Share Trading comparison
easyMarkets vs Interactive Brokers Australia
These two platforms aren't really competitors — they serve completely different purposes. easyMarkets is a CFD and options broker that doesn't offer any ASX or US shares, while Interactive Brokers Australia is a full-blown global brokerage with access to 30+ markets, real shares, ETFs, bonds, and fractional US stocks. If you want to actually own ASX shares under a CHESS-sponsored arrangement, easyMarkets isn't even an option.
Choose
easyMarkets
if…
- ›You want to trade CFDs and options on forex, indices, commodities or crypto without owning the underlying asset
- ›You want a low $25 minimum deposit and can fund via credit card, Skrill, Neteller or even crypto
- ›You want a built-in demo account and structured education courses to learn before trading
- ›You want zero monthly market data fees and free real-time data included
- ›You're comfortable with a Cyprus-headquartered group and a custodial (non-CHESS) model for CFD positions
Choose
Interactive Brokers Australia
if…
- ›You want to buy and hold actual ASX shares, ETFs, US stocks or bonds under your own name
- ›You want access to 30+ global markets including Hong Kong, London, Tokyo and emerging markets
- ›You want fractional US shares, auto-invest/DCA with multiple sophistication levels, and a CGT calculator
- ›You want zero inactivity fees, zero monthly platform fees, and ASX brokerage from just $6
- ›You want a publicly traded parent company (NASDAQ: IBKR) with CHESS-equivalent custodial structure and full Australian tax statements
Where they differ
| Fact | easyMarkets | Interactive Brokers Australia |
|---|---|---|
| ASX shares supported | No | Yes |
| US shares supported | No | Yes |
| Minimum initial deposit | $25 AUD | $0 AUD |
| Inactivity fee | $25 AUD | $0 AUD |
| Free real-time market data | Yes | No (paid add-on) |
Verdict
If you want to own real shares, choose Interactive Brokers. If you want CFD speculation, choose easyMarkets — they're not interchangeable.
All data points side-by-side
Every verified fact for both platforms. Differences are highlighted.
| Field | easyMarkets | Interactive Brokers Australia |
|---|---|---|
| account structure | ||
| CHESS sponsorship model | — | custodian |
| Individual HIN | — | No |
| Individual account | Yes | Yes |
| Joint account | No | Yes |
| Company account | Yes | Yes |
| Trust account | No | Yes |
| SMSF account | No | Yes |
| Kids / minor account | No | No |
| asset coverage | ||
| ASX shares supported | No | Yes |
| ASX ETFs supported | No | Yes |
| US shares supported | No | Yes |
| US ETFs supported | No | Yes |
| Other markets supported | US, Canada, UK, Ireland, Germany, France, Netherlands, Belgium, Spain, Italy, Switzerland, Austria, Sweden, Norway, Denmark, Finland, Poland, Czechia, Hungary, Israel, Hong Kong, Japan, Singapore, China (Stock Connect), South Korea, India, Indonesia, Thailand, Malaysia, Australia, New Zealand, South Africa, Mexico | |
| Fractional shares (ASX) | No | No |
| Fractional shares (US) | No | Yes |
| Options trading | Yes | Yes |
| CFDs supported | Yes | Yes |
| Managed funds | No | No |
| Bonds supported | No | Yes |
| IPO access | No | No |
| costs hidden | ||
| FX spread (AUD/USD) | — | 0.002% |
| FX spread (other currencies) | — | 0.002% |
| Holds USD account | Yes | Yes |
| FX currency switch trick | No | No |
| Market data fees | $0/month | — |
| Conditional order fees | $0 | $0 |
| Corporate action fees | — | Corporate action processing is generally fee-free for standard events (dividends, splits, mergers). Some voluntary corporate actions and ADR pass-through fees apply per the published fee schedule. Mandatory reorganisations are processed at no charge. |
| costs visible | ||
| ASX brokerage minimum | — | $6 |
| ASX brokerage percentage | — | 0.08% |
| US brokerage minimum | — | US$1 |
| US brokerage percentage | — | 0.05% |
| Monthly platform fee | $0/month | $0/month |
| Annual platform fee | $0/year | $0/year |
| Inactivity fee | $25 | $0 |
| Withdrawal fee (AUD) | $0 | $0 |
| Off-market transfer fee | — | $0 |
| identity and trust | ||
| Legal entity name | easyMarkets Pty Ltd | Interactive Brokers Australia Pty Ltd |
| AFSL number | 246,566 | 453,554 |
| Year founded | 2,003 | 1,978 |
| Parent / ownership | Blue Capital Markets Ltd (private, Cyprus-headquartered easyMarkets group) | Interactive Brokers Group, Inc. (NASDAQ: IBKR) |
| Country of incorporation | AU | AU |
| Public company status | private | public |
| money movement | ||
| Minimum initial deposit | $25 | $0 |
| Minimum subsequent purchase | $0 | $0 |
| Deposit methods | Credit/Debit Card (Visa, Mastercard, Amex), Bank Wire Transfer, BPAY, Skrill, Neteller, POLi, Crypto (BTC, ETH, USDT) | Bank transfer (EFT), BPAY, International wire (SWIFT) |
| Settlement period | — | T+2 for ASX, T+1 for US equities |
| Withdrawal time | 1 business day to process; 3-10 business days for funds to arrive depending on method | 1-3 business days for AUD EFT; same day possible for AUD instant transfers within Australia |
| platform ux | ||
| iOS app | Yes | Yes |
| Android app | Yes | Yes |
| Desktop platform | Yes | Yes |
| Demo account | Yes | Yes |
| Free real-time market data | Yes | No |
| Free research reports | Yes | Yes |
| 2FA support | SMS + authenticator | authenticator app |
| Customer support channels | phone, email, live chat | phone, email, live chat, in-app secure message |
| Support hours (AU time) | 24/5 (Monday to Friday, around the clock during market hours) | 24 hours, Monday to Friday (Sydney) — local AU phone support during business hours; global desks cover overnight |
| Education content | structured courses | video + courses |
| tax and reporting | ||
| Australian tax statement | No | Yes |
| Distribution component breakdown | No | No |
| CGT calculator / report | No | Yes |
| Sharesight / Navexa integration | No | Yes |
| trading mechanics | ||
| Market orders | Yes | Yes |
| Limit orders | Yes | Yes |
| Stop loss orders | Yes | Yes |
| Conditional orders | Yes | Yes |
| Auto-invest / DCA | No | Yes |
| Auto-invest sophistication | none | multiple |
| DRP (dividend reinvestment) | No | No |
| After-hours / overnight trading | Yes | Yes |