As the 16th largest exchange in the world, the Australian equity market has captured the attention of traders across the globe.
With a growing interest in international shares and ETFs, Australian investors are in search of the perfect trading platform to suit their needs.
But how do you find the best online brokers in Australia?
In this comprehensive guide, we compare the most popular Australian brokers by examining their features, fees, support, user-friendliness, range of markets, and more.
Let’s see which are the top trading platforms in Australia and find the one that’s perfect FOR YOU.
Best Online Share Trading Platforms in Australia 2024
Here are the best share trading plaforms in Australia (updated for 2024):
- eToro – Best Overall Trading Platform in Australia
- Pepperstone – Free Deposit & Withdrawal
- Plus500 – Low FX Spreads
- GO Markets– Highest CFD Trading Success Rate
- nabTrade – Best for AU Only Shares
1. eToro
Best Overall Trading Platform in Australia
eToro is the best trading platform in Australia, because they offer real shares trading with a great commission structure. It is the world’s leading social trading platform with over 17 million users.
eToro has recently reduced the minimum deposit amount (see below).
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eToro AUS Capital Limited AFSL 491139. eToro us a multi-asset investment platform. The value of your investments may go up or down. Your capital is at risk. See PDS and TMD.
Traders can choose from over 800 shares, from 17 exchanges. One major downside is that they do not offer any shares from the Australian ASX exchange yet. Individuals who are interested in buying Australian shares should search for another broker to meet their need. You can trade the AUS200 on their platform. Their app is fantastic and it offers a wide range of trading options.
eToro is a fantastic choice for individuals who are interested in international shares. The Copy Trading/Social Trading feature is similar to automated trading.
2. Pepperstone
Best App With Free Deposit & Withdrawal
I love Pepperstone. Pepperstone is an outstanding CDF broker with quality features included within its platform. The support team is quick and friendly and they have a big list of tradable assets..
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Pepperstone Disclaimer: Trading CFDs and FX carries significant risk and is not suitable for everyone. You have no interest in the underlying asset. Refer to our PDS, TMD and other legal docs on our website. Pepperstone Group Limited, AFSL 414530.
The best part of Pepperstone is that they are based in Melbourne, Australia.
Pepperstone is regulated by the FCA and ASIC, which means that they adhere to strict guidelines. Additionally, customers enjoy the low spreads and scalping, and hedging are allowed across all accounts.
The available leverage is up to 30:1, or even higher for pro traders. Meta Trader 4 is compatible with the Pepperstone platform. There are many trading tools that you can use and the trading fee is really low.
3. Plus500
Best Platform With Low FX Spreads
Plus500 is not a new name when it comes to trading companies. It has been around for a while – over a decade. Plus500 was founded in 2008 and has grown to become a trendsetter in the CFD business. Trading CFDs is recommended for more experienced traders. Beginner traders should look for other types of trading.
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The company is registered and licensed in different countries. The list includes Australia, where they are being licensed by the Australian Securities and Investment Commission (ASIC).
Plus500 has a user-friendly and secure trading platform with two types of accounts (demo and real). The accounts can be accessed by multiple devices that use different operating systems. Consequently, trades can be accomplished regardless of the location and situation.
The trading company lacks educational materials and resources, which is perhaps its biggest downside (along with the lack of analysis and research tools).
On the other hand, it has many chart indicators available through the web platform. Additionally, it packs a risk management tool with guaranteed stop-loss orders.
4. GO Markets
Best Platform With Highest CFD Trading Success Rate
GO Markets is one of the best and most respected trading platforms in the Australian market. It is one of the most recommended brokers for both beginners and seasoned traders.
The minimum deposit on GO Markets is only $200 and there are two types of trading accounts that you can choose from: Standard and GoPlus.
The available account currencies include AUD, USD, EUR, GBP, NZD, CAD, SGD, CHF, HKD.
Visit GO Markets
62% of retail CFD accounts lose money.
5. nabTrade
Best Platform for AU Only Shares
nabTrade, which is offered by the National Australia Bank, provides over 10,000 exchanges across different instruments. Whether it is shares or bonds, nabtrade has its customers covered because nadTrader is an actually stock broker. The brokerage fee is at $19.95 for trades between $10,000 and $20,000. For trades at $5,000 nabtrade charges $14.95.
