As an investor, it's important to find a trading platform that's right for you. A great trading platform doesn't just save on costs, it'll give you access to your favourite stocks and ETFs and offer features that match your investment approach.
But no two investors are the same. That's why we've curated a list of categories that covers beginners, day traders, long-term investors and options traders.
We also know that some stock traders prefer one market over others, so we've included out top picks for US stocks, Aussie stocks and global stocks (multiple markets).
CMC Invest was rated the best trading platform in Australia (overall) again in 2024 thanks to its impressive range of trading tools and low costs. The platform is intuitive enough for new investors but has the tools and product range to keep experienced traders satisfied. If you sign up to the pro account, you'll also get access to currencies, commodities and options. Check out CMC Invest if you want an excellent all-rounder.
Trade Australian and global stocks
Low trade fees on stocks and ETFs
Suitable for new investors and advanced traders
High-quality trading and research tools
Limited global markets. Only 4 global markets are commission-free to trade. Other global markets cost $59.95 per trade in brokerage while ASX stock trading starts at $11.
Brokerage fees: AU stocks: $0 brokerage (for buy orders up to $1,000) and $11 or 0.10% (whichever is greater) for all other buy and sell orders. US stocks: US$0 UK stocks: £0 ETF brokerage fees: AU ETFs: $0 brokerage for trades up to $1,000 (applied to the first buy order per ETF per day). $11 fee for trades up to $10,000. $15 fee for trades equal to or greater than $15,000. US ETFs: US$0 Options: ASX: $33/contract US: Not available Other markets available: Details here Inactivity fee: $0 Currency conversion fee: 0.60% of trade value
To determine our best overall winner for 2024, our investment experts and data team analysed the fees and features of 40 trading platforms. 105 features were included in the methodology and the "best overall" winner had a high average rating across the board. Features included in the weightings were:
Stock and ETF trading fees for both casual and active investors
Whether the platform has subscription or inactivity fees
The number of stock markets available
Its product range, including stocks, ETFs, managed funds, currencies and commodities
Trading features such as conditional orders and fractional stocks
What support options are available
Whether it's both desktop and mobile accessible
It's appropriateness for both new investors and experienced traders
For more information on how we determined our finalists, check out our full methodology.
CMC Invest is our best low-cost broker in 2024 thanks to its zero brokerage on US, UK, Japanese and Canadian stocks, as well as $0 brokerage on Australian stocks and ETFs (up to $1,000 each day).
Trade Australian and global stocks
Free brokerage on stocks and ETFs
Suitable for new investors and advanced traders
High-quality trading and research tools
Limited global markets. Only 5 global markets are commission-free to trade. Other global markets cost $59.95 per trade in brokerage while ASX stock trading starts at $11.
Brokerage fees: AU stocks: $0 brokerage (for buy orders up to $1,000) and $11 or 0.10% (whichever is greater) for all other buy and sell orders. US stocks: US$0 UK stocks: £0 ETF brokerage fees: AU ETFs: $0 brokerage for trades up to $1,000 (applied to the first buy order per ETF per day). $11 fee for trades up to $10,000. $15 fee for trades equal to or greater than $15,000. US ETFs: US$0 Options: ASX: $33/contract US: Not available Other markets available: Details here Inactivity fee: $0 Currency conversion fee: 0.60% of trade value
To determine Australia's best low-cost broker, we compared the fees charged by 40 trading platforms. The platforms were then given a ranking for each of the fee categories and the broker with the highest average ranking was awarded the best low-cost broker title. Fees and features included in the methodology were:
Brokerage fees for US stocks and ETFs
Brokerage fees for Australian stocks and ETFs
Brokerage fees for UK stocks and ETFs
Average brokerage charged for 1, 10 or 30 trades per month
Average brokerage charged for trade value of $100, $1,000 and $10,000
Subscription fees
Inactivity fees
The currency conversion fee (to trade global stocks)
Customer review ratings from the Apple App and Google Play stores
For more information on how we determined our finalists, check out our full methodology.
