Find the Best Stock Trading App Australia for You
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If you’re looking for the best stock trading app Australia – you’ve got plenty of providers to choose from. Most allow you to buy and sell stocks on the move, as well as check the value of your portfolio at the click of a button.
With that said, as the stock market apps Australia are backed by online brokerage firms – you need to check metrics concerning fees, commissions, payments, and of course – safety. Regarding the latter, your chosen app should be licensed by a reputable body like ASIC, CySEC, or the FCA.
In this guide, we review the best stock trading app Australia right now. On top of discussing the top-rated providers to consider, we’ll also walk you through the process of getting started with an Australia stock trading app.
The Best Share Apps Australia Ranked
5 Providers that match your filters
Payment methods
Features
Support
Rating
Mobile App
Fixed fees per trade
Account Fees
- 0% commissions on the purchase of shares
- Friendly and easy-to-use platform
- Highly regulated broker
Account Information
Fees per trade
CFDs are complex instruments and carry a high risk of losing money quickly through leverage. 75% of retail investor accounts lose money when trading CFDs from this provider.
Account Information
Fees per trade
- No spreads
- Educational content
- User-friendly platform
Account Information
Fees per trade
Account Information
Fees per trade
- No deposit or withdrawal fees
- Trade major forex pairs such as EUR/USD with leverage up to 30:1 and tight spreads of 0.9 pips
- Low $100 minimum deposit to open a trading account
Account Information
Fees per trade
71% of retail investor accounts lose money when trading CFDs with this provider.
Account Information
Fees per trade
Best Stock Trading App Australia 2023
Below you’ll find the best stock trading platform Australia and the runners up. To read our full review of each provider – simply scroll down!
- eToro – Overall Best Stock Trading App Australia with 0% Commission
- Plus500 – Best Stock Trading App for Low-Cost Trades
- IG – Best Stock Trading App Australia for Creating a Diversified Portfolio
- ANZ – Best Share Trading Platform Australia for Domestic Shares
- Eightcap – Best MT4 Stock App with Spreads from 0 Pips
- SelfWealth – Great Flat-Fee Broker for Australian Investors
- Stake – Australian Stock Trading App offering US Equities
- CommSec Pocket – Best Stock Trading App for Beginners
- Spaceship Voyager – User-Friendly Investing App with Low Fees
- Raiz – Simple Trading App for Portfolio Investing
- OpenTrader – Best Stock Trading App with CHESS Sponsorship
- CMC Markets – Reputable Trading App for Experienced Traders
Best Stock Market App for Beginners Revealed
With so many stock trading apps now serving the Australian market – it took us time to get our list down to just a handful. For example, we looked at everything from how much the best share trading app Australia charges in fees, what AUD payment methods it supports, and whether or not your money is safe.
Taking all of these metrics into account (and then some) – below you will find the best share trading platforms and stock investment apps in Australia.
1. eToro – Overall Best Stock Trading App Australia with Zero Commission
eToro is by far the best stock trading app for beginners in Australia. Crucially, this popular online trading app is fully regulated by ASIC – as well as the FCA and CySEC. This means that you can buy and sell stocks in a 100% secure environment. It takes just minutes to get started with this stock trading provider and the app is compatible with iOS and Android.
If you’re considering how to buy stocks in Australia, in terms of what you can trade, the eToro investment app covers 17 international markets, including many of the best stocks to buy. Whether you’re keen on stocks from the UK, US, Canada, Hong Kong, France, Germany, or Sweden – eToro has you covered. Regardless of the specific stocks, you decide to trade on the app, you won’t pay a single penny in commission. This is somewhat uncanny, as most Australian online brokers charge a variable commission when you trade.
Although leverage and short-selling are supported by eToro, you can also buy stocks as opposed to trading them. This means that you can keep the stock in your investment portfolio for as long as you wish – without incurring any annual maintenance fees. If you’re also looking to trade other asset classes, eToro is the best cryptocurrency exchange Australia and also hosts exchange traded-funds (ETFs), indices, forex, and commodities. All of these assets are also covered by the eToro commission-free guarantee and can be accessed through its app. You may also be interested to learn that eToro offers one of the best Bitcoin apps in Australia with heaps of supported crypto assets and low spreads. These reasons make eToro one of the best micro-investing apps on the market.
