Moomoo vs CommSec Comparison: Which Should You Use in Australia?

May 20 06:50

Key Takeaways

Choose moomoo:

If your priority is minimising trading costs while still accessing global markets and using cutting-edge AI tools, Moomoo is likely the better choice.

Choose CommSec:

If you value broad investment choice, and a broker backed by a major bank and don’t mind paying more in fees, CommSec could be a good fit.

Looking to find your ideal trading platform in Australia? Our in-depth comparison of "Moomoo vs CommSec" will help you decide which broker best suits your needs. This article evaluates both platforms on essential factors such as fees, investment options, trading tools, and user experience, ensuring you have all the information needed to make an informed choice.

Introduction to Moomoo and CommSec in Australia

Moomoo overview

Moomoo Australia has rapidly become Australia’s most downloaded trading app in 2025, a remarkable feat for a platform that only launched locally in 2022. Backed by global fintech firm Futu, moomoo offers Australian investors access to more than 26,000 stocks and ETFs across the Australian, US and Hong Kong markets.

Moomoo offers CHESS-sponsored ASX trading: every new account is assigned a unique Holder Identification Number (HIN) under the ASX’s CHESS system, giving you direct ownership of your ASX-listed shares. Brokerage fee for ASX trading is A$3 per trade, or 0.03% of transaction value (GST inclusive), whichever value is greater, making it highly competitive for local investors.

On top of that, moomoo delivers powerful, professional-grade tools and user-friendly design: AI-driven insights, real-time market depth (including free Level 2 data for US markets), 100+ charting indicators, and a smart earnings calendar. To find out more about Moomoo Australia, simply click the link - about Moomoo.

moomoo trading platform

CommSec overview

CommSec, part of the Commonwealth Bank Group, is one of Australia’s longest-operating online brokerage services, with more than 25 years in the market. This makes it an attractive choice for those who are accustomed to CommBank's digital platforms and prefer the reliability of trading with a domestic bank.

CommSec allows trading in Australia, the US, and 12 additional international markets. It provides various educational resources tailored for beginners looking to enhance their trading knowledge.

Key costs include a starting fee of AUD $5 for ASX stock investments, with fees varying based on trade amounts, and US market trades starting at USD$5.00 or 0.12%. Trading in European and other global markets incurs fees beginning around 0.4%, and there's a 0.55% foreign exchange fee for currency conversions.

Moomoo vs CommSec: Overall Comparison in Australia

In this section, we provide an overall comparison for Moomoo vs CommSec, two popular trading platforms. We'll explore their pricing structures on the ASX and US exchanges, types of investment options, trading tools and features, promotions and bonuses, security and regulation to help you clearly know their strengths and weaknesses.

Fees and commissions

1. Australian (ASX) brokerage fees

moomoo vs commsec asx brokerage fees
All prices listed in AUD and GST inclusive. Pricing estimates are based on pricing information obtained from official websites as at 08/2025. Please refer to our Financial Services Guide for full details.

When comparing brokerage costs on the Australian Securities Exchange (ASX), Moomoo offers one of the most competitive pricing structures in the market, while CommSec follows a traditional tiered-fee model that becomes more expensive as your trade size increases.

Moomoo charges a low, transparent fee starting from AUD $3 per trade or 0.03% of transaction value (GST inclusive), whichever value is greater, making it especially cost-effective for both new and active investors. Even as trade sizes grow, Moomoo’s pricing remains significantly lower than many traditional brokers.

For investors seeking lower transaction costs, especially those who trade frequently or place larger ASX orders, moomoo provides a clear pricing advantage over CommSec.

trade asx stocks with moomoo

2. U.S. (NASDAQ & NYSE) brokerage fees

Fee Type

Moomoo

CommSec

Brokerage Fee

USD $0.99 per trade
*does not include Pass-through fees and other service fees

Two account types:
- International Shares: USD$5.00 or 0.12%
- International Shares Plus: USD$9.95 or 0.20%

FX Spread

For AUD/USD conversion, it's 0.5%

0.55% FX spread on international orders

Additional Fees

Settlement and trading activity fees apply

Taxes, Stamp Duty, International Securities Transfer & Third Party Fees

Source from: Moomoo pricing & CommSec rates and fees
  • For U.S. stocks, Moomoo’s US$0.99 is quite low as a base, but you need to factor in FX costs.

