Best Trading Platforms in Australia Reviewed

This guide compares the best trading platforms in Australia to consider right now.

Our comparison focuses on a number of key metrics surrounding low fees, trading tools, user-friendliness, AU regulation, supported asset classes, reputation and customer service.

We also explain how to get started with a 0% commission trading account today in less than five minutes.

Each of the platforms listed above will stand out for a particular feature or tool – such as low fees or access to the international markets.

Therefore, in order to choose the best trading platform in Australia, investors are advised to read our in-depth reviews.

Best Australian Trading Platforms Reviewed

In the sections below, we offer comprehensive reviews of the 10 best trading platforms in Australia right now.

Our reviews focus on important factors such as fees and commissions, minimum account balances, supported asset classes and markets, regulation and licensing, and user-friendliness.

1. Capital.com – Top Trading Platform for Leverage    

Capital.com is one of the best share trading platforms in Australia for accessing CFDs – or contracts-for-differences. These are financial instruments that allow traders to speculate on the future value of a market without taking ownership of the asset.

At Capital.com, the trading platform offers thousands of financial instruments across a wide variety of assets. This covers over 5,400 shares, 470 cryptocurrencies, 130 forex pairs, 470 crypto markets, and 23 indices. Each and every market supported by Capital.com can be traded at 0% commission.

Capital.com users can trade with leverage, making it one of the top trading platforms for forex. The exact leverage ratio available will vary by market; for example, major forex pairs can be traded with a leverage of 1:30. In contrast, crypto assets are restricted to a leverage of 1:2.

Nonetheless, as Capital.com specializes in CFDs that simply track the value of the respective asset, this allows users to go long or short.

This offers a lot of flexibility for those that are aiming to profit from both rising and falling asset prices. When we explored the Capital.com trading platform – there are three options to consider. First, most traders in Australia will use the main Capital.com web trading platform via their browser. Second, there is also the Capital.com app for iOS and Android.

Third, traders also have the option of connecting their Capital.com to MetaTrader4 (MT4). To get started with a Capital.com account today, a minimum deposit of $20 is required when adding funds via an e-wallet or Visa/MasterCard. Australians looking to perform a bank wire will need to meet a higher minimum deposit of $250.

When it comes to safety, Capital.com has an excellent reputation in the CFD trading scene. The platform is not only regulated by ASIC, but the FCA, CySEC, and NBRB. As such, Australians can deposit funds and invest capital without needing to be concerned about the legitimacy of the platform.

CFDs are complex instruments and come with a high risk of losing money rapidly due to leverage. You should consider whether you understand how CFDs work and can afford the risks.

2. Crypto.com – Popular Platform to Buy and Sell Crypto Assets

We found that Crypto.com is one of the best cryptocurrency trading platforms in Australia. This provider offers very competitive trading commissions of just 0.40% per slide. And therefore, investors will pay just $4 for every $1,000 traded on the Crypto.com platform.

For those that trade large amounts, a lower commission will be offered. Crypto.com offers its primary exchange online, albeit, many Australian traders will opt for the iOS or Android app. This allows investors to buy cryptocurrency instantly with a debit or credit card at a fee of 2.99%.

Crypto.com also supports bank wire transfers for those looking to pay a lower deposit fee. In terms of supported markets, we found that the Crypto.com platform offers access to no less than 250 tokens. This includes a wide variety of tokens – such as Bitcoin, Cardano, BNB, and Dogecoin. There is also the availability of stablecoins like Tether.

In addition to low commissions and a highly diversified asset library, Crypto.com also stands out for its leveraged markets. Just like Capital.com, this allows Australian investors to trade with more than they have in their accounts. Crypto.com also offers an attractive rate of interest on its crypto savings accounts. This will suit long-term investors that seek passive income.

There are flexible savings accounts that offer instant withdrawals, as well as 1 and 3-month options that come with higher yields. Crypto.com also offers a marketplace that enables NFT trading. There are no fees on NFT purchases on this platform and there are thousands of markets to choose from. This provider also offers one of the best crypto wallets in Australia.

Cryptoassets are a highly volatile unregulated investment product.

3. Coinbase – Secure Cryptocurrency Trading Platform for Beginners

Another top-rated platform to consider for cryptocurrency trading is Coinbase. This platform is one of the best trading platforms for beginners in Australia that wish to trade digital currencies like Bitcoin and Ethereum for the first time. Coinbase has created its platform with newbies in mind – and trading accounts can be opened in a matter of minutes.

The key issue with Coinbase is that it charges much higher fees than other crypto exchanges like Crypto.com. For instance, when buying and selling crypto assets here, a commission of 1.49% will be charged on orders above $200. For anything below $200, a fixed fee will apply depending on the specific order size.

