The Philippine stock market has been around for almost a hundred years. It was founded in 1927 as the Manila Stock Exchange before merging with the Makati Stock Exchange in 1992. Unfortunately, less than 2% of the Filipino population is investing in our local bourse.
So, it’s a good thing that investing on the Philippine Stock Exchange or PSE has never been easier, thanks to our online stockbrokers.
Here are six (6) online stockbrokers you can choose from to start your investing journey through the stock market with as low as Php5,000.
Table of Contents
- COL Financial Group Inc.
- DragonFi Securities Inc.
- Philstocks Financial Inc.
- BPI Trade
- BDO Securities
- First Metro Sec
COL Financial Group Inc.
Minimum Deposit: Php1,000

COL Financial is one of the pioneers in the online stock brokerage scene in the Philippines, and it was established in 1999. They are also one of the most popular among stock market newcomers, mainly because of their regular free seminars and webinars. You can start investing using COL Financial for as low as Php1,000.
While COL Financial has one of the best research teams in the Philippines, like Ms. April Lee Tan and Mr. Juanis Barredo, unfortunately, they don’t have the best website interface and mobile apps in the market.
Here are the steps to open a COL account:
Step 1: Choose your account type:
- COL Starter (Php1,000)
- COL Plus (Php25,000)
- COL Premium (Php1,000,000)
Step 2: Fill out the necessary forms.
- Thru online express – here.
- Thru Print, Fill, & Send (3 to 5 business days):
- Please submit documents to COL Financial Business Center 24/F East Tower, Tektite Towers, Exchange Rd. Ortigas Center, Pasig City 1605 Philippines
Step 3: Submit a photocopy of one (1) valid government-issued ID
- Passport
- Philippine Driver’s License
- SSS ID
- GSIS ID
- Professional Regulation Commission (PRC) ID
- COMELEC Voter’s ID
Note: You’ll also need your Tax Identification Number (TIN)
Step 4: Fund your account.
- You can fund your accounts through online bill payments or over-the-counter payments through:
- Bank of the Philippine Islands (BPI)
- Banco De Oro (BDO)
- Metrobank
- Asia United Bank (AUB)
- Chinabank
- Robinsons Bank
- Unionbank
Official Website: https://www.colfinancial.com
DragonFi Securities Inc.
Minimum Deposit: Php1,000

DragonFi Securities Inc. is the investing arm of Double Dragon Corporation and is also one of the newer and more advanced online stockbrokers in the Philippines. Since it started its operation in 2023, it has aggressively made progress by attracting new and old investors to its platform.
According to their website, they offer the guaranteed lowest prices in the country. You can open an account in DragonFi for as low as Php1,000.
DragonFi is also backed by two billionaire tycoons, Tony Tan Caktiong of the Jollibee Food Corporation (JFC) and Edgar “Injap” Sia II of MerryMart Consumer Corporation (MM), both Co-Chairmen of Double Dragon Corporation.
Here are the steps to open an account with DragonFi Securities Inc.
Step 1: Go to https://www.dragonfi.ph/register.
- Enter your email address, your proposed password, and Referral code (if you have one).
- Tick “I agree with the T & C.”
- Click Register.
Step 2: You’ll receive a verification email indicating that your account creation is successful. Click the email that will redirect you to the DragonFi Dashboard.
Step 3: Choose your Account Type and Complete the Other Necessary Information.
Step 4: Submit One (1) Government-issued ID and a video selfie.
Step 5: Wait for the automated approval, which takes just a few minutes.
Step 6: Fund your account through the following options:
- Instapay (real-time funding)
- Unionbank Online Banking (real-time funding)
- Pesonet (one business day)
- Bills Payment via BDO, Metrobank, and Unionbank (one business day)
Official Website: https://www.dragonfi.ph
Philstocks Financial Inc.
Minimum Deposit: Php5,000

Philstocks is also among the older online trading platforms in the country, starting their operation in 2001. Since then, they have continuously improved and innovated their products to make the stock market more accessible.
Aside from their website, their customers can also access the trading platform through their apps. You can open an account with Philstocks with Php5,000.
Here are the steps to open an account with Philstocks Financial Inc.
Step 1: Click “OPEN AN ACCOUNT” on the upper-right hand corner of their website.
Step 2: Fill up the necessary details and information.
Step 3: Upload a copy of at least one (1) government-issued ID with at least one year of validity.
- With expiration date:
- Philippine Passport
- Philippine Driver’s License
- Professional Regulation Commission (PRC) ID
- Postal ID
- Armed Forces of the Philippines ID
- Without expiration date:
- Social Security System (SSS) ID
- Government Service Insurance System (GSIS) ID
- United Multi-Purpose ID (UMID)
- Integrated Bar of the Philippines (IBP) ID
- PhilHealth ID
- Tax Identification Number (TIN) Card
- Persons with Disability (PWD) Card
- National ID
Step 4: You’ll also need:
- selfie photo holding your presented ID
- one (1) signature affixed on a clear white paper
Note: You’ll be notified via email if your registration is successful.
Step 5: Deposit the minimum P5,000 for your account activation through:
- Banco De Oro (BDO)
- Bank of the Philippine Islands (BPI)
- Chinabank
- Metrobank
- Unionbank
- Coins.ph
- Maya
Official Website: https://www.philstocks.ph
BPI Trade
Minimum Deposit: No Minimum Deposit

