2025 Hong Kong Stock Broker Selection Guide: Futu Securities vs. Xueying Securities Comparison

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If you seek an exceptional trading experience and active community interaction, Futu Securities is highly suitable for you. If you prioritize low trading costs and leverage tools, Xueying Securities is worth considering. When choosing, you can focus on core aspects such as account opening process, trading fees, product features, user experience, and security to find the broker that best fits your needs.

Core Points

• When choosing a Hong Kong stock broker, focus on account opening convenience, trading fees, product features, user experience, and regulatory compliance to find the platform most suitable for you.
• Futu Securities is ideal for investors who enjoy active communities and diverse products, while Xueying Securities suits those seeking low trading costs and flexible leverage.
• The online account opening process is simple and fast, typically completed within 30 minutes, supporting mobile operations to save time and effort.
• Trading commissions and financing rates vary significantly, and frequent traders should carefully compare fees to choose a cost-effective platform.
• Fund security and regulatory credentials are critical; prioritize platforms with multiple Hong Kong financial licenses and strict fund custody to ensure asset safety.

Overview Comparison

Key Metrics

When selecting a Hong Kong stock broker, you can start by examining key metrics. The table below helps you quickly understand the main features of the two brokers:

Tip: When comparing, focus on commissions, financing rates, and account opening processes. Fee and service differences significantly impact your investment experience.

User Experience

When using a broker’s platform, user experience is the most immediate impression. Futu Securities’ trading system is developed in-house, ensuring stable operations and high information security. When operating, you find the interface clean, with clearly organized functions, allowing quick access to needed services. Most users in Hong Kong choose to stay long-term, with a quarterly retention rate of 98.1%, indicating user recognition of the platform’s service and experience.

Xueying Securities currently lacks detailed user experience data. If you prioritize smooth platform operations and detailed service information, consider platforms with comprehensive data and user feedback.

Account Opening Convenience

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Process Comparison

When choosing a Hong Kong stock broker, the convenience of the account opening process is crucial. Many brokers now support fully online operations. You only need a smartphone and ID to complete account opening. For example, with Xueying Securities, you can follow these steps to open an account:

1. You first register an account with your phone number, which takes about 2 minutes.
2. Next, you upload your ID and a selfie for identity verification, taking about 5 minutes.
3. Then, you fill in financial details, including income and investment experience, typically completed in 3 minutes.
4. Finally, you submit the documents for review, which combines automated and manual processes, usually completed within 15 minutes, or up to 2 hours during peak times.
5. Once approved, you receive SMS and app notifications, and the account is ready for immediate use.

The entire process typically takes less than 30 minutes. You don’t need to visit a Hong Kong bank or mail physical documents. Compared to traditional brokers, online account opening saves significant time and effort.

Review Speed

When opening an account, review speed directly affects your investment efficiency. Xueying Securities uses a combination of automated and manual reviews. In most cases, you wait only 15 minutes for review results. Even during peak times, reviews take no longer than 2 hours. Once you receive approval notification, you can immediately deposit funds and start trading. This efficient review process allows you to seize market opportunities quickly. If you have high demands for account opening speed, online brokers are more suitable.

Trading Fees

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Commission Structure

When choosing a broker, the commission structure directly impacts your trading costs. Different brokers have significant variations in fee standards. You can refer to the table below for Xueying Securities’ commission details in the US and Hong Kong stock markets:

When trading US stocks, Xueying Securities charges $0.005 per share, with a minimum of $1 per trade. For Hong Kong stocks, the minimum fee per trade is 18 HKD, approximately $2.3. Futu Securities has not publicly disclosed specific commission rates, but you can check its platform announcements or contact customer service for the latest information.

Tip: For frequent trading, commission levels affect your total returns. Compare brokers’ commission standards carefully before opening an account.

Other Fees

Beyond commissions, you should also consider other fees. Common fees include platform usage fees, account management fees, and deposit/withdrawal fees. Xueying Securities has low platform usage and account management fees for US and Hong Kong stock trading. When withdrawing funds, some Hong Kong banks may charge $10-$20 per transaction. During currency conversion, you should also note exchange rate differences, especially between HKD and USD.

