Best Shanghai Stock Exchange Brokers 2025
Discover the best brokers with access to the Shanghai Stock Exchange following our rigorous hands-on testing.
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1Introduced in 2020, RedMars, situated in Cyprus, provides competitive spreads across over 300 trading instruments with a leverage of up to 1:500. They offer three account tiers, namely, Standard, Pro, and VIP, catering to different budgets and levels of trading experience. RedMars also features a speedy, entirely digital account creation process.
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Trust Platform Assets Fees Accounts Research Education Mobile Support 4.9 Founded in 2006, AvaTrade is a top forex and CFD broker trusted by over 400,000 traders. Regulated in 9 regions, it handles more than 2 million trades monthly. AvaTrade offers platforms like MT4, MT5, and WebTrader, with over 1,250 instruments. Traders of all levels can explore CFDs, AvaOptions, and AvaFutures for short-term trading. AvaTrade provides excellent education and 24/5 multilingual customer support for a complete trading experience. -
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Trust Platform Assets Fees Accounts Research Education Mobile Support 4.6 Founded in 1999, Deriv is an innovative broker serving over 2.5 million global clients. The firm offers CFDs, multipliers, and recently, accumulators, along with unique derived products for flexible short-term trading. -
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Trust Platform Assets Fees Accounts Research Education Mobile Support 4.8 Pepperstone, established in Australia in 2010, is a highly-regarded forex and CFD broker serving more than 400,000 international clients. It provides access to over 1,300 instruments through leading trading platforms such as MT4, MT5, cTrader, and TradingView, while keeping fees relatively low and transparent. The company is regulated by known authorities including FCA, ASIC, and CySEC, offering a safe trading environment for all. -
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Trust Platform Assets Fees Accounts Research Education Mobile Support 3.5 eToro is a highly-rated platform that offers trading services in numerous CFDs, stocks, and cryptoassets. Established in 2007, it is used by millions of traders worldwide and is regulated by top-tier governing bodies such as the FCA and CySEC. eToro is well-known for its extensive social trading platform. Through eToro USA LLC, crypto trading is available. Investments are subject to market risk, and the initial invested principal may be lost. CFDs are not offered in the U.S In the UK and some EU countries, investing in cryptoassets is highly volatile and unregulated, with no consumer protection. Profits may be subject to tax. Some retail CFD traders lose money.
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Safety Comparison
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Mobile Trading Comparison
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Comparison for Beginners
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Comparison for Advanced Traders
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Accounts Comparison
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Detailed Rating Comparison
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Fee and Cost Comparison
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Broker Popularity
See how popular the Best Shanghai Stock Exchange Brokers 2025 are in terms of number of clients.
Broker | Popularity |
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eToro |
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Deriv |
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Pepperstone |
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AvaTrade |
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Why Trade With RedMars?
RedMars is suitable for expert traders in the EU who are comfortable with the MetaTrader 5 platform, as the broker is approved by the CySEC. However, due to its minimal education and research tools, it is not recommended for beginners.
Pros
- EU clients can trade confidently with RedMars, as it is approved by the CySEC. In case of bankruptcy, up to €20K compensation is available through the ICF.
- The broker accepts several payment options such as wire transfers, credit cards, e-wallets, and notably, cryptocurrencies for trading related transactions.
- The broker is among a few firms that provide a special account for VIPs featuring premium support and exclusive event invitations.
Cons
- The trading platform is simple, lacking advanced features like Islamic account, PAMM account, or copy trading.
- RedMars is not suitable for new traders. It lacks educational resources, has no user-friendly platform, requires a high minimum deposit, and demonstrated insufficient customer support during testing.
- RedMars provides a constrained trading platform, offering just 300 instruments. This is quite limited compared to top competitors such as BlackBull Markets, which boasts 26,000 assets.
Why Trade With AvaTrade?
AvaTrade provides traders with essential tools: an intuitive WebTrader, strong AvaProtect risk management, a quick 5-minute sign-up, and reliable support for fast-paced markets.
Pros
- Years later, AvaTrade is still among the few brokers with a custom risk management tool, AvaProtect, which insures losses up to $1M for a fee and is simple to use on the platform.
- AvaTrade enhances its products with AvaFutures, offering an alternative to trade over 35 markets with low trading margins.
- AvaTrade's support team did well in tests, responding within 3 minutes and providing local support in major regions like the UK, Europe, and the Middle East.
Cons
- While the deposit process is smooth, AvaTrade doesn't support crypto payments, unlike TopFX, which caters to crypto-focused traders.
- The AvaSocial app is satisfactory but could be better. Its design, usability, and navigation between strategy providers and account management need improvement to compete with top platforms like eToro.
- AvaTrade’s WebTrader has improved, but it needs more customization as widgets like market watch and watchlists can't be hidden, moved, or resized.
