Stock trading apps have grown in popularity over recent years, with the ability to trade from mobile now an essential part of a broker offer. Thinking back 10 years, and we were struggling to find a solid app for share trading that wasn’t just an afterthought.
Gone are the days when trading shares meant being tied to a desk, and with some of the legacy trading apps not exactly user friendly, many brokers have resorted to developing their own in house stock trading apps instead of just giving traders access to MT4 and calling it a day. Apps these days are a lot more user centric, and a long way removed from those that were more geared towards forex traders or automated trading.
Best Apps For Trading vs Investing
The best stock app depends on what we actually mean by trading stocks, as whilst some let you buy shares and become an investor in the underlying company, others simply let you actively trade movements in share prices using CFDs. The latter gives you the ability to go long or short, use margin and access more advanced trading platforms without taking ownership of the stock, whilst the former is better for longer term positioning. Then there are also those that sit somewhere between the two.
With there being a clear difference between the best stock trading apps, and the best apps for buying shares, or investing in the share market, we have picked out a few on either side of the trade/invest divide, along with a couple of notable names that fare well in both to make life a little easier.
If you are a long-term investor buying BHP every month, you would likely need CHESS sponsorship, recurring investment functionality, and portfolio reporting. An active trader trying to profit off a short-term move in Nvidia may care much more about charting, stop orders, short selling, extended trading hours and the total cost of getting into and out of the position.
Pepperstone is our overall pick for active stock trading. Its share-CFD offering combines competitive percentage-based commissions with the ability to trade through Pepperstone’s own mobile app, MetaTrader 5, cTrader or TradingView, alongside 24hour access to selected US shares.
For beginners, eToro is our editor’s choice. Its relatively simple interface is backed by more than 400 Australian shares, thousands of global stocks, a virtual portfolio, CopyTrader, Smart Portfolios and its Tori AI assistant. Crucially, eToro also lets Australian users buy non-leveraged shares which are often a much better fit for beginners.
Best stock apps
To make our list, it is essential that they are ASIC regulated for trust, have a good trading platform interface for usability, and offer a low fee structure indicating treating customers fairly. If you can get all those elements, along with one that has a proven track record with customer service, and strong existing user reviews, you are getting closer to finding the best.
- 10 Brokers shortlisted
- Stock Trading Apps
- Execution,Trust,Cost
- October 2026 Latest update
Brokerage, platform features and market access can change. Check provider terms before applying.
Before choosing a trading app, it’s important to consider factors such as fees, features, ease of use, customer support and security. It’s also a good idea to read reviews and compare different apps to find the one that best suits your individual needs and trading style. The good news is that we have completed a lot of the leg work for you, cutting through the noise, and putting together a list of those worthy of a closer look.
As a heads up, on this page, we have specifically paid attention to the best stock apps in Australia, so if you are looking for a desktop share trading account, check out our guide of the best stock brokers instead.
Best Stock Trading App Overall: Pepperstone
Pepperstone is our pick of best stock trading app if you are interested in trading share prices rather than building a conventional investment portfolio. Pepperstone was founded in Melbourne, and alongside stock trading, offers a range of financial instruments including forex, indices, commodities and perpetuals. The platform is known for its fast execution speeds and powerful trading tools, making it a popular choice among traders around the world, but why do we like it for stock trading here in Australia?
Recently, the app has had 24 hour trading enabled for selected US listed shares, and has a broad range of ASX listed shares available during normal trading hours. Pepperstone’s mobile trading app is designed for speed, with the application itself smooth, allowing you to get up and running in no time. You have the choice to trade share CFDs with leverage up to 5:1, take both long and short positions and use specialist trading software rather than being confined to a conventional stockbroking interface.
The market data, charting and analysis packages that you expect with other trading applications all come as standard, making Pepperstone’s trading application package one of the better ones on the Australian market.
