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14 best share trading platforms Australia – ranked

4,370+ data points from 40+ trading platforms to make you feel green even on red days.

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).

Australia's best share trading platforms for 2024

These are the best trading platforms in Australia, based on Finder's analysis of 105 features, 40 platforms and 4,000+ data points:

  1. : CMC Invest
  2. : CMC Invest
  3. : Sharesies
  4. : Syfe
  5. : Interactive Brokers
  6. : CMC Invest
  7. : CMC Invest
  8. : Interactive Brokers
  9. : Interactive Brokers
  10. : CMC Invest
  11. : eToro
  12. : Interactive Brokers
  13. : Tiger Brokers
  14. : moomoo

Read the full methodology for our share trading platform awards

1. CMC Invest

The best trading platform in Australia (overall)

CMC Invest logo
5/5 ★★★★★
Go to site Read review
Capital at risk
$0 brokerage for global stocks
$0 brokerage on ASX buy orders
Sophisticated research tools
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

2. CMC Invest

The best low-cost share trading platform

CMC Invest logo
5/5 ★★★★★
Go to site Read review
Capital at risk
$0 brokerage for global stocks
$0 brokerage on ASX buy orders
Sophisticated research tools
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

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.

3. Sharesies

The best share trading platform for beginners

Sharesies logo
3/5 ★★★★★
Compare Read review
Capital at risk
Invest as low as 1 cent
Has an auto-invest function
Trade in AU, NZ and US markets
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

4. Syfe

The best platform for auto-investing

Syfe logo
N/A ★★★★★
Compare Read review
Capital at risk
ASX and US stocks
Cryptocurrency investing
Portfolio investing
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

5. Interactive Brokers

The best platform for active traders

Interactive Brokers Australia logo
5/5 ★★★★★
Compare Read review
Capital at risk
Advanced trading features
Trade Australian and global shares
Trade OTC stocks from global markets
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)

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.

6. CMC Invest

The best share trading platform for US stocks

CMC Invest logo
5/5 ★★★★★
Go to site Read review
Capital at risk
$0 brokerage for global stocks
$0 brokerage on ASX buy orders
Sophisticated research tools
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

7. CMC Invest

The best share trading platform for ASX stocks

CMC Invest logo
5/5 ★★★★★
Go to site Read review
Capital at risk
$0 brokerage for global stocks
$0 brokerage on ASX buy orders
Sophisticated research tools
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

8. Interactive Brokers

The best international share trading platform

Interactive Brokers Australia logo
5/5 ★★★★★
Compare Read review
Capital at risk
Advanced trading features
Trade Australian and global shares
Trade OTC stocks from global markets
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)

Best trading platforms for ETFs and other features

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.

9. Interactive Brokers

The best options trading account

Interactive Brokers Australia logo
5/5 ★★★★★
Compare Read review
Capital at risk
Advanced trading features
Trade Australian and global shares
Trade OTC stocks from global markets
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)

10. CMC Invest

The best ETF trading platform

CMC Invest logo
5/5 ★★★★★
Go to site Read review
Capital at risk
$0 brokerage for global stocks
$0 brokerage on ASX buy orders
Sophisticated research tools
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

11. eToro

The best copy trading platform

eToro logo
4/5 ★★★★★
Go to site Read review
Capital at risk
Copy trading
Social media forums
Demo account available
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

12. Interactive Brokers

The best demo trading app

Interactive Brokers Australia logo
5/5 ★★★★★
Compare Read review
Capital at risk
Advanced trading features
Trade Australian and global shares
Trade OTC stocks from global markets
IBKR is our pick for the best demo account, offering a full-featured paper trading account that lets you test your investing approach and trading approach using real market conditions. You'll also get access to advanced trading and research tools for free.
  • Access real market conditions
  • Easily switch to real trading
  • Trade on desktop or mobile
  • Market data is delayed on demo account
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)

13. Tiger Brokers

The best mobile trading app

Tiger Brokers logo
4/5 ★★★★★
Go to site Read review
Capital at risk
Cheaply invest in US, HK and AU shares
Easy access to international trading
Low-cost options trading
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

14. moomoo

The best platform for penny stocks

Moomoo Share Trading logo
4/5 ★★★★★
Compare Read review
Capital at risk
AI-powered charts
Trade ASX, US and HK stocks
Advanced trading tools
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