In addition to high commissions, Coinbase is also expensive when it comes to processing deposits. This stands at 3.99% of the transaction size – so $39.90 for every $1,000 deposited. In addition to this, investors also need to consider the spread on Coinbase – which is the mark-up between the bid and ask price of the respective token.

In total, Coinbase offers over 150 digital currencies that can be traded at the click of a button. Users can trade via the Coinbase website or mobile app. The latter is free to download on iOS and Android devices. There is also a Coinbase DeFi wallet that offers full control over private keys.

Additional features available on the Coinbase website include a debit card that allows account holders to spend their tokens in the real world. There is also a newly launched NFT marketplace, albeit, once again – fees are somewhat high. Finally, Coinbase offers institutional security controls that include cold storage, two-factor authentication, and withdrawal timelocks.

Cryptoassets are a highly volatile unregulated investment product.

4. Binance – Advanced Cryptocurrency Platform With Low Commissions

Another cryptocurrency trading platform to consider is Binance. This platform is perhaps best suited for seasoned traders. It offers huge levels of liquidity across more than 600 tokens – and there are plenty of trading tools to aid high-level analysis.

This is inclusive of technical indicators and drawing tools, alongside charts that can be customized in many ways. Binance also offers access to crypto futures and options, which in turn, allow investors to speculate on the future value of a token without outlaying the full contract size.

Another benefit of the Binance trading platform is that it offers commissions of just 0.10% per slide. This means that for every $1,000 traded, just $1 is payable. There are several ways to reduce the commission further – such as by holding BNB tokens or trading larger volumes.

Binance offers a broad ecosystem that includes products and services in addition to trading. This includes everything from crypto loans and interest accounts to an NFT marketplace and a pre-paid credit card. Binance accepts deposits via crypto, debit/credit cards, and bank transfers. Fees will depend on the payment method.

Cryptoassets are a highly volatile unregulated investment product.

5. Swyftx – Australia-Based Exchange for Cryptocurrency Trading

Australia-based cryptocurrency investors might also want to check out the Swyftx platform. This popular exchange offers access to over 320+ digital currencies at reasonable fees.  In fact, a commission of just 0.6% per slide is charged by this platform.

Opening an account here is very straightforward and Australians can deposit funds via PayID, POLi, or OSKO. Swyftx allows traders to buy and sell crypto via its main website or mobile app.

Both options are user-friendly – so perfectly suitable for beginners. There is also a free demo account offered by this platform, which allows risk-free trading in live market conditions. When it comes to customer service, Swyftx offers a live chat facility with an average response time of under 10 minutes.

There is also a local Australian telephone number that connects to a support agent in real-time. Another feature offered by Swyftx is that it facilitates crypto staking. This permits a passive way to generate a yield on idle tokens.

We also compared Sywftx to Coinspot, another crypto trading platform Australian traders are accepted at.

Cryptoassets are a highly volatile unregulated investment product. No UK or EU investor protection.

6. AvaTrade – 0% Commission CFD Trading Platform

AvaTrade is another popular day trading platform in Australia. This provider specializes in CFDs – so clients can speculate on the future value of an asset without taking ownership. AvaTrade is particularly suited for day traders because of its 0% commission policy – which is the case across all supported markets.

AvaTrade offers over 1,250+ tradable markets across a variety of asset classes. This includes hundreds of stocks and ETFs, as well as bonds, hard metals, energies, and agricultural products. AvaTrade is also known for its extensive forex trading facility, making it one of the best trading platforms for forex.

This top-rated trading platform is heavily regulated – which includes a fully-fledged license with ASIC. The minimum deposit to get started with an AvaTrade account is $100. Supported payment methods are inclusive of bank wires and debit/credit cards. No deposit fees are charged by this platform.

We also like AvaTrade for its offering leverage trading facilities – which are aligned with ASIC limits. This means that Australian retail clients can access 1:30 on major forex pairs and less on other markets. AvaTrade can be accessed via its primary web trading platform, but there is also support for third-party providers such as MT4 and MT5.

7. ANZ – Share Investing Platform for ASX-Listed Companies

The ANZ share trading platform allows Australian residents to invest in domestic companies on the ASX. In fact, ANZ offers access to more than 2,000 local stocks. In addition to this, ANZ also offers access to international marketplaces – meaning that investors can easily buy stocks from the US and beyond.

In addition to stocks, ANZ is also home to a good range of ETFs. There are two trading platforms to choose from at ANZ. It is among the best trading platforms for beginners in Australia, who will prefer the standard client interface, which offers a simple way to buy and sell assets. Seasoned investors will prefer the professional-client interface – which comes packed with tools.

This includes real-time market data, drawing tools, technical indicators, and news feeds from Reuters. There is also a direct feed from Morningstar’s quantitative research materials – which is great for daily market insights. ANZ also offers a mobile app – however, this is only available on iOS devices.

