1. Core Fee Comparison at a Glance

The table below is the core of this article. We've compiled trade commissions, FX conversion benefits, minimum fees, and tax filing services for the six brokerages so you can compare them at a glance. Review each item carefully, then check the detailed analysis per brokerage in the following sections.

When trading US stocks, the costs you actually incur fall into three main categories. First, trade commissions are the costs paid to the brokerage when buying or selling stocks. Second, FX conversion fees arise from the spread (margin) applied to the bank rate when converting KRW to USD. Third, the SEC Fee is a tiny fee imposed by the US Securities and Exchange Commission only on sell transactions, but this is the same across all brokerages, so it's not a comparison factor. Therefore, when choosing a brokerage, the key is to carefully weigh the trade commission rate and FX conversion benefit rate.

2. Kiwoom Securities

Overview / Features

Kiwoom Securities has long maintained the #1 domestic market share in overseas stock trading. Both its HTS (Heroes) and MTS (HeroesS) have large user bases with abundant community information, and above all, the ability to place US stock orders directly in KRW is a major advantage. Since you can buy and sell directly from your KRW account without separately converting currency, it's very convenient for beginners. The base trade commission is 0.25%, but by enrolling in promotions for new customers, it can be lowered to 0.07%, and the FX conversion benefit rate is consistently 95% around the clock.

Pros

• Promotional commission of 0.07% — Offers industry-leading low trade commissions through promotions
• KRW order support — Buy and sell US stocks directly in KRW without conversion
• 95% FX conversion benefit 24/7 — Receive consistent FX conversion benefits regardless of time
• Rich user community — True to its #1 market share, usage tips and troubleshooting info are widely available online

Cons

• App UI is somewhat complex — With many features, the screen layout can be complex and difficult for beginners at first
• Tax filing is not automatic — You must separately apply for capital gains tax filing, and it's not as automated as Mirae Asset or Samsung
• FX rate spread on KRW orders — Convenient, but the exchange rate may be slightly less favorable than direct conversion

3. Mirae Asset Securities

Overview / Features

Mirae Asset Securities is a securities firm under Korea's largest financial group by assets under management. It has a long history in overseas stock services, and its tax filing service and research reports are particularly noted as strengths. The promotional commission is 0.07%, the same as Kiwoom, and during FX conversion promotions you can receive up to 100% conversion benefits, resulting in significant cost savings.

Pros

• Promotional commission of 0.07% — Same industry-low rate as Kiwoom
• Excellent tax filing service — Automatic capital gains tax calculation and filing are well-organized
• Up to 100% FX conversion benefit during promotions — Runs FX conversion promotions periodically
• High-quality research — Abundant overseas stock-specific research reports and investment information

Cons

• App is somewhat heavy — Reviews indicate the m.Stock app has many features but loads slowly
• FX conversion benefits depend on promotions — Standard conversion benefit rates may be lower than other brokerages, so check promotion periods carefully
• Branch visit may be required for account opening — Some products cannot be set up non-face-to-face

4. Toss Securities

Overview / Features

Toss Securities is a mobile-focused brokerage. You can trade stocks directly within the Toss app without installing a separate app, making it easy to get started — this is its biggest strength. It's particularly popular among those in their 20s and 30s who are new to stock investing. During business hours (09:10–15:50), a 100% FX conversion benefit is applied, meaning zero FX conversion fees, and 50% benefits are also available during overnight and weekend hours. Since launching its overseas stock service in 2024, it has rapidly grown its user base and frequently runs stock purchase promotions and reward programs.

