Top 5 Best Trading Platforms in Australia for 2025

Trade your favourite markets with our top-rated broker, eToro.

eToro 4.6/5

eToro is a multi-asset investment platform. The value of your investments may go up or down. Your capital is at risk.

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eToro is a multi-asset investment platform. The value of your investments may go up or down. Your capital is at risk.

Ready to start trading but can’t find the best place to start? We’ve got you covered. 

We continuously research, test, and rank the best platforms available in Australia. Having assessed 100+ brokers, we put together a list of the top options. 

Money and time are tight these days – so we made sure to prioritise brokers that come with minimal learning curves and competitive prices. Besides costs and ease of use, we reviewed brokers based on the following criteria: 

• Range of assets and access to global markets,
• Safety and regulation, 
• Device availability, 
• And more.  

Let’s get to it! Scroll down to find the best trading platforms in Australia to buy stocks, funds, or any asset of your choice, and learn how to be sure they suit your needs. 

Best share trading platforms in Australia

Here are our favourites:

4.6

eToro

Min. Deposit $100

Fees 1%

No. assets 3600+

Demo account Yes

Visit site

eToro review

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.

4.5

Plus500

Min. Deposit $100

Fees From 2%

No. assets 2800+

Demo account Yes

Visit site

Plus500 review

This information is NOT relevant to EU residents who are to be serviced by EU subsidiaries of the Plus500 Group, such as Plus500CY Ltd, authorized by CySEC (Reg. 250/14). Different regulatory requirements apply in Europe, such as leverage limitations and bonus restrictions.

4.4

IG Markets

Min. Deposit n/a

Fees Spread only

No. assets 17000+

Demo account Yes

Visit site

IG review

Spread bets and CFDs are complex instruments and come with a high risk of losing money rapidly due to leverage. 75% of retail investor accounts lose money when trading spread bets and CFDs with this provider. You should consider whether you understand how spread bets and CFDs work, and whether you can afford to take the high risk of losing your money.

Top 5 trading platforms in Australia, reviewed

1. eToro. Best for beginners, copy-trading & demo-account

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4.5

Ratings

$100

Min. deposit

0% commission

Fees

3,600

No. assets

Yes

Demo account

Overview

We love eToro because it’s a trading platform built with beginners and casual traders in mind. The platform combines an interactive, social trading experience with an easy-to-use interface, making it ideal for novice traders.

The far-reaching catalog of more than 5,500 stocks and ETFs includes big names like Apple and Tesla, as well as smaller companies with high growth potential. You can start trading with as little as $10 using fractional shares if you’re on a tight budget.

One feature we particularly appreciate is the ability to interact with eToro’s 35 million users on any asset, market, or portfolio page. If you find traders whose strategies match your risk tolerance, you can copy their portfolios automatically using eToro’s flagship copy trading functionality. This is a great way to learn and potentially benefit from the expertise of more experienced traders.

If you don’t feel comfortable investing your cash straight away, you can use a free demo account, credited with $100,000 virtual dollars. This offers plenty of opportunities to try out a trading strategy that works for you across stocks, crypto, and options trading markets.

Highlights

No. of tradable assets	3600+
Min. Deposit	$100
ID verification required	Yes
Free demo account	Yes
Supported assets	Stock CFDs, ETF CFDs, Forex CFDs, Index CFDs, Commodity CFDs, NFTs, Crypto
Mobile trading app	Yes
Web trading platform	Yes
Regulatory bodies	ASIC, FCA, CySEC, FinCEN

Fees & Costs

Trading fees	Yes, on certain assets
Inactivity fees	Yes
Rollover/overnight fees	Yes, on CFDs
Withdrawal fees	Yes
Spreads	Yes, on certain assets
Conversion fees	Yes, for non-USD currencies

Pros & Cons

Great for beginners, simple to set up and get started Competitive, industry-leading commissions Popular ‘Copy Portfolios’ function lets you follow top traders Excellent customer service, with live chat support provided

Comparatively high fees for withdrawals and account inactivity Does not integrate with the MetaTrader platform High spreads on some assets

Read review Visit eToro

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.

2. Plus500. Best for international trading*

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4.5

Ratings

$100

Min. deposit

From 0.08%

Fees

2,800

No. assets

Yes

Demo account

Overview

We love Plus500 because it is one of the industry’s most transparent and reliable brokers. Its fees are clear and you’ll know exactly what you will be paying before you make a trade. Its technology driven platform gives access to futures contracts for some of the biggest indices.

