Stake vs SelfWealth (2026):
Fees, ASX access, and who should switch
Both are CHESS-sponsored Australian brokers with access to ASX and US stocks. The difference is cost model: Stake uses tiered monthly plans with lower per-trade costs, SelfWealth charges a flat $9.50 per trade with no monthly fee. Which one is cheaper depends entirely on how often you trade and whether you want US exposure.
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TL;DR
- Best for active ASX traders who want zero-brokerage on a low monthly fee.
- Fractional US shares make high-priced stocks accessible from small amounts.
- Tiered plans let you match cost to trading frequency.
- Free plan carries an FX fee and per-trade cost — upgrade delivers the value.
- Best for infrequent traders who want predictable costs with no subscription.
- Flat $9.50 per trade — same fee regardless of trade size or frequency.
- Community portfolio feature is unique among ASX brokers.
- No fractional shares; no auto-invest or savings plan functionality.
Two different approaches to ASX investing
Stake and SelfWealth are both ASIC-regulated, CHESS-sponsored Australian brokers — but they were built around fundamentally different fee models and investor profiles.
Founded in 2017, Stake started as a platform for Australians to access US markets and has since added full ASX coverage. It operates a tiered subscription model — a free AUS plan, a Green plan (~AUD 3/month), and a Gold plan (~AUD 9/month) — where higher tiers unlock zero-brokerage ASX trades and reduced FX fees.
Stake also offers fractional US shares, auto-invest (savings plans), and a cleaner mobile experience targeted at younger, more active investors.
Founded in 2012 and listed on the ASX itself, SelfWealth was built around a single, transparent pricing proposition: $9.50 flat per trade, no matter how large the order. No monthly fee, no percentage-based brokerage, no tiers to navigate.
Its standout feature is a community portfolio tool that lets you benchmark your holdings against thousands of other SelfWealth investors — unusual in the Australian market and popular with self-directed investors.
| Feature | Stake | SelfWealth |
|---|---|---|
| Founded | 2017 | 2012 |
| Regulated by | ASIC (Australia) | ASIC (Australia) |
| CHESS sponsored | Yes | Yes |
| ASX stocks and ETFs | Yes | Yes |
| US stocks and ETFs | Yes | Yes |
| Fractional shares | Yes (US stocks) | No |
| Auto-invest / savings plan | Yes (paid plans) | No |
| Monthly subscription | From AUD 0 (free plan available) | None |
| Community portfolio tool | No | Yes |
| Mobile app | Excellent | Good |
Where the real cost difference lives
Stake’s cost depends entirely on which plan you choose. On the free AUS plan, Stake can be more expensive than SelfWealth. On paid plans, it becomes significantly cheaper for regular traders.
| Fee type | Stake (Green plan) | SelfWealth |
|---|---|---|
| Monthly fee | ~AUD 3/month (Green) / ~AUD 9/month (Gold) | None |
| ASX brokerage | AUD 0 (Green and Gold plans) | AUD 9.50 flat per trade |
| ASX brokerage (free plan) | AUD 3 per trade | AUD 9.50 flat per trade |
| US brokerage | USD 0 (paid plans) | USD 9.50 flat per trade |
| FX fee (USD conversion) | 0% on Green/Gold (up to plan limits); 0.5% on free plan | ~0.6% on US trades |
| Withdrawal fee | None (AUD) | None |
| Inactivity fee | None | None |
- Free plan is fine for very infrequent trading — but comes with FX cost
- Green plan pays for itself with 1 ASX trade per month vs SelfWealth
- Gold adds extended hours, priority support, and better FX allowances
- Auto-invest is only available on paid plans — relevant for ETF investors
- $9.50 flat — no surprises, no tiers, no subscription to manage
- Same cost whether you trade $500 or $50,000 in a single order
- FX fee on US trades stacks on top of the flat brokerage
- Works best for large, infrequent trades where the flat fee is proportionally small
ASX, US markets, and ETF access
Both brokers cover the core markets Australian investors need — ASX-listed shares and ETFs, plus US-listed equities. The difference is in how they handle US access and what extra features each brings.
| Asset / market | Stake | SelfWealth |
|---|---|---|
| ASX shares | Yes | Yes |
| ASX ETFs | Yes | Yes |
| ASX LICs and REITs | Yes | Yes |
| US-listed shares (NYSE/NASDAQ) | Yes | Yes |
| US-listed ETFs | Yes | Yes |
| Fractional US shares | Yes | No |
| Crypto / CFDs | No | No |
| International (non-US) markets | No | No |
CHESS sponsorship and account types
For Australian investors, CHESS sponsorship is the key safety question. Both brokers get this right — your ASX holdings are registered directly in your name, not pooled with a custodian.
| Account feature | Stake | SelfWealth |
|---|---|---|
| CHESS sponsored (ASX) | Yes | Yes |
| HIN (Holder Identification Number) | Yes — own HIN issued | Yes — own HIN issued |
| US shares custody | Held via Apex Clearing (US custodian) | Held via DriveWealth (US custodian) |
| Individual account | Yes | Yes |
| Joint account | No | Yes |
| Trust / company account | No | Yes |
| SMSF account | No | Yes |
| Minimum deposit | None | None |
App, interface and investor tools
Both are primarily mobile-first platforms, but Stake’s app is more polished and feature-complete. SelfWealth’s community portfolio tool is genuinely useful for self-directed investors who want peer benchmarking.
