable.
- Tiger is more friendly to mainland users and supports DDA second deposit.
APP Experience and Exclusive Functions
FUTU
Advantages:
- Active community: similar to “circle of investment friends”, suitable for exchanging strategies.
- Dark trading: Hong Kong stocks can be bought and sold in advance before the listing of new stocks.
- Fund supermarket: no subscription fee, suitable for long-term allocation.
Disadvantages:
- option function is more basic, not suitable for complex strategies.
Tiger Brokers
Advantages:
- Cash Boost account: trade first and settle later, up to S$20,000 limit.
- Broken stock trading: starting from $1, suitable for small investors.
- AI stock picking (TigerAI): automatically analyze earnings reports, news sentiment.
Disadvantages:
- Hong Kong stock liquidity is slightly inferior to FUTU.
APP Summary:
- FUTU is suitable for social investors, Tiger is suitable for tool investors.
Market Coverage and Product Richness
| Category | Supported by Futu Securities | Supported by Tiger Brokers |
| Stocks | Hong Kong stocks/US stocks/ A - share Connect/Japanese stocks/Singapore stocks | Hong Kong stocks/US stocks/A - share Connect/Australian stocks/Singapore stocks |
| Derivatives | Options/Futures/Bull - bear contracts | Options (13 strategies)/Futures/Bull - bear contracts |
| Funds | 0% subscription fee, over 1500 global funds | 0% subscription fee, over 1500 global funds |
| Features | Dark pool trading | T+0 trading of US Treasury bonds |
Product Summary:
- FUTU is superior in HK stocks and funds.
- Tiger is more flexible in options and US bonds.
Comparison of User Experience and Service: Details Determine the Experience
FUTU Securities
- 7×24-hour Chinese customer service, support for HK stock IPO (industry-leading average winning rate).
- The community is active and suitable for newbies to learn.
Tiger Brokers
- Bilingual customer service in English and Chinese, comprehensive US stock options trading features (support for portfolio strategy).
- Cash Boost account provides up to 20,000 SGD quota, T+0 trading flexibility.
Tiger Brokers April Limited Time Benefits
New Customers Exclusive Double Privileges
🎁 Benefit 1: Get HKD500 commission-free card upon deposit
- Activities:
- First time deposit ≥ HKD10,000 (or currency equivalent)
- Get HKD500 commission-free credit card
- Usage Rules:
- Required to be activated within 60 days after arrival
- Valid for 365 days after activation
- Applicable Scope: Stocks/ETFs/Options (except fractional shares and fixed deposits)
🎁 Benefit 2: Open an account and enjoy 0% commission on U.S. stocks
- Activity Period: Until April 30, 2024
- Applicable Products: U.S. stock trading
- Special Note: You need to open an account through the [Exclusive Link]
Transferring positions to stack the rewards (new and old users can enjoy the same)
💰 Laddered Reward Program:
| Transfer Amount | Reward Eligibility |
| HK$10,000 | HK$700 voucher + 10 free commission cards |
| HK$20,000 | HK$1000 voucher + 15 free commission cards |
| HK$50,000 | HK$1200 voucher + 30 free commission cards |
📌 Operation Guidelines:
- Open Tiger APP → Go to "Position Holding"
- Click on " More" → Select "Transfer Stocks"
- Fill in the information of the original broker and submit the application
- Dedicated customer service will contact you within 1 working day to confirm
Cash Boost Account Privileges
🚀 Activities:
- Enjoy up to SGD 20,000 trading credit immediately upon opening
- Commission-free trading for the first 6 months (until May 9, 2025)
- Additional Bonus: 17 Nvidia Shares for trading up to the standard
✅ For:
- Short-term traders
- Investors with strong liquidity needs
Other Popular Activities
💳 Tiger BOSS Debit Card Benefits:
- 1% cashback on purchases (until 31 Dec 2025)
- S$5 cash voucher on first swipe (until 31 May 2026)
- S$15 more vouchers for bundling Ryde app
👥 Referral Rewards:
- Successfully refer a friend to open an account → Get S$305 + 1 NVDA share
- Referred person must complete the first deposit
Important Notes
- Stacking Rules:
- New Customers can enjoy the double benefits of "Deposit + Transfer" at the same time
- Combination of Vouchers and Commission-Free Card is available
- Expiry Date:
- Most of the campaigns are valid until April 30, 2024
- Cash Boost Commission-Free Privileges are valid until May 9, 2025
- Special Restrictions:
- Stocks must be held for ≥30 days for transfer bonus
- Vouchers cannot be withdrawn, only against transaction fees
📢 Participate Now: 👉 Click to receive exclusive account opening benefits, Invitation Code HAWK8888 (Register through this link to receive additional stock bonus)
Note: All terms and conditions of the campaign are subject to the latest announcements on Tiger Brokers' website, and if you have any questions, please contact our online customer service.