Pros

• 100% FX conversion benefit during business hours — Convert during weekdays 09:10–15:50 for zero FX conversion fees
• Intuitive UI/UX — Clean interface that even stock beginners can immediately understand
• Toss app integration — Convenient to manage banking, insurance, and investing in a single app
• Frequent promotions — Regularly runs various promotions such as rewards on stock purchases and commission discounts

Cons

• No HTS support — Chart analysis and advanced order functions are not available on PC
• 50% overnight FX conversion benefit — FX conversion benefits are halved during nighttime hours when the US market is open
• No tax filing support — You must file capital gains tax returns yourself or use a separate tax service

5. Samsung Securities

Overview / Features

Samsung Securities is a major brokerage known for its stable service and reliability. It has consistently received high marks for low server outages and quality customer service. The promotional trade commission is 0.09%, slightly higher than Kiwoom (0.07%) or Mirae Asset (0.07%), but it's differentiated by the fact that it applies for 11 months and that its tax filing service is well-equipped.

Pros

• Excellent service stability — Server downtime is rare even during rapid market changes, making it trustworthy
• Tax filing support — Well-equipped services that handle capital gains tax calculation and filing
• 11-month promotional commission — Promotional periods tend to be longer than other brokerages
• PB service — Those with assets above a certain threshold can access dedicated PB (Private Banker) services

Cons

• Promotional commission is 0.09% — Slightly higher than Kiwoom or Mirae Asset at 0.07%
• FX conversion benefits may be relatively lower — Check promotions carefully
• Fewer benefits for small investors — Many benefits such as PB services are focused on high-net-worth investors

6. NH Investment Securities (Namuh)

Overview / Features

NH Investment Securities is a major brokerage under the NongHyup Financial Group, gaining popularity among younger users through its mobile-only brand, the Namuh app. FX conversion benefits range from 95% up to 100% depending on conditions, and various promotions are held periodically. In particular, as it's affiliated with NongHyup, there are additional benefits for NH Bank customers.

Pros

• 95–100% FX conversion benefits — Up to 100% FX conversion fee exemption when conditions are met
• Clean UI of Namuh app — Not as much as Toss, but more modern design than traditional brokerage apps
• NongHyup-linked benefits — NH Bank account holders may receive additional benefits on transfers, FX conversion, etc.
• Various promotions — Frequently runs various promotions by conditions such as new sign-ups, deposits, and trading volume

Cons

• Promotion conditions can be complex — To receive 100% FX conversion benefits, specific conditions (such as deposit amounts) must be met
• Tax filing is optional — Operates on an application basis rather than automatic filing
• Smaller HTS user base than Kiwoom — Relatively less community information

7. Meritz Securities

Overview / Features

Meritz Securities' biggest weapon is the Super365 account. If you convert currency through this account, you receive a 100% FX conversion benefit rate — meaning FX conversion fees are completely free. This benefit applies until the end of 2026 and is applied consistently 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. Compared to other brokerages where conversion benefits vary by business hours or conditions, these are very generous terms. If you want to minimize FX conversion costs, this is a brokerage you must keep an eye on.

Pros

• 100% Super365 account FX conversion benefit — Completely free FX conversion fees until end of 2026
• Same conditions 24/7 — Unlike other brokerages, 100% benefits apply regardless of time
• Freedom in FX conversion timing — Convert at favorable rates anytime — before/after US market hours, weekends, etc.
• Beneficial for dollar-buying-then-holding strategies — No fee burden when buying dollars in advance when rates are favorable

Cons

• No tax filing support — You must handle capital gains tax filing yourself
• Small app user base — Fewer users than Kiwoom or Mirae Asset, resulting in less community information
• Super365 benefit may end — Uncertain whether it will be extended after end of 2026

8. Annual Fee Simulation by Investment Size

You might think "a few tenths of a percent in commission fees doesn't matter much," but as trades accumulate, the difference becomes surprisingly large. The simulation below assumes 5 trades per month (buy + sell) and shows the estimated annual trade commissions applying each brokerage's promotional rate. FX conversion fees are separate, and only trade commissions have been calculated.

