uSmart Singapore Review: Best Brokerage Platform for Singapore Investors?

What happened?

Every broker claims to have the lowest fees or smartest tools. 

This makes choosing the right broker a minefield for investors. 

I first came across uSmart Singapore while looking for a platform that could handle active trades for US, Singapore and Hong Kong stocks without the high costs or clunky design.

After exploring the app, I was surprised by how much it offers, from US fractional shares and smart automation tools to competitive fees and even interest on idle cash.

In this review, I’ll share what stood out, what could be better, and whether uSmart is a smart choice for your investments.

What I like about uSmart Singapore:
Competitive tiered fees, zero-cost* Regular Savings Plan for SG and US stocks, access to US fractional shares, smart automation tools, and a clean, mobile-first interface.

What I think could be improved on uSmart Singapore:
No CDP linkage for SG stocks, limited access to non-core markets, and a lack of in-depth educational content for new investors.

What is uSmart Singapore?

uSmart Singapore entered the local brokerage scene in 2022, backed by the Hong Kong-based uSmart Group, a fintech firm supported by the Chow Tai Fook Group with over US$100 million in funding. It’s also a MAS-licensed platform. 

Since its launch, uSmart positioned itself as a mobile-first trading platform that makes smart investing tools more accessible to beginner and experienced investors alike, while offering low-cost trading across Singapore, US, and Hong Kong. 

The platform also lets you trade stocks, ETFs, REITs, US options, stock CFDs, bonds, and even forex. 

What I like about uSmart

#1 – Competitive fees across account tiers

One of uSmart’s biggest draws is its competitive fee structure, which is tiered based on your account type: Trader, Standard, and Intel.

Here's a breakdown of the latest fees across the three account tiers:

The Trader tier offers the lowest fees, but it doesn’t come with access to the Intel tools or welcome gifts.

The Standard tier gives you access to all features, including Smart Plan, stock screeners, daily picks, and community chat, though some limits may apply on how frequently you can use the tools. 

You’ll also qualify for promotions and referral rewards on the Standard tier.

Intel is the premium tier. To qualify, you need to maintain at least S$3,000 in assets in your account. 

In return, you get full and unlimited access to all smart features, top-tier interest promotions, and priority support. 

However, you’ll pay the highest fees out of the three tiers.

Once you upgrade, you can’t downgrade back to Trader, so it’s worth thinking about your long-term usage before switching tiers.

Check out uSmart’s complete pricing list here. 

#2 – Zero-cost* Regular Savings Plan

uSmart also offers Regular Savings Plans at zero cost.

With uSmart’s Zero-cost* RSP, you can automate monthly investments from as little as S$50 without worrying about high fees eating into your returns.

The RSP supports a wide range of investment products including US stocks, US stock ETFs, fractional US stocks, Singapore stocks, and Singapore ETFs. This makes it flexible for both local and overseas markets.

There are no commission, platform, custodian, or exchange fees when you invest through the RSP. 

While these fees are initially charged when the trade is executed, uSmart adopts a "pay first, rebate later" model. Your fees are refunded within 15 working days of the following month, credited back into your account balance with a notification sent via email.

That said, the rebate only covers fees imposed by uSmart. It does not cover third-party fees such as US or SGX trading and settlement fees. So while the RSP is effectively free from uSmart’s side, charges may still apply depending on the market and exchange.

If you're investing in US stocks using SGD, do note that uSmart uses a currency conversion rate of 1 SGD to 0.76 USD (as of 21 April 2025), which is slightly below the mid-market rate of 0.7629. This equates to an FX spread of approximately 0.38%, or about US$2.90 less per S$1,000 converted.

For long-term investors using dollar-cost averaging (DCA), uSmart’s RSP makes it easier and cheaper to stay consistent with your investment plan.

#3 – Access to US fractional shares

The high price tag on stocks like Apple or Microsoft could make them feel out of reach for beginner investors. 

uSmart tackles this problem by offering fractional shares for US stocks and ETFs. You can invest with as little as $1 in a stock. 

This makes it easier to invest and diversify your portfolio, even if you're starting with a smaller capital base.

It also opens the door for more frequent, consistent investing, like weekly or monthly contributions to your favourite stocks, especially when paired with the Smart Plan feature that automates your buys. 

For long-term investors using dollar-cost averaging, it’s a convenient and accessible option.