When choosing a broker, consider commissions and other fees comprehensively to better control investment costs and improve overall returns.

Product Features

Futu Securities Features

When using Futu Securities, you can experience a wide range of product features. The trading platform uses a “canvas + components” model, allowing you to customize the interface layout based on your needs. Multiple independent trading pages displayed in split-screen mode let you monitor different markets and products simultaneously, enhancing trading efficiency. The platform covers 11 sections, including market data, opportunities, trading, watchlists, options, portfolios, quantitative trading, simulations, news, and messages, supporting multi-market and multi-product trading. You can easily access global market data and analyze stocks’ technical and fundamental aspects.

The Futu Niuniu Circle is the platform’s core community. You can browse articles, join discussions, and execute trades directly within the community. The community uses a recommendation mechanism linking articles and asset details pages, helping you discover high-quality content. The platform also has an invitation reward system, encouraging you and other users to create quality content. The integration of community content with trading enhances your engagement and investment experience.

Tip: If you enjoy interaction and learning, Futu Securities’ community engagement and educational courses will greatly benefit you.

Xueying Securities Features

With Xueying Securities, you can access flexible leverage trading tools. The platform offers low financing rates, suitable for investors seeking high capital efficiency. You can choose different leverage levels based on your risk tolerance to improve fund utilization. Xueying Securities also provides rich fundamental data and analytical tools for value investors, helping you make more informed investment decisions.

The platform’s interface is clean, with clear operational workflows. You can quickly execute orders, set stop-loss/stop-profit levels, and more. For users prioritizing low costs and high leverage, Xueying Securities is a strong choice.

Deposit and Withdrawal Experience

Method Comparison

When choosing a broker, deposit and withdrawal methods directly affect fund transfer efficiency. You can transfer funds to a broker’s account through various methods, including Hong Kong bank transfers, third-party payment platforms, and wire transfers. After opening an account with Futu Securities, you can choose to deposit funds via a Hong Kong bank account, USD account, or offshore RMB account. If you lack an offshore bank card, you can also transfer funds through Chinese banks (e.g., in Beijing). The broker provides detailed guidance to help you complete deposits smoothly. With Xueying Securities, the platform also supports multiple deposit methods, but specific details and processes are less publicly available. For withdrawals, you typically need to bind a bank account in the same name, with funds arriving in 1-3 business days. Note that different brokers have varying rules on deposit/withdrawal amounts and fees, so check policies in advance.

Tip: For large deposits or withdrawals, prioritize Hong Kong bank accounts for faster receipt and lower fees.

Currency Conversion Convenience

When investing across currencies, the convenience of currency conversion is critical. Futu Securities supports deposits in USD, HKD, and offshore RMB, allowing you to convert directly within the account. You can flexibly switch currencies based on your investment needs. The broker also offers multi-region bank account options, facilitating deposits from various regions. If you lack an offshore bank card, you can use Chinese banks for transfers, with the broker providing detailed conversion guidance and support. In contrast, Xueying Securities has not disclosed specific details on currency conversion convenience. If you have high demands for currency conversion and multi-currency operations, prioritize platforms supporting multi-currency conversion.

Customer Service

Service Channels

When choosing a Hong Kong stock broker, the variety of service channels directly impacts your experience. You can contact broker customer service through multiple channels, including online customer service, phone hotlines, email, and in-app messages. For issues, you can prioritize online customer service, which typically responds quickly and is suitable for resolving common issues like account opening, deposits/withdrawals, and trading. Phone hotlines are ideal for urgent or complex issues. You can also submit detailed queries via email, with responses typically within 1-2 business days. Some brokers support in-app message notifications, allowing you to receive real-time account updates and service announcements.

Tip: When using broker services, prioritize platforms with 24/7 online customer service for timely assistance.

