Hello Stake Review 2026
An honest review from an Australian investor who uses Stake to buy US stocks. Covers fees, pros and cons, how it actually works, and whether it's worth signing up.
Key takeaways
- ·US brokerage is US$3 flat per trade — a fraction of the $9–$20 charged by traditional Australian brokers for the same stocks.
- ·FX conversion costs 0.55% (min US$2) on AUD deposits into your Wall Street account — charged on deposits, not on each individual trade.
- ·Over 9,500 US stocks and ETFs available, plus CHESS-sponsored ASX trading at A$3 flat per trade.
- ·Consistently rated 4.6★ (iOS) and 4.7★ (Android) — one of the better-reviewed broker apps in Australia.
- ·New users who sign up with referral code jaymem884 receive a free US stock (Nike, GoPro or Dropbox) plus $10 trading credit.
- ·Not the right choice for crypto traders or investors who need deep built-in research tools.
TL;DR — Quick verdict
Best for
Australians who want simple, low-cost access to US stocks and ETFs. Especially good for beginners who want a clean app experience and don't trade ASX heavily.
Not ideal for
Investors who want crypto, or those needing advanced charting and research tools built into the platform.
What is Hello Stake?
Hello Stake (commonly called just "Stake") is an Australian financial technology company that gives everyday Australians direct access to the US stock market. Founded in 2017 and headquartered in Sydney, it has grown to serve hundreds of thousands of customers across Australia and New Zealand.
The core product is a Wall Street account — a brokerage account that lets you buy and sell US-listed stocks and ETFs on the NYSE and NASDAQ at a flat US$3 per trade (for trades up to US$30,000). Your trades are executed via DriveWealth LLC, a US-registered broker-dealer, and AUD is converted to USD when you deposit funds at a 0.55% FX margin.
Stake has since expanded to offer ASX trading through their Stake Black product, allowing Australian investors to manage both their US and local portfolios in a single app. The platform is regulated by ASIC under an Australian Financial Services Licence.
For new users signing up with a referral code like jaymem884, there is a welcome bonus of a free US stock (Nike, GoPro, or Dropbox randomly selected) plus $10 in trading credit, provided you fund your account within 24 hours.
Pros
Low flat US$3 brokerage
A flat US$3 per US trade (up to US$30,000) is a fraction of the $9–$20 charged by traditional brokers. The saving compounds quickly for regular investors.
Massive US stock and ETF selection
Over 9,500 US-listed stocks and ETFs — from S&P 500 giants to broad index ETFs like VTI and VOO, plus smaller growth stocks.
Fractional shares
Invest from US$10 and own a fraction of a share, making high-priced US stocks accessible at any portfolio size.
Clean, well-designed app
Consistently rated 4.6★ (iOS) and 4.7★ (Android). Modern and fast, without the noise of legacy platforms.
Referral bonus for new users
New users who sign up with a referral code receive a free US stock (Nike, GoPro, or Dropbox) plus $10 trading credit. Use code jaymem884 at sign-up.
No account or inactivity fees
No monthly maintenance fees and no penalty for holding long-term. You pay only when you trade or move money.
CHESS-sponsored ASX at A$3
Among the cheapest CHESS-sponsored ASX brokers available — CommSec charges up to $19.95, SelfWealth $9.50, Pearler $6.50. Low-cost US and ASX access in one app.
Cons
FX conversion cost on AUD/USD fund transfers
A 0.55% FX fee (min US$2) applies when you deposit AUD to fund US trades, and again when you withdraw USD back to AUD. On a $10,000 deposit that's $55. This is charged on fund transfers — not on each individual trade — which benefits active investors who batch deposits.
No cryptocurrency trading
Stake is a stock and ETF platform only. If you want crypto exposure you'll need a separate exchange.
Limited built-in research tools
Stake's in-app research is fairly basic compared to dedicated platforms. Serious fundamental analysts will likely supplement with external tools, though for buy-and-hold investors this rarely matters.
