[MoneySmart Exclusive]
Get S$80 via PayNow when you open and fund a min. of S$1,000 in one single deposit with uSMART. T&Cs apply.
[uSMART Promotion]
• Trade US Stocks and ETFs at only US$1/order. T&Cs apply
• Get up to USD$622 when you refer a friend. T&Cs apply.
MoneySmart Exclusive: Promotion is valid from 01-December-2024 to 31-December-2024
uSMART US Stocks and ETFs Promo: Promotion is valid from 01-March-2024 till further notice.
uSMART Referral Promo: Promotion is valid from 12-June-2024 to 31-December-2024
Customers need to sign up for a new uSMART account through MoneySmart to be eligible.
Promotion is applicable for New Users only
Customers need to submit the MoneySmart Claim Form by 31st December 2024 to be eligible.
[MoneySmart Exclusive]
a. Make a single initial deposit of min. S$1,000 within one deposit and maintain funds for 30 days to receive:
i. S$80 Cash via PayNow
*Cash Redemption will be sent within 6 to 8 weeks from 31st December 2024.
[uSMART Promotion]
uSMART US Stocks and ETFs Promo:
- Trade US Stocks and ETFs at only US$1/order. T&Cs apply
uSMART Referral Promo:
- Get up to USD$622 from uSMART when you refer a friend. T&Cs apply.
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Hong Kong-based uSMART Securities is a relatively new player in Singapore’s online brokerage scene. Its standout feature is the lowest trading fees in the market—$0 commission on US stocks, low options fees at $0.50 per contract, and 0 commission on CFD trades.
Moreover, uSMART is the only brokerage in Singapore offering a high interest rate of 4.6% p.a. on account balances, making it an attractive choice for both active traders and long-term investors. Through the uSMART app, you can pick from a decent range of assets including Hong Kong and US stocks, options, CFDs, ETFs, and more.
If you're considering uSMART, let's take a look at the pros and cons of trading through its platforms and find out if it's suitable for your trading needs as compared to similar online brokerages in Singapore.
Since its launch in Singapore in 2021, uSMART has provided access to major markets, including Singapore, the US, and Hong Kong, alongside a diverse range of trading products and services.
These include options, forex, stocks, CFDs, fractional shares, and futures. With this variety of trading products, uSMART enables traders to diversify their portfolios and seize opportunities across multiple regions. While the specific markets may evolve over time, uSMART consistently offers access to key global exchanges.
uSMART offers access to several index options, including SPX, VIX, NDX, DJX, OEX, and XSP. Traders can also choose from various option strategies, such as long/short single options, covered calls, vertical spreads, straddles, and strangles, catering to different investment preferences.
With uSMART’s forex platform, you can leverage currency trades without owning the underlying asset. Currently, there are over 80 currency pairs available, including Majors and Asian currencies, and there is zero commission, tight spreads starting from 0.5 pips, and high-speed connectivity.
uSMART currently offers trading in over 2,000 US-listed stocks via CFDs, requiring only a 10% margin deposit to begin. Commissions start as low as $0.02 per share, with no stamp duty or additional US stock-related fees.
Through uSMART, traders can invest in fractional shares of over 13,000 stocks and ETFs, with investments starting as low as $1. The platform’s advanced smart order types and automated trading strategies allow investors to execute trades based on preset criteria, while the SMART (Regular) Savings Plan enables regular investments on a daily, weekly, or monthly basis.
There are more than 100 futures contracts which you can trade via uSMART, including stock indices, commodities, and forex, on major exchanges like HKEX, CME, ICE, and SGX. If you're a uSMART account holder, you can benefit from zero platform fees and commissions as low as $0.99 per contract.
uSMART offers a variety of trading platforms to cater to different preferences and trading styles.
The uSMART SG Mobile app, available on both iOS and Android, is a popular choice for traders who prefer the flexibility of trading on the go. With its user-friendly interface, the app offers a range of educational resources, advanced smart order types for automating trades based on set criteria, and zero commission on trades for the US, Singapore, and Hong Kong markets.
Launched just a few years ago, uSMART’s desktop platforms provide a more convenient option for those who prefer large-screen trading. Accessible via Mac, Windows, and any web browser, the platform offers advanced charting tools, customizable layouts, and real-time market data, making it a comprehensive solution for desktop traders.
For institutional investors and high-frequency traders, uSMART offers a robust OpenAPI platform that supports all major operating systems, including Windows, Linux, and Mac OS. This platform allows users to access market and trading interfaces for various quantitative investment needs, free of charge, with no additional fees for trading through the OpenAPI.
uSMART Securities offers three types of accounts: uSMART Trader, uSMART Standard, and uSMART Intel, each with varying fees and benefits to suit different types of traders
The uSMART Trader account offers the lowest commission fees, making it ideal for frequent traders. For example, there are no commission fees charged for both US and SG stocks, just platform fees of 0.03% x transaction amount for SG stocks, and USD 0.005 per share for US stocks. However, this account comes with limitations—users do not have access to advanced product features and are not eligible for the welcome promotions.
