Looking to buy stocks online but not sure which broker to trade with?
In this guide, we compare the best stock brokers in Australia. We review 12 leading brokers for low fees and commissions, supported stocks, trading tools, safety, and more.
Check out the list below, which highlights the 12 best stock brokers in Australia right now: Read on to discover more about the 12 best stock brokers in Australia. eToro is the overall best stock broker platform in Australia. The broker supports over 3,000 stocks from more than a dozen exchanges. This includes stocks in the US, UK, Hong Kong, Canada, Germany, and more. All supported stocks can be traded without paying any commission. This makes eToro one of the top brokers in Australia for low fees. Moreover, eToro supports fractional investments from $10. For example, suppose that Apple stock is trading at $200 per share and an investor allocates $10. This means that the investor owns 5% of an Apple share. Additionally, eToro also supports index funds. This enables investors to gain exposure to the FTSE 100, S&P 500, Dow Jones, and more. Just like stocks, index funds can be traded at 0% commission. We also found that eToro offers a top-rated crypto wallet and exchange, supporting over 90 digital assets. Another popular feature at eToro is copy trading. This permits passive investing, as investors will ‘copy’ the trades of a successful eToro user. The minimum investment is $200 per trader, and no additional fees apply. eToro also offers smart portfolios. These are hand-picked and professionally managed by the eToro team. Each smart portfolio has a specific strategy. For example, there is a smart portfolio that tracks renewable energy companies. This includes 30 different stocks from the sector, including First Solar, NextEra Energy, SSE, and Ormat Technologies. When it comes to payments, eToro supports many convenient deposit methods. This includes debit/credit cards, BPAY, Paypal, bank transfers, and more. Past performance is not an indication of future results. The minimum deposit for Australian clients is just $50. There is a small FX fee of 0.5% to pay on deposits, as eToro operates in US dollars. This makes it seamless to invest in global markets without needing to keep worrying about exchange rates. Talking of foreign exchange, did you know that eToro is one of the leading Australian forex brokers? Another reason why eToro is one of the best share trading platforms in Australia is its regulatory status. eToro authorized and regulated by ASIC, ensuring that the platform is secure and that your funds are fully protected.
eToro AUS Capital Limited AFSL 491139. eToro is a multi-asset investment platform. The value of your investments may go up or down. Your capital is at risk. See PDS and TMD Plus500 is one of the best stock brokers in Australia for short-term traders. Put simply, Plus500 specializes in CFDs. These financial derivatives track stock prices in real-time, enabling traders to enter buy and sell orders without owning any shares. What’s more, Plus500 enables Australian clients to trade stock CFDs with leverage of up to 1:5. This means that for every $100 risked, Plus500 traders can enter stock positions worth $500. Another benefit of trading stock CFDs at Plus500 is that the platform offers super-low fees. This includes 0% commission on all supported markets, tight spreads, and fee-free deposits and withdrawals. Plus500 is also one of the best stock brokers in Australia for market diversity. It supports thousands of stocks from nearly 20 global exchanges. This includes stocks in Australia, Japan, Singapore, South Africa, the UK, and the US. What’s more, Plus500 also supports other CFD markets. This includes soft and hard commodities, indices, currencies, bonds, and cryptocurrencies. Do note that, unlike eToro, Plus500 does not offer any passive trading tools. It does, however, provide a suite of analysis tools and charting features for active traders. This includes technical indicators, drawing tools, and customized time intervals. Plus500 also offers market insights and economic news. Traders can access Plus500 online or via the iOS/Android app. In terms of payments, the minimum first-time deposit at Plus500 is $100. The platform accepts debit/credit cards, bank transfers, and a selection of e-wallets. That said, Plus500 also offers a free demo account. This comes pre-loaded with paper trading funds and enables users to trade risk-free. Finally, Plus500 is a safe and established trading platform. It is authorized and regulated by ASIC, under license number 417727. Not only that, but Plus500 is a public company trading on the London Stock Exchange.