In addition, the broker offers a a range of platforms to choose from, including the proprietary app, MT5, cTrader, or TradingView. Whilst offering MT4 as an option, the platform does not carry the stock trading capabilities of the other platforms, so unless you are also planning to trade other instruments, that will not be an option.
For share trading specifically, TradingView is a hugely popular choice, whilst Pepperstone’s own app offers one-click trading, various chart types and indicators, and is easy to get to grips with as far as learning the ropes. The iOS version is rated 4.1/5 in Australia, whilst the Android version holds a 4.4 out of 5 rating, with 500k+ downloads.
Winning Out For Costs
One of the pricing features that helps keep costs down here is the absence of a minimum commission on most share markets. If you are trading ASX shares, you are faced with a simple 0.07% commission per side (buy/sell), with no minimum commission. That effectively means that for trades of A$1,000, Pepperstone offer the best value app on the market right now at A$1.40 in round trip costs. If you are trading US listed stocks, then the commission reduces to 0.02% per side (again with no minimum commission).
| Trading App | Entry + Exit Cost (A$1,000 trade) | Calculation (each way) | Approx Overnight Fee (A$1,000 position) | Change with size (A$5,000 trade example) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Pepperstone | A$1.40 | 0.07% | ~A$0.20 long, A$0.06 short | A$7 |
| Webull | A$2.00 | A$1 or 0.03% | No | A$3 |
| eToro | A$5.72 | US$2 (~A$2.86) | No | $5.72 |
| Moomoo | A$6.00 | A$3 or 0.03% | No | A$6 |
| Stake | A$6.00 | A$3 flat | No | A$6 |
As you can see from the comparison above, Pepperstone come out top for fees on a A$1,000 trade that is entered and exited within three days or so, but if you are trading larger position sizes regularly, or intending to hold for longer periods, the picture can change somewhat. If you like to take regular positions, and like the optionality of being able to trade short aswell as long, Pepperstone take our editor’s pick.
Best Stock App For Beginners: eToro
eToro’s trading app is a great choice for stock trading due to its unique social trading functionality, easy to understand fees and user-friendly design. The social trading feature allows you to view and follow the trades of other investors, which can be a valuable learning tool for beginners, or a source of new investment ideas for more experienced traders. With 40million registered users worldwide, eToro remains the preferred app for many.
As one of Australia’s cheapest stock brokers, eToro’s fees for trading stocks are relatively low compared to other trading apps, with no ongoing account fees. Importantly, the fee structure is very easy to understand, with a simple flat cost of US$2 each time you buy or sell ASX shares on the app. eToro also offers a range of educational resources and tools, including webinars and market analysis, to help users improve their trading skills.
What is interesting about eToro, is that they provide a completely different proposition to many of the other apps on this list. The experience in the app has clearly been designed with the user in mind, and makes finding investment ideas a lot easier than most. That is not to say you would want to take all the ideas you see on the platform, but the social aspect of sharing ideas is genuinely helpful for beginners, as long as you do not get lost trying to analyse them all!

In addition to individual ASX listed and international shares, you can also find ETFs, and ready made ‘smart portfolios’ if you are looking to take more of a basket approach to investing or trading stocks. Another upside to eToro is that you are receiving direct ownership exposure to the underlying shares through the managed investment scheme. This is not exactly the same as CHESS sponsored, but is more of a custodial approach like that offered by IG, or Interactive Brokers.
Within the app, you have access to an AI investing assistant called Tori, aswell as social trading, portfolio tools, automation, developer-built apps and conversational investing support in one place. If you are considering AI trading, eToro remains at the forefront, with an in App ‘store’ that allows you to add custom bolt-ons to the experience that give you access to community builds. Whilst we are on the topic of app stores, eToro’s app holds a rating of 4.4 stars on iOS, and 4.1 on Android, with more than 10million downloads.
eToro takes our best for beginner award for the way in which they reduce friction across the platform. You can do plenty under one roof, with a minimum of fuss, and that is enough for many who are just getting starting with stock trading. You will not find CHESS-sponsored ownership at eToro, which to some may well be a deal breaker, but if not, there remains plenty to like. Worth testing with a demo account if you are on the edge.
eToro Service ARSN 637 489 466 promoted by eToro AUS Capital Limited ACN 612 791 803 AFSL 491139. Capital at risk. Other fees apply. See PDS and TMD
Best For Advanced Stock Trading & MT5: IC Markets
IC Markets is a popular CFD trading app for stocks, indices, and forex that we rate highly for competitive spreads, fast execution speeds and advanced trading functionality.
