If you're looking to invest in exchange-traded funds (ETFs), you'll need to be signed up to the right trading platform.
That means finding a platform or online broker that offers a great range of ETFs, low ETF trading fees and the right tools to match your trading strategy. To help you find the best platform for you, either check out our top picks below or compare your full list of options in the comparison table below.
Finding the best ETF trading platform in Australia
Our investment experts have analysed more than 38 trading platforms available in Australia to make it easier for you to select the right one as an ETF investor. The 5 brokers featured here achieved the highest scores for Finder's Best ETF Broker award in the 2023 Finder Awards. Keep in mind that these picks are suggestions and that the best platform for you will depend on your individual needs. There may be other products on the market not included in our picks. You can read more on our Best ETF platform methodology here.
CMC Invest was rated the best ETF trading platform in Australia (overall) for 2023 thanks to its quality ETF trading tools and low costs. The platform offers excellent ETF screeners that allow you to filter hundreds of funds that best suit your investment strategy. It also gets points thanks to its $0 brokerage offering for ASX trades of less than $1,000. This means you can regularly invest smaller amounts into your ETF of choice without paying high trade fees. Check out CMC Invest if you want an excellent all-rounder.
Trade Australian and global ETFs
Low trade fees on stocks and ETFs
ETF filters and screeners
$0 brokerage on ASX ETF trades of under $1,000
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
Superhero is a trading platform suited to both long-term investing and beginner investors. This is thanks to its low $2 brokerage for trades up to $20,000 and features such as auto invest and instant funding. We particularly like that you can auto-invest from just $10, making Superhero a great choice for investors that want to dollar-cost average into stocks or ETFs over the long term. And for investors planning for retirement, Superhero also has SMSF and superannuation account options.
US$2 brokerage for US stocks, $2 for ASX
Auto-investment feature
$2 brokerage for ETF purchases
No account or inactivity fees
Few features. Superhero covers the basics but does not have some features advanced traders might find useful such as technical analysis tools.
Not fully global. Superhero only offers Australian and US stocks at this stage.
Brokerage fees: AU stocks: $2 for trades up to $20,000, 0.01% for trades over $20,000 US stocks: US$2 UK stocks: Not available ETF brokerage fees: AU ETFs: $2 for trades up to $20,000, 0.01% for trades over $20,000 US ETFs: US$2 Inactivity fee: $0 Currency conversion fee: 65 bps
Syfe is one of the first trading platforms in Australia to offer a robo-advice feature with its diversified portfolios (smart baskets) tailored to your risk tolerance and time horizon. Plus, with a low minimum investment of just $1 and low fees there's no need to break the piggy bank to start. Syfe also gives you the option to directly purchase Australian and US stocks and ETFs as well as cryptocurrencies. With its simple-to-use platform, we think Syfe is a great choice for new investors.
Invest from just $1
Trade ASX and US stocks plus crypto
User-friendly platform
Ready-made portfolios available
Few advanced features
Only access to Australian and US stocks at this stage
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
Stake is one of the cheapest brokers on the market for those investing in ASX CHESS-sponsored stocks and ETFs, charging just $3 brokerage per trade. As such, it's no surprise it makes our list. Better still, if you refer 3 friends, you can actually get free brokerage on ASX trades for a year.
User-friendly options
Cheap brokerage for ASX and US ETFs
Refer-a-friend bonus
Easy-to-use mobile app
Need to pay for advanced tools through Stake Black
Fewer features than others
No ETF screeners
Brokerage fees: AU stocks: $3 (Up to and including $30,000); 0.01% (Over $30,000) US stocks: US$3 (Up to and including $30,000); 0.01% (Over $30,000) Other markets: Details here ETF brokerage fees: AU ETFs: $3 US ETFs: US$3 Inactivity fee: $0 Currency conversion fee: 70 pips (US$0.70 for every AUD$100 exchanged)
If you're planning to invest specifically in Vanguard ETFs, you'll be able to do it for $0 if you sign up to its brokerage account. The broker allows for small investor limits with its auto-invest features and access to most of the world through its fund. You can also open an account in as little as 10 minutes.
$0 brokerage on Vanguard ETFs
Ready-made portfolios
Costly if you're trading shares that are not Vanguard
Only gives access to the ASX 300
Brokerage fees: Australian stocks: $9 US stock: N/A Other markets: Not Available ETF brokerage fees: AU ETFs: $0 brokerage on buy orders of Vanguard ETFs ($9 flat rate for selling) US ETFs: N/A Currency conversion fee: N/A Inactivity fee: $10 per year
Compare Australian ETF brokers
Still not sure which ETF trading platform to go with? Compare your options in the table below by ETF brokerage fees and available assets.
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.