Best trading platforms by investment approach
If you're new to investing, you likely want a trading platform that has lower costs for casual investing and an easy-to-use platform.
Meanwhile, advanced or active traders will generally prioritise trading tools and a good product range. Whatever your approach or level of experience, the following categories should help to narrow down your options.
We think Sharesies is the best platform for beginners, offering accessible, low-cost investing options including fractional shares, auto-investing, flexible pricing and no minimum investment amount. It also offers extensive educational resources, making it a great place to begin your investing journey.
Great educational resources
Tiered pricing plans
Auto-investing
Few advanced features
Limited markets available
Brokerage fees Sharesies offers 2 fee structures to choose from - ‘pay as you go’ and ‘monthly’ plans.
Pay as you go: 1.9% transaction fee on investments, capped. Aussie Shares: $6 AUD per transaction US Shares: US$5 per transaction NZ shares: NS$25
Monthly Plans: $5/month: Covers up to $500 orders with fees included. $10/month: Covers up to $1,000 orders with fees included. $20/month: Covers up to $3,000 orders with fees included.
Other markets: Details here Inactivity fee: $0 Currency conversion fee: 0.60% of trade value
Syfe is our inaugural pick for the best auto-investing platform in 2024 because of its extensive selection of US and Australian stocks, low fees and low minimum trades, recurring buys, managed fund options and ready-made portfolios. It's hands-off investing with hands-on flexibility.
12,000+ stocks and ETFs
Recurring buys
Smart Basket managed funds
Competitive trading fees
Only AU and US stocks available
Limited trading tools
Brokerage fees: AU stocks: $4.99 for trades up to $20,000 and 0.025% for trades over $20,000 US stocks: US$1.49 ETF brokerage fees: AU ETFs: $4.99 for trades up to $20,000 and 0.025% for trades over $20,000 US ETFs: US$1.49 Inactivity fee: $0 Currency conversion fee: 60 bps of trade value
Interactive Brokers is our number 1 for active traders because of its professional trading platform, low commissions and conversion fees, and huge range of investment products.
Trade stocks from 33+ countries
Low brokerage fees for global share trading
Low currency conversion fee
Offers OTC and small-cap stocks
Relatively complex to use compared with other brokers
Complex fee structure
Brokerage fee per trade: AU stocks: $5 or 0.08% (whichever is greater) for trade values up to $3,000,000 US stocks: US$0.0035 cents per share capped at 1.0% of trade value UK stocks: £1.00 or 0.050% (whichever is greater) for trade values up to £40,000,000 Options: AU: $0.33/contract, min $1.10 US: US$0.25 - US$0.65/contract, min US$1.00 Inactivity fee: $0 Currency conversion fee: 0.20% (Flat US$2 for transactions below $10,000 or 0.2% for amounts above $10,000)
To determine the best trading platforms for beginners, long-term investors and active traders we compared the fees and features most useful for each category of trader. For instance, we up-weighted the costs of placing 30+ trades per month for active traders while beginner and long-term investors were weighted on trades of 1–10 trades per month.
We also gave each platform a rating of A, B or C based on how easy it was to place a simple trade. Features included in the weightings were:
Stock and ETF trading fees for casual and active traders
Subscription or inactivity fees
Its product range, including stocks, ETFs, managed funds, currencies and commodities
Trading features such as conditional orders and fractional stocks
Availability of educational resources or training options
Access to a demo account option
Its range of trading tools, including news, research tools and technical analysis charts
Available support options
Availability on both desktop and mobile
Minimum trade sizes
For more information on how we determined our finalists, check out our full methodology.
Best trading platforms by region
Do you prefer to trade Australian or US stocks? Perhaps you'd rather find a platform that offers stocks from right around the world? In the categories below we compared the fees and features of 40 trading platforms for investors that want to focus on Australian equities, US equities or a mix of global equities.