#4 – Smart tools and features

uSmart Singapore delivers features that could improve your investing experience and help you make more informed decisions, whether you're just getting started or looking to fine-tune a more active strategy.

At the core of uSmart is a mobile-first interface that’s clean and intuitive. The app is divided into six tabs: Quotes, Wealth+, Intel, Trade, Quick, and Me. 

The Intel tab quickly became one of my favourite features. 

Every day, uSmart’s analysts highlight three stocks, each backed by clear reasoning and technical insights.

I appreciate having this curated list to start my investing research from.

There’s also a Community section where you can chat with other users and even ask questions to market experts.

The Quotes tab offers live prices across SG, HK, and US markets, organised by sector and theme. It also includes free Level 2 market data for US stocks, which gives deeper visibility into bid/ask activity.

There’s also support for 11 advanced order types like trailing stops and conditional orders which are presented in a beginner-friendly way. 

If you’re someone who wants to test more advanced strategies without being overwhelmed, this feels like a great middle ground.

If you're managing cash or looking into fixed-income options, Wealth+ is where you'll find US Treasury bond access and cash interest products. 

What I think could be improved

#1 – No CDP-linkage for Singapore stocks

For investors who prioritise holding Singapore stocks directly in their name, this could be a dealbreaker.

uSmart uses a custodian model for Singapore trades, which means your shares are not held in a Central Depository (CDP) account, but in a segregated custodian account managed by uSmart.

This has no impact on your legal ownership of the shares, but it does mean you won’t receive direct communication from companies or be able to attend AGMs unless you request proxy voting rights. 

#2 – Limited market access

While uSmart offers a strong product for US, Hong Kong, and Singapore equities, that’s about where it stops for now.

If you’re looking to trade European, Australian, or other emerging markets, you’ll have to look elsewhere. 

This isn’t a huge issue for many retail investors focused on the big three markets, but it’s something to keep in mind if you’re aiming for broader international diversification.

That said, the platform does offer US options, forex, and US Treasury bonds, so you’re not entirely limited in asset classes.

#3 – Limited educational resources

While uSmart is packed with smart tools and features for trading, its educational support still feels somewhat basic—especially for beginners.

There are a few guides and tutorials available in-app, but the platform lacks a robust library of educational content such as market explainers, strategy walkthroughs, or video tutorials that help users deepen their investing knowledge, unlike some competitors that offer frequent webinars, courses, or community learning hubs. 

If you’re a self-directed investor who already knows what you’re doing, this might not be a dealbreaker. 

But if you’re new to investing and looking for structured learning, you may need to supplement your experience with resources elsewhere.

Is uSmart safe and legit?

Yes, uSmart Singapore is fully regulated by the Monetary Authority of Singapore (MAS) under the Securities and Futures Act.

It holds a Capital Markets Services licence, which means it must meet stringent compliance and financial requirements.

Your assets are held in segregated custodian accounts, separate from the company’s operational funds. 

Foreign securities are typically held with trusted global custodians, and the platform supports biometric login and two-factor authentication.

In short: uSmart meets the same industry standards you’d expect from any established broker operating in Singapore. 

While all investments carry risk, the platform itself is considered safe and legitimate.

What would Beansprout do?

If you’re looking for low fees and access to smart tools, especially if you're investing actively in US, Singapore or Hong Kong markets, then you could consider uSmart as an option. 

The ability to buy fractional shares, access daily analyst insights, and automate investments through Smart Plan adds to the overall value.

That said, it doesn’t offer CDP-linkage if you're looking for a broker for your long-term holdings of Singapore dividend stocks. 

And for now, you are limited to trades for the 3 markets mentioned earlier.

That said, uSMART offers US stock trades at just US$0.88 per order, which is competitive and great  for investors who want to keep costs low while building a long-term portfolio.

If you're interested in signing up for uSmart, you can get a S$50 Grab voucher when you sign up for a uSMART account via Beansprout, deposit S$1,000 in a single transaction within 30 days of account opening, and maintain the funds for 30 days. 

Steps to Take to Qualify for the Promotion:

1. Sign up for a uSMART account

2. Deposit S$1,000 in a single transaction within 30 days of account opening, and maintain the funds for 30 days

3. Fill in this form to claim your reward after fulfilling the requirements. 

The promotion will run until 31 July 2025. 

T&Cs apply. 

Still deciding on the right broker? Take a look at our guide to Singapore’s best online brokerage and trading platforms here.

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