Chinese Language Support

When using a Hong Kong stock broker, the quality of Chinese language support is crucial. You can select Chinese interfaces in the app, website, and customer service systems. Most mainstream brokers provide a fully Chinese operating environment. When consulting customer service, you can ask questions directly in Chinese, and support responds in Chinese. When reviewing announcements, help documents, and product descriptions, you also access detailed Chinese content, making it easier to understand services and processes. Some brokers also hold regular Chinese online seminars to help you learn investment knowledge and platform operations. If you prefer Chinese communication, prioritize platforms with robust Chinese support.

For complex terms or processes, you can consult Chinese customer service anytime for detailed explanations.

Security and Compliance

Futu Securities Licenses

When choosing a broker, security and compliance are top considerations. Futu Securities holds comprehensive compliance credentials in the Hong Kong market. You can see that Futu Securities holds multiple core licenses issued by the Hong Kong SFC, including:

1. Type 1 (Securities Trading)
2. Type 2 (Futures Contracts Trading)
3. Type 3 (Leveraged Forex Trading)
4. Type 4 (Advising on Securities)
5. Type 5 (Advising on Futures Contracts)
6. Type 7 (Providing Automated Trading Services)
7. Type 9 (Asset Management)

These licenses cover most of the 10 common SFC license types, demonstrating Futu Securities’ strength in compliance and business expansion. You can also note that Futu Securities has completed an upgrade to its Type 1 license, qualifying it to provide virtual asset trading services. Its wholly-owned subsidiary also holds virtual asset-related licenses, giving you more options for virtual asset investments. Futu Securities leads the industry in dark pool trading and automated trading services. If you prioritize compliance and security, consider brokers with multiple Hong Kong licenses.

Tip: Neither Futu Securities nor Xueying Securities has faced major compliance risk incidents in recent years, so you can use these platforms with confidence.

Xueying Securities Security

When considering Xueying Securities, you can also focus on its security measures. Xueying Securities relies on Interactive Brokers (IBKR) as its trading channel, adopting international-standard risk control and fund segregation mechanisms. Your funds on the platform are managed separately from the company’s own funds, reducing the risk of misappropriation. Xueying Securities is suitable for users with larger funds, as it supports multi-currency fund management and efficient deposit/withdrawal processes. You can enjoy high fund security during investments. Although during extreme US market volatility in 2020, Xueying Securities experienced brief system downtime due to technical pressure, this was a technical issue, not a compliance risk. When choosing, you can rationally assess the broker’s security based on your fund size and needs.

Recommendations for Target Audiences

Beginner Users

If you’re new to Hong Kong stock investing, choosing a platform with a simple account opening process, user-friendly interface, and comprehensive service support will make your investment journey smoother. During account opening, you can complete all steps via the mobile app without visiting a Hong Kong bank for complex procedures. Platforms typically provide detailed account opening guidance and Chinese customer service to help you get started quickly. During use, the interface is clear, with key functions easily accessible. You can also join investor education courses offered by platforms to learn basic knowledge and practical skills. For beginners, choosing a platform with robust Chinese support and simple operations significantly lowers the entry barrier, helping you adapt to the Hong Kong stock market faster.

Tip: During account opening, prioritize platforms with fully online processes and Chinese customer service for immediate assistance with issues.

Frequent Traders

If you’re a high-frequency trader, you’re highly sensitive to trading efficiency and costs. You can focus on whether the platform supports automated trading tools, such as automatic grid trading. By setting a price range, the system automatically buys and sells stocks, suitable for high-frequency trading strategies. Both mainstream brokers offer automatic grid trading to automate operations, saving significant time.

During trading, platforms offer exclusive promotions for high-frequency traders, such as the “B Plan” with specialized fee standards to reduce trading costs. When trading US and Hong Kong stocks, some platforms have low commissions, ideal for small-amount, high-frequency trades. You can also use platform assistance to open a Hong Kong bank account with low thresholds for faster fund transfers. Opening an account with an invitation code can provide additional benefits.

1. Automatic grid trading, supporting high-frequency automated buying and selling.
2. Exclusive fee standards for high-frequency trading, reducing trading costs.
3. Low-threshold Hong Kong bank account opening, improving fund transfer efficiency.
4. Exclusive benefits for invitation code account openings.