CMC Invest is also our pick for best broker for US stocks, offering free brokerage on US stocks and ETFs and competitive FX spreads.
Free brokerage on US, UK, Japanese and Canadian equities
Suitable for new investors and advanced traders
Impressive trading platform
Brokerage is high on other international markets
Doesn't offer all US stocks
Brokerage fees: AU stocks: $0 brokerage (for buy orders up to $1,000) and $11 or 0.10% (whichever is greater) for all other buy and sell orders. US stocks: US$0 UK stocks: £0 ETF brokerage fees: AU ETFs: $0 brokerage for trades up to $1,000 (applied to the first buy order per ETF per day). $11 fee for trades up to $10,000. $15 fee for trades equal to or greater than $15,000. US ETFs: US$0 Options: ASX: $33/contract US: Not available Other markets available: Details here Inactivity fee: $0 Currency conversion fee: 0.60% of trade value
CMC Invest is a top pick in this category thanks to its low brokerage fees for Australian CHESS-sponsored equities and its extensive ASX stock and ETF analysis tools. Aside from trading on the ASX, you can also access stocks listed on the lesser-known Cboe (previously known as Chi-X) and SSX exchanges. Plus, CMC is one of the first brokers to offer $0 brokerage on Australian stocks and ETFs (for trades of up to $1,000).
Rated best ASX trading platform
Trade CHESS-sponsored ASX shares
Comprehensive analysis tools for Australian equities
Access the Cboe and SSX exchanges
$0 brokerage is only for trades under $1,000
Brokerage fees: AU stocks: $0 brokerage (for buy orders up to $1,000) and $11 or 0.10% (whichever is greater) for all other buy and sell orders. US stocks: US$0 UK stocks: £0 ETF brokerage fees: AU ETFs: $0 brokerage for trades up to $1,000 (applied to the first buy order per ETF per day). $11 fee for trades up to $10,000. $15 fee for trades equal to or greater than $15,000. US ETFs: US$0 Options: ASX: $33/contract US: Not available Other markets available: Details here Inactivity fee: $0 Currency conversion fee: 0.60% of trade value
Interactive Brokers retains its crown as the best platform for global stocks in 2024 thanks to its comprehensive global market access, cheap global brokerage fees and low currency conversion fees. It also offers a number of markets not typically available through Australian brokers, such as Chinese, Mexican, Israeli and over-the-counter (OTC) stocks.
Trade stocks from 33+ countries
Low brokerage fees for global share trading
Low currency conversion fee
Offers OTC and small-cap stocks
Relatively complex to use compared with other brokers
Complex fee structure
Brokerage fee per trade: AU stocks: $5 or 0.08% (whichever is greater) for trade values up to $3,000,000 US stocks: US$0.0035 cents per share capped at 1.0% of trade value UK stocks: £1.00 or 0.050% (whichever is greater) for trade values up to £40,000,000 Options: AU: $0.33/contract, min $1.10 US: US$0.25 - US$0.65/contract, min US$1.00 Inactivity fee: $0 Currency conversion fee: 0.20% (Flat US$2 for transactions below $10,000 or 0.2% for amounts above $10,000)
To determine the best trading platforms for global, Australian and US equities, we compared the fees and features relevant to each specific market. For instance, we up-weighted the costs of trading US stocks for the Best US Stock Broker award, while the Australian and global equities categories were up-weighted for ASX and global equity trade fees.
We also gave each platform a rating of A, B or C based on how easy it was to place a simple trade. Features included in the weightings were:
Stock and ETF trading fees for US, global and ASX trades
The number of available global stock markets
Foreign exchange fees
Subscription or inactivity fees
Trading features such as conditional orders and fractional stocks
Availability of educational resources or training options
Access to a demo account option
Its range of trading tools, including news, research tools and technical analysis charts
Available support options
Availability on both desktop and mobile
For more information on how we determined our finalists, check out our full methodology.