Plus500 has something for all types of traders, no matter what level of experience. Its low margin requirements (starting at $100) and different contracts make it a top choice for day traders. At the same time, its trading academy is packed with educational content, perfect for beginners just starting. 

For accurate instrument availability, visit plus500.com.

The fees: Plus500 charges a commission of $0.49 per Micro contract and $0.89 per Standard contract (per side). There is an Auto-Liquidation fee of $10 per contract. Other exchange fees may be applicable and can be found on the CME group website. 

*Based on a comparison of 60+ leading brokers and trading platforms.

Highlights

No. of tradable assets	2800+
Min. Deposit	$100
ID verification required	Yes
Free demo account	Yes
Supported assets	Stock CFDs, ETF CFDs, Forex CFDs, Crypto CFDs, Index CFDs, Commodity CFDs
Mobile trading app	Yes
Web trading platform	Yes
Regulatory bodies	FSA, ASIC, FMA, FCA, CySEC

Fees & Costs

Trading fees	No
Inactivity fees	Yes
Rollover/overnight fees	Yes
Withdrawal fees	No
Spreads	Yes
Conversion fees	Yes

Pros & Cons

Free demo account for every user Secure broker, licensed by top-tier regulators Wide variety of CFDs to trade Several good risk management tools

No support on trading information and education Website isn’t brilliantly designed to help users find answers to their questions No MetaTrader trading platform compatibility

Read review Visit Plus500

This information is NOT relevant to EU residents who are to be serviced by EU subsidiaries of the Plus500 Group, such as Plus500CY Ltd, authorized by CySEC (Reg. 250/14). Different regulatory requirements apply in Europe, such as leverage limitations and bonus restrictions.

3. IG Markets: Best for trusted and transparent trading

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4

Ratings

$-

Min. deposit

From 0.5%

Fees

17,000

No. assets

Yes

Demo account

Overview

We love IG because it’s one of the most established and reputable names in the online trading industry, known for its reliability, comprehensive market offerings, and strong regulatory compliance. IG offers CFD trading in stocks, forex, commodities, indices, ETFs and more, with plenty of useful plugins and integrations to improve the trading experience.

One of the key strengths of IG Markets is its seamless integration with MetaTrader 4 (MT4), a popular third-party trading platform favored by many traders for its advanced charting tools, automated trading capabilities, and custom indicators. This integration allows users to leverage MT4’s sophisticated features while benefiting from IG Markets’ competitive pricing, reliable execution, and extensive market access.

Beyond its product range and platform integrations, IG Markets stands out for its commitment to education and customer support. The company offers a wealth of educational resources, such as webinars, tutorials, and market analysis, which help traders of all levels improve their knowledge and skills.

The fees: For most assets, you don’t pay a trading fee but will be charged through the spread instead. That’s the difference between the buy and sell price of an asset. IG’s spreads are competitive but variable: you’ll pay a smaller spread on popular assets compared to less popular ones. Share trading works differently, and you’ll be charged a minimum fee on each trade of at least $15.

Highlights

No. of tradable assets	17,000+
Min. Deposit	$0
ID verification required	Yes
Free demo account	Yes
Supported assets	Stock CFDs, ETFs, Forex CFDs, Crypto CFDs, Index CFDs, Commodities
Mobile trading app	Yes
Web trading platform	Yes
Regulatory bodies	FSCA, MAS, FMA, ASIC, FCA, BaFin, FINMA, DFSA, BMA, CFTC, NFA

Fees & Costs

Trading fees	Yes
Inactivity fees	Yes
Rollover/overnight fees	Yes
Withdrawal fees	No
Spreads	Yes
Conversion fees	Yes

Pros & Cons

Intuitive web trading platform Excellent demo account available Variety of deposit and withdrawal options Wide variety of useful educational tools Trading platform tutorial to get you started

Slow account opening process Unavailable in all regions

Read review Visit IG Markets

Spread bets and CFDs are complex instruments and come with a high risk of losing money rapidly due to leverage. 75% of retail investor accounts lose money when trading spread bets and CFDs with this provider. You should consider whether you understand how spread bets and CFDs work, and whether you can afford to take the high risk of losing your money.

