Looking to invest in shares, ETFs or start micro‑investing in Australia? Picking the right platform can make all the difference. From beginner‑friendly apps with tiny fees to full‑blown brokerages that give you CHESS‑direct ownership, the market’s packed with choices. This guide breaks down the top ten, ranks them, and tells you who each one suits best. Grab a cuppa, skim the quick‑look table, then dive into the details.
Quick Comparison Table
- CommSec: $10 brokerage ASX, CHESS sponsored, best research, full account types
- Stake: $3 ASX trade, $0 US trade, CHESS ASX, beginner‑friendly
- SelfWealth: Flat $9.50 brokerage, CHESS sponsored, community insights
- CMC Markets: $0 first trade/day, CHESS sponsored, advanced tools, active traders
- Pearler: Auto‑invest, designed for ETFs, long‑term focus
- Raiz: $4.50/month, micro‑investing, round‑ups, best for beginners
- Spaceship: From $0, managed portfolios, beginner‑friendly
- Interactive Brokers: Cheapest FX, low fees for frequent traders
- EToro: Social trading, fractional shares, US and ASX access
- Superhero: $5 brokerage, fractional shares, simple app
1. CommSec
CommSec remains Australia’s most popular investment platform. It offers many account types including individual, joint, and SMSF accounts. Brokerage fees are $10 per ASX trade with a minimum trade size of $500, and $19.95 for US shares. It’s CHESS sponsored, so investors hold their shares directly. CommSec’s research tools are extensive — covering market news, expert analysis, and detailed company data. The app is solid, with real‑time quotes and portfolio tracking.
Key features include a native iOS/Android app, a desktop portal that mirrors the app, and a suite of market‑watch tools that let you set price alerts. You can also open a margin loan straight from the platform, which is handy if you’re looking to leverage.
Pros: Comprehensive research, CHESS sponsorship, wide range of investments, strong brand trust.
Cons: Higher brokerage fees for small trades, minimum trade size of $500.
Best for: Active investors wanting detailed research and full market access.
Pricing: $10 per ASX trade, $19.95 US trade.
2. Stake
Stake is a hit with beginners and US market investors. It charges $3 per ASX trade and offers zero brokerage on US shares. The ASX trades are CHESS sponsored, meaning you still get direct ownership of Aussie stocks. The platform’s UI feels more like a fintech app than a traditional broker – big buttons, clean charts, and a learning centre that walks you through the basics of buying shares.
Beyond the low fees, Stake gives you free access to US market data, which many local brokers lock behind a paywall. You can also hold fractional US shares, so you can buy a slice of Apple for $5 if you want.
Pros: Low ASX fees, zero US fees, fractional US shares, beginner‑friendly design.
Cons: Limited advanced charting, no CHESS sponsorship for US holdings (they’re held in a custodial account).
Best for: New investors keen on the US market and those who want to dip a small amount into big‑cap stocks.
Pricing: $3 per ASX trade, $0 US trade.
3. SelfWealth
SelfWealth keeps things simple with a flat $9.50 brokerage per trade, regardless of size. It’s CHESS sponsored, so you get direct registration of your Aussie shares. What sets it apart is the community insights hub – members share trade ideas, and you can see the most‑liked stock picks in real time.
The platform also offers a “Buy‑Now‑Pay‑Later” style feature for ETFs, letting you spread the cost over a few weeks without interest. While the research suite isn’t as deep as CommSec’s, you still get basic company snapshots and dividend calendars.
Pros: Predictable flat fee, CHESS sponsorship, community‑driven insights.
Cons: Research tools are basic, no native margin lending.
Best for: Cost‑conscious traders who still want direct share ownership.
Pricing: $9.50 flat per trade.
4. CMC Markets
CMC Markets targets the more active crowd. New users get the first trade of the day for free, then $0.99 per share thereafter. Like the others, it’s CHESS sponsored. The real draw is the advanced chart package – over 100 technical indicators, customizable layouts, and the ability to set multi‑leg orders.
CMC also offers a “Power‑Trader” subscription that unlocks lower fees on larger volumes and adds a dedicated support line. If you trade daily, the fee structure can shrink dramatically.
Pros: Advanced tools, low‑cost first‑trade incentive, CHESS sponsorship.
Cons: Steeper learning curve, fees rise with higher volume if you skip the subscription.
Best for: Active traders who need robust charting and order types.
Pricing: $0 first trade/day, then $0.99 per share.
5. Pearler
Pearler is built around the idea of “set‑and‑forget” investing. It automatically invests your chosen amount into a basket of ETFs each month. The platform curates three core portfolios – Growth, Balanced and Income – each with a different risk profile.
There’s no brokerage fee per se; you pay a 0.25% management fee on the assets under management, taken quarterly. Because the platform only deals in ETFs, you don’t get direct ASX share ownership, but you do get a diversified base with one click.
Pros: Auto‑invest, diversified ETF focus, low management fee.
Cons: No direct share ownership, limited to ETFs.
Best for: Long‑term investors who want a hands‑off approach.
Pricing: 0.25% AUM fee.