If you like the sound of stock trading but you have no experience in this space, as the best platform to trade stocks in Australia and praised by many experts in the industry, eToro offers a CopyTrading feature. As the name implies, this allows you to copy an experienced trader that uses the eToro platform – like-for-like. Once you have downloaded the eToro stock trading app, you will need to make a deposit of at least $200 – or about AUD $217. You can also invest through eToro in the best ETFs Australia.
Still not convinced about the eToro investment app? Read our comprehensive eToro app review to find out more about what this Australian stock trading app offers.
- Regulated by the FCA, CySEC, and ASIC
- Trusted brand with over 13 million client accounts worldwide
- Buy stocks without paying any commission or share dealing charges
- Social and copy trading
- Buy stocks or trade CFDs with leverage (Non-US)
- 1,700+ stocks listed on multiple international markets
- Personalised eToro account where you can set up trading price alerts
- Not suitable for advanced traders that like to perform technical analysis
67% of retail investors lose money trading CFDs at this site.
2. Plus500 – Best Trading App Australia with Low Spreads
Plus500 is another of the best CFD trading platforms that is worth considering. The platform is licensed by ASIC, as well as the FCA. You can easily open an account and the minimum deposit is just $100. Plus500 supports Australian debit/credit cards, Paypal, and bank transfers.
In terms of what you can trade, Plus500 offers a wide selection of stock CFD markets. Popular exchanges include the London Stock Exchange, NYSE, and NASDAQ. Heaps of Australian stocks are supported too. If you’re interested in less liquid stock trading markets, the Plus500 app covers Singapore, Hungary, Finland, Belgium, Denmark, and Italy.
If you want to trade other asset classes alongside stocks, Plus500 hosts everything from bonds and indices to cryptocurrencies and forex. These all come via CFD instruments. This means that you can apply the leverage of up to 1:300 until the new ASIC restrictions come into play in April 2021. When they do, you’ll be capped at 1:30 like traders in the UK and Europe are.
Once you’ve loaded the app up, you will also be able to trade via the Plus500 demo account facility. This comes with a pre-loaded balance and it replicates real market conditions. In terms of trading fees, all markets on the Plus500 stock app are commission-free. Its usability awards Plus500 with the title of having the best stock buying app. When trading stocks listed on major exchanges – you will benefit from super-tight spreads. There are no deposit or withdrawal fees, either.
Read our comprehensive Plus 500 review to find out more.
- Heavily regulated trading platform
- 0% commission on all forex trading positions
- Leverage facilities available
- Mobile app is highly rated
- No transaction fees
- Account minimum just $100
- Heaps of forex pairs supported
- Thousands of CFD instruments
- Does not offer traditional investment assets
4. IG – Best Stock Trading App Australia for Creating a Diversified Portfolio
IG is a heavyweight brokerage firm located in the UK, albeit, it is also super-popular with Australians. This is evident in the fact that IG holds a fully-fledged ASIC license – subsequently allowing Australian traders to invest safely and securely. This particular stock trading app stands out for the sheer number of markets on offer.
In fact, once you download the app – which is compatible with iOS and Android phones, you’ll have access to over 17,000 CFD instruments. This covers thousands of stocks across numerous exchanges. Not only does this include Australian stocks – but heaps of international exchanges are located in North America, Europe, and Asia, so IG is one of the best investment apps Australia for asset diversity.
Regarding domestic stocks, this includes the likes of Qantas, Westpac, Commonwealth Bank, Afterpay, and BHB Holdings. When it comes to trading fees on this popular stock app, this will vary depending on the market you wish to access. For example, Australian stock CFDs are charged at 0.08% per slide – at a minimum of AUD $7. The UK and European stocks will cost you 0.10% – at a minimum of £10 and €10, respectively.
Other exchanges and markets, such as forex, bitcoin, and mutual funds are priced differently, so be sure to check this out before placing a trade. In terms of getting started, the IG stock trading app requires a minimum deposit of $300 – or about AUD $400. The app supports Australian debit and credit cards. But, the latter will attract a fee of 0.5% or 1% when using MasterCard or Visa, respectively.
Read our comprehensive IG review to find out more.