4. Eightcap. Best online broker for choice of trading platform

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4.5

Ratings

$100

Min. deposit

Up to $3.5 RT

Fees

800

No. assets

Yes

Demo account

Overview

We love Eightcap because you have several trading platforms to choose from. You can choose between MetaTrader 4, MetaTrader 5, and TradingView. All of these platforms are favourites among retail traders. With the MetaTrade suite of platforms, you can access lots of technical indicators, custom tools, and expert advisors. 

TradingView with Eightcap allows you to trade directly from your charts while accessing the hundreds of tools and features available. Eightcap has over 900 markets available including stocks, forex, indices, commodities, and cryptocurrencies. 

The fees: Eightcap is a CFD broker and charges spreads, commissions, or a combination of both. There are two account types available, RAW, and Standard. The RAW account has ultra-low spreads starting from 0.0 pips but charges $3.5 RT per lot. The standard account is commission-free for most assets and spreads start from 1 pip.

Highlights

No. of tradable assets	800+
Min. Deposit	$100
ID verification required	Yes
Free demo account	Yes
Supported assets	Stocks, Crypto, Commodities, , Indices
Mobile trading app	Yes
Web trading platform	Yes
Regulatory bodies	ASIC, FCA, CySEC

Fees & Costs

Trading fees	Yes
Inactivity fees	No
Rollover/overnight fees	Yes, on certain assets
Withdrawal fees	Yes, for certain payment methods
Spreads	Yes
Conversion fees	Yes, currency dependent

Pros & Cons

Low trading fees for CFDs Trade directly from the TradingView platform Regulated by top-tier authorities Leverage up to 1:500 Partnered with multiple proprietary trading firms

Some markets are not available to all regions Customer support does not operate 24/7

Read review Visit Eightcap

74-89% of retail CFD accounts lose money

5. AvaTrade. Best regulated broker for secure trading

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4

Ratings

$100

Min. deposit

From 0.13%

Fees

1,300

No. assets

Yes

Demo account

Overview

We love AvaTrade because it is a reliable CFD broker, that gives users access to a wide range of markets. As a CFD broker, AvaTrade lets you speculate on the price movements of various stock markets without owning the underlying assets. AvaTrade is a multi asset brokerage firm and includes CFDs on hundreds of global stocks including Google, Apple, Microsoft, and more. 

AvaTrade is also highly regarded for its strong regulatory framework and commitment to security. AvaTrade is regulated in multiple jurisdictions, including Europe, Australia, Japan, South Africa, and the British Virgin Islands, which means it must adhere to stringent regulatory standards across the world. 

AvaTrade isn’t just well regulated, it also employs advanced security measures to protect client funds and personal information, including segregated accounts and robust encryption technology. 

The fees: There is no commission on any trading. AvaTrade makes money from the Bid/Ask spread instead. Stock spreads start from 0.13. Positions left overnight are charged a swap fee that varies depending on size. An inactivity fee of £/€/$50 per month is applicable if you don’t log in to your account for three consecutive months.

Highlights

No. of tradable assets	1250+
Min. Deposit	$100
ID verification required	Yes
Free demo account	Yes
Supported assets	Stocks, Stock CFDs, ETF CFDs, Forex CFDs, Crypto CFDs, Commodity CFDs, Index CFDs
Mobile trading app	Yes
Web trading platform	Yes
Regulatory bodies	FSCA, FSA, ASIC, CBI, MiFID, CySEC, BVIFSC, FRSA

Fees & Costs

Trading fees	No
Inactivity fees	Yes
Rollover/overnight fees	Yes
Withdrawal fees	No
Spreads	Yes
Conversion fees	No

Pros & Cons

Trade 1000+ CFDs with competitive spreads Regulated by Tier 1 financial bodies across the world Consistently highly rated trading platform on web and mobile Offers social trading through its proprietary AvaSocial platform

Spreads are competitive without being industry-leading Some assets are only available to trade through the MetaTrader software

Read review Visit AvaTrade

CFDs are complex instruments and come with a high risk of losing money rapidly due to leverage. 71% of retail investor accounts lose money when trading CFDs with this provider. You should consider whether you understand how CFDs work and whether you can afford to take the high risk of losing your money.

More about Australian stock trading platforms

What products can I trade with an Australian online broker?

Trading platforms these days are one-stop shops for all sorts of popular assets: shares, ETFs, foreign currencies, cryptocurrencies, government bonds – you name it. 