6. Raiz
Raiz pioneered micro‑investing in Australia. For $4.50 a month you get a round‑up service that takes every spare change from your linked debit card and invests it into a portfolio of ETFs. You can also set up recurring deposits as low as $10.
The platform offers five risk‑based portfolios, from Conservative to Aggressive. Dividends are automatically reinvested, and you can withdraw at any time without penalty.
Pros: Low monthly fee, round‑up feature, easy entry point.
Cons: Management fee on the portfolio (0.75% on the Aggressive tier), no direct share buying.
Best for: Beginners who want to start small and grow habitually.
Pricing: $4.50 per month.
7. Spaceship
Spaceship offers managed portfolios that you can start with $0 – the first $1,000 is free for the first year. After that, you pay a 0.60% management fee on assets. The portfolios are themed – there’s a “Tech” fund, a “Growth” fund and a “Balanced” fund – each built around a mix of Australian and overseas ETFs.
What makes Spaceship stand out is the educational hub. Every month they release a video that breaks down market trends in plain English, which is great if you’re still learning the ropes.
Pros: No entry fee, themed portfolios, strong education content.
Cons: Higher management fee than pure‑play ETFs, limited to the platform’s own funds.
Best for: New investors who like a bit of guidance and don’t mind paying for it.
Pricing: 0.60% AUM fee after the first $1,000.
8. Interactive Brokers
Interactive Brokers (IBKR) is the go‑to for frequent traders who need low‑cost FX and a massive range of global markets. The platform charges $0.01 per share for ASX trades, with a minimum of $2 per order. For US shares, it’s $0.005 per share, capped at $1 per trade.
IBKR also offers a “Trader Workstation” desktop app packed with algorithmic trading tools, advanced order types, and a built‑in news feed. Margin rates start at 3.5% for Australian dollars, which is competitive.
Pros: Cheapest FX, low per‑share fees, global market access.
Cons: Complex interface, steep learning curve for beginners.
Best for: Experienced traders who need low fees and multi‑asset capabilities.
Pricing: $0.01 per ASX share (min $2), $0.005 per US share (max $1).
9. EToro
EToro brings the social‑trading vibe to Australia. You can follow top investors, copy their trades, and trade fractional shares on both ASX and US markets. The platform charges $0 spread on most Australian stocks, but there’s a $5 withdrawal fee and a $10 inactivity fee after 12 months of no login.
EToro also offers a crypto hub, letting you buy Bitcoin, Ethereum and other major coins without leaving the app. The downside is that eToro holds your shares in a custodial account, so you don’t get CHESS registration.
Pros: Social copy‑trading, fractional shares, crypto access.
Cons: Custodial holding, extra fees for withdrawals and inactivity.
Best for: Investors who like to learn from others and dabble in crypto.
Pricing: $0 spread on most ASX stocks, $5 withdrawal fee.
10. Superhero
Superhero markets itself as the simplest way to buy fractional shares. For $5 per trade you can buy a slice of any ASX‑listed company, even if the full share costs $2,000. The platform also offers a “Superhero Saver” feature that automatically invests any spare cash in a diversified ETF basket.
Shares are held in a custodial account, so you don’t get CHESS registration, but you can sell at any time without a minimum holding period. The app’s UI is clean, with a single‑tap buy button and a clear performance dashboard.
Pros: Fractional buying, low flat fee, intuitive app.
Cons: No CHESS sponsorship, limited research tools.
Best for: Casual investors who want to own pricey stocks in bite‑size pieces.
Pricing: $5 per trade.
How We Chose the Rankings
We scored each platform on four pillars: cost, ownership model, toolset and user experience. Cost covered brokerage fees, subscription charges and any hidden fees. Ownership looked at whether you get CHESS registration or a custodial arrangement – direct ownership scores higher for most Aussie investors.
Toolset measured research depth, charting options and extra features like margin loans or auto‑invest. User experience weighed app design, onboarding ease and customer support quality. Each pillar got a 25‑point weight, and we added a small bonus for platforms that cater specifically to Australian tax rules.
After tallying the scores, CommSec topped the list because its CHESS sponsorship and research depth outweigh the higher fees for most active traders. Stake landed second thanks to its ultra‑low US fees and beginner‑friendly UI. The rest fell into place based on how well they balance cost against the features they deliver.
Final Verdict
If you’re after the most complete package and don’t mind paying $10 a trade, CommSec is still the gold standard. For low‑cost US exposure and a slick app, Stake is the clear runner‑up. Cost‑conscious traders who still want CHESS registration should look at SelfWealth or CMC Markets, depending on how deep you need your charts. And if you’re just starting with $20 a month, Raiz and Spaceship give you a gentle entry point.
Pick the platform that matches your trading style, and you’ll be set to grow your portfolio in 2026 and beyond.
Finding the right investment platform in Australia in 2026 depends on your goals and trading style. Whether you want hands‑on control with CHESS sponsorship, low‑cost US share access, or a beginner‑friendly micro‑investing app, the ten platforms above cover the full spectrum. Choose the one that fits your budget, the assets you want to hold, and the level of research you need – and you’ll be ready to start building wealth today.
This article was created with AI assistance.