BPI Trade is the Bank of the Philippine Islands (BPI) online trading platform, integrating its stock trading capabilities with the bank. BPI Trade doesn’t have a minimum balance, but you must already have a BPI account and a Php500 average daily balance (ADB) before you can enjoy its trading capabilities.
Here are the steps to open a BPI Trade account:
Step 0: You must already have a BPI or BPI Family Bank Account. If you don’t, you must open one first, as it is the primary requirement of opening an account.
Step 1: Register a BPI Trade account via https://register.bpitrade.com/ using your BPI online banking credentials.
Step 2: Fill out the BPI Trade Client Account Information Form.
Step 3: Download the form and print it.
Step 4: Sign three (3) times on the provided line.
Step 5: Scan the form and submit the other requirements to bpitradeapplications@bpi.com.ph.
- Other requirements include one valid government-issued ID.
Step 6: Wait for three (3) banking days to process the opening of your BPI Trade.
Official Website: https://new.bpitrade.com
BDO Securities
Minimum Deposit: No Minimum Deposit

BDO Securities (formerly BDO Nomura) is the banking giant BDO’s stock trading arm. Similar to BPI Trade, BDO Securities also doesn’t have a minimum deposit, but requires you to have an already existing BDO Online Banking Account before you can apply.
Here are the steps to open a BDO Securities Account:
Step 0: You must already have an active BDO Online Banking Account or open one before you can proceed.
Step 1: Go to https://www.bdo.com.ph/bdo-securities/online-trading, so that you can start the creation of your BDO Securities Trading Account.
Step 2: Login using your BDO Online Banking account credentials (username and password).
Step 3: Fill out all the necessary information and other forms.
Step 4: Review the details for submission.
Step 5: Wait for the confirmation email (usually arrives before the next business day).
Step 6: Fund your account.
Step 7: You can start trading using BDO Securities.
Official Website: https://www.bdo.com.ph/bdo-securities
First Metro Sec
Minimum Deposit: Php1,000 or $100

First Metro Sec is the stock brokerage connected to one of the biggest financial conglomerates in the Philippines, Metrobank Group. They are also one of the most popular trading platforms in the country, requiring only Php1,000 or $100 to open an account. You can access First Metro Sec via the web or their mobile app.
Here are the steps to open a trading account with First Metro Sec:
OPTION 1: Using FirstMetroSec Go Mobile App:
Step 1: Download and install the FirstMetroSec Go app from the Google Play Store or the App Store.
Step 2: Launch the app.
Step 3: Tap SIGN UP NOW.
Step 4: Fill up all the necessary information.
Step 5: Upload the necessary documents.
Step 6: Complete the selfie verification.
OPTION 2: Using First Metro Sec Website:
Step 1: Go to https://www.firstmetrosec.com.ph/fmsec/.
Step 2: Click “OPEN ACCOUNT”
Step 3: You’ll be asked if you are a Metrobank Account Holder or other bank depositor.
Step 4: Choose your currency: PHP (Philippine Peso) or USD (US Dollar).
Step 5: Choose your account type: Individual, Joint, or In-Trust.
Step 6: Complete the necessary information for the form.
Step 7: You’ll receive a verification email containing the link to the next step.
- Please also check the junk or spam folder to see if no email arrives.
Step 8: Upload the necessary documents:
- Signature-bearing Government-issued ID with 3 Specimen Signature.
- Philippine Passport
- Driver’s License
- SSS ID
- GSIS ID
- Professional Regulation Commission (PRC) ID
- Unified Multi-purpose ID (UMID)
- PhilHealth Card
- TIN Card
- Voter’s ID
- Senior Citizen ID
- Proof of Address – any document showing the preferred mailing address indicated in your application form.
- Bank Statement
- Credit Card Statement
- Insurance Statement
- Electricity Bill (i.e. Meralco)
- Water Bill (i.e. Prime Water)
- Telephone or Cellphone Bill
- Cable or Internet Bill
- Association Dues
- Remittance Receipt
- Proof of Bank Account:
- Teller-validated Deposit Slip
- Bank Statement or Certification
- Screenshot of online or mobile banking account
- ATM Card with bank account number
- Passbook with your name and account number
- Proof of Self-Employment or Business:
- DTI Certificate
- Business Permit
- BIR Form 2303
- Sample Contract
Step 9: Fund your account through the following:
- Metrobank Mobile App
- BDO
- BPI
- GCash
- Landbank Linkbiz
- Maybank
- OFBank
- Maya
- PSBank
- Security Bank
- Unionbank
- 7-Eleven
- Coins.ph
Official Website: https://www.firstmetrosec.com.ph/fmsec/
There are dozens of online stockbrokers you can choose from to start your investing journey in the Philippines Stock Exchange (PSE). However, the ones listed above were what the author thought to be the most beginner-friendly among the options and had the lowest barrier to entry, as low as Php1,000.
However, as investors increase their investment capital, they can change to other stockbrokers, usually free of charge.
If you’re already investing in the stock market, what online stockbroker do you use? Please share them in the comments below.