Top 5 Brokers with Best CFD Trading Platform in Australia
Robert J. Williams
Alexandra Winters
Choosing the best CFD trading platform Australia has never been more important for retail investors. Leading Australian brokers must combine multi-asset support (forex, indices, commodities, shares, etc.) with strong performance and compliance. All featured brokers here are ASIC-regulated CFD platforms, meaning they meet Australia’s strict regulatory standards. We compared fees, spreads, execution speed, and user experience across platforms. As one fintech industry expert notes, modern traders expect more than just technology: “the transformation we see is about more than just technology. It is about a deeper shift in how people perceive risk, how they trust platforms”. Another analyst emphasizes that future CFD trading relies on an ecosystem that empowers traders, not just faster algorithms. Speed also matters: OANDA’s CEO reports his new engine “executes trades at a stunning 1.3 milliseconds, bringing institutional quality execution speeds to retail traders”. Below we rank the top five Australian CFD brokers by platform performance, compliance, asset range, fees and experience – a true CFD broker comparison Australia of industry leaders.
Overview Table: Top 5 Brokers with Best CFD Trading Platforms
| Broker Name | Founded / Headquarters | Regulation (ASIC & Others) | Available Assets (CFDs) | Trading Platforms | Spreads & Fees | Highlights / Strengths | Ideal For |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Pepperstone | 2010 / Melbourne, Australia | ASIC (AFSL 414530), FCA, DFSA, CySEC, BaFin | 1,200+ CFDs — Forex, Indices, Commodities, Shares, Crypto | MT4, MT5, cTrader, TradingView, Capitalise.ai | Spreads from 0.0 pips (EUR/USD), commission $3.50/side (Razor Account) | Ultra-low spreads, lightning-fast execution (77ms), excellent platform variety | Scalpers, day traders, algorithmic traders |
| IC Markets | 2007 / Sydney, Australia | ASIC (AFSL 335692), CySEC, FSA Seychelles, DFSA | 1,600+ CFDs — Forex, Indices, Commodities, Shares, Crypto | MT4, MT5, cTrader, WebTrader | Raw spreads from 0.0 pips + $3.50/side commission | Institutional-grade speed, high liquidity, low latency (77ms) | High-frequency & algorithmic traders |
| ThinkMarkets | 2010 / Melbourne, Australia | ASIC (AFSL 424700), FCA (UK), FSCA (SA) | 4,000+ CFDs + 3,100 ASX shares — Forex, Indices, ETFs, Commodities, Crypto | ThinkTrader (proprietary), MT4 | Classic: Spread-only; Zero: 0.0 pips + $3.5 commission | Multi-asset access (CFDs + shares), robust risk tools, advanced charting | Traders seeking both CFDs and real shares |
| IG Markets | 1974 / London, UK (Australian branch regulated by ASIC) | ASIC (AFSL 220440), FCA, MAS, FINMA, CFTC | 17,000+ CFDs — Forex, Indices, Commodities, Shares, ETFs, Crypto, Options | IG Web Platform, ProRealTime, L2 Dealer, MT4, Mobile App | Spreads from 0.6 pips (EUR/USD), 0.1% share CFD commission | Vast market range, premium analytics, award-winning mobile app | Professional & diversified traders |
| Plus500 | 2008 / Sydney, Australia (AU branch) | ASIC (AFSL 417727), FCA, CySEC, MAS, FMA | 2,500+ CFDs — Forex, Indices, Commodities, Shares, ETFs, Crypto | Proprietary WebTrader & Mobile App | Spread-only pricing (~0.8–1.4 pips major pairs) | Beginner-friendly interface, negative balance protection, GSLOs | New CFD traders, mobile-first investors |
Pepperstone – Best CFD trading platform Australia for competitive spreads
Pepperstone is an award-winning Australian CFD broker known for its tight pricing and robust platforms. It is ASIC-regulated and also licensed by FCA, BaFin and others, assuring compliance. Traders benefit from ultra-low spreads (e.g. ~0.0–0.1 pips on EUR/USD) and lightning-fast execution (around 77ms), ideal for low spread CFD trading. Pepperstone supports over 1,200 CFD instruments, including FX, indices, commodities, shares and even cryptocurrencies. Its platform selection is broad: MetaTrader 4/5, TradingView, cTrader and APIs (Capitalise.ai), so traders can choose familiar charting and automation tools. Key points:
- Regulation: ASIC (AFSL 414530) and global regulators.
- Assets: 60+ FX pairs, 25 indices, 15 commodities, thousands of share CFDs, crypto.
- Fees: Razor account (commission + raw spread) and standard (all-in-spread). Spreads from 0.0 pips on majors, commissions ~$3.50/side per lot. No deposit/withdrawal fees.
- Platform: Award-winning MT4/MT5, TradingView charting, cTrader. Demo mode available.
- User Experience: Intuitive web and mobile apps with one-click trading, advanced charts and educational resources. Pepperstone’s research team (The Daily Fix) provides analysis, showing its investor-focused approach.
