CMC Invest vs Marketech Focus
The practical split is simple: CMC Invest is a free-platform, multi-market broker with $0 US brokerage and 15 global markets, while Marketech Focus is an ASX-only platform charging $20 a month for cheaper large-parcel ASX trades. If you want US shares or no ongoing fee, CMC wins by default. If you trade big ASX parcels and want a Macquarie CMA cash hub, Marketech is the sharper tool.
- ›Want zero brokerage on US shares and ETFs, which Marketech doesn't offer at all
- ›Refuse to pay an ongoing platform fee, since CMC charges $0/month versus Marketech's $20
- ›Trade small ASX parcels, where CMC's free daily buy up to $1,000 beats Marketech's $5 minimum
- ›Need phone support, live chat and structured education rather than email and a portal
- ›Want access to 15 overseas markets plus options, managed funds and IPO access in one account
- ›Trade large ASX parcels, where Marketech's 0.03% rate undercuts CMC's 0.10% above the threshold
- ›Want same-day or next-day withdrawals through a Macquarie CMA cash account
- ›Prefer a flat $5 ASX minimum brokerage on smaller trades over CMC's $11
- ›Value a CHESS-sponsored ASX-only setup with no overseas market complexity
- ›Are happy paying $20/month for market data bundled into the platform fee
Where they differ
| Fact | CMC Invest | Marketech Focus |
|---|---|---|
| ASX brokerage rate | 0.10% of trade (min $11) | 0.03% of trade (min $5) |
| Monthly platform fee | $0/month | $20/month |
| US market access | Supported, $0 brokerage | Not supported |
| Withdrawal time | 1-2 business days | Same-day to 1 business day |
| Customer support channels | Phone, email, live chat | Email, support portal |
Pick CMC Invest for free multi-market access; pick Marketech Focus only if you trade big ASX parcels and want fast cash settlement.
Common questions
How do CMC Invest and Marketech Focus compare on asx brokerage rate?
CMC Invest: 0.10% of trade (min $11). Marketech Focus: 0.03% of trade (min $5). Marketech is far cheaper on large ASX parcels; CMC is cheaper on tiny ones.
How do CMC Invest and Marketech Focus compare on monthly platform fee?
CMC Invest: $0/month. Marketech Focus: $20/month. Marketech's $240 a year is a real hurdle for casual investors.
How do CMC Invest and Marketech Focus compare on us market access?
CMC Invest: Supported, $0 brokerage. Marketech Focus: Not supported. CMC gives you US shares and ETFs; Marketech is ASX-only.
When is CMC Invest the better choice over Marketech Focus?
Pick CMC Invest if want zero brokerage on US shares and ETFs, which Marketech doesn't offer at all; refuse to pay an ongoing platform fee, since CMC charges $0/month versus Marketech's $20; trade small ASX parcels, where CMC's free daily buy up to $1,000 beats Marketech's $5 minimum; or need phone support, live chat and structured education rather than email and a portal.
When is Marketech Focus the better choice over CMC Invest?
Pick Marketech Focus if trade large ASX parcels, where Marketech's 0.03% rate undercuts CMC's 0.10% above the threshold; want same-day or next-day withdrawals through a Macquarie CMA cash account; prefer a flat $5 ASX minimum brokerage on smaller trades over CMC's $11; or value a CHESS-sponsored ASX-only setup with no overseas market complexity.
CMC Invest or Marketech Focus — what's the verdict?
Pick CMC Invest for free multi-market access; pick Marketech Focus only if you trade big ASX parcels and want fast cash settlement.
Punch in your trade size and frequency. We'll do the full brokerage + FX + fees maths.
