If you’re starting to invest in Australia, the three apps you’ll see most are Sharesies, Stake and Swyftx. They’re not really competing for the same money — Sharesies and Stake are share-trading platforms; Swyftx is a crypto exchange. Picking the right one depends on what you want to buy.
This isn’t financial advice. Investing involves risk and your investments can fall in value. Confirm current product disclosure information and fees before signing up to any platform.
Quick verdict
- Best for first-time share investors: Sharesies (fractional shares, low entry)
- Best for active US share traders: Stake ($0 US brokerage on standard plan)
- Best for crypto: Swyftx (350+ assets, AUSTRAC registered)
Side-by-side
| Sharesies | Stake | Swyftx | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Asset class | AU + US shares, ETFs, managed funds | AU + US shares | 350+ cryptocurrencies |
| Fractional shares | Yes | Yes (US) | N/A |
| Minimum investment | Very low | Low | Low |
| Brokerage (AU) | Per-trade fee | Per-trade fee | Trade-spread |
| Brokerage (US) | Per-trade fee | $0 on standard plan | N/A |
| FX fee | Yes | Yes | N/A |
| New-customer bonus | Yes (varies) | Yes (varies) | $10 BTC after first trade |
| SMSF support | No | Stake Super (separate product) | No |
| Regulator | AFSL | AFSL | AUSTRAC |
When to pick Sharesies
Pick Sharesies if you’re new to investing and want to buy a slice of an expensive share without paying for a whole share. The per-trade fee is small and there’s no monthly fee on the entry plan. Sharesies works well for regular small investments (e.g. a fortnightly transfer into an ETF).
See current Sharesies Australia sign-up bonus
When to pick Stake
Pick Stake if you want to actively trade US shares, because Stake’s standard plan offers $0 brokerage on US trades (FX fees still apply). Stake’s order types and charting are stronger than Sharesies. Stake also offers an SMSF product (Stake Super) which Sharesies doesn’t.
See current Stake Australia new-user reward
When to pick Swyftx
Pick Swyftx if you want to buy crypto. Swyftx supports 350+ digital assets, has a clean beginner UI, low spreads and free PayID/OSKO deposits. The new-rider bonus is $10 worth of BTC after your first eligible trade. Crypto is volatile and you can lose money.
See current Swyftx Australia $10 BTC offer
Can you use all three?
Yes — many Australian investors use Sharesies or Stake for shares and Swyftx for crypto. Each is a separate account with its own login. The three platforms don’t overlap meaningfully.
What about CommSec, Selfwealth, Vanguard?
The big-bank brokers (CommSec, Westpac, NAB) are usually more expensive per trade than Sharesies/Stake. Selfwealth has flat-fee brokerage and is competitive for larger trades. Vanguard Personal Investor is good for buying Vanguard ETFs cheaply. None of those have current AusCoupons referral offers but they’re worth knowing about.
Frequently asked questions
Which Australian investing app has the best sign-up bonus? All three rotate referral bonuses. Open the links above to check the current bonus on each platform.
Can I trade US shares with Sharesies and Stake? Yes — both let Australians trade US-listed shares and ETFs. Stake’s standard plan offers $0 brokerage on US trades. Sharesies charges a small per-trade fee. FX fees apply on both.
Is Swyftx for shares or just crypto? Just crypto. Swyftx is a crypto exchange — it doesn’t offer shares or ETFs.
Are these investing apps safe in Australia? Sharesies and Stake operate under Australian Financial Services Licence arrangements with customer assets held separately. Swyftx is registered with AUSTRAC as a Digital Currency Exchange Provider. Investing always involves risk.
Last updated: April 2026 · Verified for Australian shoppers by AusCoupons. Not financial advice.