You’re also not limited to the Australian Stock Exchange (ASX) either; you can invest in the biggest companies (Tesla, Apple, Microsoft, etc.), which are mostly listed on US exchanges like the NASDAQ or NYSE, or in other global markets. 

While the asset catalogue is generally wide on many Aussie brokers, they don’t tend to offer the same mix (that is, the same markets or the same assets). So it’s better to choose the assets you’d like to trade first and look for brokers that do list them. 

If you’re unsure or would just like to start trading major shares, we still recommend brokers with a good selection of assets.

As you mature as a trader, you may want to branch out to other types of stocks (like small-cap stocks, also called penny stocks, shares listed on emerging markets, etc.) or other types of assets (like foreign currencies, cryptos, commodities, or even derivative products). If you sign up for a comprehensive broker from the get-go, you won’t have to switch brokers once you outgrow your current platform. 

Here’s a breakdown of what you can trade with trading platforms in Australia: 

• Shares. Also called stocks or equities, these are the most common assets. They represent an ownership stake in a publicly traded company. If you’re a beginner, realistically, stocks will be your first stop – either in funds or individually. There are always risks involved with shares; the market can go in any direction, but some stocks are more risky than others. 
• ETFs. Exchange-traded funds basically function as baskets of investments: investors invest in the funds, and the fund invests in individual stocks. ETFs mimic market indexes (like the S&P 500 index that includes the 500 best-performing US stocks), so they are great tools for getting a balanced exposure to the market. An excellent choice for beginners. 
• Bonds. Governments and corporations issue bonds to raise money, so when you buy a bond, you essentially lend money to the institution that issued it. Pretty cool, no? They tend to be quite secure and also pay interest. 
• Cryptocurrencies. Crypto tokens took the world by storm in 2008, and even though it lost a bit of momentum, there are still no signs of slowing down in 2025. Cryptocurrencies are not valuable in their own right, nor are they tied to any traditional assets – they are purely speculative; that’s why they can be extremely volatile. They are attractive due to their upward potential, but you must be careful when trading cryptocurrencies. 
• Forex. You can also trade foreign currencies, which includes swapping one currency for the other (you never actually own the currency), like AUD/USD. Due to a myriad of macro and micro factors, the forex market is very fast-moving and volatile – like cryptocurrencies, you should be adept at marketing conditions and gain some experience before you dabble.  

Derivatives 

You have two options when trading: you can either own the asset outright, as in you can buy a share, or you can speculate on its price movement via different kinds of contracts. It’s not as complicated as it may sound; let me elaborate. 

What we call derivatives (options, futures, contracts for difference, or CFDs) are essentially financial contracts that derive their value from an underlying asset – that could be a share, currencies, or even commodities. These contracts allow you to speculate on price movements without owning the underlying asset. 

Here are a few reasons why they are so attractive: 

• You don’t have to worry about the foreign exchange fee. As you probably know, the most profitable companies are usually in the US. This means that you have to change your AUS into USD anytime you place a trade. With CFDs, for example, you can benefit from their price movements without changing your dollars. 
• You can benefit from downtrends. In trading, a price drop allows you to buy more shares at a lower price, hoping that their value will recover or increase beyond their previous level, allowing you to sell at a profit. These contracts allow you to bet on either direction, meaning that if you correctly estimate that the price of a stock will decrease, you’ll make money out of it.
• And finally, leverage. Leverage allows you to borrow money from your broker to open larger positions. However, it’s tricky: if your predictions are wrong, you’ll owe the broker the borrowed amount, meaning leverage can amplify losses just as much as gains. 

Let’s take a closer look into what some of these derivatives are. 

• Options. Options contracts give you the right, but not the obligation, to buy or sell an underlying asset at a set price within a timeframe.
• Futures. They work similarly to options contracts, but when you get into a futures contract, you are obligated to buy the underlying asset at a determined time and price. They are usually used with commodities. 
• CFDs. The most common form of derivatives, you can basically use CFDs to speculate on the price movement of an underlying asset, and that’s it – you don’t have to, or have the option to, buy it. You’ll just be paid the price difference if you estimate correctly (or, if you get it wrong, pay the difference). 

You can trade stocks based in Australia or invest in leading companies from around the world.