- Trusted investment app with a long-standing reputation
- More than 10,000 stocks listed
- Good value share dealing services – fees as low as £3 per trade
- Leverage and short-selling also available
- Spread betting and CFD products
- Access to dozens of international markets
- Great research department
- Minimum deposit of £250
- US stocks have a $15 minimum commission
Your capital is at risk when trading CFDs at this site.
5. ANZ – Best Share Trading Platform Australia for Domestic Shares
Another nice thing about ANZ is that it gives you tools to choose the best companies from its thousands on offer. All account holders get access to recommendations from ANZ market analysts, a global stock screener, and analysis from Morningstar and the Intelligent Investor newsletter. You can also easily see what stocks are most frequently traded by other ANZ clients to get inspiration and gauge market sentiment.
The biggest catch to using ANZ for share trading is that the mobile app doesn’t have a ton of advanced features. ANZ only offers a single app that combines banking and investing. So, although you can place trades on the go, you won’t get access to the advanced charts, news feeds, or analysis tools that are available through the web interface. If you need these features on your mobile device, your best option is to log into your ANZ account through your smartphone’s browser.
Trading at ANZ isn’t cheap, but it’s on par with some of the other best stock brokers Australia like Westpac. Most trades cost $19.95 each, although you can get a discount for trades over $5,000 (your first trade of the month) or over $18,000 (your second trade of the month or after). Notably, international shares are more expensive – $59 each, or 0.59% for trades over $10,000.
- Thousands of Australian and global shares
- Stock screener and analysis tools
- Expert share recommendations
- No account or inactivity fee
- Combine banking and trading
- Limited charting and analysis in mobile app
- Expensive commissions
Your capital is at risk.
6. Eightcap – Best MT4 Stock App with Low Spreads
This app is a popular good choice if you’re looking to invest in US and Australian stocks, with great coverage of these markets. This means you can invest in a wide range of top companies, from Amazon and Apple in the US to Rio Tinto and BHP Group in Australia.
One of the best things about trading stocks on Eightcap is the incredibly low spreads, which start from 0 pips if you choose a RAW account. This account has a very low £3.5 commission, or you can go for a zero commission standard account in which spreads start from just 1 pip.
The minimum deposit is also just $100, so you can get started with a relatively small amount. You can make your deposit through a variety of different methods, including PayPal, POLi, Neteller and Skrill.
Eightcap is a very transparent trading app that offers direct market access with no price manipulation, and it also boasts premium liquidity. Overall, this is a great app if you’re looking to trade US and Australian stocks with low spreads.
- Spreads starting from 0 pips
- Trade top US and Australian stocks
- Supports MT4 and MT5
- Offers free market analysis
- User-friendly app
- Accepts PayPal
- LimitedAU stocks
Your capital is at risk.
7. SelfWealth – Great Flat-Fee Trading App for Australian Investors
Another excellent stock app to consider is the one offered by SelfWealth. Launched back in 2012, SelfWealth is an online broker with the aim of providing low-cost trading services within Australia. The company is listed on the ASX, adding massive credibility to the platform, and is also regulated by ASIC – the top governing body within the country.
SelfWealth’s main selling point is its flat-fee trading structure. Users must pay $9.50 per trade, regardless of the trade size. This is the same whether you are trading Australian shares or US-based shares. Aside from this fee, there are no additional hidden charges or transfer fees when trading stocks.
The app itself allows you to create an account in minutes, all through your smartphone or tablet. There is no minimum account balance at SelfWealth, and users can fund their accounts via EFT or BPAY – although if you use the former, your funds will arrive instantly.
SelfWealth’s app also comes with a wide range of trading features designed to streamline the user experience. You can get in-depth insights into your portfolio, and SelfWealth even offers a useful ‘SafetyRating’ feature that determines how diversified your portfolio is. Finally, the app also has reports on each of the equities available to trade, including price forecasts, buy/sell recommendations, and even key financial documents.
- Regulated by the ASIC
- Listed on the ASX
- Transparent flat-fee structure
- No minimum account balance
- Only offers Australian and US shares
Your capital is at risk.
8. Stake – Australian Stock Trading App offering US Equities
Another of the best investment apps for Australia-based traders is Stake. Stake was launched in 2017 and aims to provide users with a way to trade US equities cost-effectively. The broker has over 400,000 registered users and is regulated by the ASIC and FCA, ensuring Australians receive a high level of investor protection.
