CommSec vs Stake (2026):
Full Comparison for Australian Investors
The decision mostly comes down to cost and what markets you want to access. Stake charges A$3 flat per ASX trade. CommSec charges between A$5 and A$29.95 depending on order size — a material gap once you’re placing regular trades. CommSec has the edge on research depth, CBA banking integration, and brand trust. Stake wins on price, US market access, and a more flexible modern platform.
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CommSec vs Stake: quick comparison
For most Australian investors doing regular ASX ETF purchases, Stake is the cheaper default. CommSec is the better fit if you need CBA integration, deep research tools, or access to global markets beyond ASX and the US.
| Feature | CommSec | Stake |
|---|---|---|
| ASX brokerage | A$5–A$29.95 (tiered by order size) | A$3 flat (up to A$30,000) |
| US brokerage | International Shares fee applies | US$3 flat (up to US$30,000) |
| FX markup | ~0.60% per transaction | ~0.55% on funding only (not per trade) |
| Annual custody fee | None | None |
| Platform fee | None | None (Stake Black: A$17/month) |
| Fractional shares | No | Yes (US from US$10) |
| CHESS-sponsored (ASX) | Yes | Yes |
| US market access | Yes (International Shares product) | Yes (9,500+ US stocks and ETFs) |
| European markets | Yes (25+ global markets) | No (ASX and US only) |
| Recurring buy / auto-invest | CommSec Pocket only (curated ETFs) | Yes — any stock or ETF, ASX and US |
| Interest on uninvested cash | Yes (CDIA, tiered from 0.65% p.a.) | No (0% on AUD and USD balances) |
| Research tools | Morningstar, Goldman Sachs, Reuters | Basic free; Stake Black for analyst data |
| Demo account | Yes (CommSec Simulation) | No |
| Regulator | ASIC (AFSL 238814) | ASIC (AFSL 548196) |
CommSec vs Stake: brokerage costs per trade
The brokerage gap is significant at most order sizes. Here is what you actually pay per ASX trade at each broker.
| Order size (ASX) | CommSec | Stake | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| A$500 | A$5.00 | A$3.00 | CommSec +A$2.00 |
| A$1,000 | A$5.00 | A$3.00 | CommSec +A$2.00 |
| A$2,000 | A$10.00 | A$3.00 | CommSec +A$7.00 |
| A$5,000 | A$19.95 | A$3.00 | CommSec +A$16.95 |
| A$10,000 | A$19.95 | A$3.00 | CommSec +A$16.95 |
| A$25,000 | A$29.95 | A$3.00 | CommSec +A$26.95 |
| Above A$30,000 | 0.12% (min A$29.95) | 0.01% above A$30,000 | CommSec higher |
A monthly investing schedule — one A$5,000 trade per month for a full year:
- CommSec: 12 x A$19.95 = A$239.40/year
- Stake: 12 x A$3.00 = A$36.00/year
- A$203.40 saved with Stake per year — before the compounding effect of reinvesting that saving.
FX markup: how each broker charges for currency conversion
CommSec charges approximately 0.60% FX markup on each international shares transaction. This applies on both buys and sells. On a US$1,000 purchase, that is roughly US$6 in FX cost per transaction, every time you trade.
Stake charges 0.55% only when you fund or withdraw from the Wall St account — not on each individual US trade. Fund once with A$10,000, make 20 trades: you pay FX once (A$55), not 20 times. For active US traders this is a structural cost advantage.
Account types, holding model, and eligibility
| Feature | CommSec | Stake |
|---|---|---|
| Individual account | Yes | Yes |
| Joint account | Yes | Yes |
| Company account | Yes | Yes |
| Trust account | Yes | Yes |
| SMSF account | Yes | Yes (SMSF Trust structure) |
| Demo / paper trading | Yes (CommSec Simulation) | No |
| ASX holding model | CHESS-sponsored (own HIN) | CHESS-sponsored (own HIN) |
| US holding model | Custodial via Pershing LLC | Custodial via DriveWealth |
| Non-AU residents | No (AU residency required) | No (AU or NZ residency required) |
What you can trade on each platform
| Asset / market | CommSec | Stake |
|---|---|---|
| ASX stocks and ETFs | 2,200+ securities | 2,500+ securities |
| US stocks and ETFs | Yes (International Shares product) | 9,500+ securities (Wall St) |
| European markets | Yes (25+ global markets incl. EU) | No — ASX and US only |
| Fractional shares (ASX) | No | No (CHESS full-share only) |
| Fractional shares (US) | No | Yes (from US$10) |
| Options (ASX) | Yes (Exchange Traded Options) | Not available on AU platform |
| Crypto | No (crypto ETFs via ASX only) | No |
| CFDs | No | No |
- CommSec: Access to 25+ global markets including the US, UK, Canada, Japan, Hong Kong, and European exchanges (France, Germany, Italy, Netherlands, and more). If you want a single broker for EU-listed ETFs alongside ASX, CommSec is the only option between these two.