Best trading platforms for stock or ETF type
Not all stock trading platforms specialise in stocks alone. Some are better suited to options, commodities, ETFs or penny stock investors. Check out the categories below if you're looking for a platform with low fees and great features for investing in your preferred type of equity.
We've rated Australia's best options trading platform as Interactive Brokers for the second year in a row thanks to its low costs for Australian and US options and its extensive list of tools, such as technical analysis charts and conditional orders.
Technical analysis tools
Feature-rich
Long list of conditional orders
Margin trading available
Offers stocks, commodities, indices and currencies
Relatively complex to use compared with other brokers
Fee structure is relatively complex
Research tools geared towards the US
Brokerage fee per trade: AU stocks: $5 or 0.08% (whichever is greater) for trade values up to $3,000,000 US stocks: US$0.0035 cents per share capped at 1.0% of trade value UK stocks: £1.00 or 0.050% (whichever is greater) for trade values up to £40,000,000 Options: AU: $0.33/contract, min $1.10 US: US$0.25 - US$0.65/contract, min US$1.00 Inactivity fee: $0 Currency conversion fee: 0.20% (Flat US$2 for transactions below $10,000 or 0.2% for amounts above $10,000)
CMC Invest is again rated Australia's best ETF broker thanks to its extensive range of Australian and global ETFs, its low brokerage fees and because it has no inactivity fees. It also offers $0 brokerage of Australian equities trades (up to $1,000), making it a great choice for investors looking to regularly invest into Australian ETFs. And we're a fan of CMC's ETF filters and search tools, which make it super easy to find your ETF of choice.
Trade Australian and global ETFs with zero brokerage
Access variety of itnernational markets
Only 4 global markets are commission-free to trade. Other global markets cost $59 per trade in brokerage while ASX stock trading starts at $11.
Brokerage fees: AU stocks: $0 brokerage (for buy orders up to $1,000) and $11 or 0.10% (whichever is greater) for all other buy and sell orders. US stocks: US$0 UK stocks: £0 ETF brokerage fees: AU ETFs: $0 brokerage for trades up to $1,000 (applied to the first buy order per ETF per day). $11 fee for trades up to $10,000. $15 fee for trades equal to or greater than $15,000. US ETFs: US$0 Options: ASX: $33/contract US: Not available Other markets available: Details here Inactivity fee: $0 Currency conversion fee: 0.60% of trade value
Arguably best known for its social trading features, it's no surprise eToro comes out on top for this category. eToro offers several social trading features, such as copy trading, which allows users to copy the trades and portfolios made by other top traders. And if you fit the bill as a top trader yourself, you can get rewarded if others on the app choose to follow you.
Copy trading features
Demo account with $100K of practice money
Social forums within the app
US$2 brokerage on ASX, US and global stocks
$200 minimum investment required to copy trade
AUD must be converted to USD to trade with eToro
Limited equities available for some global markets
Brokerage fees: AU stocks: US$2 US stock: US$2 UK stocks: US$2 ETF brokerage fees: AU stocks: Not available US stock: $0 UK stocks: $0 Inactivity fee: US$10 per month if you don't log in for 12 months or more Currency conversion fee: 1.50% of trade value
IG is our top pick for paper trading thanks to its high customer ratings, range of tradeable assets and its easy sign up process. Using IG's demo account, you can practice trading stocks and futures on commodities, indices, options and ETFs. Plus, if you want to switch to the real account, you'll find some of the lowest trading fees out there.
Practice with $20K of virtual funds
Improve trading skills on IG Academy
Switch to real trading of ASX and global stocks
Trade on desktop or mobile
Not suitable for casual investors. The IG app is targeted more towards active traders than casual investors.