Stake allows users to invest in over 2000 stocks and ETFs listed on the ASX and over 6000 stocks and ETFs listed on US-based exchanges. The great thing about Stake is that users do not have to pay any fees when they purchase shares. What makes Stake even better is that the platform has no non-trading fees either – although there is a small 70bps FX fee when depositing and withdrawing.
Stake’s proprietary app has a straightforward interface and allows users to employ biometric identification and two-factor authentication. There is extensive search functionality on the app and users can view price charts and some fundamental data. If you pay for Stake Black, the premium plan, you can also see equity analyst ratings and price targets for each stock.
The minimum deposit at Stake is $50, which can only be made via bank transfer. You can opt to use Stake’s express top-up feature, although this will come with an additional fee. Finally, aside from the FX fees, withdrawals are free to make and tend to arrive in 3-4 business days.
- Regulated by ASIC and FCA
- Zero-fee trading app
- Low minimum deposit
- Massive selection of stocks and ETFs
- A limited selection of asset classes
Your capital is at risk.
9. CommSec Pocket – Best Stock Trading App for Beginners
If you are a newcomer to the market, you may wish to use CommSec Pocket. CommSec pocket is the trading app offered by CommSec, one of the largest brokers in Australia. CommSec has won numerous industry awards and is a subsidiary of the Commonwealth Bank of Australia, ensuring the platform has a safe reputation.
The CommSec Pocket app offers fractional investing and allows trades to be opened from as little as $50. An important thing to note about this app is that it only provides ETF investing – users cannot invest in individual equities or other asset classes. In terms of fees, there is a $2 flat fee for each trade that you open, although this changes to a 0.20% fee if your position size is over $1,000.
At present, CommSec Pocket offers seven different ETFs to invest in, ranging from the Aussie Top 200 to Emerging Markets. The CommSec Pocket app provides a convenient ‘Regular Invest’ feature that will automatically invest a set amount weekly or monthly into your investment, allowing you to build up your position over time.
The app also has a dedicated Education section packed with videos and articles designed to appeal to complete beginners. Finally, the app is even integrated with NetBank – so if you have an account here, you can view your CommSec balance and portfolio through NetBank’s interface.
- A subsidiary of the Commonwealth Bank of Australia
- Low fee per trade
- Integrates with NetBank
- Useful ‘Regular Invest’ feature
- Only offers a handful of ETFs
Your capital is at risk.
10. Spaceship Voyager – User-Friendly Investing App with Low Fees
Another potential option for the best stock trading app is Spaceship Voyager. Spaceship Voyager is the trading app offered by Spaceship, a low-cost brokerage based in Australia. Released in 2018, the app allows users to invest in a selection of pre-built portfolios that Spaceship’s investment team has created.
At present, users can invest in the Universe, Earth, and Origin portfolios, each offering a different degree of risk and potential returns. The great thing about Spaceship Voyager is that the app employs a simple monthly fee rather than a spread or commission. The fee equates to $2.50 per month for each portfolio – which means that you’d only have to pay $30 per year to invest in one.
Aside from this fee, there are no other costs whatsoever – even if you own multiple portfolios. The Spaceship Voyager app allows users to fund their accounts from as little as $1 and accepts deposits via bank transfer. Notably, you can set up the app to regularly ‘top-up’ your investment every week, fortnight, or month.
Finally, the app has in-depth profiles on each company that is included within your chosen portfolio so that you know exactly what you’re investing in. The great thing is that the app doesn’t have any advanced features or jargon, making it easy to begin investing in just a few taps.
- User-friendly app interface
- Deposit from as little as $1
- Low monthly fee
- Profiles on each equity
- Only offers three portfolios
Your capital is at risk.
11. Raiz – Simple Trading App for Portfolio Investing
Raiz is an Australian investment app that offers an innovative way to invest your spare change into a diversified portfolio – thereby generating a return over time. Raiz is listed on the ASX and is regulated by the ASIC, so you know your capital is protected. Furthermore, the Raiz website and app are backed by extensive security features, including SSL encryption and multi-factor authentication.
