Share trading accounts compared

If there's one smart deal you’ll want to lock in on the stock market, it's finding a great online share trading platform for your investing needs. Start comparing trading accounts below!

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Share Investing

CMC Markets Invest makes it easy to trade with a handy web and mobile platform, competitive pricing and thousands of securities. Buy Australian and US shares from $0 brokerage (T&Cs apply - see website for full details).

Share account comparisons on Mozo - page last updated 19 March 2024

Search promoted share trading below. Advertiser disclosure.
  • Share Trading

    $3.00

    $0.00

    Invest in AU stocks, US stocks, HK stocks and ETFs on moomoo trading platform. US trades from $0.99 USD, other fees apply. Backed by a Nasdaq-listed fintech. (T&Cs apply).

    Small trade brokerage conditions: 0.03% the transaction amount, minimum $3.00 per order

    Details Close

  • Share Investing

    Standard

    $0.00

    $0.00

    CMC Markets Invest makes it easy to trade with a handy web and mobile platform, competitive pricing and thousands of securities. Buy Australian and US shares from $0 brokerage (T&Cs apply - see website for full details).

    Small trade brokerage conditions: Trades up to $1,000

    Details Close

  • Tiger Account

    $5.50

    $0.00

    Tiger Brokers is an online broker listed on NASDAQ. It offers access to US, ASX & HK stocks, ETFs and US options trading. Earn 7% p.a. on uninvested cash balance up to AUD 100,000 for the first 150 days, with a value up to AUD 2,877. Plus get US$30 Tesla (TSLA) and US$30 NVIDIA (NVDA) shares with an accumulated deposit greater than AUD 2000. T&Cs apply – for full details, go to the Tiger Brokers website.

    Small trade brokerage conditions: Trades up to $10,000

    Details Close

  • Share Trading

    $7.70

    $0.00

    Buy and sell with a low $7.70 flat fee per trade and access to all ASX Shares and ETFs to invest in with GO Markets. Enjoy dedicated local customer support, a regulated Australian company for trading ASX Shares and ETFs. Plus, enjoy $0 Brokerage on your next 15 trades! (T&Cs apply).

    Small trade brokerage conditions: Trades under $100,000

    Details Close

  • Idle Cash

    $5.50

    $0.00

    Receive interest on your uninvested cash. Deposit over USD/AUD 5,000 to start receiving 1.5% return; 2.25% return on over AUD 50,000; Up to 3.25% return on over USD 50,000. Mozo special offer for new users only: Get USD 50 fractional shares plus USD 25 Tesla shares with a cumulative net deposit of min. AUD 500 within 7 days of the first account opening. T&Cs apply.

    Small trade brokerage conditions: Trades up to $10,000

    Details Close

  • ASX Shares

    $0.00

    $0.00

    Join the world’s leading social trading platform, trusted by 30 million users worldwide. Invest in stocks, crypto, ETFs and more - all in one place. Hone your financial skills with a $100K virtual demo account.

    Small trade brokerage conditions:

    Details Close

  • Share Trading

    0.03%

    $0.00

    Invest in AU stocks, US stocks, HK stocks and ETFs on moomoo trading platform. US trades from $0.99 USD, other fees apply. Backed by a Nasdaq-listed fintech. (T&Cs apply).

    Large trade brokerage conditions: 0.03% the transaction amount, minimum $3.00 per order

    Details Close

  • Share Investing

    Standard

    0.1%

    $0.00

    CMC Markets Invest makes it easy to trade with a handy web and mobile platform, competitive pricing and thousands of securities. Buy Australian and US shares from $0 brokerage (T&Cs apply - see website for full details).

    Large trade brokerage conditions: The greater of $11 or 0.10% for trades over $1,000

    Details Close

  • Tiger Account

    0.055%

    $0.00

    Tiger Brokers is an online broker listed on NASDAQ. It offers access to US, ASX & HK stocks, ETFs and US options trading. Earn 7% p.a. on uninvested cash balance up to AUD 100,000 for the first 150 days, with a value up to AUD 2,877. Plus get US$30 Tesla (TSLA) and US$30 NVIDIA (NVDA) shares with an accumulated deposit greater than AUD 2000. T&Cs apply – for full details, go to the Tiger Brokers website.