Analysis results: Based on promotional rates, Kiwoom and Mirae Asset are the cheapest across all investment size ranges. When trading KRW 10 million per month, the difference between Kiwoom/Mirae Asset (~KRW 84,000) and base-rate brokerages (~KRW 300,000) amounts to about KRW 216,000 per year. Add FX conversion fees on top of this, and the actual perceived difference will be even greater. Conversely, for small investors trading KRW 1 million or less per month, the annual difference is around KRW 20,000, so it makes sense to prioritize app convenience or additional services over commissions.

9. Recommendations by Situation

Since each brokerage has different strengths, it's difficult to say "this one is always the best." Choosing a brokerage that matches your investment style and situation is the wisest choice. Below is a summary of which brokerage suits each situation.

Small Investors (KRW 1 million/month or less)

For small amounts, the commission difference isn't large, so ease of use matters more. Toss Securities is the top recommendation. With its intuitive app, fractional share support, and 100% FX conversion benefits during business hours, small investors have plenty of benefits to enjoy. The ability to start right away without complex setup is also a major advantage.

Frequent Traders

For those who trade actively more than 10 times per month, we recommend Kiwoom Securities or Mirae Asset Securities, which have the lowest trade commissions. Both offer industry-leading promotional commissions of 0.07%, and the more trades you make, the more commission savings accumulate. Kiwoom's HTS (Heroes) in particular has powerful charting features that are advantageous for short-term trading.

Long-Term Investors (Buy and Hold)

If you're a "buy and hold" style investor, FX conversion fees and tax filing are more important than trade commissions. Samsung Securities or Mirae Asset Securities are good choices. Their tax filing services are well-organized, reducing year-end capital gains tax concerns, and they offer abundant research reports needed for long-term holding. If you want to minimize FX conversion costs, also consider the Meritz Securities Super365 account.

Those Who Want to Minimize FX Conversion Costs

If minimizing FX conversion costs is your top priority, the clear winner is the Meritz Securities Super365 account. The 100% FX conversion benefit and zero FX conversion fees until the end of 2026 are the most generous terms available right now. The savings effect grows with the size of conversion, and the fact that the same conditions apply around the clock is a major merit. However, you'll need to separately check the trade commission promotional conditions.

Those Who Value Mobile Convenience

If you want to invest only on your smartphone and barely use your PC, Toss Securities is the top choice. The Toss app itself is extremely well-made, and its stock trading screen is intuitive. As a second choice, NH Investment Securities' Namuh app is also a good option. It offers a clean UI along with traditional brokerage-level functionality.

10. Cautions

Return to Base Commission After Promotion Ends

Most brokerage promotional commissions are time-limited. When a promotion ends, you automatically revert to the base commission (0.25%), sometimes without separate notice. If you're receiving a promotional commission, always check the end date and find out if re-enrollment is possible. It's also a good idea to leverage new promotions at other brokerages when your current promotion ends.

FX Conversion Benefit Application Time Differences

FX conversion benefit rates vary in application times by brokerage. For example, Toss Securities applies 100% benefits only during business hours (09:10–15:50), dropping to 50% overnight or on weekends. Meanwhile, Meritz Securities Super365 applies 100% benefits equally around the clock. Since US stock trading hours begin at 11:30 PM Korean time, you should carefully check overnight FX conversion conditions as well.

Check Minimum Fees

Some brokerages used to charge a minimum commission per trade. Currently, most of the six brokerages above waive minimum fees for overseas stocks, but this can vary by promotion conditions or account type, so be sure to check before opening an account. This is especially important for those who trade small amounts frequently, as minimum fees have a relatively larger impact.

Consider Costs Beyond Trade Commissions

When trading US stocks, in addition to trade commissions, you incur SEC Fee (US Securities and Exchange Commission fee, charged on sell transactions), FX conversion spread, and taxes (22% capital gains tax, 15% dividend tax). Even if commissions alone seem to differ by only 0.02%, you need to consider FX conversion costs and taxes comprehensively for a true cost comparison. For more details on taxes, refer to the Complete Guide to US Stock Taxes 2026.

Frequently Asked Questions