Online Share Trading Platforms Comparison
No two investors are the same, so help find the one suited to your investing goals and compare online share trading platforms with our comparison tool.
Instantly compare 41+ Canstar expert rated platforms based on the inputs below
Buy Aussie shares for $0 brokerage up to $1,000
Canstar Broker of the Year – 12 years in a row
- App available
- Trade with live prices
- Trade ETFs
- US market
Trade US and international shares at $0
Aussie shares from $5/0.05% for active traders
- App available
- Trade with live prices
- Trade ETFs
- US market
Invest in fractional shares from just US$1.
16-hour trading window for US stocks.
- App available
- Trade with live prices
- Trade ETFs
- US market
Buy Fractional Shares From Just US$10
A Multi-asset Platform With 30M+ Users Worldwide
- App available
- Trade with live prices
- Trade ETFs
- US market
- App available
- Trade with live prices
- Trade ETFs
- US market
- App available
- Trade with live prices
- Trade ETFs
- US market
- App available
- Trade with live prices
- Trade ETFs
- US market
- App available
- Trade with live prices
- Trade ETFs
- US market
- App available
- Trade with live prices
- Trade ETFs
- US market
No subscription fees for live quotes and pro tools
AI-powered tools for traders from all levels
- App available
- Trade with live prices
- Trade ETFs
- US market
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The initial results in the table above are sorted by Star Rating (High-Low) , then Provider Name (Alphabetical) . Additional filters may have been applied, see top of table for details.
SPONSORED
IG Share Trading - Trade US shares at $0 commission and Aussie shares from just $5
- Awarded Canstar's 5-Star Rating for Outstanding Value Active Investor and Trader in 2023
- Access to over 13,000 shares, investment trusts and funds
- Trade on the go with IG's award winning trading platform^
Latest in online share trading
What is online share trading?
Online share trading allows you to use a web-based or app platform to buy and sell shares in companies and funds that are listed on a stock exchange. Online share trading platforms can be a relatively simple and inexpensive way to invest in the sharemarket.
In Australia, you can start online share trading with a relatively small amount, generally $500 for an initial trade, often referred to as the ‘minimum marketable parcel of shares’. (You can invest smaller amounts through fractional share investing.)
How does online share trading work?
Online share trading platforms offer accounts where you can deposit cash and then use those funds to invest in shares. In return for a fee (known as brokerage), online share trading providers act as a go-between or broker, enabling you to buy and sell shares in companies and other investment options, such as exchange traded funds.
Your investments, or holdings, are typically listed when you log in to your account. Many platforms allow you to monitor your portfolio’s performance over time, access market research and other data to help you make investment decisions.
Most online share trading platforms in Australia offer access to the Australian share market (predominantly via the ASX), while some enable you to invest in certain international markets too.
How do I trade shares online?
To trade shares online, you use your chosen online share trading platform to place orders on particular stocks or groups of stocks in a fund, such as an exchange traded fund (ETF).
You will usually be given an option of whether you wish to buy at market value, when the particular market is open and trading, or limit the order to a particular price set by yourself.
You need to make sure you have sufficient funds in your online account to cover any purchase costs, including any brokerage fees or other charges. If you don’t, you may incur an additional charge.
If your order is successful, the shares you’ve bought will appear in your online account so you can track their price and performance, and that of your overall portfolio. If you decide to sell your shares, you can place a sell order via your online share trading platform.
Author: Nina Rinella
As Canstar’s Editor-in-Chief, Nina heads up a team of talented journalists committed to helping empower consumers to take greater control of their finances. Previously Nina founded her own agency where she provided content and communications support to clients around Australia for eight years. She also spent four years as the PR Manager for American Express Australia, and has worked at a Brisbane communications agency where she supported dozens of clients, including Sunsuper and Suncorp.
Nina has ghostwritten dozens of opinion pieces for publications including The Australian and has been interviewed on finance topics by the Herald Sun and the Sydney Morning Herald. When she’s not dreaming up ways to put a fresh spin on finance, she’s taking her own advice by trying to pay her house off as quickly as possible and raising two money-savvy kids.
Nina has a Bachelor of Journalism and a Bachelor of Arts with a double major in English Literature from the University of Queensland. She’s also an experienced presenter, and has hosted numerous events and YouTube series.
You can follow her on Instagram or Twitter, or Canstar on Facebook.
You can also read more about Canstar’s editorial team and our robust fact-checking process.
Josh Sale, Online Share Trading Ratings Manager
As Canstar’s Ratings Manager, Josh Sale is responsible for the methodology and delivery of Canstar’s Online Share Trading Star Ratings and Awards. With tertiary qualifications in economics and finance, Josh has worked behind the scenes for the last five years to develop Star Ratings and Awards that help connect investors with the right product for them.
Josh is passionate about helping people get hands-on with their finances. Josh has been interviewed by media outlets such as the Australian Financial Review, news.com.au and Money Magazine.
You can follow Josh on LinkedIn, and Canstar on Twitter and Facebook.
This content was reviewed by Editor-in-Chief Nina Rinella as part of our fact-checking process.
Important information
For those that love the detail
This advice is general and has not taken into account your objectives, financial situation or needs. Consider whether this advice is right for you.