    Large trade brokerage conditions: Trades over $10,000

    Details Close

  • Share Trading

    0.05%

    $0.00

    Buy and sell with a low $7.70 flat fee per trade and access to all ASX Shares and ETFs to invest in with GO Markets. Enjoy dedicated local customer support, a regulated Australian company for trading ASX Shares and ETFs. Plus, enjoy $0 Brokerage on your next 15 trades! (T&Cs apply).

    Large trade brokerage conditions: Trades over $100,000

    Details Close

  • Idle Cash

    0.055%

    $0.00

    Receive interest on your uninvested cash. Deposit over USD/AUD 5,000 to start receiving 1.5% return; 2.25% return on over AUD 50,000; Up to 3.25% return on over USD 50,000. Mozo special offer for new users only: Get USD 50 fractional shares plus USD 25 Tesla shares with a cumulative net deposit of min. AUD 500 within 7 days of the first account opening. T&Cs apply.

    Large trade brokerage conditions: Trades over $10,000

    Details Close

  • ASX Shares

    0.0%

    $0.00

    Join the world’s leading social trading platform, trusted by 30 million users worldwide. Invest in stocks, crypto, ETFs and more - all in one place. Hone your financial skills with a $100K virtual demo account.

    Large trade brokerage conditions:

    Details Close

^See information about the Mozo Experts Choice Share trading Awards

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While we pride ourselves on covering a wide range of products, we don't cover every product in the market. If you decide to apply for a product through our website, you will be dealing directly with the provider of that product and not with Mozo.

Share trading resources

Reviews, news, tips and guides to help find the best share trading account for you.

What is share trading?

You’ve probably seen various markets and companies crop up in the news from time to time, or heard friends or relatives talk about their own investments. Maybe you’ve got a partial understanding of how it all works already. But for beginner share traders, the first big question they have when it comes to investing is ‘What is share trading?’    

Simply put, share trading is the buying and selling of stock in a company – or various companies. People who own shares are called shareholders and they essentially own a small portion of the company they hold shares in, which can give them access to dividends (earnings) and voting rights. 

Of course, the aim of the game for investors is to make money through ongoing revenue like dividend payments, or by selling shares at a higher price than they were purchased for. 

If only it were that easy!   

Active share trading can be incredibly demanding, and you’ll need to be able to set aside a good part of your day if you want to stay on top of the market and execute successful trades. 

Even if you’re just investing casually, you’ll need to make sure you put time, thought and research into what you’re doing, to avoid mistakes that can lead to big losses.

Along with time, the other big requirement is money. Many brokerage platforms will set a minimum amount required to open an account. Beyond that, you’ll need to take into account other costs, because if you trade regularly, a good chunk of your money can be eaten up by brokerage fees. That’s why it’s important to choose the share trading platform that's right for you.

It’s also important to understand the market thoroughly before jumping in. Share trading can be risky, so you’ll want to do your research first before diving in if you don’t want to see your savings disappear. For that reason, it’s wise to use funds that you can afford to lose. Don’t expect to hit all your marks either, as losses are all too common.


What are shares?

Shares, also often referred to as stocks, are a type of investment that represents part-ownership in a company. They are issued by companies and bought and sold on various share markets via a broker or brokerage service, and their value fluctuates over time depending on a range of factors (more on this below). 

Some examples of commonly traded shares are ASX-listed companies like BHP, CSL and Xero, or global companies like Apple, Johnson & Johnson or Tesla.

What is the stock market and how does it work?

From the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE) and the London Stock Exchange (LSE) to the Australian Securities Exchange (ASX), there are a number of different stock exchanges and markets across the world which, combined, make up what is known as the ‘stock market’. 

Stock exchanges facilitate the buying and selling of shares in publicly traded companies that are listed on the exchange, as well as a range of other securities. 

Essentially, they make sure that transactions are made securely and transparently, though this comes with oversight from government regulators as well, like ASIC in Australia. 

