Stake Review 2026

The CHESS sponsorship model differentiates Stake from app-based competitors like Superhero. You directly own your ASX shares in your name, receive all shareholder rights, can vote at AGMs, and hold shares even if Stake closes. This provides genuine ownership rather than a custodial arrangement where the broker owns shares on your behalf.

US market access is Stake's killer feature for Australian investors. Accessing US stocks traditionally required opening an international broker account with high fees and currency conversion challenges. Stake provides direct access to 9,000+ US stocks with the same $3 brokerage, fractional share support, and seamless AUD to USD conversion. This opens Apple, Tesla, Amazon, and the S&P 500 to everyday Australian investors with small balances.

The platform targets long-term investors rather than active traders. No options trading, no CFDs, no margin lending. Just straightforward stock ownership with modern portfolio tracking and research tools. For buy-and-hold investors building wealth through stocks and ETFs, Stake delivers exactly what is needed at a fraction of traditional broker costs.

The 0.70% FX conversion fee on US trades adds approximately $7 to a $1,000 US stock purchase. Total cost is $10 ($3 brokerage + $7 FX fee) versus $3 for ASX stocks. While not insignificant, this remains cheaper than alternatives. Interactive Brokers charges similar FX spreads plus commissions. Traditional brokers charge 1-2% FX conversion plus higher base brokerage.

The fee structure favors buy-and-hold investing over active trading. Frequent traders making daily trades will find the $3 per trade adds up. However, long-term investors making quarterly or monthly contributions benefit enormously from flat-rate pricing. A $500 monthly investment costs $3 (0.6%) with Stake versus $10-$20 (2-4%) with CommSec.

Stake Black at $9/month makes sense for active US traders only. The reduced 0.50% FX fee saves $2 per $1,000 USD traded. You need $4,500+ in monthly US trading to break even. Most investors should stick with the free standard account unless they trade US stocks heavily. The UK market access is a bonus for those wanting LSE exposure.

The web platform delivers the essentials well: real-time quotes for AU and US stocks, portfolio performance tracking, price alerts, basic research with earnings dates and analyst ratings, and clean order placement with instant confirmation. The interface is uncluttered and fast. Place an order in 3 clicks. Check your portfolio performance at a glance. Set price alerts for stocks on your watchlist. It does what 90% of investors need without overwhelming them with complexity.

The mobile apps are where Stake genuinely excels. The iOS and Android apps are polished, fast, and genuinely mobile-first rather than desktop-shrunk-to-phone. Touch ID and Face ID login make access seamless. Push notifications for price alerts, order fills, and market movements keep you informed without needing to constantly check the app. The investing experience feels native to mobile, which matches how most Stake users actually invest.

The platform is not for advanced traders. No options trading, no advanced charting beyond basic candlesticks, no hot keys for rapid order placement. Active traders needing sophisticated tools will find Stake limiting. But for long-term investors buying quality stocks and ETFs, the platform provides exactly what is needed with zero learning curve. You can start investing the day you sign up without reading a manual.

Stake is not for everyone, and that clarity of purpose is a strength. Active day traders need advanced platforms with real-time data, options chains, and margin lending. Options traders need specialized platforms. CFD traders need leverage and short-selling. Stake deliberately avoids these features to focus on straightforward stock ownership. This makes the platform approachable for beginners while keeping costs low for everyone.

For the target audience — Australian investors wanting to own ASX and US stocks with minimal costs — Stake is the best option available. The $3 brokerage saves hundreds annually versus traditional brokers. CHESS sponsorship provides genuine ownership security. US market access opens global diversification. SMSF integration makes super investing practical. Fractional shares make expensive stocks accessible. These features combine to create a platform that democratizes stock investing.

The 4.2/5 rating reflects excellent value (4.6), strong safety (4.5), and solid platform quality (4.3), balanced against limited markets (4.0) and modest customer support (3.8). Stake has built exactly what the Australian market needed: a low-cost, ASIC-regulated broker focused on stock ownership rather than trading complexity. For investors seeking long-term wealth building through equities, Stake is the clear choice.