CommSec vs nabtrade
The biggest practical difference between CommSec and nabtrade is cost. CommSec can be as cheap as $5 per ASX trade if you use a linked CDIA account, while nabtrade starts at $9.95 and charges 0.11% above $20,000. nabtrade also hits you with a $19.95 monthly market data fee, whereas CommSec gives you real-time data for free. For anyone trading regularly, those fees add up fast.
- ›You want the lowest possible ASX brokerage — $5 per trade with a linked CDIA account, versus nabtrade's $9.95 minimum
- ›You trade US stocks regularly and want a tight FX spread of 0.0055% (nabtrade charges 0.8%) plus a dedicated USD account
- ›You want free real-time market data without a monthly subscription fee
- ›You need access to more international markets — CommSec covers 13 countries including Canada, Japan and France
- ›You want fractional US shares and after-hours trading, neither of which nabtrade offers
- ›You prefer a simpler, all-in-one brokerage experience linked to your existing NAB banking — instant withdrawals to NAB accounts
- ›You want a built-in CGT calculator to help with tax reporting at EOFY (CommSec doesn't offer one)
- ›You trade infrequently and don't mind paying $9.95 per trade because the monthly data fee can be waived with certain NAB account packages
- ›You want access to UK (LSE), German (Xetra) and Hong Kong (HKEx) markets without needing a separate platform
Where they differ
| Fact | CommSec | nabtrade |
|---|---|---|
| ASX brokerage minimum | $5 (with linked CDIA) | $9.95 |
| FX spread (AUD/USD) | 0.0055% | 0.8% |
| Monthly market data fee | $0 | $19.95 |
| CGT calculator | Not offered | Included |
| International markets | 13 countries | 3 countries (UK, Germany, HK) |
CommSec wins on cost and global access; nabtrade is only worth it if you value CGT tools or NAB banking integration.
Common questions
How do CommSec and nabtrade compare on asx brokerage minimum?
CommSec: $5 (with linked CDIA). nabtrade: $9.95. CommSec is nearly half the price for small trades.
How do CommSec and nabtrade compare on fx spread (aud/usd)?
CommSec: 0.0055%. nabtrade: 0.8%. CommSec's FX rate is dramatically cheaper for US trades.
How do CommSec and nabtrade compare on monthly market data fee?
CommSec: $0. nabtrade: $19.95. nabtrade charges a recurring fee that CommSec doesn't.
When is CommSec the better choice over nabtrade?
Pick CommSec if you want the lowest possible ASX brokerage — $5 per trade with a linked CDIA account, versus nabtrade's $9.95 minimum; you trade US stocks regularly and want a tight FX spread of 0.0055% (nabtrade charges 0.8%) plus a dedicated USD account; you want free real-time market data without a monthly subscription fee; or you need access to more international markets — CommSec covers 13 countries including Canada, Japan and France.
When is nabtrade the better choice over CommSec?
Pick nabtrade if you prefer a simpler, all-in-one brokerage experience linked to your existing NAB banking — instant withdrawals to NAB accounts; you want a built-in CGT calculator to help with tax reporting at EOFY (CommSec doesn't offer one); you trade infrequently and don't mind paying $9.95 per trade because the monthly data fee can be waived with certain NAB account packages; or you want access to UK (LSE), German (Xetra) and Hong Kong (HKEx) markets without needing a separate platform.
CommSec or nabtrade — what's the verdict?
CommSec wins on cost and global access; nabtrade is only worth it if you value CGT tools or NAB banking integration.
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 | nabtrade |
|---|---|---|
| account structure | ||
| CHESS sponsorship model | chess | chess |
| Individual HIN | Yes | Yes |
| Individual account | Yes | Yes |
| Joint account | Yes | Yes |
| Company account | Yes | Yes |
| Trust account | Yes | Yes |
| SMSF account | Yes | Yes |
| Kids / minor account | Yes | Yes |
| asset coverage | ||
| ASX shares supported | Yes | Yes |
| ASX ETFs supported | Yes | Yes |
| US shares supported | Yes | Yes |
| US ETFs supported | Yes | Yes |
| Other markets supported | United States, Canada, United Kingdom, France, Germany, Italy, Netherlands, Hong Kong, Japan, Belgium, Norway, Spain, Sweden | United Kingdom (LSE), Germany (Xetra), Hong Kong (HKEx) |
| Fractional shares (ASX) | No | No |
| Fractional shares (US) | Yes | No |
| Options trading | Yes | Yes |
| CFDs supported | No | No |
| Managed funds | Yes | Yes |
| Bonds supported | Yes | Yes |
| IPO access | Yes | Yes |
| costs hidden | ||
| FX spread (AUD/USD) | 0.55% | 80% |
| FX spread (other currencies) | 0.55% | 80% |
| Holds USD account | Yes | No |
| FX currency switch trick | No | — |
| Market data fees | $0/month | $19.95/month |
| Conditional order fees | $0 | $0 |
| Phone trade surcharge | $59.95 | $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 | $9.95 |
| ASX brokerage percentage | 0.12% | 11% |
| ASX brokerage threshold | $25,000 | $20,000 |
| 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$9.95 |
| US brokerage percentage | 0.12% | 11% |
| Monthly platform fee | $0/month | — |
| Annual platform fee | $0/year | — |
| Inactivity fee | $0 | — |
| Withdrawal fee (AUD) | $0 | $0 |
| Off-market transfer fee | $54 | $55 |
| identity and trust | ||
| Legal entity name | Commonwealth Securities Limited | WealthHub Securities Limited |
| AFSL number | 238,814 | 230,704 |
| Year founded | 1,995 | 2,012 |
| Parent / ownership | Commonwealth Bank of Australia (ASX: CBA) | National Australia Bank Limited (ASX: NAB) |
| Country of incorporation | AU | AU |
| Public company status | public | public |
| 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) | Direct credit / EFT, BPAY, Internal transfer from linked NAB account |
| Settlement period | T+2 (ASX) / T+1 (US) | ASX T+2; US T+1; UK/Germany/HK T+2 |
| Withdrawal time | Same-day to 1 business day (instant when funds in CDIA via real-time transfer) | Instant to linked NAB accounts; 1 business day to other Australian banks |
| platform ux | ||
| iOS app | Yes | Yes |
| Android app | Yes | Yes |
| Desktop platform | No | No |
| Demo account | No | No |
| Free real-time market data | Yes | Yes |
| Free research reports | Yes | Yes |
| 2FA support | SMS + authenticator | SMS + PIN |
| Customer support channels | phone, email, live chat (in-app), secure mail (in-platform), social media (X, Instagram) | Phone, Email, Secure messaging (via NAB Internet Banking) |
| Support hours (AU time) | Phone 8am-6pm Mon-Fri Sydney time (general & options); extended trading-hours support during ASX session. No 24/7 support. | Mon-Fri 8am-6pm AEST/AEDT (contact centre typically 9am-5pm) |
| Education content | structured courses | structured |
| tax and reporting | ||
| Australian tax statement | Yes | Yes |
| Distribution component breakdown | No | No |
| 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 |