  • CommSec offers two account types for U.S. investing, giving flexibility, but its base fees (especially for the Plus account) are significantly higher than Moomoo’s flat rate.

trade us stocks with moomoo

Types of investment options

Here’s a comparison of the types of investment options offered by Moomoo and CommSec:

Investment Option

Moomoo

CommSec

Australian Shares (ASX)

U.S. Shares

Hong Kong Shares

ETFs (Exchange-Traded Funds)

Fractional Shares

✓ (U.S. only)

Options

✓ (U.S. Options only)

Fixed Income / Bonds

✓ — Fixed Income Securities, including ASX corporate & government bonds

Managed Funds

✓ — Access to managed funds via CommSec

Margin / Leveraged Investing

✓ — Margin lending available

  • Moomoo is very focused on stock and ETF trading across ASX, U.S., and Hong Kong markets, with the added benefit of fractional U.S. shares and U.S. options. However, it does not currently support managed funds, fixed income securities, or warrants.

  • CommSec offers a broader suite of investment products: beyond shares and ETFs, you can access managed funds, fixed income securities, warrants, and margin lending.

moomoo vs commsec
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Trading tools and features

Here is a detailed table comparing the trading tools and features supported by Moomoo and CommSec for Australian investors.

Feature

Moomoo

CommSec

Real-time quotes / live data

✓ (via IRESS)

Advanced charting / indicators

Paper trading

Level 2 Market Data

Stock / ETF screener

✓ (100+ filters)

✗ (CommSec does not appear to provide a very advanced screener in its app; its focus is more on watchlists and alerts)

AI trading tools

✓ (moomoo AI bot, AI stock analysis, AI Trend Projection, AI Announcement Summary)

✓ (AI-powered summaries)

Customisable Watchlists

✓ (custom watchlists + community ideas)

✓ (custom watchlists with live price & research)

Alerts / Notifications

✓ (Price, Volume alerts via push / email)

✓ (Price, Volume, Announcement, Ex-Dividend alerts via push / email)

Earnings calendar

Research & News

✓ (24/7 global news, analyst ratings)

✓ (market research, news, CommSec Markets commentary)

Educational resources

Mobile & Desktop Platforms

Moomoo stands out for its advanced technology and feature depth. It provides powerful tools such as paper trading, Level 2 market data, a highly flexible stock/ETF screener, and a full suite of AI-powered trading tools.

moomoo ai trading platform

Moomoo also integrates community ideas, offers an earnings calendar, delivers extensive global news coverage, and provides strong educational resources, making it especially appealing for active traders and learners seeking an all-in-one mobile and desktop platform.

CommSec, on the other hand, excels in core trading fundamentals. It supports reliable real-time data via IRESS, solid advanced charting, customisable watchlists, and a comprehensive set of alerts (price, volume, announcements, dividends).

Tips:

Choose Moomoo if you want cutting-edge tools, AI features, deep data, and a more interactive trading experience.

Choose CommSec if you prefer a traditional, research-focused platform with strong alerting and market-monitoring capabilities.

Promotions and bonuses

When choosing an online brokerage in Australia, existing promotions and bonuses frequently play a crucial role for both novice and seasoned investors.

Here, we have summarised the relevant promotions and bonuses offered by Moomoo and CommSec.

Moomoo Australia Promotions*

Welcome Rewards: Enjoy $0 commission on Australian and U.S. stocks for 30 days, and receive up to 38 free stocks (including fractional shares) with eligible deposits into their moomoo account.

Transfer Rewards: Transfer to moomoo and get up to A$2,000 stock cash coupons and the latest free iPhone 17 Pro!

Referral Rewards: Invite your friends to join moomoo, and you’ll have a chance to receive an NVIDIA stock.

Options First Trade Bonus: Trade options on moomoo to get $0 brokerage for up to 100 option contracts.

Physical Store Promotions: To celebrate the grand opening of the Moomoo store in Sydney from 19 November to 3 December 2025, both new and existing users can enjoy special promotions and exclusive rewards by making eligible deposits, including stock cash coupons, Westfield gift cards, and limited-edition Moomoo merchandise.

*T&Cs and eligibility apply for all promotions.

CommSec Promotions

CommSec’s headline offer for new or existing clients includes $0 brokerage for up to 30 trades (valued under $50,000 each) during a specified promotional window.

Source from: https://www.commsec.com.au/offer
transfer promotions

User interface and experience

In terms of user interface and overall experience, both moomoo and CommSec provide excellent platforms designed for Australian investors, though each emphasises different strengths.

Moomoo user interface and experience

  • Design and Layout: Moomoo's UI is modern, slick, and information-dense, built for active traders who want advanced charts, deep analytics, and real-time market depth on a single screen. The layout is highly customisable, allowing users to rearrange dashboards to suit their analysis style.

  • Mobile Integration: Moomoo receives praise for its mobile app’s smooth performance, deep data integration, and responsive design on both Android and iOS.

moomoo interface

CommSec user interface and experience

  • Design and Layout: CommSec’s platform is clean, familiar, and beginner-oriented, with a straightforward, easy-to-navigate design focused on reducing information overload.