For stock trading, IC Markets offers access to a wide range of international stock exchanges with low commissions and fees on the MT5 platform. That amounts to ~1700 stock CFDs across the ASX, and US listed markets, alongside broader market indices on most markets. The app also offers a range of advanced trading tools such as automated trading and custom indicators, which can be useful for more experienced traders.
The broker offers a variety of order types and charting tools to help traders implement their strategies, and is one of the best ASX trading platforms for active traders. If you are planning to sit and hold onto a basket of stocks, this is not the one for you.
One of the main advantages of IC Markets is its low spreads and fast execution speeds, which can be particularly helpful for short term trades, scalping, and more advanced strategies. The app is also user-friendly, with a clean and intuitive design that makes it easy to navigate and trade.
Key Statistics
- Trade over 1,700 stocks
- ASX, Nasdaq, NYSE
- Ultra-fast execution
- Earn dividends
- Trade with the most popular trading platforms
- Founded in 2007
Best Risk Management Tool: AvaTrade
AvaTrade is a leading online trading platform that offers a range of financial instruments for trading, including forex, stocks, commodities, indices and cryptocurrencies. Founded in 2006, the platform has grown to become one of the most trusted and reliable online trading platforms in the industry, with over 300,000 registered traders around the world.
One of the key advantages of trading with AvaTrade is its tools designed to help traders make informed trading decisions. The platform offers a range of technical analysis tools, customisable charts, and real-time news and market data, as well as a range of order types and risk management features.
AvaTrade’s mobile trading app is available for both iOS and Android devices and is designed to make trading on the go fast, simple and intuitive. Users can customise their trading application so that the data critical to them can be accessed quickly. Incorporating risk management tools ensures that you are ready to trade around the clock.
One of the key advantages of trading with AvaTrade is its low fees. The broker offers tight spreads on all major currency pairs, as well as low commissions on stocks, indices and other instruments. AvaTrade offers a range of trading accounts to suit the needs of different traders, including beginner-friendly accounts with low minimum deposits and advanced accounts with higher leverage and trading features.
Key Statistics
- 0% commission
- Award-winning support
- Low spreads
- Proprietary social trading platform AvaSocial
- Islamic account
- Pioneering online trading since 2006
AvaTrade’s trading app is one of the better all around trading apps in Australia if you are interested in also trading other instruments. It would not be our top choice if you only wanted to trade shares, yet the multi-asset nature makes it worthy of consideration.
Best For International Markets, and Market Data: Moomoo
Moomoo comes in as a low cost, flexible option for Australian stocks, gaining ground with users in recent years. The app offers a flat fee of $3 per ASX trade or 0.03% of the transaction value, whichever is greater, with no hidden costs.If you are also investing internationally, U.S. market commissions start from US$0.99 per order, though you will also need to consider the potential pass-through fees and FX conversion costs.
Key Statistics
- Founded in 2018
- 24/5 customer support
- User-friendly proprietary trading platform
- CHESS-sponsored trading
- Regulated by ASIC
Best Bank Linked Investing App: Commsec
The CommSec trading app is one of the most widely used platforms in Australia, particularly attractive to investors who value stability and comprehensive features. As the trading arm of the Commonwealth Bank, CommSec benefits from a strong reputation for trust and security, something especially important for beginners who want the reassurance of a major bank backing their investments.
