Stake vs Superhero 2026
Two of Australia's best low-cost brokers go head-to-head. We compare fees, US stock access, ASX trading, and work out exactly which is cheaper for different trade sizes.
Key takeaways
- ·US brokerage: Stake charges US$3 flat vs Superhero's 0.50% (min US$2) — for a single trade, Superhero is marginally cheaper below ~A$1,027; above that Stake's flat fee wins.
- ·ASX ETF trading: Superhero charges $0 per ETF trade — a clear advantage for passive index investors buying ETFs regularly.
- ·Both apps are ASIC-regulated and hold client funds with a licensed custodian.
- ·Superhero charges $5/month for Pro plan features; Stake has no monthly fees.
- ·New Hello Stake users who sign up with referral code jaymem884 receive a free US stock plus $10 trading credit at sign-up.
Quick verdict
Choose Stake if…
You fund once and make multiple trades (FX charged on deposit, not per trade), want a dedicated US stock experience, or want the referral welcome bonus (free stock + $10 with code jaymem884).
Choose Superhero if…
You invest primarily in ASX ETFs (free brokerage on Superhero is hard to beat), or make single large lump-sum US investments where Superhero's slightly lower FX rate (0.5% vs 0.55%) gives a marginal edge.
Side-by-side comparison
| Hello Stake | Superhero | |
|---|---|---|
| US brokerage | US$3 flat (≤US$30K) | 0.50% (min US$2) |
| FX fee | 0.55% on deposits | 0.5% per trade |
| ASX brokerage | $3 (CHESS) | $2 (ETFs free, CHESS) |
| Account fee | $0 | $0 |
| Inactivity fee | $0 | $0 |
| US stocks available | 9,500+ | Broad selection |
| Fractional shares | Yes | Yes |
| Welcome bonus | Free stock + $10 ✓ | None |
| App rating (iOS) | 4.6 ★ | 4.5 ★ |
Which is actually cheaper? (Real numbers)
For a single deposit funding a single trade, the crossover is approximately A$1,027 — below that Superhero is marginally cheaper (its percentage rate beats Stake's flat fee at small sizes), above it Stake is cheaper (the flat fee advantage grows). But because Stake's FX is charged on deposits (not per trade), investors who fund once and trade multiple times will find Stake cheaper at any deposit size. Here's the per-trade maths:
| Trade size | Stake cost | Superhero cost | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| $500 | $7.37 | $5.60 | Superhero |
| $750 | $8.75 | $7.50 | Superhero |
| $1,000 | $10.12 | $10.00 | Superhero |
| $2,000 | $15.62 | $20.00 | Stake |
| $5,000 | $32.12 | $50.00 | Stake |
| $10,000 | $59.62 | $100.00 | Stake |
US stocks: costs are very close
For a single $1,000 trade with one deposit, costs are nearly identical: Stake ≈ A$10.12 vs Superhero A$10.00. The practical difference is negligible.
Where Stake has a structural advantage: its FX fee is charged on deposits, not per trade. Fund with A$5,000 and make five trades — you pay FX once. If Superhero charges FX per trade, that same strategy incurs FX five times. The more trades per deposit, the more Stake's structure works in your favour.
Both platforms cover major US indices, S&P 500 stocks, and popular ETFs like VTI, VOO, and QQQ. Stake's library of 9,500+ US stocks is more comprehensive for smaller-cap exposure.
ASX trading: Superhero edges ahead for ETF investors
Both platforms offer CHESS-sponsored ASX trading. Superhero charges $2 per trade, Stake charges $3. For most investors this $1 difference is negligible.
The key exception: Superhero offers free brokerage on ASX ETFs. If your ASX strategy is primarily ETF-based (buying VAS, VGS, A200, etc.), Superhero is a clear winner on ASX. The zero brokerage on ETFs removes the $2–$3 cost entirely and makes regular small ETF contributions completely free.
For individual ASX stock traders, the $1 difference between Stake ($3) and Superhero ($2) is unlikely to be a deciding factor. Both are dramatically cheaper than CommSec's $9.95–$19.95.
Stake ASX — best for
- Individual ASX stocks
- Investors who want one app for both US + ASX
- CHESS-sponsored holdings at low cost
Superhero ASX — best for
- ASX ETF investors (free brokerage)
- Regular ETF DCA strategies
- Slightly lower per-trade cost on individual stocks
Our verdict
Both Stake and Superhero are excellent platforms that have fundamentally changed the cost of investing in Australia. Choosing between them comes down to your investing style rather than one being clearly better.
Choose Stake if you want a dedicated US stock experience, fund your account in batches and trade frequently (FX charged once per deposit), or are starting out and want the referral welcome bonus to offset early costs. Use code jaymem884 for a free stock + $10.
Choose Superhero if you're primarily an ASX ETF investor (free ETF trades are compelling), or prefer having a single app for both ASX and US with a slightly lower FX rate on US conversions.
There's no restriction on holding accounts at both platforms. Many Australian investors use Stake for US stocks and Superhero (or CommSec) for specific ASX strategies — the two complement each other well.
Not financial advice. Verify current fees on each platform before trading.
Frequently asked questions
For a single-deposit, single-trade comparison: Superhero is cheaper below about A$1,027 (its 0.50% brokerage min US$2 + 0.5% FX undercuts Stake's flat US$3 + 0.55% FX at low trade sizes). Above A$1,027, Stake's flat fee structure becomes cheaper. Crucially, Stake's FX is charged on deposits — not per trade — so investors who fund once and trade multiple times will find Stake materially cheaper at any deposit size. Both are far cheaper than CommSec.