Raiz works by linking with your bank account and automatically rounding up your spare change. You can decide exactly how much you’d like to round up, ranging from $0.01 to $1, depending on the transaction amount. Your balance can then be invested in a selection of six portfolios designed with the help of Harry Markowitz, one of the founding fathers of portfolio theory.
The Raiz app also allows you to make free deposits and withdrawals at any time, so you have great flexibility in your approach. There is no minimum deposit, although Raiz does require a minimum investment of $5 before opening a position in one of their portfolios. The only fee you need to worry about is the $3.50 per month charged for investment amounts under $15,000 – although this changes to 0.275% of your position per year if it is over $15,000.
- Listed on the ASX
- Low monthly fee
- Minimum investment of only $5
- Portfolios designed with academic backing
- Cannot invest in stocks directly
Your capital is at risk.
12. OpenTrader – Best Stock Trading App with CHESS Sponsorship
OpenTrader is an online broker designed to appeal to experienced investors and beginners alike. This broker is a division of OpenMarkets, one of the largest trading platforms in Australia, with over 13 years of industry experience. OpenMarkets holds a license from the AFS, ensuring investors have a high level of protection whilst trading.
One of OpenTrader’s best features is that the app allows you to invest with very low fees. Each trade below $5000 is accompanied by a flat fee of $5, which increases to $15 for anything above $5000. Notably, OpenTrader is CHESS sponsored, which means that each share you purchase is legally owned by you, ensuring you receive dividends and other benefits.
The OpenTrader app has numerous features, including price alerts, tutorials, market insights, and a free $50,000 demo account. The app even has free live market data and a selection of technical indicators to employ, which can boost your trading efficiency. Finally, you can even customise your dashboard and watchlists to however you like, making the investing process extremely user friendly.
- Licensed by the AFS
- Free demo account
- CHESS sponsored platform
- Low fee trading
- A limited selection of order types
Your capital is at risk.
13. CMC Markets – Reputable Trading App for Experienced Traders
The final broker we’re going to discuss today is CMC Markets. CMC Markets was founded in 1989 and now operates in numerous countries around the globe. With over 1million users, CMC Markets boasts regulation in Australia from the ASIC, ensuring a high level of investor protection.
CMC Markets offers both CFD trading and share trading, ensuring all investors are catered to. CFDs will have no commission and only require the spread to be paid, whilst share dealing will have an $11 fee per trade on the Classic account. If you make over 11 trades per month, you can use the Active Trader account, where this fee drops to $9.90 per trade.
The great thing about the app is that it allows users to invest in not only stocks but other asset classes, such as FX, commodities, ETFs, and bonds. The app features a two-step login and has tabs dedicated to all of the main sections, including assets, analysis, and wallet. There are five different order types you can use whilst stock trading – and you can even set alerts for specific price points and economic calendar events too!
- Great industry reputation
- Clear flat-fee structure
- A vast range of asset classes
- Helpful trading analysis section on the app
- Non-ASX trades are very costly
Your capital is at risk.
The Best Australian Stock Apps Compared
CFDs are complex instruments and carry a high risk of losing money quickly through leverage. 75% of retail investor accounts lose money when trading CFDs from this provider.
5.0 | 4.7 | 4.6 | 4.5 | 4.4 |
9/10 | 9/10 | 8/10 | 9/10 | 7/10 |
€25 | 0.01 lots | €1 | N/A | N/A |
1:30 | 1:30 | 1:30 | 5:1 | 1:30 |
2.000+ | 500+ | 200+ | N/A | 700+ |
150 | 100+ | 10 | N/A | N/A |
A$0 | A$0 | A$0 | A$0 | A$0 |
A$0 | A$0 | A$0 | A$0 | A$0 |
0% | Variable | 0.1% - 0.175% | N/A | N/A |
0% | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A |
N/A | Variable | N/A | N/A | 0.01 - 350 pips |
0% | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A |
0,09% | Variable | 0.1% - 1% | N/A | 0.09 - 85 pips |
2 Pip | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A |
Spreads | Spread, overnight fees | Commission, overnight fee | N/A | Spreads |
€5 | €0 | €0 - €1/0.1% | N/A | £0 |
$0 | N/A | N/A | £10 after 12 months | N/A |
$0 | €0 | £0 | N/A | £0 |
N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A |
Best Investment Apps Australia Fees Comparison
We’ve now reviewed the best stock brokers Australia, but if you’re still struggling to choose, here’s a look at how they match up in terms of fees.