At this competitive price, nabTrade appeals to investors interested in both domestic and international trading. Through the company’s research and charting, spotting a good investment opportunity is simple.
nabTrade also provides educational resources for beginners, to learn about the market and investment strategies.
Like any other broker, nabTrade provides its customers with trading news and insights that can be easily accessed through the customer portfolio on any mobile device or desktop computer.
The features and services offered by nabTrade make it difficult to look away for customers looking for a good quality trading platform.
6. CommSec
Commonwealth Securities is Australia’s largest platform when it comes to online stockbroking. It is run by the Commonwealth Bank of Australia. Headquartered in Sydney, the firm offers over 25 exchanges worldwide.
You can invest as little as $50 on Commsec Pocket. The brokerage fee is $10 for trades below $1,000. Commsec offers mobile trading and a research platform for stock recommendations.
With Commsec One, you’ll receive support, exclusive offers, and priority access tailored for you.
Using margin loans, you can invest and take advantage of rising opportunities. Commsec affords you regular income through Fixed Income Securities.
CommSec is CMC Market’s closest competitor in the trading industry.
7. IG Group
IG Group has grown to become one of the largest online FX brokers since its establishment in 1974. As of 2014, IG Group started providing shares to retail traders. Customers can now make both international and domestic shares trading on IG Markets.
This UK-based company is regulated by the Australian Securities and Investment Commission in Australia (#220440).
IG Group is one of the leading brokers that offers FX and CFDs available for indices, forex, and shares.
The brokerage fee is $8.00 or 0.1% per trade on Australian shares (the higher amount is used). The fees are lower if you make more trades. IG Group additionally offers a demo account to traders who want to practice and become familiar with how the platform operates.
8. Interactive Brokers
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Interactive Brokers LLC is a brokerage firm based out of Greenwich, Connecticut which brokers funds, EFPs, stocks, options, bonds, and forex. The firm has offices in Sydney to cater to the Australian trading market.
The platform of Interactive Brokers LLC is more suitable for professional traders and investors rather than first-time traders and investors due to its complexity. Customers enjoy low commissions and spreads as well as diverse investment options (65 different order types).
The firm also provides resourceful tools and advanced trading technology through the Traders Workstation Platform. Despite being less than ideal, it provides a better comprehension of the trading market to new investors.
9. CMC Markets
The Currency Management Corporation (CMC) Markets has one of the best trading platforms available. CMC Markets provides forex and contract for difference (CFDs) trading services at affordable prices.
The classic brokerage fee stands at $11 or 0.1% for the first 10 trades, not exceeding a value of $ 11,000. The active investor and premium trader brokerage fees are both $9.90.
CMC Markets affords customers with margin trading and the ability to trade over the web. The corporation offers over 300 currency pairs with tight spreads which makes trading in Asia-Pacific currencies cheaper.
For beginners, CMC Markets provides various client and research services as well as charting options. CMC Markets has earned Canstar’s Broker of the Year Award for the past 8 years.
10. Self Wealth
Selfwealth Australia is an online stock trading platform that allows you to buy individual stocks, ETFs, and more.
Its commission-free trading lets you buy different assets without paying traditional brokerage fees. This app lets you buy shares of companies traded on Australian stock exchanges.
How To Find the Best Australian Trading Platform
The best share trading platform choice depends on specific customer demands because there are many good platforms available and each operates differently.
Customers must understand what they are searching for in an online broker so they can choose one that best matches their needs. Some of the key aspects to keep in mind are:
- Charges and Costs : Some platforms have free brokerage but the most popular stockbrokers charge a brokerage fee. Customers may want to choose the cheapest share trading platform which meets their needs.
- Market range: Some platforms do not support international share trading. If customers would like to trade in more than domestic stock, they need to find a platform that has international stock trading.
- User interface: While platforms are designed for general usability, some are complex. They have features designed for expert traders. For beginners, it is best to go for one that can be easily used.
- Security: It is advisable to choose a platform that has the best security policy to provide security and privacy to your funds or data. After all, no one wants their trading data leaked or maliciously used.
- Customer service accessibility: Keep in mind the reliability and efficiency of the platform’s customer support. It comes in handy when you encounter a problem or need to inquire about something.
Ultimately, the choice of which broker to choose remains solely dependent on the needs of each customer.