Brokerage fee per trade: AU stocks: $5 or 0.05% if you make 3 or more trades in the previous month. $8 or 0.1% of your trade (whichever is higher) US stocks: US$0 UK stocks: £0 Other markets available: Details here ETF brokerage fees: AU ETFs: $5 or 0.05% if you make 3 or more trades in the previous month. $8 or 0.1% of your trade (whichever is higher) US ETFs: US$0 UK ETFs: £0 Other markets available: Details here Inactivity fee: if you make fewer than 3 trades during that time. Currency conversion fee: 0.70% of trade value
Tiger Brokers is named the best mobile trading app because of its intuitive, responsive platform, supported trading and research tools and customisation options.
Trade Australian, US and Asian stocks
Easy-to-use app
Wide range of trading tools and free market data
Only offers US options
Brokerage fees: AU stocks: $2.99 per trade US stocks: US$1.99 UK stocks: Not available Other markets available: Details here ETF brokerage fees: AU stocks: $2.99 per trade US stocks: US$1.99 UK stocks: Not available Other markets available: Details here Options: ASX: Not available US: US$0.95/contract (Min. US$3 per order) Inactivity fee: $0 Currency conversion fee: 55 pips
moomoo is our pick for penny stocks because of its competitive trading fees, advanced research and trading tools and support for US markets, including options.
Low brokerage fees
Paper trading
Social trading and online community
Only ASX, US and Hong Kong markets available
Brokerage fees: AU stocks: $3 or 0.03% of transaction value (GST inclusive), whichever value is larger US stocks: US$0.99 UK stocks: Not available ETF brokerage fees: AU ETFs: $3 or 0.03% of transaction value (GST inclusive), whichever value is larger US ETFs: $0.99 Inactivity fee: $0 Currency conversion fee: 55 pips or 0.0055 AUD/USD
Finding the best share trading platform in Australia
Our investment experts have analysed more than 40 share trading platforms available in Australia to make it easier for you to select the right one. Our best trading platform picks use the same methodology as the 2024 Share Trading Platform Awards. We've only included platforms that are regulated by ASIC and are available to retail investors. Keep in mind that these picks are suggestions and that the platform that's best for you will depend on your individual needs. There may be other products on the market not included in our picks.
Why you can trust our research
38
Trading platforms analysed
4,370
Data points
300+
Hours of research
Compare share trading platforms to find the best deal
Important: The standard brokerage fee displayed is the trade cost for new customers to purchase $1,000 of either Australian or US shares. Where a platform charges different fees for both US and Australian shares we show the lower of the two. Where both CHESS sponsored and custodian shares are offered, we display the cheapest option.
About trading platforms in Australia
A few decades ago, Australians who wanted to invest in the stock market needed to go through a personal stock broker. This typically meant you would need to call your broker to place a trade and you would be charged high fees to do it.
These days, most Australian investors (70%) buy and sell shares through online share trading platforms (online brokers), according to research by the Australian Sercurities Exchange (ASX).
While you can still hire an adviser or full-service stock broker to place trades for you, the costs are typically much higher. For instance, you might pay $100 for a single trade through an adviser as opposed to $10 via an online trading platform.
What's the best share trading platform in Australia?
According to Finder's latest analysis of 40 online brokers, CMC Invest is the best overall share trading platform in Australia thanks to its long list of trading tools, availability of global stock markets and low fees.
But unfortunately choosing a broker isn't exactly a one-size-fits-all approach.
To find the best trading platform for you, try to find tools and features that align to your personal investing approach.
For example, if you're a new investor your needs might be tailored towards educational resources and lower brokerage fees. Meanwhile, if you've been trading for years, you might want a platform that has more advanced tools.
Regardless of your experience, one place to start can be comparing fees. Finder research found that the average share trader could save approximately $1,048 in brokerage fees each year by switching to a more suitable online broker (calculated on 7 trades per month of $1,000).
Tips for finding the best trading platform
Find out the fees. Almost every platform will charge you a brokerage fee (also called a commission fee) when you transact. Some will also charge you additional fees such as monthly fees or inactivity fees.