The crucial thing to note is that not all brokers offer the same markets, so if you’re looking to trade a wide range of assets, it’s important to ensure your Aussie trading platform offers a good selection of assets and trading tools. 

How much do I need to start trading in Australia?

Many trading platforms in Australia have no minimum deposit requirements, and those that do tend to have very little (about $50-100), but we definitely don’t recommend trading with so little. Trust me, I’ve been there. 

In 2010, during the height of the European Debt Crisis, I decided to dip my toes into trading as a wide-eyed 20-year-old. My portfolio wasn’t too glamorous at the time, and my little capital was mainly split between two stocks, Deutsche Bank and Apple. I should also add that I wasn’t totally on top of the market news – so when the Greek bailout news sent shockwaves through the markets, I was more surprised than I previously admitted. 

As my DB stock plummeted by more than 30%, I took another hit, this time by the Flash Crash in May, when my Apple stock was hit by almost 20% in value. My portfolio shrunk by about 25%. I needed a significant rebound to recover, but the volatility ensued, making it nearly impossible to recoup my losses. 

I know the feeling of wanting to jump straight at it with any money you have, but you need to be more methodological. It took me a while to create a more balanced approach, and I wish I researched more into diversification and other risk management methods. 

If you can, start with a larger sum, like $2,000, so you’ll allow yourself to create a more diversified portfolio of 8-10 stocks, which can cushion the impact of any single stock’s poor performance. 

Is share trading legal in Australia?

As long as you are over 18, the world is your oyster; you can trade any asset (that certainly doesn’t mean you have to – it’s always better to take it slow).  

That said, there are a few things you should consider. The most important bit is making sure that your chosen broker is properly regulated and paying your taxes. I appreciate they are not very glamorous, but you need to understand the nuts and bolts of these.  

How are trading platforms regulated in Australia? 

The Australian Securities and Investments Commission (ASIC) regulates trading platforms in Australia – both the local and international brokers. So, any broker you use must hold an AFS licence issued by ACIS. It ensures that platforms operate fairly and transparently by enforcing strict guidelines. 

The rules on derivative products are specifically strict: ASIC limits the size of leverage offered and makes sure that brokers disclose the risky nature of these products to their investors. 

Brokers also need to keep their operational funds and client funds separate. Called segregation of accounts, this prevents clients’ funds from being used to pay for the broker’s debts. 

Unfortunately, though, this is the extent of the protection – ASIC doesn’t have an additional insurance scheme that protects investors from fraudulent activities or broker insolvency (CHESS replaces this to an extent; see below for details). That’s why it’s extra important to go for a reputable, established stock broker. 

What taxes do I have to pay to trade in Australia? 

Yep, you have to pay taxes while trading. It’s a fact of life. 

How much you’ll pay is a bit tricky, though. It not only depends on your income but also on your trading strategy. See, all capital gains from selling shares are subject to capital gains tax (CGT), but if you hold the shares for a long time, you’ll pay a lot less tax than if you trade frequently. Let me elaborate. 

• When you sell shares for a higher price than you purchased them for, you realise a capital gain that must be reported to the Australian Taxation Office (ATO).
• If you held the shares for over 12 months before selling (this is typically done through an investment account), you are eligible for a 50% CGT discount on the taxable capital gain.
• For shares held less than 12 months before being sold (typically a trading account), the full capital gain is taxed at your marginal income tax rate without the 50% discount.

Here are some quick tips on navigating taxation: 

• Losses from selling shares can be used to offset capital gains – carry forward excess capital losses to future tax years.
• To track capital gains for tax purposes, keep detailed records of your share buy and sell transactions, including the date, number of shares, purchase price and sale price.
• Share dividends are also subject to tax – dividends paid by Australian companies have tax withheld before you receive them 2 www.ato.gov.au https://www.ato.gov.au/forms-and-instructions/you-and-your-shares-2023/dividends-distributions-and-tax-on-amounts-you-receive/how-dividends-are-taxed .
• Consult an accountant or registered tax agent if you have substantial share investments to ensure you meet your tax obligations.

If you want more information, visit the Australian tax office.

What is a CHESS-sponsored broker?

CHESS (Clearing House Electronic Subregister System) is the Australian securities settlement system 3 www.asx.com.au https://www.asx.com.au/documents/research/chess_brochure.pdf used by the ASX for the real-time settlement of trades. 