Which Is The Best Australia Trading Site?
The best trading platforms should allow you to trade all types of financial instruments like stocks, futures, currency pairs, and CFDs. These platforms are good alternatives to a mutual fund because they are more beginner friendly.
Advanced traders and experienced, looking for day trading, MetaTrader compatibility, or ETF trades, should be looking for an online brokerage account that offers these types of trades. Some forex trading platforms offer these features in addition to options trading. Also make sure to check out if the platform has a stock trading app, for easier trading on the go.
Active traders might be interested in a discount broker and multiple asset classes.
All brokers listed above accept retail investor accounts but we recommend starting with a demo account, where you can try out your trading strategy first.
The best share trading platforms are the ones that offer stock trading, forex trading, and trading apps.
What is Online Share Trading?
Over the last few years,trading has witnessed exponential growth in Australia.
Before beginning to engage in trading, it is necessary to understand what it actually is. Here is a breakdown of the concept:
The premise behind share trading is quite simple. A share of a stock is a small portion of a corporation. Thus, when people buy shares or stocks, they are investing in the future of a particular company. The share price can vary according to the performance of a company, investors’ attitudes, and economic conditions.
When engaging in trading, customers are simply purchasing shares or stocks across a digital medium and an online broker takes the place of a human one. Also, for the most part, customers make independent decisions about buying or selling stocks and will often carry out these sales by themselves.
Here is how to get started with share trading:
Find a Broker
The first step to being a part of trading is to select a broker. Naturally, selecting one of the top brokers will make it far easier to place trades. It is also important to select a broker who can cater to the customer’s budget and preferred trading requirements.
Choosing Your Stocks
Once a broker is selected, the next step involves choosing stocks to invest in. The process of buying shares outright can be rather expensive, especially if customers are planning to invest in well-known, profitable companies.
Thus, most newcomers find it easier to buy into ETFs which gives investors the opportunity to invest in stocks from numerous companies without having to incur as much of a cost. Additionally, many of these funds tend to be diversified as well, resulting in less risk.
Selecting Your Order Type
After choosing the preferred stock or ETF, the next step is to pick an order type. The most common options include market orders and limit orders. Market orders are executed instantly for the best available price at that moment while limit orders will not always execute right away, but they allow customers to get a better price.
Calculating the Cost
Each type of trade has cost attached to it. For instance, when buying shares outright via a broker, customers will often need to pay a commission for every trade. When working with an ETF, there is an expense ratio to be considered. All these costs will impact the overall investment percentage and profits.
Placing the Trade
Once the research has been done and the budget has been determined, it is time to place the first trade. Before this can be done, the customer’s brokerage account must be funded. After the funds have been accepted, they can pick their stock, and order type, and then place the order.
Benefits of Trading Shares in Australia
Prior to becoming involved with share trading, an appreciation of the advantages that await such a venture is in order. Here are some of the benefits involved with this form of trading:
Simple to Buy and Sell
It has always been easy to sell shares. Thanks to trading, selling shares has become easier than ever before. The process simply involves financing your trading account and then placing a trade, as necessary. This means that much of the process is under the control of the customer.
At the same time, selling shares is just as easy, which is a good thing, because it allows customers to quickly take advantage of a turning tide. If customers start to feel like shares are going to lose value in the near future, this allows them to sell them off in an efficient manner.
Dual Earning Opportunities
One great thing about investing in stocks is that there are two different ways that money can be made.
The first method is rather well-known and favored by day traders and buy-and-hold investors. Stocks can be bought when they are not worth as much, which is usually done with up-and-coming companies.
Once the corporation has appreciated in value significantly, the shares can be sold to make an immediate profit.
The other option is for longer-term investors, particularly ones who enjoy a steady income with their investments. With this method, the investors purchase stocks in companies that pay dividends.
These companies grow at a more moderate pace, but investors will receive payments at various points throughout the year.
Great for Long-Term Investment
Share trading can offer a wonderful advantage for customers that do not want to check on their investments too often. The only thing that needs to be done is to invest in a company that performs moderately well. This way, customers should be able to garner tidy profits in the future even though there will be minor dips in the share value every now and then.
Get Ahead of Inflation
Most investors are looking to invest in vehicles that allow them to stay ahead of inflation and this is something that share trading can do. Traditionally, stocks have averaged an annualization rate of around 10 percent.
