Get the Finder app 🥳

Track your credit score

Free

Install
finder.com.au

How do I find a good stockbroker?

We compare online brokers with full service brokers and show you what to look out for.

Tim Falk
Tim Falk

Updated . What changed?

Fact checked

We’re committed to our readers and editorial independence. We don’t compare all products in the market and may receive compensation when we refer you to our partners, but this does not influence our opinions or reviews. Learn more about Finder .

🧪How we chose these brokers

For our Top Picks, we compared our Finder partners using a proprietary algorithm in August 2020. Keep in mind that our top picks may not always be the best for you, and you're encouraged to compare for yourself to find one that works for you. Read our full methodology here to find out more.

Are you looking for a stockbroker to help you get started buying and selling shares on the Australian Securities Exchange (ASX) and other international stock exchanges?

A good broker can mean the difference between being a successful share trader and suffering investment losses, so it’s important to compare a range of options before choosing one to go with.

Full-service brokers vs online brokers
How to choose a full-service broker
How to choose an online broker
compare online stockbrokers

Search and compare online stockbrokers

Data indicated here is updated regularly
Name Product Standard brokerage fee Inactivity fee Markets International
IG Share Trading
Finder Award
IG Share Trading
AUD 8
AUD 50 per quarter if you make fewer than three trades in that period
ASX shares, Global shares, Forex, CFDs, Margin trading
Yes
Brokerage discount: $5 on Australian shares for active traders & $0 commission on US and global shares
Enjoy some of the lowest brokerage fees on the market when trading Australian shares, international shares, forex and CFDs, plus get access to 24-hour customer support.
Go to site
More Info
eToro Share Trading (US stocks)
Finder Award
eToro Share Trading (US stocks)
USD 0
USD 10 per month if there’s been no login for 12 months
Forex, CFDs, US shares
Yes
Zero brokerage share trading on US stocks with trades as low as $50.
Note: This broker offers CFDs which are volatile investment products and most clients lose money trading CFDs with this provider.
Join the world’s biggest social trading network when you trade stocks, commodities and forex from the one account.
Go to site
More Info
Superhero share trading
Superhero share trading
AUD 5
No
ASX shares
No
Pay zero brokerage on all Australian ETFs.
Trade ASX stocks with a flat $5 commission fee and a low minimum investment of just $100.
Go to site
More Info
CMC Markets Stockbroking
Finder Award
CMC Markets Stockbroking
AUD 11
No
ASX shares, Global shares, Forex, CFDs, Margin trading, Options trading, mFunds
Yes
$0 brokerage on global shares including US, UK and Japan markets.
Trade up to 9,000 products, including shares, managed funds, forex, commodities and cryptocurrencies, plus access up to 15 major global and Australian stock exchanges.
Go to site
More Info
ANZ Share Investing
ANZ Share Investing
AUD 19.95
No
ASX shares, Global shares, Margin trading, Options trading
Yes
Earn 1 Qantas Point per AU$3 spent on brokerage fees on certain instruments.
Access Morningstar reports, company announcements and and live pricing via ANZ’s share investing platform. Available for desktop and mobile.
More Info
Westpac Online Investing Account
Westpac Online Investing Account
AUD 19.95
AUD 63.50 per year on the global markets account
ASX shares, Global shares, Options trading, US shares
Yes
More Info
loading

Compare up to 4 providers

Important: Share trading can be financially risky and the value of your investment can go down as well as up. Standard brokerage fee is the cost to trade $1,000 or less of ASX-listed shares and ETFs without any qualifications or special eligibility. If ASX shares aren’t available, the fee shown is for US shares.

Read on for tips and advice on how you can find the best stockbroker for you.

Full-service brokers vs online brokers

Choosing a broker is one of the most critical decisions that any investor will ever make. From the advice they offer to the fees they charge and the markets they allow you to access, the stockbroker you choose will have a huge impact on your success as a share trader.

However, before you can start comparing the services of stockbrokers, it’s first important to understand that there are, broadly speaking, two different types of brokers available: full-service brokers and online brokers.

A full-service broker is the traditional person most of us think of when you hear the word “stockbroker.” Full-service brokers offer a high-level investment service to their customers. After assessing your financial situation and investment goals, this type of broker will provide detailed investment research and advice on which shares you should buy and sell.

An online broker, on the other hand, is a term used to refer to online share trading services. These online platforms, such as CommSec and IG Share Trading, make it easy for everyday investors to buy and sell shares online. Rather than advising you on which shares to buy or sell, online trading platforms simply allow you the market access you need to make trades.

Which option is right for me?

Whether you should choose an online broker or a full-service broker really depends on your investment experience, financial goals and even on your personal preferences. Each option has its own advantages and disadvantages that you should carefully consider before choosing an investment route.

The benefits of online broking services are that they are cheap, easy to use and convenient. Brokerage typically ranges from around $10 to $30 per trade and there are trading platforms available to suit everyone from casual investors to experienced traders.

Online brokers don’t offer the same level of personalised advice as full-service brokers. However, depending on the trading platform you choose and the membership level you select, you may be able to access detailed company research, analyses and buy and sell recommendations from the online broker’s expert staff. Of course, you may need to pay an extra fee to access these services.