Unlike a custodial model, where the broker holds your shares (which is also the more widespread model, internationally speaking), a CHESS-sponsored broker grants you direct ownership, recorded on the ASX’s CHESS system.

When you open a CHESS-sponsored account, you are issued an HIN (Holder Identification Number) by your broker, it is specific to you and the shares you hold with that broker. With your HIN, all your holdings under CHESS are traceable and linked to your identity. 

Here are some benefits of using a CHESS-sponsored broker: 

• Direct ownership. You are registered as the owner of the shares with the ASX, not the broker. As we said before, ASIC doesn’t provide additional insurance in the event of broker insolvency – having the shares registered under your name eliminates this risk to an extent. 
• Easier to switch brokers. Your HIN identifies all the shares you own, so you can switch brokers very easily. 

As with anything, there are also some drawbacks to CHESS: 

• Higher brokerage fees. CHESS-sponsored brokers tend to charge higher fees. 
• No fractional shares. Fractional shares are a blessing for those with smaller budgets, but you can’t have that with a CHESS-sponsored system. You must buy whole shares. 
• Limited access to global markets. Perhaps the biggest catch to this system is that CHESS-sponsored brokers tend to focus solely on ASX-listed stocks. While some do offer access, the range is almost always limited compared to international brokers. 

How to choose a share trading platform in Australia

This largely depends on your needs and goals. While testing the platforms, we focused on the costs of trading, regulatory and safety practices, and how easy it is to use the platform, among other things. We believe these to be the most important things that impact the majority of traders. 

Yet, different strokes for different folks – that doesn’t mean our findings will work for you. So, we drafted some of the most important criteria that will help you compare brokers yourself.

For beginners, picking the right share trading platform involves evaluating key factors and considerations in detail. We asked our stock market experts what to look for when choosing a trading platform in Australia, and you can find their tips below. 

Regulation and security

While some of the criteria here are optional, and you may just take your pick, you should really treat this as non-negotiable. To make sure that your chosen trading platform is regulated by the ASIC, go on to the ASIC registry and search for its license number or its name (you can find the license number on the broker’s webpage). It’ll show you whether they hold an AFS licence. 

If you can’t locate the license number, search for the company name. They can sometimes be different (like the full company name for IG Trading is IG Group Holdings PLC), so make sure you’re searching for the right name. 

Beyond legal regulations, try to look for industry-standard security measures, most notably 2-factor authentication and data encryption. If safety is too much of a concern for you, and you’re not after rarely found stocks, we’d recommend CHESS-sponsored brokers for extra peace of mind. 

All of the brokers we recommend on this page are regulated by ASIC and its likes worldwide (like the Financial Conduct Authority in the UK or the Securities and Exchange Commission in the US). 

Range of available assets and markets

When looking at the range of assets, we suggest prioritising flexibility. Even if you’re laser-focused on stocks today, who’s to say you won’t want to dabble wih forex or even crypto down the road? The broader a platform’s catalogue, the better – that way, you’ll avoid hopping from one broker to another just because you’re expanding your investment horizons. 

If you know exactly what you want to trade, double-check that your chosen platform offers those specific assets. Most platforms in Australia let you buy and sell stocks, but the best ones also open up a world of possibilities with things like commodities, options, and bonds.

Even if you don’t consider swaying away from major stocks like Tesla or Amazon now, it’s still useful to go for a larger stock range, both in terms of location and industry. That way, you can diversify your portfolio in a more balanced way. 

Ultimately, it’s all about convenience. Having access to everything in one place – stocks, ETFs, options, and more – means you can trade with ease and grow your portfolio without jumping between platforms.

Intuitive technology and interface

As you’ll soon realise, ease of use is everything while you’re trading. You should be able to navigate the platform quickly and access the tools you need regularly without being overwhelmed. You don’t want to be fumbling around trying to figure out how to execute a trade or access charts when markets are moving fast.

I always use the demo account before I deposit any money. It’s really helpful to understand whether the interface is intuitive for me – I test out placing multiple trades, all of the order types available, and how easy it is to move around the platform. I can’t recommend giving it a good test ride before you place trades with your own funds. 

Look for platforms that are clean, simple, and user-friendly. Whether you’re analyzing data or placing an order, a good platform makes it feel seamless. If you’re like me and prefer to keep an eye on your investments while on the go, a great mobile app is non-negotiable.

