Two of the most popular brokers in Australia — but they serve very different investors. We break down every fee, feature, and trade-off so you can pick the right one.
This is where the two brokers differ most dramatically. CommSec charges some of the highest fees of any Australian broker, while eToro charges $0 commission on most trades.
| Fee type | eToro | CommSec | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| ASX shares (≤$1,000) | ~$5 (0.5% spread) | $10.00 flat | eToro |
| ASX shares ($5,000) | ~$25 (0.5% spread) | $19.95 | CommSec |
| ASX shares ($20,000) | ~$100 (0.5%) | $24.00 (0.12%) | CommSec |
| US shares (any size) | $0 commission | 0.31% (min $8) | eToro |
| FX conversion | 0.5% spread | ~0.6% spread | eToro |
| ETFs | $0 commission | $10–$19.95 | eToro |
| Inactivity fee | $10/mo (after 12mo) | None | CommSec |
| Withdrawal fee | $5 per withdrawal | Free | CommSec |
| Account fee | None | None | Tie |
Fees alone don't tell the full story. Here's how to choose based on your situation.
eToro charges $0 commission on US shares. CommSec charges 0.31% minimum $8. On a $5,000 trade that's $0 vs $15.50 — every single time.
eToro's 0.5% spread ($25 on $5k) beats CommSec's fixed $19.95 for smaller trades. For trades under $4,000 eToro wins clearly.
CommSec's 0.12% beats eToro's 0.5% spread for large ASX trades. On a $20,000 trade you pay $24 vs ~$100. Consider Stake or IBKR for even lower costs.
eToro's interface is significantly more intuitive. The copy trading feature lets beginners mirror experienced investors while they learn.
CommSec is CHESS-sponsored — shares are registered in your name on the ASX. eToro is custodial. Both are safe, but CHESS gives direct legal ownership.
CommSec links directly to CBA accounts for instant fund transfers. If you bank with CBA, this convenience may outweigh the higher fees.
| Feature | eToro | CommSec |
|---|---|---|
| Copy trading | ✓ Yes — mirror top investors | ✗ No |
| Research & news | Basic | Excellent — Morningstar, Reuters |
| Mobile app quality | ★★★★★ | ★★★☆☆ |
| Demo account | ✓ $100k virtual portfolio | ✗ No |
| Crypto trading | ✓ 70+ cryptocurrencies | ✗ No |
| Options trading | ✗ No | ✓ Yes |
| International markets | 17 exchanges | US, some others |
| Dividend reinvestment | ✗ No | ✓ Yes |
| Tax reporting | Basic CSV export | Integrated CGT reports |
Yes. eToro is regulated by ASIC (Australian Securities and Investments Commission) under AFS Licence 491139. Client funds are held in segregated accounts separate from company funds. eToro is also regulated by the FCA (UK) and CySEC (Europe), making it one of the more heavily regulated retail brokers globally.
The main risk to understand is that eToro uses a custodial model — you don't directly own shares, eToro holds them on your behalf. This is different from CommSec's CHESS-sponsored model where shares are registered in your name. In practice, custodial structures are perfectly safe and used by most major global brokers.
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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.