The app offers a seamless experience for CBA customers, allowing for quick fund transfers between bank and trading accounts. In addition, its powerful research tools, market insights, and charting capabilities make it a go-to choice for users who want to conduct thorough analysis before placing trades.
One of the app’s biggest strengths lies in its access to CHESS-sponsored ASX shares, which means investors legally own their shares under their own Holder Identification Number (HIN). This is a major benefit compared to some other platforms that use a custodian model, where shares are technically held on the investor’s behalf. The platform also caters to both casual and serious traders, offering features like watchlists, price alerts, and access to IPOs (initial public offerings). These features make CommSec not just a trading app but a full-service investment platform that supports both day-to-day trading and long-term portfolio building.
The most frequently cited issue are it’s fees, especially when compared to newer, low-cost platforms like eToro or SelfWealth. CommSec charges around $10 to $29.95 per trade, depending on the size and method of the trade, which can eat into returns for frequent or smaller investors. The minimum deposit of $500 is also quite a bit higher than many competitors. Commsec Pocket is the answer to some of those potential concerns, with the 3.8 star rating on iOS considerably higher than the 3 star rating on the Google Play store for the Commsec ‘vanilla’ app.
Key Statistics
- Founded in 1995
- Strong supplementary tools
- Segregated client funds
- Regulated by ASIC
Best App For Swing Trading Shares With CHESS: Webull
If you are someone who is looking to swing trade shares, and care about having direct ownership in case you decide to shift the plan to something more longer term as things play out, Webull are one for the shortlist.
The app itself was designed with data heavy traders in mind, and has been very popular with options traders and derivatives traders over in the US. Webull offer many of the tools you might be looking for as an active trader, but also offer CHESS sponsored shares in Australia that can be helpful for longer term swings, or investing. As far as the regulatory position, Webull Securities Australia operates under AFSL 536980 and is a participant of the ASX and Cboe Australia.
ASX share pricing is very competitive, with the A$1 or 0.03% fee coming out best if you are trading position sizes A$5,000 upwards. At $1,000, Pepperstone comes out slightly cheaper, yet the two are often serving different types of stock traders.
A couple of points worth noting here are that although demo trading is possible on Webull, the app limits this to US shares rather than providing support for ASX listed shares, so whilst you can learn the ins and outs of the platform itself, you will not be able to paper trade on the ASX right now. Then if you are an active ASX trader, Webull currently charges for streaming ASX/Cboe market data beyond its free snapshot service, with pricing of A$49.99 per month needing to be considered in the broader fee structure.
There are few stock apps that will support the range of data and markets as you will find on Webull, yet this is one that has been adapted for the local market rather than built here, and some of that can be felt.
Best Investing App For Breadth: CMC Invest
CMC Invest is a top app for investing in shares in Australia, with the average rating across app stores of 4.15 stars a match for eToro, whilst also offering CHESS sponsored dealing for ASX shares.
The pure range of stocks on offer is mighty, with 40,000 shares and ETFs across 15 international markets, and all of this is offered on a top quality platform. You can combine this with TradingView charts, Morningstar research, and thematic watchlists, in what is a very strong all around proposition.
The fee structure is where CMC lose out to some of it’s peers, with the greater of A$11 or 0.11% fee amounting to A$11 on each side of a A$1,000 buy. Sat against Pepperstone at A$1.40 for a CFD equivalent, or mid priced investing peers around A$6, and you are paying for the quality and breadth of CMC’s offering.
It may well be worth paying for many, but for active traders, this will eat into your balance quicker than we would like. We would keep on the shortlist if you are looking for a wide range of investing markets under one roof, and are focused more on investing than trading.
Best App For Simple Share Ownership: Stake
Stake is one that looks to take almost the opposite approach to Moomoo or IBKR, keeping things remarkably simple. It is the next best app for beginners on our list after eToro, but if you are looking for an alternative that offers CHESS sponsored holdings, this may be the one.