With the uSMART Standard account, traders pay slightly higher fees compared to the Trader account. In return, users are eligible for the welcome promo and gain access (limited to 10 times, accurate at the time of writing on 24 October 2024 as per uSMART's website) to smart features like the uSMART application’s Discover tab, where they can view content such as featured strategies and daily stock picks, leverage the Value Screener, Technical Analysis, and Trend Track, unlike the Trader account which doesn't provide such benefits.
The uSMART Intel account gives you unlimited access to all advanced smart tools and eligibility for welcome gifts. However, this account has the highest fees, with zero commission per share, platform fees of 0.05% x transaction amount for SG stocks, and USD 0.01 per share for US stocks.
Despite being a new player in the online brokerage sector, uSMART has made a name for itself and like all other registered investment brokerages in Singapore, it is regulated by the Monetary Authority of Singapore (MAS) and holds a Capital Markets Services (CMS) License under the Securities and Futures Act 2001.
uSMART Singapore is a subsidiary under the uSMART Group which focuses on securities brokerage and fintech services. uSMART Group also has another subsidiary - uSMART HK which is licensed by the Hong Kong Securities and Futures Commission for Types 1, 4, and 9 activities, while uSMART Singapore received its CMS license from the Monetary Authority of Singapore in December 2021.
Client funds and securities are held in segregated custodian accounts to prevent commingling. uSMART conducts due diligence on counterparties and maintains strict controls to continuously monitor client funds.
The uSMART Cash Account is a straightforward option for traders who prefer trading solely with deposited funds. Purchasing power is directly tied to the account's cash balance. This account provides access to major equity markets, including US, Singapore, and Hong Kong stocks, along with the option for fractional share trading.
For traders seeking greater flexibility and leverage, the margin account boosts purchasing power up to threefold. Using cash or shares as collateral, investors can seize opportunities across diverse markets. Margin accounts also grant access to equity markets, fractional shares, and advanced products like options, short selling, and FX CFDs.
uSMART has a dedicated customer service team which is available anytime through phone, email, website, or in-app hotline, providing round-the-clock consultation services.
Besides uSMART, Interactive Brokers (IBKR) and Saxo are also among the other popular brokerages in Singapore that offer stock trading, options trading, forex, plus other investment products. Let’s compare these 3 platforms to help you make a decision on the one that’s most suitable for you.
Among the three brokerages, uSMART generally has the lowest commission fees rates for both SG and US stocks, with a minimum commission fee of 1 SGD for SG stocks and 1 USD for US stocks, However, IBKR offers even lower fees for US stocks and a wider range of products. Saxo's fees are competitive, but slightly higher than uSMART and IBKR. While IBKR provides slightly lower fees for SG stocks at 0.9 – 2.50 SGD and a minimum of 0.35 USD for US stocks, Saxo’s fees are higher, with a minimum of 1-5 SGD for SG stocks and 0.25-2 USD for US stocks.
In terms of product offerings, all three brokerages provide a comprehensive selection of investments, including stocks, ETFs, options, futures, and foreign exchange, but IBKR stands out with its extensive range of products, including cryptocurrencies and mutual funds.
For trading platforms, uSMART offers a user-friendly interface and mobile app while IBKR provides a powerful platform with advanced features, but it may be more complex for beginners. Saxo kind of sits in the middle as it offers multiple platforms to cater to different trading styles.
In a nutshell, if you prioritise low fees and a simple interface, uSMART may be a good choice. For a wider range of products and advanced trading tools, IBKR is a strong contender. Saxo offers a balance of features and ease of use.
uSMART | IBKR | Saxo |
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Commission Fee (SG stocks and US stocks):
| Commission Fee (SG stocks and US stocks):
| Commission Fee (SG stocks and US stocks):
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Key trading products: Options, Forex, Stocks, CFDs, Fractional Shares, and Futures | Key trading products: Stocks, ETFs, Bonds, Options, Futures, FX, Mutual Funds, Commodities, CFDs, Cryptocurrencies | Key trading products: Stocks, ETFs, Bonds, Options, Futures, FX, Mutual Funds, Commodities, CFDs, Cryptocurrencies |
Minimum funding: None | Minimum funding: None | Minimum funding: None (Bronze account plan) |
Trading platforms: OANDA mobile app, OANDA Web, MetaTrader 4, TradingView | Trading platforms: Trader Workstation, Client Portal, IBKR Mobile/Desktop, IBKR API, GlobalTrader, and IBKR IMPACT | Trading platforms: SaxoInvestor, SaxoTraderGO, SaxoTraderPRO |
Funding modes: PayNow, FAST, Big Pay, Telegraphic Transfer, eGIRO transfer | Funding modes: Bank transfer and Wise | Funding modes: FAST, PayNow, MEPS, internet bank transfer or credit/debit card |