When compared to the average annualized inflation rate, you will receive that shares perform better. Due to this, share trading allows customers to stay ahead of inflation as long as they engage in more of a long-term investment strategy.
Continuity of Profit
It can be difficult to predict how an industry is going to perform at any given time. Factors such as economic situations, geopolitical troubles, and even the weather can wreak havoc on industries. As a result, selecting a continually profitable one can be tricky.
With share trading, portfolios can be diversified which allows opportunities to invest in very different, even competing industries. When one industry performs poorly, the other has a higher chance of succeeding which allows investors to make a profit regardless of the market conditions.
Gain Advantage Over a Growing Economy
If the economy is growing in the region, share trading can be the perfect way to invest. Share trading benefits from an increase in consumer spending, particularly with newer sectors and companies. By investing in such companies, the customer’s own profits will increase.
Why Pick an ASIC Regulated Trading Platform?
ASIC will provide a license to the broker that is hosting the trading platform.
The regulatory agency will analyze and monitor the trading platform to ensure that it meets the necessary standards, which will consequently legitimize the associated broker.
Choosing an ASIC regulated broker for your share trading account has several compelling advantages, especially if you want to trade Australian and US shares.
Given the growing popularity in Australia of stock trading platforms, it’s paramount to consider the credibility and regulation of your chosen brokerage platform.
Whether you’re a seasoned share trader or just dipping your toes into the stock market, having the assurance of an ASIC-regulated platform can provide a secure and seamless trading experience.
In Australia, numerous trading platforms and online brokers are vying for attention.
When finding the best online trading platform, you might be tempted to look for the cheapest trading options available.
However, it’s worth noting that some of the 10 best share trading platforms in Australia are regulated by ASIC, bringing a certain level of trust and safety.
These platforms enable users to buy and sell shares, trade stocks, and engage in ASX trades right from their mobile app.
Yet, one must remember that even with the best trading platforms and online brokers, it’s possible to lose money when trading CFDs.
It’s crucial to start trading with as little risk as possible, balancing cost with other key factors like user experience, tools, and customer support.
Here is an idea of what ASIC requires from brokers – and by extension, trading platforms:
A Minimum Operating Capital
ASIC requires its associated brokers to maintain a high minimum capital which tends to be on par with other major regulatory agencies.
The benefit here is that the brokers are then capable of sustaining high volatility and market events without going bankrupt. In turn, this ensures that the money that has been invested with the broker is safe.
Requires Local Representation
In many instances, ASIC will require the brokers to maintain an office within Australia. While this may not appear necessary for an online service, it does serve a distinct advantage.
It ensures that the broker is a legitimate entity and increases accountability for its services, including its trading platform.
Requires Transparency
All regulated members must be fully transparent about any financial dealings that they are involved with. Furthermore, the brokers that are associated with ASIC must provide regular audit reports to prove that everything is above board.
Due to this, the agency has an accurate and up-to-date idea of how a broker is operating. If they make any mistakes or attempt fraud, ASIC will award them with sanctions or penalize their services, as necessary.
When customers sign up with an ASIC-regulated broker (and trading platform), they can rest easy knowing that their trades are going through on a legitimate platform. This can reduce the risk involved with such a financial process and almost entirely remove the chance of fraud.
In addition, ASIC tends to only award well-functioning brokers and platforms with a license which requires these brokers to maintain a higher level of service.
Signing up with such a service provides the advantage of a much smoother and more efficient experience.
Frequently Asked Questions About Trading Platforms
What is an ASIC License?
What does it actually mean for trading platforms to be licensed by ASIC and what relevance does ASIC licensing have for investors?
The ASIC stands for Australian Securities and Investments Commission and it acts as a regulator for Australia’s financial services and markets, ensuring a fair and transparent environment.
While ASIC monitors trading platforms, it does not license them.
How do I start trading with $100 or less?
Starting to trade with just $100 is possible for Australian traders, but it’s crucial to carefully consider your strategy and choose the right trading platform. Platforms like eToro have a minimum deposit of $50-$100 (depending on their current promo)
Is $500 enough to start trading?
Don’t expect big returns with a low starting capital of $500. However, this is enough to get the ball rolling and see how your investment strategy performs.
