What a bloody maze of info you're thrown when it comes to investment brokers. That's why BrokerVsBroker is here — to cut through the crap and give you the honest, straight up facts. No affiliate bias, no fluff, no fine print. Ding. Ding. Let's get it on.
Righto. Fees are just one factor. Below you'll find the 5 other key things to make the best decision. Click the icons to get a run down of why they're important.
The matchups Australians search for most
eToro charges $0 on US shares. CommSec charges up to $19.95 per trade. See which is cheaper for your trade size — and what you give up either way.
Both are cheap CHESS-sponsored brokers. Superhero wins on ASX at $2 flat. Stake covers US shares too. Which suits how you invest?
Australia's two biggest ETF providers. Both charge $0 brokerage on their own funds. The difference is in their ETF range, MERs, and which suits your strategy.
CommSec is familiar. IBKR is dramatically cheaper — especially on FX fees for US shares. Worth knowing the difference before you place your next trade.
Vanguard charges $0 brokerage on its own ETFs. CommSec charges $10–$19.95 for the same. If you're building a passive portfolio, this comparison matters.
Both offer $0 commission — but Plus500 uses CFDs, meaning you don't own the underlying shares. A critical difference most people miss before signing up.
Detailed fee breakdowns, pros and cons, and who each broker is best for
See our full guide: Cheapest broker in Australia 2026.
For ASX shares, Superhero charges the lowest flat fee at $2 per trade, making it the cheapest option for trades under $2,500. For larger trades, percentage-based fees at IBKR ($6 min / 0.08%) often work out cheaper.
For US shares, Stake and eToro both offer $0 commission, though they recover costs through currency conversion spreads (typically 0.5–0.7%).
For ETF investors who don't trade frequently, Vanguard's personal investor platform charges $0 brokerage on Vanguard ETFs — making it effectively free for buy-and-hold strategies.
When comparing trading platforms in Australia, fees are just one part of the equation. Here's what actually matters:
General Advice Warning: The information on this website is general in nature and does not take into account your personal financial situation, needs or objectives. It is not financial advice and should not be relied upon as such. BrokerVsBroker does not hold an Australian Financial Services Licence (AFSL). Before acting on any information on this site, you should consider whether it is appropriate for your circumstances and seek independent financial advice if necessary. Always read the Product Disclosure Statement (PDS) and Target Market Determination (TMD) before making any investment decision. Past performance is not indicative of future performance. Investing involves risk, including the possible loss of capital. Fee information is sourced from broker websites and is subject to change — always verify current fees directly with the provider. BrokerVsBroker may receive affiliate commissions from brokers featured on this site. This does not influence our fee data or comparisons. © 2026 BrokerVsBroker. All rights reserved.