Pepperstone’s low-cost, high-tech platform makes it ideal for scalpers and day traders. In one expert’s view, Pepperstone provides “competitive spreads, swift trade execution, access to educational resources, and a choice of top-tier trading platforms” – hallmarks of the best CFD trading platform Australia.
IC Markets – Leading ASIC regulated CFD platform with tight spreads
IC Markets is an Aussie-born broker emphasizing raw performance. It’s ASIC-regulated and globally licensed. IC Markets offers very tight pricing (raw-spread accounts with EUR/USD ~0.0–0.1 pips) and “lightning-fast execution” comparable to institutional speeds. It supports a wide range of assets: 65+ FX pairs, 25+ indices, 15+ commodities, 1,600+ stock CFDs, and crypto CFDs (Bitcoin, Ethereum, etc.). Its platform tech is state-of-the-art: besides MT4/5 and cTrader, IC Markets has an in-house “WebTrader” and MetaTrade API. Highlights:
- Regulation: ASIC (AFSL 335692) and multiple regulators (CySEC, FCA, DFSA, etc.).
- Assets: Extensive CFD suite (Forex, indices, commodities, stocks, crypto).
- Fees: ECN spreads from ~0.02 pips (EUR/USD) + commission ~$3.50/side. Also commission-free spreads account available. Low swap/overnight fees.
- Platform: MetaTrader 4, 5, cTrader (desktop, web, mobile). High-res charts and API access.
- User Experience: Fast order routing (average 77ms fill), 24/7 support, and active trader benefits (rebates). No deposit fees. The company also provides extensive learning resources and webinars.
IC Markets’ infrastructure is built for algorithmic and high-frequency trading: indeed, its “competitive pricing and scalable execution make it an excellent option for algorithmic traders”. The broker achieves consistently low spreads and top execution quality, making it a top pick in any ASIC regulated CFD platforms review.
ThinkMarkets – Multi-asset CFD and share broker
ThinkMarkets (ThinkMarkets Group) offers a unique combo of CFDs and actual share trading under one roof, which appeals to many Australian traders. It is regulated by ASIC in Australia and FCA in the UK. ThinkMarkets’ platform suite includes its proprietary ThinkTrader (desktop/web/mobile) and MT4. The ThinkTrader platform is built on TradingView charts and supports advanced features. Key features:
- Regulation: ASIC (AFSL 424700) and FCA, ensuring reliability.
- Assets: 4,000+ CFD markets (Forex, indices, commodities, bonds, ETFs) plus ~3,100 ASX and Chi-X shares. Also offers cryptocurrencies via CFDs.
- Fees: Two account types – Classic (spread-only) and Zero (raw spreads + commission). EUR/USD from ~0.0-0.1 pips + $3.5 commission on Zero. Share trading incurs brokerage from 0.08%. Low inactivity fee.
- Platform: Proprietary ThinkTrader (web/mobile), featuring TradingView’s 50+ indicators and 20 drawing tools. MetaTrader 4 support for legacy preference.
- User Experience: Strong mobile app, flexible charting, and risk-management tools (guaranteed stop options). Educational webinars and 24/5 support help beginners.
In short, ThinkMarkets is “a reputable and reliable broker for CFD trading” with the flexibility of trading real shares in the same account. Its multi-asset offering and solid tech make it an appealing platform for Aussie traders who want everything – from low spread trading to share investing – in one place.
IG Markets – Best global multi-asset platform for Australian traders
IG Markets is a global powerhouse in CFD trading, and its Australian branch is fully ASIC-regulated (AFSL 220440). IG stands out with very deep market access: it offers nearly 20,000 CFD markets across forex, indices, commodities, hundreds of commodities, thousands of shares and ETFs, plus crypto and options. Notably, IG also provides non-CFD share dealing for Australian clients. Platform highlights:
- Regulation: ASIC license plus FCA, MAS, FINMA, etc.. Very high trust score and capital backing.
- Assets: 80+ FX pairs, 130+ indices, 10,000+ share CFDs (including US, UK, AU stocks), 120+ commodities, 15+ crypto CFDs, plus fixed income and derivatives.
- Fees: Competitive spreads (AUD/USD ~0.7, EUR/USD ~0.6 on standard accounts). Active trader rebates for volume. Share CFDs commission from 0.1% (US stocks) up. No inactivity fee.
- Platform: Award-winning proprietary web and mobile platforms (top-rated charting and usability). Also supports L2 Dealer (DMA) and ProRealTime charting, plus MT4. IG’s mobile app won “#1 Mobile App” for its interface and tools.
- User Experience: Professional-grade tools: integrated Bloomberg news, trading signals (Autochartist, TipRanks), and even a social community. Extensive education and daily research content.
Citing , “IG boasts an extensive selection of over 17,000 tradable markets as well as competitive pricing and a world-class trading platform suite.” Its platform is highly customizable; for example, the dark-mode web interface (shown below) features live charts, news feeds and one-click trading in a unified layout. IG’s brand and tech make it arguably the most versatile ASIC regulated CFD platform for diverse asset coverage in Australia.