Australian investment app | Spread or commission? | Fee to Buy Amazon Shares | Overnight fees? |
eToro | Free | Free | No overnight fees for stocks. |
Plus500 | Spread | 0.75% | Yes. |
IG | Commission | Free if more than three trades were made in the previous month, $10 if not. 0.1% commission for Australian shares. | No overnight fees for stocks. |
ANZ | Commission | $19.95. $19.95 or 0.11% for Australian shares. | No overnight fees for stocks. |
Eightcap | Commission | 0% | Yes. |
SelfWealth | Commission | $9.50 | No overnight fees for stocks. |
Stake | Free | Free | No overnight fees for stocks. |
CommSec Pocket | Commission | Not offered | N/A |
Spaceship Voyager | Monthly Fee | N/A | N/A |
Raiz | Monthly Fee | N/A | N/A |
OpenTrader | Commission | Not offered | No overnight fees for stocks. |
CMC Markets | Commission | $59.95 | Interbank rate + 0.0082% for BUY orders |
Best Stock Brokers Australia Features Comparison
If you’re still can’t decide on the best share trading platform Australia for you, here’s how the top investment apps compare in terms of the features and trading platforms they offer.
We’ve now reviewed the best stock brokers Australia, but if you’re still struggling to choose, here’s a look at how they match up in terms of fees.
Australian stock app | Trading platforms | Features |
eToro | Proprietary | Social trading, copy trading, CopyPortfolios, fractional shares |
Plus500 | Proprietary | Market insights, risk management |
IG | Proprietary, MT4, ProRealTime | Trading signals, algorithmic trading, APIs, DMA trading |
ANZ | Proprietary | Dynamic market data, ASX announcements, Morningstar research. |
Eightcap | MT4, MT5 | Webinars, beginners course, news, blog |
SelfWealth | Proprietary | Flat-fee trading, portfolio insights, equity reports |
Stake | Proprietary | US stock trading, biometric ID, express top-up |
CommSec Pocket | Proprietary | Pre-built ETFs, education section, NetBank integration |
Spaceship Voyager | Proprietary | Unique portfolios, no minimum deposit, regular top-up |
Raiz | Proprietary | SSL encryption, academically backed portfolios, free withdrawals |
OpenTrader | Proprietary | CHESS sponsored, educational tutorials, customisable dashboard |
CMC Markets | Proprietary + MT4 | CFD trading, two-step login, various order types |
What Is The Best Share Trading App For Beginners?
With many offerings in the stock trading industry, the eToro app has been praised by many experts and opinion leaders due to its user-friendly interface, broad portfolio of assets, and the fact that it offers a huge range of assets, spanning from stocks and forex to crypto and commodities
One of the best thing about eToro for beginners is its famous copy trading feature. This means you can automatically copy the portfolios and trades of top investors in stocks, crypto, forex and more! Trading has never been easier than with eToro.
eToro stocks app is well-rated in most mobile app stores, with many users praising its user friendly design.
What Is The Cheapest Shares broker in Australia?
Many stock apps charge pricey commissions for selling and buying shares, while some also charge additional account management fees. However, eToro allows you to trade Australian and international with zero commission, so you don’t pay anything whatsoever. There’s also no account management fees.
There are some charges on eToro, such as a $5 withdrawal fee, but overall it’s much cheaper than most traditional Australian stock brokers, as well as online CFD brokers which often charge hefty spreads for trading share CFDs.
How to Choose the Best Stock Market App Australia for You
Although we have discussed the best stock trading apps available to Australians right now, it is always a good idea to do some research yourself. After all, stock investment apps come in a range of shapes and sizes – each appealing to a specific type of investor.
The most important metrics that you need to research when look for the best share trading platform Australia are listed below:
Regulation
In an ideal world, the broker will hold a license with the Australian Securities and Investments Commission (ASIC). This will ensure that the stock app has your best interests at heart.
