Alternatives to Sharesies
Sharesies is known for making investing accessible with fractional shares on both the ASX and US markets, letting you start with as little as $1. It also offers kids accounts and auto-invest features. But its custodian model means you don't hold shares under your own HIN, and the percentage-based brokerage (0.019% per trade) can add up for larger portfolios. You might also want CHESS sponsorship, SMSF support, or options trading. Here are 7 alternatives worth considering.
Offers CHESS-sponsored or custodian options with community features and a flat $6.50 brokerage.
- ASX brokerage minimum
- $6.5(Sharesies: $0)
- ASX ETFs supported
- Yes
- CHESS sponsorship model
- mixed(Sharesies: custodian)
CHESS-sponsored ASX trades from $3 with a low flat fee, unlike Sharesies' percentage-based model.
- ASX brokerage minimum
- $3(Sharesies: $0)
- ASX ETFs supported
- Yes
- CHESS sponsorship model
- mixed(Sharesies: custodian)
CHESS-sponsored from $3 on ASX, plus options trading and SMSF accounts that Sharesies lacks.
- ASX brokerage minimum
- $3(Sharesies: $0)
- ASX ETFs supported
- Yes
- CHESS sponsorship model
- chess(Sharesies: custodian)
Flat $2 brokerage on ASX and US trades, plus SMSF support, though also custodian-held.
- ASX brokerage minimum
- $2(Sharesies: $0)
- ASX ETFs supported
- Yes
- CHESS sponsorship model
- custodian
CHESS-sponsored ASX trades from $1 and zero-commission US shares with options trading.
- ASX brokerage minimum
- $1(Sharesies: $0)
- ASX ETFs supported
- Yes
- CHESS sponsorship model
- chess(Sharesies: custodian)
CHESS-sponsored or custodian choice with SMSF and kids accounts, flat $9.50 brokerage.
- ASX brokerage minimum
- $9.5(Sharesies: $0)
- ASX ETFs supported
- Yes
- CHESS sponsorship model
- mixed(Sharesies: custodian)
CHESS-sponsored ASX trading plus commission-free US shares, SMSF, and options trading.
- ASX brokerage minimum
- $11(Sharesies: $0)
- ASX ETFs supported
- Yes
- CHESS sponsorship model
- chess(Sharesies: custodian)
Common questions
Can I get CHESS sponsorship instead of a custodian model like Sharesies?
Yes, many Australian brokers offer CHESS sponsorship, meaning shares are held in your own name under your own HIN. This gives you direct ownership of ASX-listed shares, unlike the custodian model Sharesies uses. Several flat-fee brokers in this comparison provide that option.
Are there alternatives to Sharesies with lower fees for larger portfolios?
Sharesies charges percentage-based brokerage (0.019%), which can become expensive on larger trades. Several alternatives offer flat-fee brokerage structures, where you pay a set dollar amount per trade regardless of the trade size. This can work out cheaper for bigger buy orders.
Does any alternative offer both SMSF accounts and kids accounts like Sharesies?
Sharesies offers kids accounts but not SMSF support. Some alternatives in this list provide both SMSF accounts and minor accounts in one platform, giving you flexibility to manage super and children's investing from the same login.
What if I want to trade options or international markets beyond ASX and US?
Sharesies only covers ASX and US shares with no options trading. Several alternatives offer options trading and access to additional global markets including UK, Hong Kong, and European exchanges, all from the one account.