Pricing is simple to understand, with a A$3 flat cost per side up to A$30,000 keeping the app competitive at a range of price points. The rating across app stores reflects the company getting it’s product/audience fit right, with an average of 4.45 stars demonstrating an app that has been deliberately stripped back. Not trying to compete with some of the more advanced players on the market could well be what wins Stake many more new customers in the months ahead.
What you do get alongside a platform that is clearly designed mobile first, is extended US hours trading, and an app that makes the act of buying and selling shares easier than many.
Best For Pro Trading: Interactive Brokers
If you are interested in professional level trading, then Interactive Brokers’ app becomes very hard to beat. The app store average of 4.55 stars ranks amongst the user leaders, with the app supporting stocks, futures, options, and indices under one roof.
Pricing for ASX shares of A$6 or 0.08% is not the cheapest on the market, but if trading US shares the picture changes considerably, where IBKR charge US$0.005 per share, or $1. The automatic fx conversion of 3 basis points works out very attractive for international trading, and the range of advanced tools will be more than enough for most traders.
The areas where Interactive Brokers’ trading app excels, are also some of the areas where different types of users could come up against potential issues, with the overall proposition too advanced for some beginners.
How to Choose Stock Trading Apps
There are various factors to consider when choosing a share trading app, and as with many most things finance related, there is no single trading app that is best for everyone. Different apps will be better suited to different traders and so much will depend on your individual goals and trading style.
With many of the functions of the app itself, such as being able to actually buy shares and place a trade, or access the ASX market, considered as an absolutely essential requirement, we look a little deeper at how to really differentiate the best from the rest.
One of the most important points should be to keep the amount of fees and charges you will pay to trade stocks to a minimum. Many stock trading apps will offer zero commission on shares, however these brokers may charge you in other ways, such as spreads, or deposit and withdrawal fees. Considering the holistic fee structure can save you plenty a dollar, especially if you are an active trader.
Other important factors to take into account include the number of stocks and other assets available to trade, the quality of tools available, the minimum deposit amount and how user-friendly the app is. These can be things that are overlooked at first, but if you have found yourself looking for a new app to replace one that disappointed, our list is just what you need.
Consider Your Trading Style
If you want to actively trade stock prices and movement, share CFDs may be just the ticket. If that is the case, you get the option to go long or short, trade using margin, use automation, and gain access to specialist charting platforms. There is also a difference in the fee structure, where instead of a traditional brokerage fee, you will typically pay a spread, or a commission per share. If you are holding positions open overnight, you are then likely to come up against financing or overnight charges.
There are a couple of apps such as Webull, or Moomoo that shine through if you are interested in swing trading shares you own directly. These two provide more advanced orders, and technical analysis tools than many more traditional buy and hold brokers, yet still provide CHESS sponsored access to direct ownership if that is important to you.
Then if you are more interested in investing for the long haul, or building a portfolio of stocks, you will want to pay more attention to apps from CMC Invest, Commsec, Stake, or eToro. These offer features such as direct ownership (eToro aside), portfolio reporting, and automatic investment. If that is your main objective, see our separate guide to the best share investing platforms and cheapest Australian stock brokers, where we go much deeper into CHESS sponsorship and conventional brokerage costs.