8. CommSec – Great Trading Platform for ETF Investments

CommSec offers an online trading platform for Australians that wish to invest in the financial markets. Perhaps the stand-out feature of this platform is that it offers access to a significant number of ETFs.

Not only does this include Australian-listed ETFs – but those located internationally too. When it comes to ETF trading fees, this will depend on the size of the investment. For instance, investors will pay $10 for ETF investments of up to $1,000.

For anything between $1,000 and $10,000 – this will be charged at $19.95. The best rate on offer is 0.12% – which requires a minimum capital outlay of $25,000.

Additional fees will apply when orders are placed over the telephone. In addition to ETFs, CommSec also supports thousands of Australian and international shares.

9. Westpac – Trade Australian and International Stocks

Westpac is perhaps the best share trading platform in Australia for those that wish to buy and sell local stocks alongside a simple pricing structure. This is because Australians will pay a flat commission of just $19.95 or 0.11% – whichever is greater.

This offers tremendous value – especially when larger order sizes are placed. In addition to Australian shares, Westpac also offers access to the international markets. The best rates on foreign stocks can be found on US-listed companies.

For those with a background in derivatives trading, Westpac also offers a wide selection of options markets. There is also support for funds on the CBOE, ETFs, and bonds. Westpac can be accessed online or via the provider’s native mobile app. There is a dedicated support team available via email or telephone between 8 am and 7 pm, Monday to Friday.

Top Trading Platforms Australia Compared

Below we list a comparison table that details key metrics from our reviews of the best trading platforms in Australia.

How we Select the Best Australian Trading Platforms

We spent countless hours reviewing the best trading platforms in Australia from the dozens of providers that operate in this space.

To assess how we rate and rank platforms, check out the list of core metrics that we discuss below:

Regulation and Licensing

Trading in Australia is heavily regulated to ensure that retail clients are well-protected. This is why the best trading platforms in Australia are regulated by ASIC.

Range of Assets 

By reading our reviews, it becomes clear that no two trading platforms in Australia are the same when it comes to supported markets.

For instance, some platforms focus on a specific asset like crypto or stocks. While others cover a full range of financial instruments and markets.

Moreover, the best trading platforms in Australia will provide access to exchanges listed overseas.

Trading Fees 

It is important to know how much a trading platform charges in fees before registering an account. Commissions will vary from one provider to the next.

For instance, ANZ charges $19.95 on local stock purchases – which is expensive. ANZ will charge even higher fees when investing in international companies.

Non-Trading Fees

It is also important to check what fees apply to non-trading activities – such as deposits and withdrawals. If buying assets on margin, check what interest rates are payable too.

Tools and Analysis 

Long-term investors looking for a simple platform to buy and sell assets will likely not be in the market for analysis tools. However, those that wish to take things to the next level will likely want to choose a platform that offers technical indicators and high-level charts.

Another feature to look for when searching for the best trading platform in Australia is the availability of passive investment tools.

Minimum Deposit

Most of the trading platforms discussed today have a small minimum deposit requirement for first-time investors.

Demo Account

Some trading platforms offer a free demo account.

This will typically mirror live market conditions – so it allows investors to practice their trading strategies with paper funds.

Mobile App

Many Australian investors will now opt for a trading platform that offers a mobile app.

This will connect to the same account and thus – allows investors to buy and sell assets on the move. The best trading apps are fully optimized for both iOS and Android.

Payment Methods

Top trading platforms in Australia that we came across support a full range of payment methods. Platforms like ANZ and CommSec only allow users to deposit funds via a connected bank account.

Customer Service

When searching for the best online trading platform in Australia, look for providers that offer real-time customer service via telephone or live chat.

Types of Trading Platforms

There are many types of trading platforms for Australian clients to choose from.

This includes:

Crypto Trading Platforms

The best cryptocurrency trading platforms in the market offer dozens or even hundreds of supported tokens. Just be sure to check whether or not the platform is regulated – as many crypto exchanges operate without a license.

Stock and ETF Trading Platforms

Many of the trading platforms reviewed today give direct access to the stock markets. The best providers in this space not only offer access to the ASX but international exchanges like the NASDAQ and NYSE.

Options Trading Platforms

Experienced traders will often look to buy and sell options contracts. This allows investors to gain access to the financial markets without needing to outlay the full trade size.

Instead, the best options trading platforms in this space often require a premium of just 5% to enter a position.

Day Trading Platforms

Australians seeking a top-rated day trading platform will want to focus on providers that offer low fees and high-level charting tools.

Due to the small profit margins associated with day trading, it’s also wise to explore whether the platform offers leverage.

Conclusion

Choosing the best trading platform in the market can be a cumbersome task considering the number of providers in this industry.

We found that the top trading platforms to consider are those offering low fees, small minimum deposits, and access to thousands of markets.

FAQs on Trading in Australia