Ultimate Choice Advice
| Investor Type | Recommended Broker | Reason |
| Investors mainly focusing on Hong Kong stocks | Futu Securities | Dark pool trading + Community + Low fixed fee rate |
| Investors focusing on US stocks/multiple markets | Tiger Brokers | Low commission + Many benefits + Odd lot trading |
| High - frequency traders | Futu Securities | Tiered fee structure saves more costs |
| Beginners/Small - value investors | Tiger Brokers | Zero deposit threshold + Commission - free benefits |
📢 Act Now: 👉 Click to Receive Tiger Brokers April Account Opening Benefits , Invitation Code HAWK8888 .
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
1. Will Tiger Brokers deposits be rejected?
Generally not as long as you use your own account in the same name. Avoid third party payment/joint accounts.
2. Which is better for IPO trading, FUTU or Tiger?
| Market | Fee of Futu Securities | Fee of Tiger Brokers |
| Hong Kong stock market | Commission: 0 | Commission: 0 |
| US stock market | $5 per transaction | $5 per transaction (Free during the promotion period) |
3. Is there any charge for fund transfer?
FUTU Hong Kong stock transfer HKD500/transaction, Tiger US stock transfer USD150/transaction. 4.
4. Can I open an account without a foreign bank account?
- FUTU: You must have a Hong Kong bank account
- Tiger Brokers: Supports Wise cross-border remittance, no need for offshore account
5. What deposit methods does Tiger Brokers support?
| Method | Time for Fund Arrival | Fee | Notes |
| DBS/POSB Transfer | Instant arrival | Free | Only available for Singaporean bank accounts |
| Cross-border Telegraphic Transfer | 1-3 working days | Fees charged by intermediary banks | Fill in the correct memo (Account ID + Name) |
| Wise Remittance | 1 working day | Exchange rate difference | Supports direct currency exchange for some Southeast Asian currencies |
6. How long does it take for the deposit to arrive?
| Deposit Method | Time for Fund Arrival of Futu Securities | Time for Fund Arrival of Tiger Brokers |
| Local Transfer in Hong Kong | Instant (FPS) | Instant (DBS) |
| Cross-border Remittance | 1-3 working days | 1-3 working days |
| US Dollar Telegraphic Transfer | 1-3 working days | 1-3 working days |
7. What is the Cash Boost account of Tiger Brokers?
- Core Functions:
- Trade first, pay later (T+2 settlement)
- Default SGD 20,000 trading limit
- Supports bundling with Singapore CDP account
- For:
- Short-term traders
- Investors with strong liquidity needs
8. How are Tiger Brokers ADR fees charged?
- Charging time:
- Deducted with dividend payout
- Or deducted on a specific registration date
- Checking path: Tiger APP → Funds Detail → Other Fees
[Related Reading] 2025 US Brokerage comparison and recommendation guide | Essential Guide to Investing
[Related Reading] Best Forex Trading Platform Recommendations for 2025: Full Analysis of Regulatory Compliance and Trading Costs
Conclusion
FUTU and Tiger are both top brokerage firms, the choice depends on your needs:
- FUTU: Hong Kong Stocks + Community + Dark Markets
- Tiger: U.S. Stocks + Low Threshold + Lots of Benefits
📌 Last reminder: Tiger April Benefits ends on April 30th, don't miss it for new users!
🚀 Open an account now: 👉 Tiger Brokers exclusive welfare channel , Invitation Code HAWK8888 .
·Original
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