Share Trading comparison
easyMarkets vs tastytrade
easyMarkets and tastytrade both let Australians trade options, but they're built for completely different things. easyMarkets is a CFD broker that also offers options — you're trading derivatives, not owning the underlying asset. tastytrade is a US-domiciled broker focused on US options and equities, backed by IG Group, and it doesn't touch ASX at all.
Choose
easyMarkets
if…
- ›You want to trade CFDs on forex, indices, commodities or crypto alongside options
- ›You're comfortable with a derivatives-based model rather than direct share ownership
- ›You need a low minimum deposit ($25) and multiple deposit options including BPAY, Skrill, Neteller and crypto
- ›You want structured educational courses and free research reports included
- ›You prefer a broker with an Australian AFSL (246566) and local regulatory oversight
Choose
tastytrade
if…
- ›You want to trade US-listed options and equities with a platform designed specifically for options strategies
- ›You prefer a public company (IG Group, LSE-listed) with zero inactivity fees and no monthly platform fees
- ›You want CGT reporting tools and Sharesight/Navexa integration for your tax records
- ›You're happy to fund via international wire (USD) and don't mind US-time-zone support hours
- ›You want access to US bonds and don't need ASX trading, CFDs or Australian dollar accounts
Where they differ
| Fact | easyMarkets | tastytrade |
|---|---|---|
| Asset type | CFDs + options (derivatives) | US equities, ETFs, options, bonds (direct ownership) |
| ASX trading | Not supported | Not supported |
| Inactivity fee | $25 AUD | $0 AUD |
| Minimum deposit | $25 AUD | $0 USD |
| Deposit methods | Credit/debit card, BPAY, bank wire, Skrill, Neteller, POLi, crypto | International wire (USD), ACH (US only), cheque (US only) |
Verdict
Choose easyMarkets for CFD and options trading with Aussie-friendly deposits; choose tastytrade for direct US options and equities with zero inactivity fees.
All data points side-by-side
Every verified fact for both platforms. Differences are highlighted.
| Field | easyMarkets | tastytrade |
|---|---|---|
| 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 | No |
| Kids / minor account | No | No |
| asset coverage | ||
| ASX shares supported | No | No |
| ASX ETFs supported | No | No |
| US shares supported | No | Yes |
| US ETFs supported | No | Yes |
| Other markets supported | ||
| Fractional shares (ASX) | No | No |
| Fractional shares (US) | No | No |
| Options trading | Yes | Yes |
| CFDs supported | Yes | No |
| Managed funds | No | No |
| Bonds supported | No | Yes |
| IPO access | No | No |
| costs hidden | ||
| Holds USD account | Yes | Yes |
| FX currency switch trick | No | No |
| Market data fees | $0/month | $0/month |
| Conditional order fees | $0 | $0 |
| Corporate action fees | — | Standard US corporate action processing applies (dividends, splits, mergers). Mandatory corporate actions are processed at no fee; voluntary corporate actions (e.g. tender offers) may incur a fee per tastytrade's fee schedule. |
| costs visible | ||
| ASX free trade conditions | — | Not applicable — tastytrade does not offer ASX trading. |
| US brokerage minimum | — | US$0 |
| US brokerage percentage | — | 0% |
| Monthly platform fee | $0/month | $0/month |
| Annual platform fee | $0/year | $0/year |
| Inactivity fee | $25 | $0 |
| Withdrawal fee (AUD) | $0 | — |
| identity and trust | ||
| Legal entity name | easyMarkets Pty Ltd | tastytrade, Inc. |
| AFSL number | 246,566 | — |
| Year founded | 2,003 | 2,017 |
| Parent / ownership | Blue Capital Markets Ltd (private, Cyprus-headquartered easyMarkets group) | IG Group Holdings plc (LSE: IGG) |
| Country of incorporation | AU | US |
| 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) | international wire (USD), ACH (US only), check (US only) |
| Settlement period | — | T+1 (US equities/ETFs, from May 2024) |
| Withdrawal time | 1 business day to process; 3-10 business days for funds to arrive depending on method | International wire withdrawals to AU typically 3-5 business days |
| platform ux | ||
| iOS app | Yes | Yes |
| Android app | Yes | Yes |
| Desktop platform | Yes | Yes |
| Demo account | Yes | Yes |
| Free real-time market data | Yes | Yes |
| Free research reports | Yes | No |
| 2FA support | SMS + authenticator | authenticator app |
| Customer support channels | phone, email, live chat | phone, email, live chat |
| Support hours (AU time) | 24/5 (Monday to Friday, around the clock during market hours) | Monday-Friday, approx. 7am-5pm US Central Time = approx. 10pm-8am AET (next day). Weekend support limited. No AU business-hours coverage. |
| Education content | structured courses | video + courses |
| tax and reporting | ||
| Australian tax statement | No | No |
| 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 | No |
| Auto-invest sophistication | none | none |
| DRP (dividend reinvestment) | No | No |
| After-hours / overnight trading | Yes | Yes |