Fractional shares are a portion of a single share of stock, allowing investors to buy high-priced equities in smaller, affordable increments—for example, $10 instead of a full $500 share. For investors outside the US, fractional access has become a practical gateway into leading American companies, propelled by mobile-first brokers, tighter spreads, and tokenization. The right platform matters: 95% of consumers read online reviews before choosing fintech services, signaling stronger due diligence in platform selection, fees, and security (source: research on consumer review behavior). As you compare options, weigh regulatory protection, transparent fees, custody model, FX conversion, ease of onboarding, and tax documentation support. Below are 10 standout options for buying US fractional shares globally—including both traditional brokers and next-gen tokenized solutions—so you can match your needs on access, costs, and compliance.

ToVest: Blockchain-Powered Fractional US Stock Trading

ToVest provides blockchain-based fractional ownership of tokenized US stocks and real-world assets, designed for global investors who want speed, access, and stringent security. You can fund with fiat or supported stablecoins, trade 24/7 with advanced order types, and benefit from instant settlement. ToVest’s custody and risk controls are built for cross-border investing: low minimums, global KYC onboarding, cold storage for digital assets, and third-party smart contract audits—all wrapped in clear regulatory workflows to support compliant market entry. For investors seeking always-on markets, instant settlement, and multi-funding rails, ToVest offers a modern alternative to legacy brokers with institutional-grade safeguards.

Key capabilities at a glance:

Learn more about ToVest’s approach to secure, global tokenized investing on the ToVest site.

Interactive Brokers: Comprehensive Global Access and Low Fees

Interactive Brokers (IBKR) is a staple for internationally active investors, known for deep market access, low commissions, and robust FX conversion tools. IBKR supports fractional-share execution in a wide range of US stocks and ETFs for eligible clients, backed by strong execution quality and analytics. The platform also offers granular fee disclosures and institutional-grade reports, which are helpful for cross-border compliance and cost control. Review the broker’s dedicated fractional trading overview for current eligibility, product scope, and order handling details.

• Why it stands out: multi-currency accounts, competitive FX, broad product set, sophisticated desktop/mobile tools.

• Keep in mind: advanced features come with a learning curve; review detailed fee schedules and reporting to optimize costs.

Useful resources:

• Interactive Brokers fractional trading overview

• Independent broker comparisons that include fractional access and fees

Charles Schwab: Regulated Custody with International Options

Charles Schwab offers trusted, regulated custody and transparent pricing—advantages for investors who prioritize safety and clear disclosures. Schwab’s Stock Slices program enables fractional investing in S&P 500 companies, though access for non-US residents depends on your jurisdiction and account type. As a well-capitalized custodian with segregated client assets and multi-jurisdiction oversight, Schwab appeals to global investors who value stability and established investor protections.

• Why it stands out: strong brand trust, regulated custody, straightforward fees, robust client service.

• Keep in mind: fractional availability and product scope can vary for international accounts—verify eligibility before funding.

Resource:

• Charles Schwab Stock Slices program details

Fidelity: Deep Research and Strong Tax Reporting

Fidelity pairs fractional-share access on eligible accounts with industry-leading research, education, and planning tools. For global investors navigating multi-country tax filings, Fidelity’s data exports and statements can simplify reporting. Long-term investors and those operating within stricter compliance regimes often value Fidelity’s research library, fund screeners, and workflow depth.

• Why it stands out: extensive research and tools, investor education, robust statements and tax support.

• Keep in mind: availability of fractional shares and specific features may vary by country—check your local Fidelity entity.

Useful comparisons:

• Bankrate’s guide to brokers offering fractional shares

• NerdWallet’s broker roundups with fractional options

eToro: Social Trading with Cross-Border Fractional Shares

eToro popularized community-led investing by combining fractional US stocks with social trading—an approach where users can replicate or discuss trades in real time with peers via an interactive app. For newer investors, eToro’s feed, copy features, and simple portfolio tools can lower the psychological barrier to entry. Asset custody and product availability differ by region, so confirm what’s offered in your country before funding.

• Why it stands out: community insights, fractional access, intuitive mobile experience.

• Keep in mind: social signals should supplement—not replace—your own research and risk controls.

