Broker fees in 2568 are fully aligned; choose the right platform to save money

Investing in stocks, broker fees are like operating costs—directly eroding your profits. The same trade on different platforms can lead to completely different returns. This article provides a detailed breakdown of fee structures for 10 major Thai brokers to help you find the platform that best suits your needs.

2568 Year Broker Fee Comparison Table

In-Depth Review of the Top 5 Cost-Effective Brokers

First Tier: SBI Thailand Online - Fee Slayer

Looking for the cheapest? SBI Thailand Online cuts industry average prices in half. This Japanese-based broker’s cash account fee rate is only 0.075%, among the lowest in the entire Thai market. Especially friendly for small investors—trading 100,000 Baht costs only 75 Baht in fees.

The cash settlement account fee rate of 0.10% is also among the industry’s lowest. Although there is a 50 Baht minimum fee, if your trade exceeds 500,000 Baht, this minimum becomes almost irrelevant.

Second Tier: Bualuang and Innovation Investment - No Minimum Fee Advantage

Both are bank-affiliated brokers offering a 0.15% cash account fee rate. Bualuang’s biggest selling point is the complete absence of a minimum fee—you pay only 0.15 Baht for a 100 Baht stock purchase.

Innovation Investment requires E-Statement confirmation to waive the minimum fee, but once confirmed, it operates on a “pay-as-you-go” model. This is especially suitable for beginners with limited funds.

Third Tier: Kasikorn, TMB, United, Thainstone, Philippines - Standard Rate Camp

These five follow the market standard: 0.15% for cash accounts, 0.20% for cash settlement, with a minimum fee of 50 Baht (or 30 Baht). If your monthly trading volume exceeds 1 million Baht, the impact of the minimum fee is minimal.

Krungthai Spring’s feature is no minimum fee, consistent with Bualuang and Innovation Investment, but maintains standard rates of 0.15%/0.20%.

Hidden Winner: Free Trader - Extreme Rate

Free Trader’s 0.006% rate sounds unbelievable, but note: the official info does not specify a minimum fee. In practice, you need to confirm directly with the official. If they truly can operate without a minimum fee, they are the absolute fee king.

Differences in Account Types and Fees

Cash Account(Cash Balance) — Requires 100% deposit before trading

• Lowest rates (usually 0.15%)
• No or minimal minimum fee
• Suitable for risk-averse investors with stable funds
• Trading limit constrained by account balance

Cash Settlement(Cash Account) — Similar to credit card mode

• Higher rates (usually 0.20%)
• Supports T+1 settlement, leverage available
• Suitable for intraday traders and capital turnover investors
• Trading amount can exceed actual funds

Minimum fee trap: When your trade amount × rate is below the minimum fee, the minimum fee applies. For example: with a 50 Baht minimum fee, trading 33,333 Baht × 0.15% = 50 Baht just hits the minimum. Below this amount, you lose.

CFD Stock Trading Fee Comparison

Stock CFDs offer leveraged trading opportunities, but the fee structure is completely different—most have no trading commissions but charge via the bid-ask spread(Bid-Ask Spread).

CFD’s advantages are low cost and leverage; disadvantages include no stock ownership and higher risk. Choosing platforms regulated by FCA/ASIC or other top-tier authorities is crucial.

Where Do Broker Fees Come From?

Stock trading must be conducted through licensed brokers—this is a mandatory regulation by the Thai Securities and Exchange Commission. Why? Because daily trading volume reaches hundreds of billions of Baht, and direct trading involves significant risk.

Brokers, as intermediaries, have three main revenue sources:

1. Trading commissions (from investors)
2. Trading commissions (from exchanges, already internalized into investor payments)
3. Value-added services (research reports, financing, etc.)

In a highly competitive environment, brokers lower basic fees and launch promotions to attract clients. That’s why the same trade might cost 0.006% on one platform and 0.20% on another.

How to Choose the Best Platform

Monthly trading volume < 500,000 Baht → Prefer platforms with no minimum fee

• Bualuang 0.15% ✓
• Innovation Investment 0.15% ✓ (requires E-Statement)
• Krungthai Spring 0.15% ✓

Monthly trading volume 500,000–2 million Baht → Minimum fee impact becomes negligible

• SBI Thailand Online 0.075% (best choice)
• Other standard platforms show little difference

Monthly trading volume over 2 million Baht → Choose the lowest fee option

• SBI Thailand Online (no minimum fee)
• Free Trader (if confirmed no minimum fee)

Intraday trading or leverage needed → Cash settlement accounts

• Watch for 0.20% rate + minimum fee
• Or consider CFD alternatives

Remember: a 0.1% fee difference can be real money in large trades. A 1 million Baht trade costs 1,500 Baht on Platform A versus 750 Baht on Platform B—a direct loss difference.

Fee optimization won’t make you rich overnight, but it can significantly improve your long-term returns. When other conditions are similar, fees become a decisive factor. Compare your platform’s rates now and see if there’s room for improvement.