What can you trade? Some trading platforms will give you access to both Australian and international shares. Others will also allow you to trade currencies, indices, cryptocurrencies and much more. Find a broker that matches your needs.
Is it easy to use? You should look for a platform that allows you to make fast and precise trades with minimum fuss.
Access to data. Does the platform offer dynamic, real-time or delayed market updates? Some platforms offer research and broker analysis on individual stocks that can come in handy.
Order types. Can you place orders at market and/or at limit? Are other order types such as stop/loss orders an option to add more flexibility to your trading? These should be considered when choosing a broker.
Reporting. Check the reporting tools on each platform to help you track how your trades are performing, record dividends and pass on any relevant information to the Australian Taxation Office (ATO) at tax time.
Customer support. Look for phone, email and live online chat support. Does it offer customer service 24/7 if you're having trouble placing a trade?
Education. Some platforms also feature a range of educational tools and resources, such as how-to guides and webinars, to help you get more out of your trading account.
Security. How secure is the platform? What measures are in place to ensure the safety of your funds?
Expert insight
"How often and in what market you intend to trade is key to your broker choice. You want the one that's going to deliver the best deal for your particular trading profile – and personality."
Nicole Pedersen-McKinnon
Author, finance columnist
"If you're looking to get into share trading, picking the right platform for your needs is essential. Everyone's needs are different, but features like demo accounts, real-time news feeds and educational resources can all help you gain an edge and minimise your exposure."
Facts and figures about trading platforms in Australia
There are at least 40 online stockbrokers in Australia today according to Finder data
53% of Australians invest in the stock market via share trading platforms
95% of the trading platforms offer Australian stocks, 70% offer US stocks and 32% offer stocks from the UK (Finder)
Unlike in the US where many trading platforms charge $0 brokerage fees, the fees to buy and sell Australian stocks range anywhere from $0 to $40 per trade. The average brokerage fee to purchase $1,000 of stock from an ASX-listed company is around $10 as of September 2024, based on Finder analysis1
The average brokerage fee to purchase $1,000 of stock from a US company on an Australian trading platform is $12.13 as of July 2024, although several brokers now offer $0 brokerage fees for US stocks
Just over 2 decades ago (2001), 18% of trades in Australia occured via an online share trading platform (RBA). Today around 70% of investors use a trading platform to buy shares (ASX)
What type of investor are you?
The trading platform you choose should suit your investment style. Once you know which category of investor you fall into, you'll be able to more easily pick the best share trading app for you. For example, there are casual traders, active traders and long-term investors. Ask yourself the following questions:
How often will I trade? If you buy or sell shares once or twice a month (or even less), you're a casual investor. You may want to avoid brokers that have an inactivity fee or charge higher broker fees for less frequent trades. If you intend to buy and sell shares multiple times in a day, you're an active trader so advanced trading features may be the priority.
How will I place trades? Will you be placing all your trades online, via a mobile app or over the phone? Make sure the app offers your preferred choice. Check the fees as well.
What will I be trading? Do you want to trade Australian shares, US shares or other international markets? Some online brokers also offer other markets such as global currencies and cryptocurrencies. Depending on your priorities, you may wish to get a broker that offers all of the above or several different brokers – 1 for each market.
How much money am I trading? Do you intend to invest a lump sum of $5,000 into the stock market or would you prefer to make several small trades of a few hundred dollars? Brokerage fees sometimes differ depending on the amount you're buying and selling per month, per year or by trade.
What fees do share trading platforms charge?
There are 3 main fees that commonly apply when you use online share trading platforms:
Brokerage fees. Brokerage fees (also called commission fees) are the charges that apply to each buy and sell transaction of stocks and ETFs. They usually vary depending on the size of your buy or sell order or how often you trade.
Ongoing fees. These apply monthly or annually, but not all providers will charge ongoing fees. This may depend on how frequently you trade. For example, inactivity fees are often charged if you don't place any trades within a certain period of time.