Trading tools and resources

Look for trading platforms that offer insights, analytics, trading alerts, and risk management features, as well as solid charting tools and screeners. While testing the platform on demo, focus on customising your charts and drawing tools to see how comfortable you are. Also, try to see how easy it is to gather as much information about an asset as possible without being overwhelmed. 

We also recommend finding a broker with a large library of educational resources – eToro and IG do an excellent job at this. I personally enjoy podcasts, but top beginner trading platforms tend to have resources in many different mediums, including blogs, videos, and so on. 

Both eToro and IG have an “academy” approach to education, where resources are grouped based on experience level, and topics are ordered logically, so all you have to do is to follow the path. 

Costs, brokerage fees, and incentives

Fees can sneak up on you, so it’s crucial to know exactly what you’re paying for. While comparing platforms, look at all the costs: commissions, brokerage fees, account maintenance charges, data fees – everything. You want to find a platform that offers low overall costs, especially if you’re planning to trade frequently.

Commission has long been the main charge, but many platforms today operate on a no-commission basis – which doesn’t mean trading is free by any measure. In the absence of commissions, spread fills the gap. It essentially means the difference between the buy and sell price of an asset, and it effectively serves as a commission the broker is charging you. The smaller the spread, the better. 

When you check for spreads, you’ll see a range rather than a fixed figure. It’s because spreads change depending on market conditions – you’ll see that at times of volatility, it tends to increase a lot. Make sure that you time your trades accordingly so that it doesn’t eat into your profits. 

Here’s a quick comparison of the spreads across the top Australian trading platforms:

Another way an online broker in Australia might charge you is via the spread. The spread is the difference between the buy and sell price of an asset and effectively serves as a commission the broker is charging you on top of the market price. The smaller the spread, the better value you’re getting from your broker.

Here’s a comparison of the spreads across the top Australian trading platforms:

On top of the trading fees and spreads, there may be other charges for using your online broker account.

These can include inactivity fees, where you’re charged if you don’t use your account for a period of time (usually 3-6 months), as well as overnight fees, which only apply if the broker is also a CFD platform, or even an account maintenance fee.

Here’s a look at the types of fees different brokers in Australia charge, to give you a complete picture of the cost of trading with the top brokers in Australia.

Methodology: How we chose the best trading platform in Australia

We’re a team, so our results are based on a collective effort of several individuals. The raw facts also play into the results – we store lots of data on each broker, so there’s no debate about which platform has the lowest fees. 

Our reviewing panel includes industry experts, including our Director, Michael Charalambous, our Senior Editor of News, Harsh Vardhan, expert trader Prash Raval, and me, James Knight, Editor of Education. The panel also includes an independent fact-checker, Richard Stutely.

To properly test the products, we all have accounts on each, and we all place a series of different trades. 

For example, I tested eToro by placing a series of intraday trades on Tesla stock with different amounts of leverage, regularly investing in an S&P 500 ETF over the course of a few months, and have also played around with shorting and copying other people’s trades to my account.

When we pooled all our research and experience together, here are the key factors that played into our final ranking of the best stock brokers in the United Kingdom.

• Fees. We prioritised Australian brokers that charge low trading fees, don’t charge for deposits or withdrawals, and don’t charge any hidden fees.
• Device availability. We value an all-round service, so brokers with a good app ranked higher than the ones with apps that didn’t work for us (and don’t even get us started on the brokers who didn’t have a proper app at all).
• Platform security. Respected financial institutions regulate all services and trading platforms we recommend and protect investors if anything goes wrong.
• Free demo accounts. We paid attention to the quality and scope of the demo account brokers provide. To us, it’s very important that you have the opportunity to test the product without committing any money. 
• Access to global markets. International stock brokers in Australia that allow investing in global markets, particularly popular ones like the United States, scored well in our reviews.
• Trading and analysis tools. Trading platforms that offer analysis tools make it easier to do all your research and trading in one place. Any broker that offered this convenience scored well.
• Third-party integrations. You might want to use downloadable third-party software like MetaTrader 4, MT5, or cTrader to place your trades. We prioritised the Aussie brokers that offer integration with these apps in our rankings. 
• Customer reviews. Finally, we looked into customer reviews to make sure that we only recommend Australia’s best investment brokers where the majority of customers had a positive experience.

Find out more about how we rate, rank, and review platforms.

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