84% of retail investor accounts lose money when trading CFDs with this provider. XTB is also one of the best online stock brokers in Australia for trading leveraged CFDs. Similar to Plus500, XTB offers leverage of up to 1:5 on stocks, plus the ability to go long or short. XTB supports more than 1,850 stocks from 16 global markets. This covers exchanges in the US, the UK, Switzerland, Belgium, France, Germany, and more. Irrespective of the market being traded, stock positions are commission-free at XTB. The minimum order size when trading stocks is 100 units of the respective currency. For example, if trading US-listed stocks like Apple or Tesla, the minimum order is $100. This is converted by XTB automatically at the time of the order, ensuring a frictionless trading experience. But where XTB really stands out is its native trading suite – xStation 5. This is a multi-format trading platform available online, via desktop software, and a mobile app. Some of its core features include customizable charting screens, bespoke order types, technical indicators, and fast execution speeds. In addition to stocks, XTB also supports other CFD assets. This includes currencies, commodities, ETFs, and indices. Just like stocks, these CFD assets are also commission-free. What’s more, non-stock CFDs come with higher leverage limits. For example, XTB offers leverage of up to 1:30 on currencies and 1:20 on gold. We also found that XTB offers top-notch educational material. This consists of blogs and eBooks on core trading principles. XTB also offers a free demo trading account. This can be used for four weeks and comes pre-loaded with $100,000 in paper funds. The demo account enables users to get comfortable with the xStation 5 suite in a risk-free way. In terms of payments, there is no minimum deposit at XTB, and the broker accepts debit/credit cards, e-wallets, and bank transfers. Moreover, it takes just minutes to set up an account, including the KYC process. Finally, XTB is a regulated CFD broker that is publically listed on the Warsaw Stock Exchange.
80% of retail investor accounts lose money when trading CFDs with this provider. The next stock trading platform in our list is Trade Nation, which charges low-cost spreads and no commissions. In Australia, Trade Nation is regulated by the Australian Securities and Investment Commission (ASIC). Users can access over hundreds of stocks with Trade Nation, including top picks such as Vodafone, Amazon, Tesla, and NVIDIA. One can start trading stocks with TN Trader – the proprietary trading platform. On TN Trader, users pay low fixed-cost spreads without any commission. Since there are no hidden fees or costs on Trade Nation, traders know the exact amount they will have to pay when using this platform. The platform gives investors access to useful features such as negative balance protection – Thus, if your balance falls into arrears overnight, the platform will automatically bring up the balance to zero the next trading day. Trade Nation can also be accessed through Meta Trader 4 (MT4) – which supports CFD (Contract for Differences) trading. Users can access real-time news developments on the platform to stay updated with the trending macroeconomic trends. Notably, Trade Nation does not take a minimum deposit, which can be beneficial for users trading on a tight budget. New traders can also access integral information related to fundamental and technical analysis through the Trade Nation blogs and articles. Deposits can be made on Trade Nation using several payment options, including VISA, Mastercard, AstroPay, and e-wallets such as Neteller and Skrill. To support clients, Trade Nation offers 24/7 customer support which can be accessed via email and phone calls. This stock trading platform is also highly reviewed on TrustPilot, boasting a 4.7 rating from over 240 reviews.
