Best ASX & US Stock Trading Apps Australia 2026
We compared the leading stock trading platforms available to Australian investors — covering ASX and US access, fees, user experience, and who each app suits best.
Key takeaways
- ·Hello Stake charges US$3 flat per US trade — low flat-rate brokerage with CHESS-sponsored ASX at A$3.
- ·moomoo charges US$0.99 per US trade with no separate FX fee — but a ~55-pip spread sits inside its exchange rate (per its own FSG), roughly 0.85% effective.
- ·CommSec is Australia's most comprehensive research platform but charges $5–$29.95 per ASX trade.
- ·Superhero's mid-2026 reprice made ASX trades a flat $2 — CHESS-sponsored and simple, though no longer free for ETFs.
- ·Pearler is purpose-built for long-term investing with automated recurring purchases and a focus on index ETFs.
- ·SelfWealth provides CHESS-sponsored ASX trading at $9.50 flat — cost-effective for large trades.
Quick comparison
| App | US brokerage | ASX brokerage | FX fee | CHESS | Fractional | Rating |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hello StakeTop pick | US$3 flat | A$3 flat | 0.55% | Yes | Yes (US$10+) | 4/5 |
| moomoo | US$0.99 flat | A$3 (≤A$10K) | No fee — ~55-pip spread in rate | Yes (FinClear) | Yes (US$5+) | 4/5 |
| CommSec | USD$5 or 0.12% | $5–$29.95 | ~1.0% | Yes | No | 3/5 |
| Superhero | 0.50% (min US$2) | $2 (ETFs free) | 0.5% | Yes | No | 4/5 |
| Pearler | $6.50 | $6.50 | ~0.6% | Yes | Yes (US) | 4/5 |
| SelfWealth | $9.50 USD | $9.50 flat | ~0.6% | Yes | No | 3/5 |
Fees as understood at time of writing. Verify current pricing on each platform's website before trading.
App-by-app breakdown
Hello StakeOur top pick
Best for US stocks
Stake is the standout choice for Australian investors focused on US markets. US$3 flat brokerage, 11,000+ stocks, clean app, and a genuine welcome bonus via referral code. The 0.55% FX fee (on deposits, not per trade) is competitive — and Stake reduced it from 0.70% in February 2025.
Pros
- US$3 flat US brokerage (≤US$30K)
- CHESS-sponsored ASX at A$3 per trade
- 11,000+ US stocks and ETFs
- Fractional shares from US$10
- Free stock bonus via referral code jaymem884
- No account or inactivity fees
Cons
- 0.55% FX on AUD/USD deposits
- Limited built-in research tools
moomoo
Best for active traders & US cost minimisers
Moomoo entered the Australian market backed by NASDAQ-listed Futu Holdings and has quickly built a strong following among active investors. Its US$0.99 per trade is the lowest US brokerage of the group, but note its FX: there's no separate conversion fee — instead a ~55-pip spread sits inside the exchange rate (disclosed in moomoo's own FSG), roughly 0.85% effective. Free Level 2 market depth data — normally an expensive add-on — and advanced charting tools are standout features. ASIC-regulated and CHESS-sponsored via FinClear for ASX shares. The tradeoff: moomoo's ASX fee structure switches to 0.03% above A$10,000, making Stake cheaper for large ASX trades.
Pros
- No separate FX fee (spread embedded in rate)
- US$0.99 flat US brokerage
- Free Level 2 market depth data
- Advanced charting and paper trading
- Options trading on US stocks
- CHESS-sponsored ASX via FinClear
Cons
- ~55-pip FX spread inside the exchange rate (per its FSG)
- ASX fee becomes 0.03% above A$10K
- Feature-heavy app — steeper learning curve
- No referral bonus program equivalent to Stake
CommSec
Most established broker
CommSec is Australia's largest retail broker, backed by the Commonwealth Bank. It's the default choice for many investors due to its familiarity, comprehensive research tools, and CHESS-sponsored ASX trading. However, its fees are significantly higher than modern challengers.
Pros
- CHESS-sponsored ASX holdings
- Comprehensive research and data
- Backed by CBA — very established
- Margin lending available
- Full-service broker options
Cons
- High brokerage fees per trade
- International trading fees are steep
- App is functional but dated vs competitors
- No $0 brokerage option
Superhero
Low-cost ASX + US
Superhero repriced its whole schedule in mid-2026: $2 flat per trade on both ASX and US markets (up to $20,000) with 50bps FX. That makes it cheaper than Stake's US$3 + 0.55% on a single-deposit, single-trade basis at every size. Stake's remaining edge is structural — FX charged once per deposit rather than per trade — which adds up for investors who fund in batches and trade often.
Pros
- $2 ASX brokerage, free ETFs
- 0.5% FX (lower than Stake)
- CHESS-sponsored ASX shares
- Clean modern app
- US and ASX in one account
Cons
- 0.50% US brokerage grows costly on large trades
- Smaller US stock selection than Stake
- No referral bonus program
Pearler
Best for long-term ETF investing
Pearler is purpose-built for long-term, passive investing. Features like autoinvest (automatically buying your target ETF on a schedule), a community portfolio tracker, and a focus on financial independence principles make it excellent for set-and-forget investors.