For example, ASIC stock market apps for Android and iPhone offer the following safeguards:
- Your money will be kept in separate bank accounts from that of the broker
- The platform must clearly explain the risks of stock trading to you
- You will be capped in how much leverage you can apply
- The stock trading app will have its books audited on a regular basis
- All active traders must provide at least one form of photo ID – thus reducing the threat of fraud
It is important to note that Australians can still use the best investing apps Australia for stocks that are not licensed by ASIC. For example, the UK’s Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) and the Cyprus Securities and Exchange Commission (CySEC) are two reputable financial bodies that also regulated stock trading apps.
These two bodies offer the same regulatory safeguards as mentioned above. This is one of the main reasons why eToro has attracted hundreds of thousands of Australian traders – as the stock app is not only licensed by ASIC, but the FCA and CySEC too.
User Experience
You might be looking to obtain an Australian stock trading app because you want the option of buying and selling shares when away from your desktop device. Or, you might just like the convenience of a stock trading app and are planning to use it as your primary investment vehicle. A trader deserves the best stock buying app, and that’s why the importance of a top-notch user experience is high.
Either way, it is crucial that your chosen stock trading app offers an all-around user-friendly experience. For example, the app must make it simple to find your chosen stock. It must also be seamless to set up buy and sell orders, as well as deposit and withdraw funds.
A great way to gauge the user-friendliness of the app is if the provider offers a demo account. Often times the demo account feature will mirror that of live market conditions. This means that you can spend a bit of time navigating through the app to make sure it meets your needs.
Tradable Stocks
There are scores of stock exchanges located around the world – some larger than others. The most important thing is that your chosen stock trading app offers the marketplace in which you wish to access.
For example, if you are looking to invest in home-grown companies, then make sure that the app offers access to the Australian Securities Exchange.
Similarly, if you are interested in US stocks like Apple and Disney, you’ll want access to the NASDAQ and NYSE. eToro, for example, offers almost 1,800 shares across 17 different stock exchanges. This gives you plenty of options – especially when it comes to diversification.
With that being said, you also need to make the distinction between traditional shares and stock CFDs. For example, while the likes of eToro and IG offer both, Libertex only offers the latter. This is crucial, as traditional shares are best suited for long-term investments, while CFDs are more conducive for short-term trading.
Fees
All Australian stock trading apps charge fees. In most cases, you will need to pay a commission every time you place an order. If, for example, you are buying traditional stocks, you will likely pay a flat fee. Or, if you’re trading CFD instruments, then this is usually charged as a variable percentage fee.
With that said, you then have low-cost share trading apps like eToro which charge no commissions at all. Instead, the only fee that you pay comes in the form of the spread. In other cases, you have stock trading apps like Libertex which charge no spreads, instead opting for a small commission of between 0% and 0.5%.
Outside of your core trading fees, your chosen Australian stock market app might also charge you when you make a deposit or withdraw. You then have overnight financing fees, which are charged when you keep a stock CFD position held overnight. Finally, check whether the app charges an inactivity fee.
Stock Trading Apps Tools & Features
While some stock investing apps in Australia offer a skin and bones service, others come jam-packed with tools, charting, and features. Whether or not you actually need access to these features will depend on your personal investment style.
For example, if you are a complete newbie with virtually no understanding of how stocks work, you might want to consider a Copy Trading feature such as one offered by eToro. This allows you to copy an eToro trader like-for-like – meaning you can actively trade without lifting a finger.
An additional feature that we would suggest looking for is fractional ownership – especially if you are looking to invest in shares as opposed to trading stock CFDs. This allows you to invest in stocks from just $50 at eToro – meaning there is no need to fork out $3,000 to buy a single Amazon share! eToro, our pick for the best share trading app Australia, is an example of an app that offers fractional shares.
Education, Research & Analysis
The best Australian share market apps come packed with educational resources. While this won’t really matter to you if you have heaps of experience in mobile trading, it will if you are just starting out. Handy resources in this respect include video explainers, trading guides, and webinars.
It is also useful if your chosen stock trading app offers research tools. In the case of chart analysis, this might include technical indicators. With that said, performing technical analysis on a mobile device will be challenging.
Nevertheless, fundamental resources like real-time financial news and market insights are also useful. This will allow you to stay ahead of the curve at all times. In fact, the best stock trading apps in Australia will send a notification to your phone when an important news story breaks on one of your invested shares.