Financial Spread Trades and CFDs are complex instruments and come with a high risk of losing money rapidly due to high leverage Admirals is a respected broker with over 20 years of experience. It’s main companies include Admiral Markets UK Ltd, Admiral Markets Cyprus Ltd, Admirals AU Pty Ltd, Admiral Markets AS Jordan Ltd, Admirals SA (Pty) Ltd, and Admirals KE Ltd, with Admirals AU Pty Ltd allowing it to operate within Australia. Admirals allows Australian residents the opportunity to invest in stocks though shares or CFDs. Both allow users to benefit from any relevant dividends. However, only the CFDs allow for leverage (up to 1:20 depending on the specific stock) and you cannot short the stock unless using CFDs. But you can compare the two offerings side by side through Admirals. A MetaTrader account is required to trade stocks through Admirals. If you are looking for CFDs, which have the most flexibility, then you’ll need a Trade.MT5 account. If you are looking to invest in shares, you’ll need an Invest.MT5 account. To invest, the commission is $0.02 with one commission free trade per day. To trade via CFDs, the typical rate is about 0.7 – 0.9 pips along with the $0.02 commission, and 6 commission-free trades per day. There are over 3,400 stocks to choose from and ETFs are also available. The method and cost for purchasing ETFs is similar to that of stocks, and ETFs provide additional diversification and safety. Fractional investing is also available through Admirals, and this is a feature popular among many retail investors. Admirals is a top-rated broker with an impressive rating on TrustPilot. It has more than enough options for those looking for stocks to invest in. The MetaTrader integration is excellent and the customer service is responsive, catering to more than 20 languages. Aside from allowing stock investment and trading, Admirals is an integrated financial provider that allows for debit cards with its new Admirals Wallet feature. Client insurance is provided up to $500,000 with leverage up to 1:20 on stock CFDs (and 1:500 on selected products), as well as negative balance protection up to $50,000.
74% of retail investor accounts lose money when trading CFDs with this provider. AvaTrade is one of the best stock brokers in Australia for trading via MetaTrader. This platform supports both MT4 and Mt5, which will appeal to those seeking advanced trading tools. Both third-party platforms come with plenty of features, such as custom charts, fast execution speeds, and technical indicators. In addition to Mt4 and Mt5, AvaTrade also offers a proprietary trading platform. This also comes packed with trading tools and is available online or via the iOS/Android app. AvaTrade is a CFD broker that supports hundreds of stocks. These are largely from the US and UK markets. All stocks on AvaTrade can be traded at 0% commission alongside tight spreads. The minimum deposit is $100, and AvaTrade is regulated in nine jurisdictions. This includes a license with ASIC.
76% of retail investor accounts lose money when trading CFDs with this provider. Pepperstone is one of the best stock brokers in Australia for active traders. This CFD specialist offers some of the tightest spreads in the industry. For example, those trading Australian stocks will pay just 0.10% above the market spread. This is in addition to a 0.07% commission. On top of over 200 Australian stocks, Pepperstone also supports markets in the UK, the US, and Germany. Pepperstone also supports other asset classes. This includes ETFs, commodities, currencies, and indices. All supported markets can be traded with leverage, in line with ASIC limits. Moreover, Pepperstone supports long and short orders. Pepperstone can be accessed through multiple third-party trading platforms, including Mt4, MT5, and cTrader. There is no minimum deposit at Pepperstone, and the broker accepts debit/credit cards and bank wires.
79.7% of retail investor accounts lose money when trading CFDs with this provider. IG is an established stock trading platform with nearly five decades worth of experience in this space. Australian clients have access to thousands of stock CFDs alongside leverage and short-selling capabilities. In terms of fees, Australian stocks can be traded at $8 per slide. This is reduced to $5 when trading three or more times per month. Active trades will secure a commission of $0 when buying and selling US stocks. IG supports several trading platforms, including MT4 and ProRealTime. It also has its own native trading suite that comes with plenty of features. This includes real-time pricing, custom order types, and market alerts. Moving onto payments, there is a $250 minimum deposit when using a debit/credit card at IG. But when transferring funds from a bank account, the minimum deposit requirement is scrapped. Skilling is one of the best stock brokers in Australia for beginners. While Skilling specializes in CFDs, its native trading suite is simple to use. Not only in terms of analyzing prices and trends but placing orders too. That said, more experienced traders will be pleased to learn that Skilling also supports MT4 and cTrader. Skilling supports more than 700 stocks. Most are listed on the US and UK markets. Either way, there are no trading commissions to pay when opening a standard account. The premium account, which comes with much tighter spreads, charges a $35 commission for every $1 million traded. The minimum deposit on the standard and premium accounts respectively are $100 and $5,000. In addition to stocks, Skilling also supports leveraged indices, commodities, cryptocurrencies, and forex. XM is the best online stock broker in Australia for those on a budget. The platform offers three accounts, all requiring a minimum deposit of just $5. What’s more, XM does not charge any