- Stake: ASX and US only — but with deeper US coverage (9,500+ securities), fractional US shares from US$10, and extended-hours US trading. For investors focused on ASX and the S&P 500, Stake’s US depth covers virtually every scenario.
Platform features, research, and automation
- Research: Morningstar quantitative data, Goldman Sachs analyst reports, Reuters news, and CommSec TV daily market videos — all included free.
- Platform stack: CommSec web and mobile app, CommSec Pocket (via CommBank app), and CommSecIRESS professional desktop platform.
- Auto-invest: Available in CommSec Pocket only, limited to a curated set of themed ETFs. No auto-invest for individual stocks or custom ETFs on the main platform.
- Demo account: CommSec Simulation is available for ASX — a useful feature for beginners before committing real money.
- Charting: Standard MACD, RSI, moving averages on main platform; 50+ indicators available on CommSecIRESS.
- Research: Basic company profiles and key metrics for free. Analyst ratings, price targets, and full financial statements require Stake Black (A$17/month).
- Platform stack: Stake web and mobile app — one login covers both ASX and Wall St accounts cleanly.
- Auto-invest: Stake Auto-Invest works for both ASX and US — any supported stock or ETF, A$10 minimum, weekly/fortnightly/monthly. Significantly more flexible than CommSec Pocket.
- Extended-hours US trading: Available on the Wall St account. Not possible on CommSec.
- Demo account: Not available. The platform is viewable before funding but no simulated trading.
Regulation, holding model, and investor protection
- ASIC regulated — AFSL 238814 (Commonwealth Securities Limited).
- Wholly owned subsidiary of Commonwealth Bank of Australia (ASX: CBA). Non-guaranteed by CBA but operationally backed by one of Australia’s Big Four banks.
- ASX holdings: CHESS-sponsored (own HIN).
- International holdings: custodial via Pershing LLC as sub-custodian.
- No Australian government compensation scheme for ASX equities (no FSCS equivalent).
- CDIA cash: held in a separate linked CBA bank account.
- ASIC regulated — AFSL 548196 (Stakeshop Pty Ltd); authorised representative No. 1241398.
- Privately held — no parent bank backing.
- ASX holdings: CHESS-sponsored (own HIN).
- US holdings: custodial via DriveWealth / DTC. US uninvested cash swept to Citibank — FDIC coverage up to US$250,000.
- AUD cash: held on trust in a segregated client monies account at an ADI.
- No Australian government compensation scheme for ASX equities.
Interest on uninvested cash
This is a clean win for CommSec. Stake pays nothing on idle cash.
- Below A$50,000: 0.65% p.a.
- A$50,000–A$249,999: 1.40% p.a.
- A$250,000–A$999,999: 1.80% p.a.
- A$1,000,000+: 2.45% p.a.
Paid daily, credited monthly. Cash must sit in the linked CDIA — not the trading sub-ledger.
0% on both AUD and USD balances. Stake’s terms confirm that Stake and its service providers retain any interest earned on held funds — none is passed to the user.
If you regularly hold meaningful cash between trades, CommSec’s CDIA is a genuine structural advantage.
Customer support channels and hours
| Channel | CommSec | Stake |
|---|---|---|
| Phone | 13 15 19 — Mon–Fri 8am–6pm AEST | (02) 8294 6149 — Mon–Fri 9:30am–4:30pm AEST |
| International phone | +61 2 8397 1206 | Not confirmed in official sources |
| Email / support ticket | Yes (secure platform messaging) | Yes (support@hellostake.com) |
| US / international trade support | 24 hours on US trading days | Not confirmed in official sources |
Who each broker actually fits
- Investors who already bank with CommBank and want seamless CDIA and trading integration in one app.