When choosing, prioritize platforms supporting automated trading and high-frequency trading promotions to enhance trading efficiency and returns.

Large Fund Users

If you have substantial funds, you prioritize fund security and service assurance. You need to understand the platform’s regulatory credentials, fund custody methods, and risk protection mechanisms. Different platforms vary significantly in these areas. You can refer to the table below to quickly understand the fund security and service support of two mainstream brokers:

When choosing, prioritize platforms with multiple Hong Kong financial licenses, strict fund custody, and comprehensive protection mechanisms to maximize fund security and reduce investment risks. You can also benefit from professional research services and investor education courses for more comprehensive support. If you have large funds, thoroughly review the platform’s custody and compensation mechanisms to ensure asset safety.

For large fund operations, prioritize platforms with segregated funds and robust protection mechanisms for quick compensation and support in case of issues.

Considerations

Selection Details

When choosing a Hong Kong stock broker, you need to focus on practical operational details. First, carefully review each platform’s account opening requirements. Different brokers may have varying requirements for ID, proof of address, and proof of fund sources. You can prepare documents in advance to avoid delays due to incomplete materials. Second, compare deposit and withdrawal methods across platforms. Some brokers support direct Hong Kong bank account transfers for faster receipt and lower fees. If you lack a Hong Kong bank account, choose brokers supporting third-party payments or wire transfers, but note fees and receipt times. Also, check the platform’s currency conversion services. Some brokers allow direct USD and HKD conversions within the account, settled at real-time exchange rates, saving conversion costs. Before opening an account, consult platform customer service for these details to ensure smooth fund transfers.

Tip: When choosing a broker, use a demo account to test platform features, understand the trading interface, and service processes to make a more suitable choice.

Risk Warnings

When investing in Hong Kong stocks, you need to fully recognize associated risks. First, market volatility risks are significant, with stock prices potentially fluctuating sharply in a short time. You should allocate funds reasonably based on your risk tolerance. Second, exchange rate risks are notable. When investing in Hong Kong stocks with USD, the HKD to USD exchange rate is typically around 1:0.13, but fluctuations can affect your actual returns. You should also note compliance risks. Although mainstream platforms like Futu Securities hold multiple Hong Kong financial licenses, policy changes may impact some services. During operations, regularly monitor platform announcements and regulatory policy changes to adjust investment strategies promptly. Finally, fund security is critical. Prioritize platforms with segregated funds and strict custody to avoid losses due to platform issues.

Recommendation: Before investing, set stop-loss levels, diversify investments, and avoid significant losses from single market or product fluctuations.

When choosing a Hong Kong stock broker, make judgments based on your needs. Futu Securities suits those who enjoy community interaction, diverse products, and efficient trading experiences. Xueying Securities is better for investors focused on low trading costs, IPOs, and fund security. If you have large funds or trade frequently, focus on the broker’s strategy capacity and service capabilities. During account opening and trading, choose compliant, regulated platforms to protect fund security and avoid blindly following trends.

FAQ

What documents are needed for account opening?

You need to prepare an ID, selfie, and Hong Kong bank account information. Some platforms may also require proof of address. You can save photos in advance for easy upload.

Which currencies do Futu Securities and Xueying Securities support for deposits?

You can deposit in USD, HKD, and offshore RMB. Futu Securities supports direct conversions within the account. Xueying Securities mainly supports USD and HKD, subject to platform announcements.

How long does it take to withdraw to a Chinese bank account?

After submitting a withdrawal request, funds typically arrive in 1-3 business days. Hong Kong bank accounts offer faster receipt. You can track progress in real-time via the app.

How are trading commissions calculated?

For Futu Securities, Hong Kong stock commissions are 0.03% of the transaction amount, with a minimum of ~$2.3 per trade (1 HKD = 0.13 USD). Xueying Securities’ US stock commissions are $0.005 per share, with a minimum of $1.

Can I open accounts with both brokers simultaneously?

You can open accounts with both Futu Securities and Xueying Securities. You can choose different platforms based on your needs to flexibly allocate funds and strategies.

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