Why Trade With Deriv?
Deriv is perfect for active traders looking for unique methods to engage with global financial markets. It offers multipliers, accumulator options, and exclusive synthetic indices that simulate real market movements and are accessible 24/7, ensuring continuous trading opportunities outside regular market hours.
Pros
- In 2025, Deriv updated its app with a cleaner interface, enhanced position management, and simplified contract details for smarter mobile trading, winning DayTrading.com's 'Best Trading App' award.
- Despite slower response times compared to other options, Deriv provides 24/7 support and is one of the few brokers that offer assistance via WhatsApp.
- After incorporating TradingView and MT5 web trader, Deriv now provides top-quality charting tools across desktop, web, and mobile.
Cons
- Though there’s a basic blog, there is limited technical analysis or market reports available to assist traders in spotting potential opportunities.
- Leverage up to 1:1000 attracts traders with high risk tolerance, but it's disappointing that leverage can't be adjusted in the account settings.
- The Academy, launched in 2021, is a positive step, but it offers limited education on advanced trading topics for experienced traders and lacks live webinars to train new traders.
Why Trade With Pepperstone?
Pepperstone is a leading choice for trading with low spreads, quick execution, and advanced charting for experienced traders. New traders benefit from no minimum deposit, a wealth of educational resources, and 24/7 support. Operating under ASIC regulation, Pepperstone is a top option for Australian traders and won DayTrading.com's 'Best Aus Broker' award for 2025.
Pros
- Support for numerous top-charting platforms such as MT4, MT5, TradingView, and cTrader. These cater to different short-term trading styles, including algorithmic trading.
- Pepperstone is a low-cost broker, ideal for serious traders. The Razor account offers spreads from 0.0, with rebates up to 30% for indices and commodities, and $3 per lot for forex through the Active Trader program.
- Pepperstone provides impressive transaction completion speeds, averaging about 30ms. This allows for quick order processing and execution, making it suitable for traders.
Cons
- Despite market improvements, the crypto options provided are fewer compared to other brokers like eToro, with no chance to buy actual coins.
- Pepperstone does not support cTrader Copy, a popular feature in the cTrader platform available at alternatives like IC Markets, though it has launched an intuitive copy trading app.
- Pepperstone's demo accounts last for 30 days. This might be insufficient for learning the various platforms and testing trading strategies.
Why Trade With eToro?
eToro's social trading platform ranks highly due to its excellent user experience and active community chat, useful for beginners seeking trading opportunities. The platform also offers competitive fees on a vast selection of CFDs and actual stocks, alongside beneficial rewards for skilled strategy contributors.
Pros
- Top copy traders can earn up to 1.5% annually on copied assets in the broker's Popular Investor Program.
- The web platform and mobile app receive higher user reviews and app rankings than leading competitors, including AvaTrade.
- There is a complete online training academy offering easily accessible resources, including short articles and detailed courses.
Cons
- The absence of extra charting platforms like MT4 may reduce the appeal for experienced traders used to third-party software.
- There are no guaranteed stop-loss orders, which would be a helpful risk management feature for beginners.
- Contact options are limited, except for the in-platform live chat.
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Trading on the Shanghai Stock Exchange
The Shanghai Stock Exchange (SSE) is the largest marketplace for trading stocks in mainland China, dealing in a wide variety of financial products like stocks, bonds, and derivatives from many companies. This guide will help you understand the basics of trading on the SSE, including its indices, rules, and how to begin investing. We’ll also provide tips to help you start.
Below is a list of top brokers that offer access to the Shanghai Stock Exchange, along with advice for choosing the right platform for you.
How to Choose Shanghai Stock Exchange Brokers
To start trading, you must first choose from the available brokers that give access to the SSE. Here are key factors to consider:
Available Trading Products
– Look for brokers that offer a wide variety of derivative products related to the SSE. This helps diversify your investments without the need for multiple accounts.
– Make sure the broker provides the specific assets you want to trade, such as stocks, ETFs, or fractional shares.
Trading Platforms and Tools
– Compare the platforms offered by different brokers, such as desktop and mobile apps, for ease of use.
– Features like customizable charts, live stock prices, and access to historical data can help you make smart investment decisions.
– Advanced tools like technical indicators, strategy builders, and copy-trading services are also beneficial.
Educational Resources
– Education is crucial whether you are new or experienced in trading. Choose brokers that provide educational materials and training.
– Some brokers offer video tutorials, step-by-step guides, and strategy tips.
Fees and Costs
– Check the fees associated with each broker because they can impact your profits. Consider what services you are getting in return for any fees.
– Some brokers, like Admiral Markets, offer competitive fees with no charge for deposits and withdrawals. If you plan to trade on margin, compare the lending rates too.