Independent guide:

• Overview of brokers that support fractional shares, including eToro

Revolut: User-Friendly App for Small-Dollar Investors

Revolut’s investing feature is designed for simple, small-amount access to US shares, with streamlined onboarding and integrated FX conversion for many non-US residents. Minimums are low, and the mobile experience favors quick orders over advanced tooling—useful for casual savers or those experimenting with dollar-cost averaging.

• Why it stands out: fast account setup, easy FX, low starting amounts.

• Keep in mind: product scope, fees, and fractional eligibility vary by region and plan tier—confirm in-app details.

Trading 212: Commission-Free Trading for UK and EU Investors

Trading 212 appeals to price-sensitive investors with zero-commission trading and fractional access for many US stocks, primarily serving the UK and EU. The platform’s simple interface and recurring investment features suit small, regular contributions. As always, availability and protections are governed by local regulators.

• Why it stands out: commission-free pricing, fractional shares, intuitive app.

• Keep in mind: check local tax reporting support, account portability, and regional asset availability.

Stake: APAC-Focused Platform with Localized Support

Stake caters to investors in Australia, New Zealand, and other APAC markets seeking direct US exposure, including fractional shares. Onboarding is straightforward, funding supports local currencies, and the interface emphasizes US market access for retail users. Regional regulatory coverage and customer support are tailored to APAC norms.

• Why it stands out: localized funding and support, clean US-market focus, fractional access.

• Keep in mind: verify fees (FX, inactivity, transfers) and tax documentation for your market.

Saxo Bank: Bank-Backed Brokerage with Multi-Currency Accounts

Saxo Bank combines the security of a bank-backed platform with multi-currency accounts and extensive market coverage. Fractional-share availability depends on account type and jurisdiction and may require additional verification. Experienced investors value Saxo’s research, screeners, and asset allocation tools, especially when managing global, multi-currency portfolios.

• Why it stands out: bank-grade custody, strong research, flexible currency handling.

• Keep in mind: confirm whether your account supports fractional shares and review platform pricing tiers.

Webull: Expanding International Reach with Fractional Shares

Webull offers commission-free US trading with an advanced, mobile-first interface—popular among active traders who want rich charts and technical indicators. Fractional share support is available in the US and select international markets; eligibility varies, so confirm your local status before funding. Commission-free trading means no per-trade fee, which is handy for small, frequent contributions.

• Why it stands out: cost-efficient trading, robust mobile tools, fractional access.

• Keep in mind: check regional availability, market data add-ons, and tax docs for your residence.

Useful comparisons:

• NerdWallet’s broker lists featuring Webull and fractional access

DriveWealth-Powered Brokers: White-Label Solutions for Regional Access

DriveWealth’s infrastructure enables local, regionally branded apps to offer US fractional shares via a white-label brokerage model—where a local platform uses DriveWealth’s regulated backend for execution, custody, and clearing while handling local onboarding, payments, and support. This model brings US market liquidity to investors across LATAM, APAC, and EMEA with familiar local experiences.

Examples of regional brands historically reported to use DriveWealth (verify current availability in your region):

Why it matters:

• Local onboarding and support, with US market rails underneath

• Consistent fractional execution and custody standards

• Faster market entry for investors in regions underserved by traditional brokers

Frequently Asked Questions

What are fractional shares and how do they work?

Fractional shares are portions of a single stock, allowing investors to buy less than one full share. Global investors buy fractional US stocks by specifying the amount they wish to invest, and the broker allocates the corresponding fraction.

How can global investors buy fractional shares of US stocks?

Global investors can buy fractional US stocks by selecting a platform that supports their country, funding their account, and entering the investment amount to purchase a portion of a share regardless of the stock’s full price.

Do fractional shares pay dividends and offer voting rights?

Fractional shares pay proportional dividends to holders, but typically do not come with shareholder voting rights as these are usually retained by the broker.

What should global investors consider when choosing a platform?

Investors should consider regulatory protections, transparent fee structures, reliable tax reporting, and user-friendly onboarding when selecting a platform.

What are the risks and limitations of fractional share investing?

The main risks are lack of voting rights, potential fees on small trades, complexity in tax reporting, and limited access to some corporate actions.