Stake fees explained
Always verify current fees on Stake's website, as these can change. The below reflects the fee structure as understood at time of writing.
| Fee type | Amount | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| US stock brokerage (≤ US$30K) | US$3 | Flat per trade; 0.01% above threshold |
| ASX stock brokerage (≤ A$30K) | A$3 | Flat per trade, standard account; 0.01% above |
| AUD → USD (fund deposit) | 0.55% | On deposits; min US$2; not per trade |
| USD → AUD (withdrawal) | 0.55% | On withdrawals; min US$2 |
| Account maintenance | $0 | No monthly fee |
| Inactivity fee | $0 | Hold as long as you like |
| Bank withdrawal (AUD) | Free | Back to your bank account |
| US sells — TAF | ~$0.000166/share | FINRA regulatory pass-through, max US$8.30 |
| Welcome bonus (with referral) | Free stock + $10 | Use code jaymem884 |
How Stake works in Australia
Your Stake Wall Street account is a USD brokerage account through DriveWealth LLC. When you deposit AUD, it's converted at Stake's 0.55% FX margin. Trades execute in USD against NYSE and NASDAQ-listed securities.
Tax: You pay CGT on profits from US stock sales, and income tax on US dividends. The Australia–US tax treaty reduces dividend withholding tax to 15% (from the default 30%). Stake provides an annual tax report to assist with your ATO return.
Account structure: ASX shares are CHESS-sponsored — registered in your name on the ASX's CHESS system. US securities are held via DriveWealth LLC (separate from Stake's own assets), SIPC-insured up to $500,000 USD.
Withdrawals to your Australian bank account are processed within 2–3 business days. USD is converted back to AUD at the prevailing FX rate (0.55%).
User experience — my take
I've been using Stake for over a year. The onboarding is fast — I had my account verified and funded within an afternoon. The ID verification (passport or driver's licence) took under five minutes.
The app is genuinely good. The home screen gives you a clean portfolio overview with a performance chart. Searching and buying a stock takes about four taps. Market data is real-time for US markets during trading hours. The watch list feature is useful for tracking stocks before committing.
The referral spin game is a nice touch — when your free stock is credited, you get to spin a wheel in the app to reveal which company you received. It's a small detail but adds a moment of genuine engagement.
One of the main reasons I chose Stake over other platforms was the ASX pricing. At A$3 per trade with CHESS sponsorship on the standard account, it undercuts every other major broker while also keeping US brokerage low at US$3 per trade. Paying $9.95 to CommSec every time I bought an ASX stock felt hard to justify once I found Stake.
Where the app is thinner: the research tools are basic. There's no in-depth fundamental data, earnings history, or analyst ratings built in. For research I use external tools and then execute on Stake. For a buy-and-hold investor with a simple portfolio this isn't a problem at all — but active stock pickers will notice the gap.
Verdict
Hello Stake is the best option for most Australian investors who want simple, low-cost access to US stocks. At US$3 per trade, brokerage is a fraction of what CommSec or nabtrade charge — commissions that would eat 2–4% of a $500 trade on those platforms cost just US$3 on Stake.
The 0.55% FX fee (on deposits, not per trade) is real and worth acknowledging. For buy-and-hold investors it's a minor one-time cost per position. Because it's charged on fund transfers rather than each trade, depositing a larger lump sum and making multiple trades keeps the effective FX cost low. Stake will save most investors meaningful money compared to any commission-based broker.
If you're signing up, use referral code jaymem884 to get a free US stock plus $10 trading credit — it's a genuine welcome bonus that requires no extra steps beyond funding your account within 24 hours.
This review reflects my personal experience. Not financial advice. Verify current fees and terms at hellostake.com.
Frequently asked questions
Yes. Stake operates under an Australian Financial Services Licence (AFSL) and is regulated by ASIC. Your US securities are held by DriveWealth LLC, a US broker-dealer registered with FINRA and SIPC-insured up to $500,000 USD.
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