Understanding the Shanghai Stock Exchange
The Shanghai Stock Exchange, located in Shanghai, China, is the country’s largest and is among the top four globally. It functions as a non-profit organization overseen by the China Securities Regulatory Commission (CSRC). The SSE Composite Index, which tracks all SSE-listed stocks, is often used to gauge market performance.
A Brief History
Early Beginnings
– Trading started in Shanghai in 1866, backed by banks and legal frameworks.
– The “Shanghai Sharebrokers’ Association” was founded in 1891, later becoming the Shanghai Stock Exchange in 1904.
– The exchange paused operations during historic events like WWII and the Chinese revolution.
Modern Times
– Re-established in 1990, the SSE resumed trading after years of reform.
– Managed by the CSRC from 1997, the exchange has faced ups and downs, including a peak in 2007.
– 2019 saw the launch of the STAR Market, focusing on tech companies, similar to the US Nasdaq.
Main Indices
SSE Composite Index
– This tracks all stocks on the SSE, serving as a primary market performance indicator.
SSE 180 and SSE 50
– SSE 180 includes the largest 180 companies by size, while SSE 50 focuses on the top 50.
SSE Mega-Cap
– Targets the biggest 20 companies on the exchange; not all brokers offer access to it.
CSI 300
– This index aggregates 300 top stocks from both the Shanghai and Shenzhen exchanges, similar to the S&P 500 in the US.
How the SSE Operates
The SSE has two types of shares:
– B-shares: Priced in US dollars and available to foreign investors.
– A-shares: Priced in Chinese yuan and mostly restricted to local investors, unless through a special program called QFII.
A QFII allows licensed foreign investors to trade these A-shares, which largely consist of state-run companies.
Requirements for Listing on the SSE
To list a company on the SSE, it must:
– Be approved by the China Securities Regulatory Commission (CSRC).
– Have at least 30 million RMB in shares.
– Publicly offer a significant portion of its shares.
– Have a clean legal history and profitable records for three years.
Companies must also follow strict reporting rules to keep investors informed.
When the SSE is Open
The exchange operates Monday to Friday, with trading sessions divided into:
– Morning session: 9:30-11:30 CST (17:30-19:30 GMT)
– Afternoon session: 13:00-15:00 CST (21:00-23:00 GMT)
There are additional pre-trading and post-trading times, but with lower activity and liquidity.
Key Dates to Know
Mark these holidays in your calendar, as the exchange is closed:
- New Year’s Day – January 1st
- Chinese New Year – February 11th-12th and 15th-17th
- Qingming Festival – April 5th
- Labor Day – May 3rd-5th
- Dragon Boat Festival – June 14th
- Mid-Autumn Festival – September 21st
- National Day – October 1st and 4th-6th
Major Players on the SSE
Some of the world’s largest companies are listed here, such as:
- Kweichow Moutai
- Industrial and Commercial Bank of China
- Ping An
- Agricultural Bank of China
- China Merchants Bank
Investing in these stocks requires careful planning due to high competition and risks. Brokers often provide tools to help analyze these investments.
Comparing SSE with Other Exchanges
Shanghai vs. Shenzhen Stock Exchange
– Both opened in 1990, but Shenzhen is smaller with a focus on tech and manufacturing.
Shanghai vs. Hong Kong Stock Exchange
– Hong Kong Exchange allows more freedom for foreign investors, facilitated by the Shanghai-Hong Kong Connect program started in 2014.
Why Consider Trading on the SSE?
Despite being less popular in the West, the SSE is the fourth-largest exchange globally and offers exciting opportunities for those looking to invest in large, successful companies in the world’s second-largest economy. Foreign investors can use ETFs to indirectly access the market.
Getting Started with SSE Trading
Foreign investors can trade SSE stocks through:
- Opening an Account – Choose a broker that aligns with your strategy and interests.
- Depositing Funds – Be careful with currency exchange and potential fees.
- Buying SSE Stocks – After setting up your account, start trading with your chosen broker.
Note: China’s “T+1” rule restricts selling stocks on the same day they’re bought.
SSE ETFs Explained
ETFs allow indirect investment in SSE stocks without direct buying. The Harvest CSI 300 China A-Shares ETF is a popular choice, tracking 300 top stocks from both SSE and Shenzhen exchanges.
Tips for Investing on the SSE
Utilize Extended Hours
– Volatility increases during special electronic trading times. Reports released post-session can greatly influence stock prices.
Assess Historical Data
– Examining a company’s past performance can offer clues to its future trends.
Stay Updated
– Keep informed with recent news and company announcements to understand how they might impact stock prices.
Conclusion
The SSE offers vast opportunities for those willing to navigate its complexities. As the fourth-largest global exchange, it allows for portfolio diversification, and broker tools can enhance your trading experience. Start by choosing a top-rated broker to access the SSE.