40

Trading platforms analysed

4,370

Data points

300+

Hours of research

Compare share trading platforms to find the best deal

Name Product AUFST Price per trade Inactivity fee Asset class International Offer
eToro
Exclusive
eToro
US$2
US$10 per month if there’s been no log-in for 12 months
ASX shares, Global shares, US shares, ETFs
Yes
Get 12 months of investment tracking app Delta PRO for free when you fund your eToro account (T&Cs apply).
Tiger Brokers
Finder AwardExclusive
Tiger Brokers
US$1.99
$0
ASX shares, Global shares, Options trading, US shares, ETFs
Yes
Get 10 no-brokerage US or ASX trades in the first 180 days, plus US$30 NVDA shares (+US$30 TSLA shares ) when you deposit AU$2000 or more. Get 7% p.a. on uninvested cash for 30 days. T&Cs apply.
CMC Invest
Finder Award
CMC Invest
$0
$0
ASX shares, Global shares, Options trading, US shares, ETFs
Yes
$0 brokerage on US, UK, Canadian and Japanese markets (FX spreads apply).
Moomoo Share Trading
US$0.99
$0
ASX shares, Global shares, Options trading, US shares, ETFs
Yes
Unlock up to AUD$4,000 AND US$4,000 in $0 brokerage over 60 days. T&Cs apply.
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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 (or even $0 with some platforms).

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?
Nicole Pedersen-McKinnon's headshot
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
Tom Goodwin's headshot

"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."

Editor

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)
  • You'll normally pay anywhere from $0 to $40 per trade when buying and selling Australian stocks. 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

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.

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Investments analyst

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 143 Finder guides across topics including:
  • Investment strategies
  • Financial platforms
  • Stockbrokers
  • Robo advisors
  • Exchange traded funds (ETFs)
  • Ethical investing
  • ASX stocks
  • Stock and forex markets

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17 Responses

    Default Gravatar
    AndrewDecember 19, 2023

    How do you transfer from one trading platform to another? Are there fees involved in doing this?

      AvatarFinder
      JasonFebruary 10, 2024Finder

      Hi Andrew,

      It might be possible but you’d have to check with the brokers to see if they charge fees to transfer in or transfer out your shares. They all have different policies.

      I hope that helps.

    Default Gravatar
    jackJanuary 29, 2019

    Which trading platform has the best tax reporting for the ato?

      AvatarFinder
      JohnJanuary 30, 2019Finder

      Hi Jack,

      Thank you for reaching out to finder.

      Though we do not have information on the best tax reporting for these companies to the ATO, you may want to contact the ATO directly to check on the statistics for this. They should have available historical data on these companies available for you. Hope this helps!

      Cheers,
      Reggie

    Default Gravatar
    KarenFebruary 9, 2018

    I’d like to buy shares online myself, I’ll be a casual investing in semi longterm shares, looking for a $20 to $50 share minimum purchase. I’m hoping that’s possible, I’m mid 50’s an hoping to add a little extra for retirement, any advice would be muchly appreciated, cheers

      AvatarFinder
      MayMarch 2, 2018Finder

      Hi Karen,

      Thanks for your inquiry.

      Going into share trading is one of the good ways to grow your money. With share trading, please note that the minimum order when buying shares on the ASX is $500 and your online trading platform may require a higher limit. We have some guides on the following pages which could help you in your journey to share trading:

      1. Beginner guide to share trading
      2. Opening a share trading account
      3. Compare online share trading accounts

      Hope this helps.

      Cheers,
      May

    Default Gravatar
    AllanMay 24, 2017

    I’m looking for a discount broker for trading Australian shares that provides data reports, particularly for end of f/y
    Cheers, Allan

      AvatarFinder
      DeeMay 25, 2017Finder

      Hi Allan,

      Thanks for your question.

      You may want to check our page that discusses cheap stock brokerage in Australia. By checking that comparison table on that page, you should learn which share trading platform has the lowest brokerage fee. Most of them provide daily and yearly data reports.

      Should you have further questions, please don’t hesitate to reach us out again.

      Cheers,
      Anndy

    Default Gravatar
    RichMay 9, 2017

    I have shares in the UK, but with an Australian address it is hard (impossible) to find a UK agent to help with their sale. What is the best Australian option for a single trade (sell)?

      Default Gravatar
      IanOctober 9, 2017

      My suggestion is that you do an off market transfer with a third party who is willing to buy the shares from you and arrange private cash settlement.

      AvatarFinder
      HaroldMay 11, 2017Finder

      Hi Rich,

      Thank you for your inquiry.

      Unfortunately, we cannot recommend what is best for you. Our company finder.com.au is a financial comparison website and general information service designed to help consumers to make a better decisions. Please note we do not represent any company we feature on our pages.

      Thankfully, you can always check the list of online share trading platforms on our website. This should give you a good place to start searching for the right platform.

      I hope this helps.

      Cheers,
      Harold

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