Hints for comparing online brokers

Almost half of Australians own shares, so it’s expected that a fair proportion of them would need an online broker at some stage. If you don’t have an online broker already, or if you’re unhappy with your current choice, then the tables above should take the hassle out of comparing.

The brokerage charged to buy and sell shares is important, but that’s not the only factor to consider. The brokerage might be cheap, but check to see if there are any monthly fees. Also match the brokerage to your normal trade size. Some brokers are cheaper than others based on particular trade sizes.

If you want to trade international shares, for instance, not every broker offers you this luxury. Likewise, not every broker offers managed funds. But rather than simply choosing the broker that offers the lot, think seriously about what you realistically expect to invest in.