trading commissions across any of its accounts. XM is also a top-rated broker for accessing global stocks. It supports 17 stock markets across North and South America and Europe. While XM only offers its native trading suite as a mobile app, it also supports MT4 and MT5. XM is also popular for its comprehensive research tools. This includes trading ideas, technical summaries, economic calendars, and podcasts. In addition to stocks, XM also supports indices, metals, energies, and forex. The main drawback is that XM does not allow Australians to buy Bitcoin or other cryptocurrencies. CMC Markets is an online broker that supports CFDs, spread betting, and real shares. The latter provides access to more than 35,000 stocks from multiple global exchanges. Buying and selling stocks from the US, Canada, Japan, or UK markets is commission-free. This is also the case when buying less than $1,000 worth of Australia-listed stocks. There are, however, fees to pay when trading stocks with leverage. Australian stock CFDs attract a commission of 0.09% per slide, at a minimum of $7. While UK stocks can be traded at 0.08%, at a minimum of £9. Nonetheless, the CMC Markets stock trading platform can be accessed online or via an iOS/Android app. Australians can open a CMC Markets account in minutes, and there is no minimum deposit requirement. Capital.com is one of the best stock brokers in Australia for low fees. It offers 0% commission trading across more than 2,800 global stocks. This includes markets in Japan, Singapore, Canada, France, the US, and the UK. What’s more, Capital.com also supports leading Australian stocks, such as Rio Tinto, Westpac Banking, and Cooper Energy. The minimum trade size across all supported stocks is just $1. This will appeal to those on a budget or new to CFD trading. We also like that debit/credit card, and e-wallet payments come with a minimum deposit of just $20. But bank wires require a minimum of $250. No deposit or withdrawal fees are charged by Capital.com. The platform can be accessed online or via the Capital.com app for iOS and Android. Capital.com also supports ETFs, crypto, forex, indices, and commodities. Here’s a comparison table that summarizes our reviews of the 12 best stock brokers in Australia: Stock brokers enable Australians to invest in and trade stocks from the comfort of home. While there are dozens of stock brokers in the market, the investment process remains much the same. For example, an account will need to be opened with the chosen stock broker, requiring some personal information and contact details. After depositing some investment funds, the account holder can then buy and sell their preferred stocks. Crucially, stock brokers are intermediaries. They sit between the stock exchange and their clients, taking a commission along the way. That said, some of the best stock brokers in Australia, including eToro, Plus500, and XTB, do not charge trading commissions. Instead, these brokers make money from the spread – which is the gap between the bid and ask prices. Nonetheless, while some brokers in Australia only support domestic stocks, others also offer access to the global markets. At eToro, for example, Australians can buy stocks in US companies like Apple, IBM, Paypal, Nike, and Disney. eToro also supports stock exchanges in the UK, Hong Kong, Canada, and many others. After buying stocks from an online broker, they remain in the account portfolio. Investors can sell their stocks at any time during standard market hours. There are several types of stock brokers in Australia. The most common are discussed below: Those looking to invest in real company shares should opt for a traditional stock broker like eToro. Put simply, investors will own stocks in their chosen company, meaning they are entitled to a share of dividends when payments are made. Shareholders also have a right to attend and vote in annual general meetings (AGMs). As noted above, traditional brokers are intermediaries. This means that brokers secure an allocation of shares from the stock exchange and sell them to their customers. Some stock brokers even offer fractional shares. This means each share can split into small units, enabling those on a budget to diversify. This is especially popular when buying US stocks that trade for hundreds or thousands of dollars. CFD brokers also enable Australians to speculate on the stock market. However, CFDs are financial derivatives that ‘track’ the value of real-time stock prices. For example, if Amazon stock is trading at $112 on the NASDAQ, so will the CFD tracking it. That said, it is important to remember that trading CFDs does not warrant ownership. Instead, traders are merely speculating on the stock CFD’s future price. Nonetheless, CFDs do come with many benefits that traditional stocks cannot rival. For example: Additionally, CFDs also offer a cost-effective way to trade stocks, especially those listed on foreign exchanges. The best CFD brokers discussed today, including Plus500 and XTB, support 0% commission trading across all supported markets. However, CFDs are only suitable for shorter-term strategies. An additional fee will be charged for each day the CFD trade remains open. This is known as a ‘swap fee’ and it covers the cost leverage. There are many considerations to make when choosing a suitable stock broker. In addition to regulation, investors should consider trading fees and commissions, accepted payment types, and supported stock markets. Here’s some guidance on what we look for when ranking the best stock brokers in Australia. Consider what stock markets the broker supports. In this regard, we prefer brokers that offer both Australian and international markets. Some of the brokers discussed today support markets in North and South America, Asia, the Middle East, and