Device Compatibility
In all but a few rare cases, Australian stock market apps will only design their applications for Android and iOS devices. This does make sense when you consider that less than 1% of mobile phones are backed by an alternative operating system. As such, if you’re on Windows or Blackberry – you might be disappointed.
In addition to this, we should note that some share trading apps work better on a particular operating system. For example, while one app might work in a seamless manner on Android phones, this might not be the case with iOS. As such, a good starting point is to read the reviews on your respective app store.
Note: Stock apps for Android and stock market apps for iPhone should always be downloaded directly from the respective broker’s website. In doing so, you can be 100% sure that you are downloading the official app and not an imitation.
Payment Methods
By investing in or trading stocks, you are going to be risking your own money. As such, you need to figure out the best way to deposit funds into your chosen stock trading app.
The easiest way to do this is via an Australian debit/credit card or Apple/Google Pay. E-wallets are also convenient as you can securely and instantly fund your brokerage account. We also find that e-wallet withdrawals are processed faster than other payment methods.
Most Australian stock trading apps will allow you to transfer funds from your checking account, too. But, this can take a few days to process – so avoid this if you want to start trading straight away. Ultimately, you can check what payment methods are supported by the stock trading app before signing up.
Customer Service
Finally, you’ll want to pick one of the stock apps Australia that offers top-rated customer support. If you are using an overseas brokerage firm, then be sure to check what hours the support team works.
The best stock trading apps offer customer support on a 24/5 basis – which means you’ll always have access to an agent during the week. The best form of support comes via live chat – as this is both instant and free. Some trading apps also offer telephone support alongside email.
How to Get Started with the Best Share Trading Platform in Australia
To conclude our guide on the best stock trading app in Australia, we are going to show you how to get started with an account today. We have decided to walk you through the process with ASIC-regulated, commission-free stock trading app eToro. After reviewing all the best investment apps in Australia, we believe eToro is the best stock trading app for beginners.
Best Share Trading App Australia – Conclusion
Stock trading apps in Australia are a must-have for those looking to invest in the financial markets. Sure, you won’t be able to perform in-depth technical analysis on a small screen – but all other account features can be accessed with ease.
For example, the best stock trading apps Australia allow you to buy and sell shares, check your open positions, make use of educational fundamental research tools, and deposit/withdraw funds.
If you’re looking for an Australian stock trading app that is safe, secure, and cost-effective – ASIC-regulated eToro gives you access to 17 international exchanges. All stock trades are commission-free and the minimum investment per order is just $50.
You can get started with eToro, Australia’s best stock trading app for beginners, right now by clicking on the link below!
eToro – Overall Best App for Stock Market Australia with 0% Commission
68% of retail investor accounts lose money when trading CFDs with this provider.
FAQs
Which is the best stock trading app for beginners Australia?
eToro is often the go-to stock trading app for Australians with little experience. This is because the app was built with newbies in mind.
How do beginners trade stocks Australia?
If you are a beginner in the world stock trading, you are best advised to take a long-term buy and hold strategy. This means that you will be buying high-grade stocks and keeping hold of the shares for many years. This allows you to avoid the emotional side-effects of short-term volatility.
Can you trade stocks for free Australia?
Although in a time not so long ago commission-free stock trades would have been unthinkable, apps like eToro now allow you to do this. In other words, the eToro app allows you to invest in and trade stocks without you needing to pay a single cent in commission!
Are Australia stock trading apps safe?
As long as your chosen stock trading app holds a licensed with a reputable body like ASIC or the FCA, you should have no concerns regarding safety.
What shares can you trade on a stock app Australia?
Some of the best share trading apps Australia give you access to just the Australian markets, while others also offer heaps of international exchanges. This will vary from app to app, so be sure to check this out before opening an account with the provider.
What are other stock apps that are available in Australia?
Some other popular stock apps available in Australia include Robinhood, Thinkorswim, Charles Schwab, E*Trade, Fidelity, Interactive Brokers, Webull, and TD Ameritrade.
What is the best trading platform Australia?
eToro app is a well-rated one among the best mobile app stores and within the industry, praised by its user-friendly interface and availability in various formats.
Is there an app like Robinhood in Australia?
Although Robinhood doesn't have availability in Australia, there are plenty of stock apps in the country that have the same approach as the US-based platform has, such as eToro.