- Anyone who actively uses institutional research — Morningstar, Goldman Sachs, Reuters — and values having it free in-platform.
- Investors who want access to European or other global markets beyond ASX and the US.
- Those holding larger idle cash balances between trades — the CDIA earns 0.65% to 2.45% p.a. depending on balance.
- Beginners who want to test the platform with a demo account (CommSec Simulation) before trading real money.
- Very large trades above A$25,000 where CommSec’s 0.12% rate becomes more competitive.
- Regular ASX investors placing A$1,000–A$25,000 orders — Stake’s A$3 flat beats CommSec at every bracket in this range.
- US-focused investors who want 9,500+ US stocks and ETFs, fractional shares from US$10, and extended-hours trading.
- Hands-off investors who want to automate a regular buy of any ASX or US stock or ETF — not just a curated shortlist.
- Investors who want one login for both ASX and US portfolios.
- Cost-conscious investors who don’t need deep fundamental research on the free tier.
For a typical investor placing 12 ASX trades per year at A$5,000 each, Stake saves over A$200 annually in brokerage alone. CommSec’s research advantage is real — but it is worth asking whether you actively use Morningstar and Goldman Sachs data, or whether A$200 per year compounds better inside the portfolio itself.
Both brokers are CHESS-sponsored, ASIC-regulated, and free to open. The cost difference shows up every time you trade.
Related reading
CommSec vs Stake — common questions
Is Stake or CommSec better for ASX investing?
Stake is cheaper for most ASX investors — A$3 flat per trade versus CommSec’s A$5 to A$29.95 depending on order size. At a typical A$5,000 order, Stake saves A$16.95 per trade, which adds up to over A$200 per year on a monthly trading schedule. CommSec is the stronger choice if you value CBA banking integration, free Morningstar and Goldman Sachs research, or the security of a Big Four bank platform. Both brokers are CHESS-sponsored, so ASX share ownership structure is identical.
What are CommSec’s brokerage fees in 2026?
CommSec’s ASX brokerage fees in 2026 are: A$5 for orders up to A$1,000; A$10 for orders up to A$3,000; A$19.95 for orders up to A$10,000; A$29.95 for orders up to A$25,000; and 0.12% (minimum A$29.95) for orders above A$25,000. There is no annual custody fee or monthly platform fee. See the full CommSec review for a complete fee breakdown.
Does Stake charge FX on every US trade?
No. Stake’s 0.55% FX markup applies only when you fund or withdraw from the Wall St (US) account — not on each individual US trade. This makes Stake significantly more cost-efficient than brokers that apply an FX spread per transaction. If you deposit A$10,000 once and make 20 US trades from that balance, you pay the FX cost once (A$55), not 20 times. Plan your funding accordingly to minimise the number of conversion events.
Is CommSec CHESS-sponsored?
Yes. CommSec automatically applies CHESS sponsorship to newly opened Australian Share Trading Accounts. Your ASX shares are registered under your own individual HIN (Holder Identification Number), entirely separate from CommSec’s holdings. For international shares, CommSec uses a custodial structure via Pershing LLC as sub-custodian — which is standard for any broker offering access to offshore markets.
Is Stake CHESS-sponsored?
Yes. Stake AUS is CHESS-sponsored — your ASX shares are held under your own individual HIN. Stake’s Wall St (US) account is custodial, with shares cleared through DriveWealth and DTC arrangements. US uninvested cash is swept to Citibank with FDIC coverage up to US$250,000 per legal category. Australian dollar cash is held on trust in a segregated client monies account at an ADI.
Which broker is better for US stocks — CommSec or Stake?
Stake is better for most investors accessing US markets. It offers 9,500+ US stocks and ETFs, fractional shares from US$10, FX charged only on funding (not per trade), and extended-hours trading. CommSec’s International Shares product provides US access but at higher commissions and without fractional shares. If you also need European, Japanese, or other global markets, CommSec is the only option between these two — Stake covers ASX and US only.
Some of the links on this site are affiliate links, meaning we may earn a commission at no extra cost to you if you sign up through them. This does not affect our reviews or recommendations — we only feature products we genuinely believe are useful for investors. This site provides educational content only, not personalized investment advice. Investments can lose value and past performance does not guarantee future results. You are responsible for your own financial decisions and for confirming the tax and legal rules that apply in your country.