Pros
- Autoinvest feature for regular contributions
- CHESS-sponsored ASX shares
- Strong community and passive investing focus
- Good ETF selection
Cons
- $6.50 per trade regardless of size
- Not suited to active trading
- Less focus on individual stock research
SelfWealth
Flat fee ASX trading
SelfWealth's flat $9.50 per trade is excellent value for larger ASX trades (a $100,000 trade would cost 0.0095% in brokerage on SelfWealth vs. much more on a percentage-based broker). The community performance tracking feature is unique. US trading is available but not a key strength.
Pros
- Flat $9.50 ASX brokerage regardless of trade size
- CHESS-sponsored
- Community performance tracker
- Good for larger trade sizes
Cons
- $9.50 is expensive for small trades
- US trading is secondary to ASX focus
- App is functional but basic
Also worth considering
nabtrade
NAB's brokerage platform is one of Australia's most established, with CHESS-sponsored ASX trading and full integration with NAB banking. ASX brokerage runs $9.95 / $14.95 / $19.95 per trade online (0.11% above $20,000). International trading is available too — US trades are quoted in AUD at the same tiers, with a 0.50–0.80% FX conversion spread on each trade. Deep ASX research tools and margin lending capability. Best for conservative investors who want the security of a major bank, comprehensive research, and a platform that's been around since 2011.
CMC Markets Stockbroking
Formerly Stockbroking.com.au, CMC Markets offers CHESS-sponsored ASX trading alongside international stock access including US markets. Strong charting and research tools. Suitable for investors who also want access to CFDs on the same platform. Fee structure varies — check current pricing at cmcmarkets.com.
Up and comer to watch
Not a brokerMoolah Metric — personal finance tracker
Moolah Metric isn't a brokerage — it's the finance layer that sits alongside one. Built specifically for Australians, it tracks your spending, investments, super, and debt in one place without requiring your bank login. End-to-end encrypted, no open banking credentials stored. Currently in beta and free to join; pricing moves to $10/yr after launch.
If you're using Stake (or any broker) to build a portfolio, Moolah Metric is the tool that shows you the full picture — what you're earning, spending, and whether your investment contributions are actually on track. Early access spots are limited.
Join the waitlist →Our overall verdict
For US stock investors: Hello Stake wins clearly. At US$3 flat brokerage, Stake is cheaper than CommSec's International Shares fee (USD$5 or 0.12%, whichever is greater) at every trade size — and significantly cheaper than CommSec's $5–$29.95 ASX tiers for anyone trading Australian stocks. Add the referral welcome bonus (free stock + $10 credit with code jaymem884) and the case for starting with Stake is strong.
For frequent US traders: moomoo wins on brokerage. US$0.99 per trade is the lowest in Australia — but its FX is not actually free: a ~55-pip spread disclosed in its own FSG sits inside the exchange rate, roughly 0.85% effective versus Stake's explicit 0.55%. On deposits converted once and traded infrequently, Stake's total cost can be lower.
For ASX-only investors: Superhero or Pearler. Superhero's flat $2 ASX brokerage (CHESS-sponsored since mid-2026, now including ETFs at $2) makes it the best value for active ASX traders. Pearler's autoinvest feature makes it ideal for passive ETF investors making regular scheduled contributions.
For large trades on ASX: SelfWealth. The flat $9.50 becomes increasingly cost-effective as trade sizes grow. A $50,000 ASX trade costs just 0.019% in brokerage — far cheaper than CommSec's percentage-based tiers at that level.
CommSec retains its place as the most trusted and established broker, with genuine advantages in research depth and the familiarity of a CBA-backed platform. But for fee-conscious investors in 2026, paying $5–$29.95 per trade when Stake offers CHESS-sponsored ASX trades at $3 is hard to justify for most use cases.
Which app suits you?
A quick guide by investor type to help you narrow down your choice fast.
Investor type
US stock investor
Best pick
Hello Stake
US$3 flat brokerage, 11,000+ stocks, CHESS-sponsored ASX as a bonus. Referral code jaymem884 for free stock + $10.
Investor type
Active US trader (cost-first)
Best pick
moomoo
US$0.99/trade = lowest brokerage for frequent US investing — just note the ~55-pip spread inside its exchange rate. Free Level 2 data and charting tools included.
Investor type
Passive ETF investor (set and forget)
Best pick
Pearler or Superhero
Pearler's auto-invest schedules recurring ETF purchases automatically. Superhero offers flat $2 brokerage for manual buyers.
Investor type
Large ASX trade investor (>$10K)
Best pick
SelfWealth or Stake
SelfWealth's $9.50 flat is cost-effective for very large trades. Stake's A$3 flat (up to A$30K) undercuts moomoo above A$10K.
Investor type
Research-focused / active trader
Best pick
moomoo or CommSec
moomoo offers free Level 2 data and advanced charting. CommSec has the deepest ASX research suite of any platform reviewed.
Investor type
Beginner who wants safety + familiarity
Best pick
CommSec or Stake
CommSec is backed by CBA — the most recognisable name. Stake is the easiest low-cost entry for beginners open to a fintech broker.
Frequently asked questions
For beginners focused on US stocks, Hello Stake is the top pick — US$3 flat brokerage, fractional shares from US$10, and a clean app make it easy to start with any amount. For ASX beginners, Superhero or Pearler are excellent options with low fees and simple interfaces.
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