share trading alternatives

Alternatives to Bendigo Invest Direct

Bendigo Invest Direct is Bendigo Bank's CHESS-sponsored online broker for ASX and US shares, with trades starting at $19.95 and a percentage-based fee on larger trades. It offers options trading, DRP, and SMSF accounts, making it a solid choice for investors who prefer a bank-backed platform. However, the $19.95 minimum brokerage is higher than many competitors, and there's no auto-invest feature for dollar-cost averaging. If you're looking for lower fees, automated investing, or a different ownership model, there are plenty of alternatives worth comparing. Here are six options to consider.

By Investmatch Research Team · Last updated 18 May 2026
#1 alternative
Pearler
Community-focused CHESS-sponsored investing from $6.50. Auto-invest, kids accounts, US fractional shares.

At $6.50 per trade with auto-invest and community features, Pearler is cheaper and built for long-term investors.

ASX brokerage minimum
$6.5(Bendigo Invest Direct: $19.95)
ASX ETFs supported
Yes
CHESS sponsorship model
mixed(Bendigo Invest Direct: chess)
#2 alternative
Stake
CHESS-sponsored ASX trades from $3, plus US shares with fractional ownership.

Stake offers CHESS-sponsored ASX trades from just $3, significantly undercutting Bendigo's $19.95 minimum.

ASX brokerage minimum
$3(Bendigo Invest Direct: $19.95)
ASX ETFs supported
Yes
CHESS sponsorship model
mixed(Bendigo Invest Direct: chess)
#3 alternative
moomoo
CHESS-sponsored ASX trading from $3, US from $0.99. Fractional US shares, no platform fee.

Moomoo matches Bendigo on options and DRP but charges $3 ASX trades with fractional US shares included.

ASX brokerage minimum
$3(Bendigo Invest Direct: $19.95)
ASX ETFs supported
Yes
CHESS sponsorship model
chess
#4 alternative
SelfWealth
CHESS-sponsored ASX & US trading from $9.50. Auto-invest, DRP, kids & SMSF accounts.

SelfWealth costs $9.50 per trade with auto-invest, kids accounts, and full CHESS sponsorship for SMSFs.

ASX brokerage minimum
$9.5(Bendigo Invest Direct: $19.95)
ASX ETFs supported
Yes
CHESS sponsorship model
mixed(Bendigo Invest Direct: chess)
#5 alternative
Webull
CHESS-sponsored ASX trading from $1, plus zero-commission US shares and fractional US shares.

Webull charges just $1 for ASX trades and $0 for US shares, with options and auto-invest built in.

ASX brokerage minimum
$1(Bendigo Invest Direct: $19.95)
ASX ETFs supported
Yes
CHESS sponsorship model
chess
#6 alternative
Vanguard Personal Investor
Custodian-held Vanguard ETFs and ASX shares with zero brokerage, no platform fee, from $200.

Vanguard Personal Investor offers zero-brokerage ASX trades and auto-invest, ideal for ETF-focused investors on a budget.

ASX brokerage minimum
$0(Bendigo Invest Direct: $19.95)
ASX ETFs supported
Yes
CHESS sponsorship model
custodian(Bendigo Invest Direct: chess)

Common questions

Is Bendigo Invest Direct CHESS-sponsored?

Yes, Bendigo Invest Direct is fully CHESS-sponsored. That means your ASX shares are held in your own HIN (Holder Identification Number), giving you direct ownership on the Australian share registry rather than through a custodian arrangement.

Are there cheaper alternatives to Bendigo Invest Direct for ASX trading?

Yes, several brokers offer ASX trades for well under $19.95. Some charge as little as $1 to $6.50 per trade while still providing CHESS sponsorship. If you trade frequently or in smaller amounts, a lower-cost broker could save you hundreds in brokerage each year.

Does Bendigo Invest Direct support automatic investing or dollar-cost averaging?

No, Bendigo Invest Direct does not offer auto-invest or dollar-cost averaging features. If you want to set up regular automated investments into shares or ETFs, you would need to look at a broker that includes scheduled buys as a built-in feature.

Can I trade US shares with Bendigo Invest Direct?

Yes, Bendigo Invest Direct supports trading on US markets. However, the fee structure differs from ASX trading. Some alternatives offer US trades from $0 or very low flat fees, which may be more cost-effective depending on your trading volume.