Withdrawal fees. Some brokers charge a fee to withdraw money from your account.
Foreign exchange fees. If you want to buy US or other global shares, you'll need to pay an exchange fee when you deposit money into your account to convert your Australian dollars to the applicable currency.
Brokerage fees vary between providers but typically start at around the $5–$15 range. For large transactions, fees of around 0.1% and up usually apply. If you're planning on making lots of trades, you'll want to keep an eye out for a platform that offers low per-trade fees.
Robinhood pioneered zero brokerage trading in the US, and these days many trading platforms also offer free brokerage on stock trading as a way to attract users. Whilst this can be a cost-effective way to invest for beginners, there may be trade-offs you aren't aware of, such as other hidden fees or larger spreads.
Some providers will not charge any monthly fees at all. However, more advanced trading platforms and those that offer premium services often charge a monthly fee that could be as high as around $80 per month. A number of brokers waive this fee if you perform more than a certain number of trades each month.
Finally, remember that many brokers offer different membership levels – for example, gold, silver and platinum – which have different features and attract varying fees.
What are the risks of using trading platforms?
Most types of investments come with some risk, but there are a few specific to online share trading that you should be aware of:
Cybersecurity: Online platforms are vulnerable to hacking and cyberattacks. This can lead to sensitive information being stolen and unauthorised trades being executed.
Market risk: Share prices can fluctuate rapidly and unpredictably, leading to potential losses for traders.
Platform failure: Technical glitches and system failures can cause temporary disruptions or errors in trade execution.
Liquidity risk: Some less-established companies may have low trading volume, making it difficult to quickly buy or sell shares at a fair price.
Regulatory risk: Trading platforms may be subject to government regulations, which can change without notice and impact the ability to trade certain securities.
Counterparty risk: When using a platform to trade with other individuals, there is a risk that the counterparty may not fulfill their obligations, leading to losses.
Misleading information: Inaccurate or misleading information can lead to poor investment decisions, leading to losses.
Frequently asked questions
CMC Invest offers $0 commission ASX trades on investments of less than $1,000. For larger trades, Tiger Brokers ($2.99), Stake ($3) and moomoo ($3) offer the lowest commissions on CHESS-sponsored ASX shares.
If you're looking to invest in the US, then IG, CMC Invest and Webull all offer zero-dollar brokerage fees. Instead you'll pay currency conversion fees.
According to Finder's latest Share Trading Awards, IG is the best low-cost broker because it offers $0 commission US stock trading, has a low currency conversion fee, the lowest ETF brokerage fee and ASX commission fees that start from $5, according to our database.
Whether you want to pick your own AU and US stocks or take a more hands-off approach, Sharesies caters to all types of beginners.
To compare with other platforms, check out our beginner comparison guide.
CMC Invest is the best overall trading account in Australia, according to Finder's proprietary algorithm. With a combination of cheap brokerage, a range of options and markets, CMC ticks a lot of boxes when it comes to trading accounts.
That being said, the best trading account will vary depending on your individual needs.
CMC Invest is the best ASX trading platform, according to our latest analysis. With $0 brokerage on all ASX trades up to $1,000, live market data and strong research tools, CMC won our Best ASX Trading award.
eToro is the best share trading platform with direct access to cryptocurrency trading, according to our algorithm.
But if you're looking to buy crypto directly from an exchange, Kraken and Coinbase are rated as 2 of the best exchanges according to data from the 2024 Finder Awards.
moomoo is rated as the best platform for penny stock trading because of its low fees for active trading, range of OTC stocks and advanced analysis and research tools.
It won multiple awards in Finder's 2024 Share Trading Awards.
The cheapest CHESS-sponsored broker in our database, at the time of writing, is Tiger Brokers, offering $2.99 brokerage for ASX CHESS-sponsored trades. CMC Invest also offers $0 brokerage on ASX CHESS-sponsored trades of less than $1,000.