How ETF platforms work in Australia
To invest in ETFs, you need to be signed up to a share trading platform or online broker. Because ETFs are listed on a stock exchange, you invest in them the same way you buy and sell stocks. Instead of buying and selling stocks, you'll be buying ETF units.
However not all share trading platforms are catered to ETF investors. For instance, some trading platforms offer only a small range of ETFs or feature tools better suited to active stock traders. Trading platform eToro, for example, only offers US-listed ETFs and Australian shares, it does not support ASX-listed ETFs.
In Australia, ETF investors typically choose ASX-listed ETFs. This means the funds are listed on the Australian Securities Exchange (ASX), Australia's main stock exchange. To date, there are over 200 ASX-listed funds.
Just because an ETF is listed in the Australian market, doesn't mean that you're only investing in Australian assets. ASX-listed funds allow you to invest in stocks and other assets from right around the world, including the US market, emerging markets like India, UK stocks and even global commodities.
For more information on the types of ETFs available in Australia, check out our guides:
The best ETF platform for you will depend on your investment strategy, the types of ETFs you plan to invest in and whether you also want to buy other types of securities such as stocks.
If you plan to make small regular deposits into your ETF of choice, look for a platform that charges a low brokerage fee per trade and allows you to invest small, recurring amounts. It's worth noting that many platforms require a minimum deposit of $500 per trade, so make sure you check this before signing up.
If you only plan to deposit funds into your ETF once or twice a year, the brokerage fee is less important and you may instead prefer to find a platform that offers quality filtering or research tools that will help you select the best ETF for you.
Here are a few factors to consider:
ETF trading fees: When you buy ETF units, you typically need to pay an ETF brokerage fee to the trading platform you use. This is usually the same as the stock brokerage fee, but some platforms will charge a different fee for ETFs. Opt for platforms with low brokerage fees in line with your strategy.
Range of ETFs: Make sure to check the range of ETFs your platform has access to. For instance, some platforms will only offer US-listed ETFs while others might only offer a small range of ASX-listed ETFs.
User experience: If you're new to investing, look for a platform with a user-friendly interface. Most platforms will allow you to sign up for free so you can trial the interface before depositing any funds.
ETF filters: Some platforms, such as CMC Invest and CommSec offer ETF screeners that let you filter ETFs based on the underlying market or asset class, management fees, size of the ETF and types of ETFs. For instance, if you're looking for a low-cost index fund that tracks the US market, you can filter for this too.
Auto-investment options: If you're planning to make recurring investments into your ETF of choice, you might want to look for a platform that offers an auto-investment option. Auto-investing features let you invest a set amount at regular intervals of your choosing so you can set and forget.
Customer support: If something goes wrong, you'll want to make sure you can easily access the support you need. Check whether support can be contacted via phone, email or live chat.
Regulation: Make sure you sign up to a platform that is ASIC regulated and holds an AFS licence. This will ensure you and your funds are protected under Australian law.
Mobile access: Some platforms specialise in desktop trading while others are mobile first. Desktop platforms and their affiliate mobile apps can be quite different. For instance, you won't always get all the features you need via mobile. A good way to gauge is check out user ratings in the App or Play stores
Choosing the perfect ETF trading platform boils down to personal preference and trading style. Consider your unique needs and goals, then select a platform that aligns. Here's to successful trading!
What return can you expect on an ETF?
Many ETFs have averaged an annualised return of more than 15% over the last 5 years, however this has been during a period of relatively high growth for the stock market. Like with any investment, the value of an ETF can go up or down.
Source: ASX | Period ending: 30 April 2024 | SP = Structured Product, MF = Managed Fund, Fees = %p.a.
Frequently asked questions
If you don't want to invest in an ETF through a broker or trading platform, you can invest in an unlisted managed fund. Many fund managers these days will offer both ETFs and unlisted managed fund options to customers. When you invest in an unlisted managed fund, you'll need to apply directly through the fund manager itself. It's worth noting that the minimal initial investment for unlisted funds is usually much higher than their ETF equivalents and can be upwards of several thousand dollars.
For more information on ETF investing and how ETFs work, check out our guide to ETFs.
The best platform for ETF investing is CMC Invest, according to Finder's latest analysis (2023). CMC achieved the highest overall score thank to its $0 brokerage deal for ASX (CHESS-sponsored) stocks and ETFs and its high-quality research tools such as its ETF screeners.
Disclaimer: This information should not be interpreted as an endorsement of futures, stocks, ETFs, CFDs, 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 involves substantial risk of loss and therefore are not appropriate for all investors. Trading CFDs and forex on leverage comes with a higher risk of losing money rapidly. Past performance is not an indication of future results. Consider your own circumstances, and obtain your own advice, before making any trades. Read the Product Disclosure Statement (PDS) and Target Market Determination (TMD) for the product on the provider's website.
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.
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