CommSec vs Marketech Focus
The biggest difference between CommSec and Marketech Focus is that CommSec is a full-service broker backed by the Commonwealth Bank, offering US and international markets, while Marketech Focus is a niche ASX-only platform that charges a $20/month fee for features like CGT reports and distribution breakdowns. CommSec has no monthly or inactivity fees; Marketech Focus costs $240 a year before you place a single trade.
- ›You want to trade US stocks and ETFs (including fractional shares) without a separate US brokerage account
- ›You want zero monthly, inactivity, or market-data fees — CommSec charges nothing to hold an account
- ›You need access to international markets beyond Australia: UK, Europe, Canada, Hong Kong, Japan and more
- ›You want a polished mobile app with live chat support and the backing of Australia's biggest bank
- ›You occasionally trade options or want IPO access on the ASX
- ›You want built-in CGT reports and distribution component breakdowns at tax time — Marketech Focus includes these natively
- ›You prefer a dedicated desktop trading platform alongside the mobile app
- ›You trade ASX shares exclusively and don't need US or international markets at all
- ›You're comfortable paying $20/month for a streamlined, no-frills CHESS-sponsored broker with a lower brokerage rate above $16,667
Where they differ
| Fact | CommSec | Marketech Focus |
|---|---|---|
| Monthly platform fee | $0 | $20/month ($240/year) |
| US & international shares | Supported (US, UK, Europe, Canada, HK, Japan, etc.) | Not supported (ASX & Cboe Australia only) |
| Market data fees | $0/month (free real-time data) | $20/month |
| CGT calculator / report | Not available natively | Built-in CGT reports and distribution breakdowns |
| ASX brokerage (above threshold) | 0.12% for trades over $25,000 | 0.03% for trades over $16,667 |
Choose CommSec for zero holding costs and global access; choose Marketech Focus only if you trade ASX stocks heavily and want tax reports built in.
Common questions
How do CommSec and Marketech Focus compare on monthly platform fee?
CommSec: $0. Marketech Focus: $20/month ($240/year).
How do CommSec and Marketech Focus compare on us & international shares?
CommSec: Supported (US, UK, Europe, Canada, HK, Japan, etc.). Marketech Focus: Not supported (ASX & Cboe Australia only).
How do CommSec and Marketech Focus compare on market data fees?
CommSec: $0/month (free real-time data). Marketech Focus: $20/month.
When is CommSec the better choice over Marketech Focus?
Pick CommSec if you want to trade US stocks and ETFs (including fractional shares) without a separate US brokerage account; you want zero monthly, inactivity, or market-data fees — CommSec charges nothing to hold an account; you need access to international markets beyond Australia: UK, Europe, Canada, Hong Kong, Japan and more; or you want a polished mobile app with live chat support and the backing of Australia's biggest bank.
When is Marketech Focus the better choice over CommSec?
Pick Marketech Focus if you want built-in CGT reports and distribution component breakdowns at tax time — Marketech Focus includes these natively; you prefer a dedicated desktop trading platform alongside the mobile app; you trade ASX shares exclusively and don't need US or international markets at all; or you're comfortable paying $20/month for a streamlined, no-frills CHESS-sponsored broker with a lower brokerage rate above $16,667.
CommSec or Marketech Focus — what's the verdict?
Choose CommSec for zero holding costs and global access; choose Marketech Focus only if you trade ASX stocks heavily and want tax reports built in.
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 | CommSec | 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 States, Canada, United Kingdom, France, Germany, Italy, Netherlands, Hong Kong, Japan, Belgium, Norway, Spain, Sweden | Cboe Australia, NSX (National Stock Exchange of Australia) |
| Fractional shares (ASX) | No | No |
| Fractional shares (US) | Yes | — |
| Options trading | Yes | No |
| CFDs supported | No | No |
| Managed funds | Yes | No |
| Bonds supported | Yes | No |
| IPO access | Yes | — |
| costs hidden | ||
| FX spread (AUD/USD) | 0.55% | — |
| FX spread (other currencies) | 0.55% | — |
| Holds USD account | Yes | No |
| FX currency switch trick | No | — |
| Market data fees | $0/month | $20/month |
| Conditional order fees | $0 | $0 |
| Phone trade surcharge | $59.95 | — |
| Corporate action fees | Corporate actions (SPP, rights issue, takeovers, demergers, dividend payments) are not separately charged by CommSec. They are processed via the share registry/issuer. CommSec does not send trade confirmations for off-market events, so Sharesight/other tracker sync requires manual updates. Failed-settlement fees apply if payment is late ($10 minimum or 0.66% above $1,500). | — |
| costs visible | ||
| ASX brokerage minimum | $5 | $5 |
| ASX brokerage percentage | 0.12% | 3% |
| ASX brokerage threshold | $25,000 | $16,667 |
| ASX free trade conditions | Conditional: $5 minimum requires linked CDIA (Commonwealth Direct Investment Account) or CommSec Margin Loan as the settlement account AND CHESS sponsorship with CommSec. Without CDIA linkage, brokerage starts at $29.95 for trades up to $9,999.99 and 0.31% above. Promotional $0 brokerage offers occasionally run for new customers (e.g. 30 free trades up to $50,000 each, May–Nov 2026 offer for new sign-ups). | — |
| US brokerage minimum | US$5 | — |
| US brokerage percentage | 0.12% | — |
| Monthly platform fee | $0/month | $20/month |
| Annual platform fee | $0/year | $240/year |
| Inactivity fee | $0 | — |
| Withdrawal fee (AUD) | $0 | $0 |
| Off-market transfer fee | $54 | — |
| identity and trust | ||
| Legal entity name | Commonwealth Securities Limited | Marketech Online Trading Pty Ltd |
| AFSL number | 238,814 | 337,927 |
| Year founded | 1,995 | 2,021 |
| Parent / ownership | Commonwealth Bank of Australia (ASX: CBA) | 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 | BPAY, Direct debit, Bank transfer (CDIA), Cheque, Cash deposit (CBA branch/ATM) | Bank transfer (to Macquarie CMA), Direct credit |
| Settlement period | T+2 (ASX) / T+1 (US) | T+2 |
| Withdrawal time | Same-day to 1 business day (instant when funds in CDIA via real-time transfer) | Same-day to 1 business day (via Macquarie CMA) |
| platform ux | ||
| iOS app | Yes | Yes |
| Android app | Yes | Yes |
| Desktop platform | No | Yes |
| Demo account | No | No |
| Free real-time market data | Yes | No |
| Free research reports | Yes | Yes |
| 2FA support | SMS + authenticator | — |
| Customer support channels | phone, email, live chat (in-app), secure mail (in-platform), social media (X, Instagram) | email, support portal |
| Support hours (AU time) | Phone 8am-6pm Mon-Fri Sydney time (general & options); extended trading-hours support during ASX session. No 24/7 support. | — |
| Education content | structured courses | basic articles |
| tax and reporting | ||
| Australian tax statement | Yes | Yes |
| Distribution component breakdown | No | Yes |
| CGT calculator / report | No | 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 | No | No |
| Auto-invest sophistication | none | none |
| DRP (dividend reinvestment) | Yes | Yes |
| After-hours / overnight trading | Yes | No |