So where do individual investors come in? Well, they’ll need to make use of brokers to trade individual shares, as brokers act as the intermediaries between the stock exchange and everyday investors. 

There are different types of brokers for different needs, but ASIC’s Moneysmart breaks them up into online and full-service brokers.   

Why should I invest in shares?

By and large, people invest in shares because they offer a higher potential return than other lower-risk options, like a savings account or term deposit. A few good reasons to start investing in shares include:

Diversifying your income streams

Some shares pay annual dividends, giving you an extra source of income – and it’s always a good idea to have more than one way of making money. Not only will this give your monthly budget a boost, but it means that if you lose one source of income – like your job – your investments may be another source of income you can fall back on while you sort things out.

Setting up a long-term nest egg

If you opt for low-risk shares, you might use your investment portfolio as a nest egg for your future. Just keep in mind that there’s always a chance that the market could turn against you.

Potential for big returns

Manage your investments wisely, and there’s the opportunity to make a much bigger return by share trading than with a savings account or term deposit – especially when you consider how low interest rates were over the last couple of years. But, with bigger returns comes increased risk, so weigh up your options carefully.

Knowing the risks that come with share trading is just as – if not more – important as knowing the benefits. 

For example, while there’s little to no chance of losing your money while it’s in a term deposit, shares are an entirely different story. If you make unwise decisions, or if the market turns suddenly against you, your money could go up in smoke.

How can I minimise share trading risks?

The good news is that although it can be risky to get involved in the stock market, there are ways you can minimise those risks and keep your investment as safe as possible.

Do your research

The first step is to do your homework on the shares you’re looking at buying. 

Research the company or industry, its history on the market, and what experts expect to see from it in the future. This is the foundation of making smart investments that will work for you, instead of against you.

Diversify your portfolio

One excellent risk management strategy that all investors should know is diversification. If you’ve got shares across multiple different industries, companies and markets that minimises the chance of suffering losses in all of them at once. 

Alternatively, an exchange-traded fund (ETF) which provides a ‘basket’ of shares or assets and tracks a particular index (e.g. the ASX) could be an option for investors looking for built-in diversity.  

Don’t overextend your budget

This is especially important when you’re just starting out with share trading. It’s better to start slow and set yourself a conservative budget so that if you make an investment misstep, you won’t be left without a savings buffer, or struggling to pay the bills. 

Riskier strategies, like taking out a margin loan to maximise your investment, should be approached with caution and only by seasoned investors. 

Look into low-risk investment strategies

Take some lessons from investors who’ve been there before, and try out some of the top low-risk investment strategies around, such as dollar-cost averaging (DCA).

How can I compare online share trading accounts?

If you’re ready to dive into the stock market, finding a share trading account that works for you is the first step to success. 

But different accounts are customised towards different investors (e.g. casual investors vs active traders), so you’ll need to think carefully about what you personally need from an account. 

Here are a few key things to consider:

Account fees

Many accounts come with a monthly or annual service fee attached. It’s worth comparing your options, as some accounts have much steeper fees than others – and some have none at all!

Brokerage fees

Most share trading platforms charge a fee when you make a trade - this is called a brokerage fee. 

Small trade fees are usually charged as a fixed dollar amount, whereas on larger value trades the fee is often charged as a percentage of the trade. 

Some brokers have even started offering $0 brokerage for certain trades and markets though, which is why it’s worth shopping around. 

Broker reports, analytics and share market data

Some accounts include access to independent broker reports and live market data which can help you to figure out your investing strategy and keep tabs on your investments. 

Just keep in mind that the more features you have, the higher your account fee is likely to be.

Market access

All Australian online brokers will give traders access to the ASX, but not all of them do the same for international markets. So if buying international shares from markets in the US, Canada, New Zealand, UK, Europe or Asia is important to you, you’ll want to opt for a platform that gives you international access. 

Trading options

Depending on the broker, users will be able to trade everything from domestic and international shares to bonds, forex, commodities and even cryptocurrency.

What are the best share share trading accounts?