more. This will enable investors to create a diversified portfolio across multiple economies and industries. Stock broker fees can vary widely. First, consider whether the broker charges fees to deposit funds. Next, explore what commissions are charged when buying and selling stocks. The best stock brokers in Australia support commission-free trading. This includes eToro, which offers 0% commission on over 3,000 stocks. Investors should also assess whether the broker charges a management fee. This is usually only the case if the investor opts for a managed portfolio, such as a mutual fund. Don’t forget to evaluate the regulatory status of a stock broker before proceeding. In our view, Australians should stock with brokers that are regulated by ASIC. This ensures that retail clients are protected. For example, ASIC-regulated brokers must hold a minimum amount of capital and separate client funds from their own. Moreover, ASIC-regulated brokers must also ensure that clients are clearly presented with investment risks. We found that the best stock brokers in Australia are also regulated by other licensing bodies. For example, eToro is regulated by ASIC in addition to the FCA (UK), FINRA (US), and CySEC (Cyprus). Stock investors might require certain trading tools depending on their preferred strategy. For example: Ultimately, investors should check what trading tools are supported by a broker before signing up. The best stock brokers in Australia offer a quality trading platform that is simple to use. For example, investors should be able to find their preferred stocks and markets hassle-free. eToro stands out in this regard, as the platform has various filters and sub-categories for its 3,000+ stocks. For example, eToro lists stocks that made the biggest gains and losses in the prior 24 hours. It also lists trending stocks based on market sentiment and trading volume. eToro also enables clients to view stocks by the industry, such as technology, energy, or financial services. Another important metric when searching for the best stock brokers in Australia is customer service. First, consider what support channels are offered, such as live chat or telephone. Next, check what times the customer support team is available. Most stock brokers offer support during standard market hours between Monday and Friday. The stock market has historically generated consistent returns over the course of time. However, the stock market consists of thousands of companies from every industry imaginable. As such, some stocks are more successful than others. This is why research is so important. Investors should consider whether they want to invest in Australian and/or international stocks. For example, the ASX 200 – which tracks the 200 largest Australia-listed stocks, has grown by 19% in the prior five years. In contrast, the S&P 500 – which tracks the 500 largest US-listed stocks, has grown by 52% over the same period. Therefore, diversification across different markets can be a wise move. Ultimately, while stock investing can generate long-term wealth, losing money is also a possibility. Those without experience in researching and selecting individual stocks might be more suited for an index fund. These track a specific stock market, such as the ASX 200 or NASDAQ 100. In other words, index funds provide exposure to the broader markets. Now that we have covered the basics, let’s explore how to buy stocks in Australia. This step-by-step guide covers the registration, deposit, and investment process with eToro. Put simply, eToro is an ASC-regulated broker that supports thousands of commission-free stocks. What’s more, fractional stocks of $10 or more are supported. The first step is to visit the eToro website to open an account. Complete the registration form by entering some basic personal information. Moreover, provide and confirm a cell phone number and email address. Finally, the user will need to answer some basic questions regarding their prior investing experience and future goals. One of the core requirements for ASIC-regulated brokers is to verify the identity of registered investors. To complete the KYC process, upload a copy of a government-issued ID and proof of address. The latter can be a utility bill or bank statement issued within the prior three months. Now it’s time to deposit some money into the eToro investment account. First, the minimum deposit for Australian clients is $50. Instant payment types include BPAY, Visa, MasterCard, and Paypal. Bank transfers are also supported, but it can take a couple of days for the funds to be credited. Simply choose a deposit method and amount and confirm the payment. Now that a deposit has been made, the next step is to search for a stock to buy. The easiest way to do this is via the search box. Below, for example, we are searching for Tesla stock. Not sure which stocks to buy? Click on ‘Discover’ followed by ‘Stocks’. This will break down the 3,000+ supported stocks by the industry and other core filters. Once a suitable stock has been identified, click on ‘Trade’. Then, specify the investment amount. eToro doesn’t require investors to buy full stocks, so this can be any amount from $10. In our example above, we are buying $250 worth of Tesla stock. Click on ‘Open Trade’ or ‘Set Order’, depending on whether the market is open or closed respectively. Either way, eToro will execute the order at 0% commission. Having reviewed the 12 best stock brokers in Australia, we found that eToro ticks all of the right boxes. Australians can buy stocks at 0% commission across multiple global markets. The eToro platform is simple to use, and fractional investments of just $10 are supported. Most importantly, eToro is authorized and regulated by ASIC, ensuring that Australians can buy and sell stocks safely.