Image: IG’s advanced web-based trading platform (dark mode).
Plus500 – Beginner-friendly multi-asset CFD provider
Plus500 is a globally known CFD broker with a simple proprietary platform. It is ASIC-regulated (Plus500AU Pty Ltd) and regulated by FCA, CySEC etc. Plus500’s strengths are its ease of use and comprehensive CFD coverage: it offers CFDs on thousands of products including stocks, ETFs, forex pairs, indices, commodities and crypto. Key points:
- Regulation: ASIC (AFSL 417727) with client asset protections.
- Assets: 2,500+ CFDs: 70+ FX, 30+ indices, 1,000+ stocks, 20 crypto, 15+ commodities, plus fixed income and ETFs. No direct share trading – all exposure is via CFDs.
- Fees: Spread-only pricing (no commission) with typically slightly wider spreads. Example: EUR/USD ~0.8 pips, AUD/USD ~1.4 pips. No withdrawal/minimum fees. Guaranteed stop orders available (for a fee). 84% of retail accounts lose money trading with Plus500 (standard risk warning).
- Platform: Proprietary web and mobile app (Windows, macOS, iOS, Android). The interface is intuitive and consistent across devices. It includes 100+ chart indicators and 20 drawing tools.
- User Experience: Very simple onboarding and trading flow, good for beginners. The mobile/web platform syncs watchlists. However, it lacks advanced tools like algorithmic or social trading. Customer support is limited.
Plus500 is not the cheapest in spreads, but it has a large selection of CFD products and a clean interface. It also features strong risk management options (negative balance protection, GSLOs) which appeal to cautious traders. In our comparison, Plus500 ranks as a solid entry-level CFD platform for Australians who want a straightforward multi-asset experience.
Conclusion
In summary, the top five CFD platforms in Australia each excel in different ways. Pepperstone and IC Markets win for low spreads and fast execution, ideal for active traders. ThinkMarkets offers a unique blend of CFDs and real shares in one account. IG Markets stands out with its unmatched asset range and polished platforms. Plus500 is user-friendly with an extensive CFD catalog, though at slightly higher spreads. All five are ASIC-regulated CFD platforms, ensuring regulatory oversight. Prospective traders should demo these platforms, compare the fee schedules and asset coverage, and verify the broker’s Australian AFSL status. Remember, leveraged CFD trading carries high risk (most retail accounts lose money). Always trade responsibly, start small, and use risk controls like stop-orders.
Final Advice: Before opening a live account, try the demo platforms of these brokers to gauge usability. Check if they meet your asset needs (e.g. specific stock CFDs or crypto pairs). Read the Product Disclosure Statement for fees and make sure negative balance protection is offered. Ultimately, choose the broker whose platform performance and regulatory pedigree match your trading goals.
FAQ
What is the best CFD trading platform in Australia?
The best platform depends on your needs. Pepperstone and IC Markets are top-rated for low costs and fast execution, while IG Markets offers the most asset diversity and advanced tools. All five brokers above (Pepperstone, IC Markets, ThinkMarkets, IG, Plus500) are among the best ASIC-regulated CFD platforms.
Are these brokers regulated by ASIC?
Yes. Each broker listed has an Australian Financial Services Licence (ASIC regulation) for CFD trading. For example, Pepperstone (AFSL 414530), IC Markets (AFSL 335692), ThinkMarkets (AFSL 424700), IG Markets (AFSL 220440) and Plus500AU (AFSL 417727) are all ASIC-regulated. This means they must comply with ASIC’s rules on client funds, disclosures, and risk warnings.
What assets can I trade on these CFD platforms?
All five platforms support multiple asset classes. Common offerings include over 60–80 currency pairs, major stock index CFDs (e.g. ASX 200, S&P 500), commodity CFDs (gold, oil, etc.), and thousands of equity CFDs (US, AU, UK stocks). IG adds crypto and options; ThinkMarkets also offers actual ASX share trading; Pepperstone and IC Markets include crypto CFDs. Check each broker’s “asset list” – for example, IG offers nearly 20,000 CFD markets.
Do these platforms offer low spread CFD trading?
Yes. Pepperstone and IC Markets are particularly known for ultra-low spreads (often 0.0–0.1 pips on majors) due to their ECN pricing models. IG and ThinkMarkets have slightly wider spreads by default, but can also offer low-cost pricing accounts or rebates for active traders. Plus500’s spreads are competitive but typically a bit wider. All platforms display real-time spreads in their apps for transparency.
How can I verify a broker’s ASIC regulation?
You can check the ASIC register using the broker’s AFSL number or name. Each broker’s website will list its ASIC license. For example, Pepperstone’s site notes it is regulated by ASIC. Alternatively, search ASIC’s official registers for the firm’s name or license number. Using an ASIC-regulated platform ensures the broker follows Australian compliance and client protection rules.
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