Each year, Mozo's team of data analysts look to unearth the best online share trading platforms. In 2023, the Mozo Experts Choice Awards for share trading recognised platforms that offer things like low brokerage rates across ASX and international shares, low fees, great mobile share trading apps, alongside useful tools and features. 

For more information about this year's share trading awards, including a list of winners and those considered, check out the methodology report

Picture of Jack Dona
Jack Dona
RG146
Money writer

As a Mozo money writer, Jack’s goal is to cut through the jargon and give people the knowledge they need to make better informed financial decisions. With a background in communications and journalism, he brings his creative flair for language to make the world of insurance and money management fun, as well as educational.

Common share trading FAQs answered

Are there fees for trading shares?

The majority of the time you buy or sell shares through an online broker you’ll be charged a brokerage fee. These vary depending on the broker, the specific account being used and the size of the trade, but they tend to range between $5 - $20 per trade.   

Which online brokers are available in Australia?

Australian investors have a growing number of online share trading platforms to choose between. There are familiar platforms from Australia’s larger banks including the likes of ANZ Share Investing, CommSec, Macquaire, nabtrade and Westpac, as well as specialist online platforms such as Bell Direct, CMC Markets, IG, Selfwealth and Saxo Capital Markets. There are also an emerging number of new players like Superhero, Pearler and Sharsies which are aimed at younger investors.

Online share brokers vs full service brokers: what’s better?

When you’re looking for a service to buy and sell shares through there are two options, broadly speaking. Which one is better for you will depend on the share trading experience you’re after.

A full service broker offers you advice and recommendations for what stocks to buy and where to invest your money. While that means you get the benefit of their expertise, full service brokers will almost always be the more expensive option.

On the other hand, if you opt for an online broker, you’ll be in charge of choosing your shares yourself and you won’t get any advice - however, online services often come with lower fees. Some also include access to share market publications, analytics and reports which will allow you to do your own research.

What are the different share trading orders?

A share trading order is how you buy or sell shares. There are a few different share trading orders which can be handy if you don’t have time to monitor your investments and market movements all day, every day. Here are three of the main types of orders:

  • Market order: This means you’re buying or selling shares at the best possible price at the time your order reaches the market. Keep in mind that if the price of shares changes between the time you place the order and when your broker executes it, the price may be higher or lower than you were expecting.

  • Limit order: This means that you’ve agreed to buy or sell shares once they reach a certain price point. For example, if you’re buying shares the order will only be executed once the price drops to the amount you’ve nominated - or lower - and vice versa for selling.

  • Stop-loss order: As the name suggests, a stop-loss order is designed to limit the amount you could lose if shares you hold start falling in value. If your shares fall to a nominated value, then the stop-loss order is executed as an order to sell them at the best possible price.

What are bonds?

Bonds are fixed income instruments that are issued by governments and companies. When you invest in bonds, you are lending money to a government or company with the expectation that they will a) pay you interest at regular intervals, and b) repay the loan amount at maturity.

What are ETFs, mutual funds and index funds?

  • ETFs: An Exchange Traded Fund or ETF is a type of fund that contains a large number of shares and other investments. They are traded on an exchange, just like shares are, but they offer investors greater exposure to the market than a single share would.

  • Index funds: A kind of ETF or mutual fund that’s designed to track a specific index (a benchmark which measures the performance of a particular market). That is, rather than trying to outperform the index, like many active investors set out to do, index funds try to replicate its performance. Because there’s less involved with managing index funds, management fees are generally much lower.

  • Mutual funds: A mutual fund pools money from many people to invest in shares and other assets. They are operated by portfolio managers who decide which assets to invest in and monitor their performance. Unlike an ETF, mutual funds are not traded on an exchange, and trade only once a day.

What is the best online share trading account?

There are so many different fees, features and options available with each different account, so the ‘best’ share trading account for you won’t be the same as it is for another investor, because every trader will have different needs and priorities. 

If you’re after a share trading account that offers great value though, our 2023 Mozo Experts Choice Awards for Online Share Trading are an excellent place to start. In 2023, our experts analysed 68 share trading platforms from 31 providers available in Australia to highlight outstanding options for casual, regular and active traders.