Choosing the right trading platform is a critical decision for Australian investors, whether you're just starting out or managing a diversified portfolio. With so many options available, it's essential to find a platform that aligns with your investment goals, trading frequency, and preferred asset classes. In this guide, we break down the top 6 trading platforms in Australia for 2025, evaluating them based on fees, usability, asset selection, research tools, and overall value.
Our analysis focuses on real-world performance, platform stability, and investor needs—helping you make an informed choice without the noise of promotional content.
Best Overall: CMC Markets
Tradeable assets: Australian shares, international shares, ETFs, warrants, mFunds, options, managed funds, LICs, bonds, IPOs
Minimum deposit: $0
CMC Markets continues to lead the pack as the best all-around trading platform in Australia. Its strength lies in offering a comprehensive suite of investment products combined with competitive pricing—especially for small traders. One standout feature is the free buy order on Australian shares under $1,000 per stock per day, making it ideal for beginners or those dollar-cost averaging.
Beyond affordability, CMC’s browser-based platform delivers robust functionality with real-time data, advanced charting tools, and no additional cost for standard access. A unique highlight is the chart pattern performance widget, which helps traders assess historical success rates of technical patterns across assets—a rare feature among local brokers.
👉 Discover a platform built for both beginners and active traders.
While some users note that navigation feels slightly outdated compared to sleeker competitors like IG, the platform remains highly functional and reliable. For frequent traders, a premium tier offers discounted commissions, streaming quotes, and enhanced analytics.
International share trading comes with $0 commission on U.S., U.K., Canadian, and Japanese markets—though a 0.6% FX spread applies. An inactivity fee kicks in after 12 months of no trades.
Core keywords: best trading platform Australia, CMC Markets, share trading fees, online stock broker
Best for Professionals: Interactive Brokers (IBKR)
Tradeable assets: Stocks, options, futures, ETFs, CFDs, currencies, bonds, forex, indices
Minimum deposit: $0
Interactive Brokers (IBKR) stands out as the top choice for professional traders and global investors. With access to over 33 countries’ markets, IBKR enables true international diversification—perfect for Australians looking beyond ASX-listed equities.
The platform offers multiple interfaces: Trader Workstation (TWS) for advanced users, Client Portal for casual investors, and mobile apps like Global Trader and Impact (focused on ESG investing). This flexibility ensures a tailored experience regardless of your expertise level.
Fees are highly competitive: Australian share trades cost 0.08% of trade value, with a minimum of AUD $6 (inclusive of GST). There are no inactivity fees or deposit minimums—though streaming data and premium research require a $500 account balance.
👉 Access global markets with low-cost international trading.
Despite its strengths, IBKR has a steeper learning curve—especially around currency conversion and account setup. However, its depth of tools, institutional-grade data, and transparent pricing justify the complexity for serious investors.
Best Trading Experience: IG
Tradeable assets: Australian shares, international shares, CFDs, forex, indices, commodities
Minimum deposit: $0
IG excels in delivering a seamless and intuitive trading experience. Its web platform allows users to build custom multi-asset dashboards with live charts, news feeds, and technical indicators—all within minutes of logging in.
Right-click functionality enables instant trade execution, chart access, and order entry across any market. This blend of speed and depth makes IG particularly appealing to active traders who want efficiency without sacrificing features.
IG’s pricing adjusts based on activity:
- $8 or 0.1% per trade (for accounts with fewer than 3 trades/month)
- Drops to $5 or 0.05% after 3+ trades
Frequent traders can unlock ProRealTime, a powerful charting and automated trading toolset worth $40/month—fully rebated with four qualifying trades.
International shares (U.S., U.K., Germany, Ireland) are traded commission-free when using instant FX conversion—though a 0.7% spread applies.
An inactivity fee of $18/month starts after 24 months of no trading.
Best for Copy Trading: eToro
Tradeable assets: Stocks, ETFs, crypto, forex, CFDs, indices
Minimum deposit: $50
eToro brings social investing to the forefront with its innovative copy trading feature. Users can mirror the portfolios of top-performing investors—a great way to learn strategies and diversify passively.
Regulated by ASIC and other global authorities, eToro supports both direct ownership of ASX-listed shares and leveraged CFD trading—offering flexibility uncommon among CFD-focused platforms.
Trading fees are straightforward:
- $2 per ASX stock trade
- $0 commission on select international exchanges
With over 2,000 ASX-listed stocks available and strong crypto integration, eToro appeals to hybrid investors interested in traditional and digital assets.
While not the cheapest option overall, its user-friendly interface and community-driven model make it ideal for beginners exploring diversified strategies.
Best Bank-Backed Broker: CommSec
Tradeable assets: Australian shares, international shares, ETFs, warrants, options
Minimum deposit: $500
As the trading arm of Commonwealth Bank, CommSec combines banking security with direct market access. Its platform is simple to navigate and includes valuable Goldman Sachs research, making it suitable for conservative or long-term investors.
A major advantage is CHESS sponsorship, meaning investors directly own their shares—a trusted standard in Australia.
CommSec Pocket—a simplified app—offers seven curated ETFs at $2 per trade (under $1k) or 0.2% above that. No account fees and a low entry point ($50) make it beginner-friendly.
Standard trading fees are tiered:
- Up to $1k: $10 flat
- $1k–$10k: $19.95
- Above $25k: 0.12%
International trading incurs no per-trade FX spread—only on deposits/withdrawals—saving costs over time.
Best for Research: Westpac Share Trading
Tradeable assets: Australian shares, international shares, ETFs, bonds, warrants
Minimum deposit: $500
Westpac Share Trading shines in research and investor education. It integrates Morningstar Premium reports ($20/month) and Sustainalytics ESG data, helping users align investments with ethical values.
The platform aggregates company insights, peer comparisons, and clear chart explanations—ideal for value and technical investors alike.
Fees start at **$19.95 or 0.11%**, whichever is higher—with a minimum trade size of $500. This structure can be costly for small investors; a $500 buy-sell cycle could result in nearly 8% in fees.
Still, its focus on quality research makes it a solid choice for disciplined investors prioritizing due diligence.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Q: What should I look for in an Australian trading platform?
A: Consider trading fees, asset availability (especially international stocks), platform usability, research tools, mobile support, and whether shares are CHESS-sponsored for direct ownership.
Q: Which platform has the lowest fees?
A: Interactive Brokers offers some of the lowest costs at 0.08% per trade with no minimum deposit or inactivity fees. For small ASX trades, CMC Markets’ free daily buy under $1k is hard to beat.
Q: Is copy trading safe in Australia?
A: Yes—platforms like eToro are regulated by ASIC. However, always understand the risks involved in replicating others’ strategies.
Q: Can I trade U.S. stocks from Australia?
A: Yes—most top brokers including IG, CMC Markets, and Interactive Brokers offer access to U.S. exchanges with low or zero commissions.
Q: Do I need a large deposit to start?
A: Not necessarily. Platforms like IG and Superhero require no minimum deposit. CommSec and Westpac require $500 minimum trades but allow small initial investments otherwise.
Q: Are there hidden fees I should watch for?
A: Yes—watch for FX spreads on international trades, inactivity fees (e.g., IG after 24 months), data subscription costs (IBKR), and ETF management fees.
👉 Start your investment journey with powerful tools and global access.
Whether you prioritize low costs, advanced tools, or beginner simplicity—the best trading platforms in Australia for 2025 offer something for every investor type. By aligning your needs with the right broker, you set yourself up for long-term success in both local and global markets.