  • Mobile Integration: The CommSec app is stable and covers all standard features, with integration to CBA accounts for seamless banking and trading management.

CommSec user interface
Source from: https://www.commsec.com.au/features/commsec-app.html
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Security and regulation

Both Moomoo and CommSec are well-regarded for their robust security standards and rigorous regulatory compliance in Australia, but there are some important differences in their structure and protections.

Moomoo Security & Regulation

  • ASIC Regulatory Oversight: Moomoo Securities Australia Ltd is licensed by the Australian Securities and Investments Commission (ASIC), holding an Australian Financial Services Licence (AFSL No. 224663).

  • Client Money Handling: Client assets are kept in segregated trust accounts within major banks (like CBA or HSBC), which means investor funds are separated from company operating capital.

  • CHESS Sponsorship: ASX-listed shares and ETFs purchased through Moomoo are CHESS-sponsored. Investors receive a Holder Identification Number (HIN), and holdings are recorded under the investor’s name.

  • Custodian Model for US/HK Stocks: International equities (e.g., US stocks) are held under a custodian arrangement, which is a common structure among Australian brokers offering offshore market access.

commsec vs moomoo

CommSec Security & Regulation

  • Full-Scope ASIC Licensing: CommSec operates under the Australian Financial Services Licence of Commonwealth Bank of Australia.

  • CHESS Sponsored Holdings: ASX-listed holdings with CommSec are CHESS-sponsored, and investors receive a HIN with holdings registered in their name.

  • Local & Bank Backing: As one of Australia's largest brokerages, CommSec enjoys robust banking infrastructure, data security standards, and crisis management protocols leveraged from CBA, ensuring comprehensive risk management.

Customer support

Moomoo customer support

  • 24/5 Live Support: Our phone lines are available around the clock on trading days. On non-trading days, including weekends and holidays, support is provided from 09:30 AET to 21:30 AET. You can contact us at 1300 086 668 if you are in Australia or +61 2 7229 5636 if you are calling from overseas.

  • Online Inquiry & Chat: Users can access support through the app by navigating to Me > Customer Service. You can submit questions or connect with a live agent by typing "agent" in the chat interface.

  • Email Assistance: Australian customers can reach us directly via email at support@au.moomoo.com for any support needs.

  • In-person Support: The first moomoo store in Australia officially opens on November 19 in Chatswood, Sydney. If you encounter any issues while using moomoo, you can visit the physical store for one-on-one assistance from the staff.

moomoo customer support

CommSec customer support

For all inquiries related to Australian and international shares, margin lending, and options trading, you can call 13 15 19 if you're within Australia, or at +61 2 8397 1206 from outside the country.

Our support team is available Monday to Friday, from 8 am to 6 pm Sydney time. For international trade inquiries, assistance is available 24 hours on U.S. trading days.

Moomoo vs CommSec: Which One is Best for Aussie Investors?

For Australian investors choosing between Moomoo and CommSec, the decision primarily hinges on your trading style, investment objectives, and preferences regarding fees and features.

Moomoo may appeal to:

  • Moomoo offers low ASX trading commissions compared to CommSec, making it a very cost-effective option for trades ranging from a few thousand to tens of thousands of Australian dollars. Therefore, for investors looking to minimise their trading expenses, moomoo is a highly attractive choice.

  • Traders who want global exposure, especially to U.S. and Hong Kong markets, with access to fractional shares.

  • Investors who appreciate highly advanced tools, including AI trading bots, pattern recognition, and paper trading.

CommSec may appeal to:

  • Investors who already bank with Commonwealth Bank and value seamless integration.

  • Long-term investors who want a full-service broker with access to a broad range of products (managed funds, IPOs, warrants).

moomoo vs commsec

Final Verdict on Moomoo vs CommSec

If your priority is minimising trading costs while still accessing global markets and using cutting-edge tools, Moomoo is likely the better choice.

If instead you value broad investment choice, deep research tools, and a broker backed by a major bank and don’t mind paying more in fees, CommSec remains a very compelling option.

Ultimately, the best broker depends on your personal goals, how you trade, and what you value most in a platform.

This presentation is for informational and educational use only and is not a recommendation or endorsement of any particular investment or investment strategy. Investment information provided in this content is general in nature, strictly for illustrative purposes, and may not be appropriate for all investors. Read more

Table of contents
Key Takeaways
Introduction to Moomoo and CommSec in Australia
Moomoo overview
CommSec overview
Moomoo vs CommSec: Overall Comparison in Australia
Fees and commissions
Types of investment options
Trading tools and features
Promotions and bonuses
User interface and experience
Security and regulation
Customer support
Moomoo vs CommSec: Which One is Best for Aussie Investors?
Final Verdict on Moomoo vs CommSec
Market Insights
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