- Clean mobile app — well designed and easy to navigate
- Auto-invest lets you set recurring ETF purchases on paid plans
- Fractional US shares open up high-priced stocks with small capital
- Gold plan includes extended trading hours for US markets
- Basic research tools — price charts, dividend history, company info
- No community or social portfolio features
- Community portfolio — benchmark against thousands of other investors
- Desktop and mobile — functional on both
- Detailed portfolio reporting and performance tracking
- Company announcements and dividend calendar built in
- No fractional shares or auto-invest functionality
- Interface is more utilitarian than polished
Who should use which broker
- You make 2 or more ASX trades per month and want to minimise brokerage.
- You want US stock access with low or zero FX fees on a paid plan.
- You want fractional US shares — useful if you invest smaller amounts.
- You want an auto-invest feature to automate regular ETF contributions.
- You prefer a polished mobile-first experience.
- You trade infrequently and prefer no monthly subscription commitment.
- You need a joint, trust, company, or SMSF account structure.
- You want the community portfolio benchmarking tool.
- You make large, infrequent trades where $9.50 flat is proportionally cheap.
- You want detailed portfolio reporting and a desktop-friendly interface.
Some investors use Stake for regular ETF auto-invest and US stock exposure, and SelfWealth for an SMSF or joint account that Stake doesn’t support. There’s no rule against it — the costs of maintaining two CHESS-sponsored accounts are low, and both are free to open.
That said, if your strategy is straightforward — regular ETF purchases or a simple ASX portfolio — pick one and stick with it. Simplicity has a real value that two-platform management erodes.
Ready to open an account?
Model your trading frequency against each fee structure before deciding. Both platforms have no minimum deposit and take under 10 minutes to open — you can always switch later.
Go deeper
Frequently asked questions
Is Stake better than SelfWealth?
It depends on how you invest. Stake is better for regular ASX traders and investors who want zero-brokerage on a paid plan, fractional US shares, or an auto-invest feature. SelfWealth suits investors who trade infrequently, want no monthly subscription, or need a joint, trust, or SMSF account — which Stake does not currently support. Both are ASIC-regulated and CHESS sponsored, so the safety profile is similar.
Are both Stake and SelfWealth CHESS sponsored?
Yes. Both Stake and SelfWealth are CHESS-sponsored brokers for ASX holdings. This means your Australian shares are held directly in your name via the ASX’s CHESS system and assigned a Holder Identification Number (HIN). Your holdings are not pooled in a custodian account — if either broker were to fail, your ASX shares would remain yours. US shares on both platforms are held through a US custodian (Apex Clearing for Stake, DriveWealth for SelfWealth), which is standard for Australian brokers offering US access.
Which broker has lower fees for ASX trading?
Stake wins on ASX brokerage cost if you use a paid plan. The Green plan (~AUD 3/month) includes unlimited free ASX trades — so the break-even versus SelfWealth’s $9.50/trade is roughly one trade per month. From two trades onward, Stake Green is cheaper. On the free AUS plan, Stake charges $3 per ASX trade, which is still cheaper per trade than SelfWealth’s $9.50. For investors who trade very rarely — say, once per quarter — SelfWealth’s no-subscription model may feel simpler even if slightly more expensive per trade.
Does Stake charge FX fees on US stocks?
It depends on your plan. Stake’s free AUS plan charges a 0.5% FX fee on AUD/USD conversions. Paid plans (Green and Gold) reduce or eliminate this fee, subject to monthly volume limits. SelfWealth charges approximately 0.6% FX on US trades in addition to the flat USD 9.50 brokerage commission. For investors making large US purchases, the FX saving on Stake’s paid plans can be meaningful. Always verify current rates on each broker’s pricing page before trading, as fee structures can change.
Does Stake or SelfWealth offer fractional shares?
Stake offers fractional shares on US-listed stocks, allowing you to invest in expensive companies like Amazon, Berkshire Hathaway, or high-priced ETFs from smaller amounts. SelfWealth does not offer fractional shares — you must buy in whole units. For most ASX ETF investors this is irrelevant, since ETF units are typically affordable. It matters more for investors who want to hold individual US positions without committing to a full share price.
QuantRoutine provides educational content only. Nothing on this page is an offer, solicitation, or recommendation to buy or sell any security or to open an account with any specific broker. Fee figures are based on publicly available information and may change — always verify current pricing on each broker’s official website before opening an account. Investments can lose value, and past performance does not guarantee future results. You are responsible for your own investment, tax, and legal decisions.