Meanwhile, the main advantage of choosing a full-service broker is that you have an expert advising you on all your share trades. A full-service broker considers your financial standing and goals before providing you with trading recommendations and advice. Depending on the level of service you select, the broker can even trade on your behalf and make investment decisions without your input.

The downside to this is that full-service brokers come at an extra cost. Brokerage fees are usually charged as a percentage of the total buy or sell transaction amount, so you will need to factor this extra expense into your calculations when deciding whether a full-service broker is the right choice.

Back to top

Choosing between online brokers and full-service brokers

You may be starting to realise that choosing between a full-service stockbroker and an online broking service isn’t always a clear-cut decision. To help make the choice easier, ask yourself a few simple questions:

How much money do I want to invest?

If you only have a small amount to invest, you may decide that it might not be worth your while to pay a full-service broker’s fees.

How much do I know about investing?

Consider whether you may benefit from the tailored expert advice that a full-service broker may offer.

How much does each option cost?

Consider how the brokerage fees charged by full-service and online brokers will affect your investment budget.

How much control do I want to have over my investments?

Would you prefer to have full control over where your money is invested, or do you want a broker who can take care of all your buy and sell trades for you?

Do I need more than one broker?

Some investors use multiple brokers to access expert advice on different investment sectors.

Once you know the answers to the above questions you should be a lot closer to working out whether you should choose a full-service broker or go for the DIY option and open an account with an online share trading broker.

Back to top

How to choose a full-service broker

If you’ve decided you want a full-service stockbroker to help you make the right share trading decisions, consider these factors when comparing brokers:

What you can buy and sell

Compare the investments that different brokers can advise you on and help you trade, such as shares, warrants, ETOs, futures and more.

Fees

Compare the fees charged by stockbrokers for the services they offer. Is there a flat fee or a fee charged as a percentage of the transaction amount? How does the fee vary depending on the size of the transaction? Fees for full-service brokerages can range enormously, anywhere from $50 - $300 per transaction.

Services

Make sure you’re fully aware of the services your broker provides. Will they offer advice and then execute the trades you instruct them to, or will your broker be authorised to trade on your behalf.

Specialist expertise

Some broking firms may have specialist areas of knowledge, for example, the resources sector, which may be worth considering if you are looking to concentrate your investments in specific industries.

Minimum investment amount

There may be a minimum amount that you must invest before you are eligible to access a broker’s services.

The broker’s questions

Before a full-service broker can offer advice, they must first take the time to understand your financial situation and investment goals. Look for a broker that shows an in-depth interest in your investment needs and asks all the right questions to form a complete picture of your requirements.

Regular contact

Finally, consider how you will be able to contact your broker if you ever have a question about your portfolio. Will you be contacted regularly with updates on the performance of your portfolio? How often will your broker monitor it and will you be informed of any adjustments that need to be made? You can also use the ASX’s find a stockbroker tool to help you get in touch with the right broker for your needs.

What full service brokers are available in Australia?

There are plenty of full service brokers available in Australia, some of which also have online share trading platforms if you choose that route. Some of the most popular of these include:

  • Bell Potter Securities Limited
  • Commonwealth Securities Limited
  • Morgan Stanley Wealth Management Australia
  • Morgans Financial Limited
  • Phillip Capital Limited
  • Shaw and Partners Limited
  • Macquarie Equities Limited
Back to top

How to choose an online broker

If you’ve decided to sign up for an online broking service, keep the following factors in mind when comparing the benefits and drawbacks of different share trading platforms:

Brokerage fees

Compare the fees you will need to pay each time you buy or sell a parcel of shares. This could be a flat fee or a percentage of the transaction amount and it could also vary depending on the size of the trade.

Ongoing fees

It’s free to maintain a basic account with many online share broking services, but some charge ongoing membership fees. Many providers will also allow you to access regular company news, research and analyses if you pay an ongoing monthly fee.

What you can trade

Can you trade shares on the ASX and a selection of other global stock exchanges? Can you trade anything else other than shares through your online account?

Trading limits

Check to see whether the trading platform imposes minimum and maximum limits on your trading transaction amounts.

Ease of use

How easy is each provider’s trading platform to use? Is it simple and intuitive or is it too confusing to place a trade? Many brokers offer free demo accounts that can help you answer these questions.

Research and analysis

Compare the market analysis and stock recommendations you can access through each online broker. Will you need to pay an additional fee to access these services?

Flexible trading options

Can you take advantage of options such as stop loss orders to create a more advanced trading experience?

Additional access

Does the provider offer a smartphone and/or tablet app to allow you to trade on the go? Is phone trading also available and, if so, does it attract any extra fees?

Customer support

Finally, make sure you will be able to access the help you need if you ever have a problem with your account or a particular transaction.

Compare online stockbrokers

Best online share trading platforms.

Back to top

The latest in share trading and investments

More guides on Finder

Ask an Expert

You are about to post a question on finder.com.au:

  • Do not enter personal information (eg. surname, phone number, bank details) as your question will be made public
  • finder.com.au is a financial comparison and information service, not a bank or product provider
  • We cannot provide you with personal advice or recommendations
  • Your answer might already be waiting – check previous questions below to see if yours has already been asked

Finder only provides general advice and factual information, so consider your own circumstances, or seek advice before you decide to act on our content. By submitting a question, you're accepting our Terms of Use, Disclaimer & Privacy Policy and Privacy & Cookies Policy.
Go to site