Compare Stock Apps in Australia
| Stock App | Minimum Deposit | Platforms | Product Selection | Fractionals | ASX Shares | US Shares | CHESS-Sponsored |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Pepperstone | $0 AUD | MT4, MT5, cTrader, TradingView iOS, Android |
ASX Shares, Global Shares, Forex, Indices, Cryptocurrencies, Commodities | Trading only | Yes | Yes | No |
| IC Markets | $200 AUD | MT4, MT5, cTrader iOS, Android |
ASX Shares, Global Shares, Indices, Commodities, Forex, Cryptocurrencies | Trading only | Yes | Yes | No |
| eToro | $50 AUD | eToro Trading Platform iOS, Android |
Shares, Cryptocurrencies, ETFs | Yes | Yes | Yes | No |
| Moomoo | $50 AUD | Moomoo Trading Platform iOS, Android |
Shares, Options and ETFs | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Commsec | $500 AUD | CommSec App, CommSec Pocket iOS, Android |
Shares, Super, ETFs | Yes, *non ASX shares only |
Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Webull | $0 AUD | Webull platforms, TradingView |
Shares, ETFs, Cryptocurrencies, Options | Yes, *not on ASX shares | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| AvaTrade | $100 AUD | MT4 MT5 AvaTradeGO, AvaOptions iOS, Android |
Indices, FX, Shares, Commodities, Cryptocurrency, ETPs, Options, Interest Rates, Bonds | Trading only | Yes | Yes | No |
| Interactive Brokers | $0 AUD cash a/c $2,000 USD margin a/c |
TWS, IBKR Platform, TradingView iOS, Android |
Shares, Indices, Futures, Options, ETFs, Warrants | Yes, *non ASX shares only |
Yes | Yes | No |
| Stake | $0 AUD | Stake Trading Platform iOS, Android |
Shares, ETFs, Exchange traded bonds | Yes, *non ASX shares only | Yes | Yes | Yes |
How we picked the best stock apps in Australia
Methodology
We rated the best stock trading apps using a combination of cost, barrier to entry (both financial, and usability), trust rating, and user reviews. With an app, the design and usability take centre stage, with an added importance on the user experience. Not all trading platforms have been translated well into app form, and many small features can be lost. In the end, you may naturally prefer one style another, yet the security of funds, and the regulation of the broker providing the app should never be in doubt.
In Short
Our overall stock trading app choice is Pepperstone, but not for all types of market access. It is our top choice for actively trading share-price movements, with the combination of percentage-based share-CFD pricing, no Australian minimum commission, short selling, selected 24-hour US share trading and access to several major mobile trading platforms gives active traders a set of tools that conventional share-dealing apps often do not provide.
If you are somebody who is looking to simply to buy Australian shares and hold them indefinitely, you will likely be better served by Webull, Moomoo, or Commsec.
eToro is our preferred app for beginners because it offers a more accessible route into both investing and trading. Beginners can start with non-leveraged stock exposure, practise in a virtual portfolio and use features such as CopyTrader and Smart Portfolios without immediately needing to learn specialist platforms such as cTrader or MT5.
Stock Trading Apps FAQs
What is the best stock trading platform in Australia?
There are several popular stock trading platforms in Australia, and the best platform for you may depend on your individual needs and preferences. Pepperstone are our editor’s choice for active traders, whilst Webull, Moomoo, and eToro stand out for different types of investing.
What is the best app to track ASX stocks?
There are several apps available to track ASX stocks. Some popular options including the CommSec app, SelfWealth app, MarketView app, and Stocklight app. These apps provide real-time stock quotes, market news, portfolio tracking, and other useful features.
When tracking with charts, Pepperstone provides access to TradingView, cTrader and MT5 in addition to their own app, whilst Moomoo add level 2 data.
What is the best stock trading app for beginners?
There are several beginner-friendly stock trading apps that stand out, with CommSec being one of the easiest, particularly if you are linked to the same bank. Our preferred choice for beginners is eToro app, because of its simple interface, virtual portfolio, Smart Portfolios and AI assistant.
Does the Australian Stock Exchange have an app?
Yes, the Australian Securities Exchange (ASX) has an app called “ASX Market.” This app provides access to real-time market data, news, company announcements, and other ASX-related information.
What is the minimum first trade on ASX?
The minimum first trade on the ASX depends on the brokerage or trading platform you choose. Different brokers will have varying requirements for minimum trade sizes rather than it being set by ASX, although CHESS sponsored parcels start at A$500. Some brokers may have no minimum trade requirements and allow to buy fractions of shares. Others may set a minimum trade amount, which can range from a few dollars to several hundred dollars. It’s advisable to check with your chosen broker, app, or platform for their specific minimum trade requirements.