eToro AUS Capital Limited AFSL 491139. eToro is a multi-asset investment platform. The value of your investments may go up or down. Your capital is at risk. See PDS and TMD12 Best Stock Brokers Australia 2023 List
1. eToro – Overall Best Stock Broker in Australia 2023
2. Plus500 – Best Stock Trading Platform in Australia for Short-Term Traders
3. XTB – Trade Leveraged Stocks on an Advanced Trading Suite
4. Trade Nation – Regulated Australian Stock Broker, Charging No Commissions on Trades
5. Admirals – Top Rated Low Fee Stock Broker in Australia With 8,000 Financial Instruments
6. AvaTrade – Trade Stocks via the MetaTrader Platforms
7. Pepperstone – Low-Commission Broker With Institutional-Grade Spreads
8. IG – Low-Commission Broker With Institutional-Grade Spreads
9. Skilling – Popular Stock Trading Platform for Beginners
10. XM – Start Trading Stocks With a Minimum Deposit of Just $5
11. CMC Markets – Buy and Sell Over 35,000 Stocks From 0% Commission
12. Capital.com – Trade Over 2,800 Global Stocks at 0% Commission
Stock Brokers in Australia Comparison
Broker
No. Stocks
Pricing Structure
Fee of Trading Amazon Stock
Management Fee
eToro
3,000+
0% commission
Market spread only
None
Plus500
Not stated, but covers more than a dozen Australian and international exchanges
0% commission
Market spread only
None
XTB
1,850+
0% commission
Market spread only
None
Trade Nation
Hundreds of available stocks
0% commission
Low fixed cost spread
None
Admirals
3,400+
$0.02
Low fixed cost spread
None
AvaTrade
Hundreds of stocks from the UK and US markets
0% commission
Market spread only
None
Pepperstone
1,000+
0.07% commission on Australian stocks
0.02 USD per share plus 8 points spread
None
IG
13,000
From $5 per slide on Australian stocks
0$ commission
None
Skilling
700+
0% commission (standard accounts)
Market spread only
None
XM
Hundreds of stocks from 17 global markets
0% commission
Market spread only
None
CMC Markets
35,000
0% commission on real Australia stocks when trading below $1,000
0% commission plus market spread
None
Capital.com
2,800+
0% commission
Market spread only
None
What is a Stock Broker & How Does it Work?
Types of Stock Brokers in Australia
Traditional Brokers
CFD Brokers
How We Rank the Best Stock Brokers Australia
Range of Stocks
Fees
Regulation and Security
Trading Tools
Usability
Customer Service
Things to Consider Before Investing in Stocks
How to Get Started with a Regulated Stock Broker in Australia
Step 1: Open an eToro Account
Step 2: KYC Documents
Step 3: Deposit Investment Funds
Step 4: Search for Stock to Buy
Step 5: Buy Stocks
Conclusion
FAQs
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