IB's trading Workstation features, long list of global stocks, CFDs and forex and its low brokerage cost make it ideal for more experienced traders. You can read more about why we rate IB as the best platform for active traders in our methodology page.
For most share trading platforms, signing up won't cost you a thing.
However, you will start paying fees once you begin trading. This is known as a brokerage fee.
Watch out for additional fees such as inactivity and subscription fees.
No trading platform is truly free, but there are some brokers in Australia that offer $0 brokerage trading. These include the following:
The oldest and largest share trading platform is the best among the Big Four banks according to our algorithm.
Disclaimer: This information should not be interpreted as an endorsement of futures, stocks, ETFs, options or any specific provider, service or offering. It should not be relied upon as investment advice or construed as providing recommendations of any kind. Futures, stocks, ETFs and options trading involve substantial risk of loss and therefore are not appropriate for all investors. Past performance is not an indication of future results. Consider your own circumstances and obtain your own advice before making any trades.
Important: The standard brokerage fee displayed is the trade cost for new customers to purchase $1,000 of either Australian or US shares. Where a platform charges different fees for both US and Australian shares we show the lower of the two. Where both CHESS sponsored and custodian shares are offered, we display the cheapest option.
Kylie Purcell is the senior investments editor and analyst at Finder. She has completed a Certificate of Securities and Managed Investments (RG146) and specialises in investment products including online brokers, robo-advisors, stocks and ETFs. See full bio
Kylie's expertise
Kylie has written 150 Finder guides across topics including:
If you’re thinking of investing in gold, our guide will explain how and where to buy gold in Australia as well as the pros and cons of investing in it.
I noticed that amscot Stockbroking is not on the comparison list.
Finder
MayJanuary 26, 2017Finder
Hi Ben,
Thanks for your question.
Although we cover a wide range of products, providers and services, we don’t cover every product, provider or service available in the market so there may be other options available to you. However, you can find more information about the amscot Stockbroking through our website.
Cheers,
May
LeeAugust 23, 2016
I am delighted to read this analysis. Hope to see the competition on going and interesting in future. I recently was going through some trading applications and found Forex Signals to be really successful and dependable. It helped me increase my profits in comparison to previous one.
Finder
ClarizzaAugust 24, 2016Finder
Hi Lee,
Thanks very much for your feedback and for your suggestion. We’re always adding to our content so keep eye out for new content from us.
Cheers,
Clarizza
RichardMay 30, 2016
Hi there I think I will have to take my iPad to fountain gate plaza to have it looked at the 500pluse app is getting rejected by my I as a last resort I will get my iPad Looked at in the Apple Store at fountain gate if nothing else can be done by me!
Finder
ShirleyMay 31, 2016Finder
Hi Richard,
Thanks for your question.
If you are having issues logging into your Plus 500 account, please contact Plus 500 directly.
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I noticed that amscot Stockbroking is not on the comparison list.
Hi Ben,
Thanks for your question.
Although we cover a wide range of products, providers and services, we don’t cover every product, provider or service available in the market so there may be other options available to you. However, you can find more information about the amscot Stockbroking through our website.
Cheers,
May
I am delighted to read this analysis. Hope to see the competition on going and interesting in future. I recently was going through some trading applications and found Forex Signals to be really successful and dependable. It helped me increase my profits in comparison to previous one.
Hi Lee,
Thanks very much for your feedback and for your suggestion. We’re always adding to our content so keep eye out for new content from us.
Cheers,
Clarizza
Hi there I think I will have to take my iPad to fountain gate plaza to have it looked at the 500pluse app is getting rejected by my I as a last resort I will get my iPad Looked at in the Apple Store at fountain gate if nothing else can be done by me!
Hi Richard,
Thanks for your question.
If you are having issues logging into your Plus 500 account, please contact Plus 500 directly.