All data points side-by-side
Every verified fact for both platforms. Differences are highlighted.
| Field | CMC Invest | Marketech Focus |
|---|---|---|
| account structure | ||
| CHESS sponsorship model | chess | chess |
| Individual HIN | Yes | Yes |
| Individual account | Yes | Yes |
| Joint account | Yes | — |
| Company account | Yes | — |
| Trust account | Yes | — |
| SMSF account | Yes | Yes |
| Kids / minor account | Yes | — |
| asset coverage | ||
| ASX shares supported | Yes | Yes |
| ASX ETFs supported | Yes | Yes |
| US shares supported | Yes | No |
| US ETFs supported | Yes | No |
| Other markets supported | United Kingdom, Canada, Japan, Germany, France, Netherlands, Belgium, Spain, Switzerland, Sweden, Denmark, Norway, Singapore, Hong Kong, New Zealand | Cboe Australia, NSX (National Stock Exchange of Australia) |
| Fractional shares (ASX) | No | No |
| Fractional shares (US) | No | — |
| Options trading | Yes | No |
| CFDs supported | No | No |
| Managed funds | Yes | No |
| Bonds supported | No | No |
| IPO access | Yes | — |
| costs hidden | ||
| FX spread (AUD/USD) | 0.6% | — |
| FX spread (other currencies) | 0.6% | — |
| Holds USD account | No | No |
| Market data fees | $0/month | $20/month |
| Conditional order fees | $0 | $0 |
| Phone trade surcharge | $59.95 | — |
| costs visible | ||
| ASX brokerage minimum | $11 | $5 |
| ASX brokerage percentage | 0.1% | 3% |
| ASX brokerage threshold | $1,000 | $16,667 |
| ASX free trade conditions | $0 brokerage on first ASX buy order per security per day for trades up to $1,000 (excludes margin loan settled trades and sells) | — |
| US brokerage minimum | US$0 | — |
| US brokerage percentage | 0% | — |
| Monthly platform fee | $0/month | $20/month |
| Annual platform fee | $0/year | $240/year |
| Inactivity fee | $15 | — |
| Withdrawal fee (AUD) | $0 | $0 |
| Off-market transfer fee | $55 | — |
| identity and trust | ||
| Legal entity name | CMC Markets Stockbroking Limited | Marketech Online Trading Pty Ltd |
| AFSL number | 246,381 | 337,927 |
| Year founded | 1,989 | 2,021 |
| Parent / ownership | CMC Markets plc (LSE: CMCX) | Australian-owned private company; AFSL backing from Sanlam Private Wealth Pty Ltd; trade execution via OpenMarkets Australia Limited |
| Country of incorporation | AU | AU |
| Public company status | public | private |
| money movement | ||
| Minimum initial deposit | $500 | $500 |
| Minimum subsequent purchase | $0 | $0 |
| Deposit methods | PayID, Bank transfer (EFT), BPAY | Bank transfer (to Macquarie CMA), Direct credit |
| Settlement period | T+2 for ASX; T+1 for US | T+2 |
| Withdrawal time | 1-2 business days | Same-day to 1 business day (via Macquarie CMA) |
| platform ux | ||
| iOS app | Yes | Yes |
| Android app | Yes | Yes |
| Desktop platform | Yes | Yes |
| Demo account | No | No |
| Free real-time market data | Yes | No |
| Free research reports | Yes | Yes |
| 2FA support | authenticator app | — |
| Customer support channels | phone, email, live chat | email, support portal |
| Support hours (AU time) | Monday-Friday, business hours AET (approx 8am-6pm) | — |
| Education content | structured courses | basic articles |
| tax and reporting | ||
| Australian tax statement | Yes | Yes |
| Distribution component breakdown | Yes | Yes |
| CGT calculator / report | Yes | Yes |
| Sharesight / Navexa integration | Yes | Yes |
| trading mechanics | ||
| Market orders | Yes | Yes |
| Limit orders | Yes | Yes |
| Stop loss orders | Yes | Yes |
| Conditional orders | Yes | Yes |
| Auto-invest / DCA | Yes | No |
| Auto-invest sophistication | single asset | none |
| DRP (dividend reinvestment) | Yes | Yes |
| After-hours / overnight trading | No | No |