Comparison of Admirals and CommSec
| Feature | Admirals | CommSec |
|---|---|---|
| Broker | ||
| Year Founded | 2001 | 1995 |
| Broker Type | STP | DMA |
| Dealing | A-book | A-book |
| Execution | Market | Market |
| Regulation | CySEC, JSC, FCA, EFSA, ASIC, FSCA, CMA, SFSA | ASIC |
| Platforms | MetaTrader 4 (MT4), MetaTrader 5 (MT5) | CommSec Web, CommSec App, CommSec Pocket |
| Spread | ⬊ Low | ⮕ Average |
| Maximum Leverage | 1:1000 | 1:10 |
| Minimum Deposit | $25 | $1 |
| Base Currencies | USD, EUR, GBP, AUD, BRL, MXN, CLP, SGD, THB, VND | AUD |
| Funding Methods | Bank Wire, Credit Card, Debit Card, Skrill, Neteller, Perfect Money, Bitcoin (BTC), Tether (USDT), USD Coin (USDC), Ethereum (ETH) | Linked CDIA bank account, NetBank transfer, BPAY |
| Inactivity Fee | $10 per month after 24 months | ✖ |
| Interest on Margin | ✖ | ✔ |
| Withdrawal Fee | ✖ | ✖ |
| Investor Protection | UK Financial Services Compensation Scheme (FSCS), Investor Compensation Fund (ICF) | - |
| Protection Size | £85 000 / €20 000 | - |
| Segregated Accounts | ✔ | ✔ |
| Negative Balance Protection | ✔ | ✖ |
| Guaranteed Stop Loss | ✖ | ✖ |
| Copy Trading | ✖ | ✖ |
| VPS | ✔ | ✖ |
| MAM/PAMM | ✖ | ✖ |
| Scalping Allowed | ✔ | ✖ |
| EAs/Robots | ✔ | ✖ |
| Depth of Market (DOM) | ✔ | ✔ |
| Tradable Assets (CFDs) | Currencies, Indices, Stocks, ETFs, Bonds, Metals, Energies, Soft Commodities, Cryptocurrencies | Shares, ETFs, options, managed funds, margin lending |
| Review | Admirals Review | CommSec Review |
About Admirals
Admirals is a reputable forex broker renowned for its robust trading platforms, competitive pricing, and comprehensive range of financial instruments. Catering to both beginner and experienced traders, Admirals offers access to a diverse selection of currency pairs, commodities, indices, cryptocurrencies, and more. The broker is regulated by several top-tier financial authorities, ensuring a high level of security and transparency for its clients. Admirals also provides extensive educational resources, including webinars, tutorials, and market analysis, which help traders enhance their skills and make informed decisions. Additionally, their customer support is highly responsive and available through multiple channels, making Admirals a reliable choice for traders seeking a balanced and user-friendly trading experience.
Pros
- Regulated by multiple reputable financial authorities
- Access to numerous currency pairs, commodities, indices, cryptocurrencies, and more
- Offers tight spreads and low trading fees
- Supports MetaTrader 4 and MetaTrader 5
- Comprehensive tutorials, webinars, and market analysis
- Responsive and available through various channels
Cons
- Services may not be available in all countries, limiting accessibility for some traders
- Certain regions may incur fees for withdrawals, which can affect overall profitability
About CommSec
CommSec is Australia’s largest online stockbroker and a wholly-owned subsidiary of Commonwealth Bank. Founded in 1995, it offers direct market access to the ASX plus 13 international exchanges, $0 account-keeping fees, tiered brokerage from A$5 per trade, and integrated banking via the CDIA settlement account. Clients can trade on desktop or via the CommSec and Pocket mobile apps, access Morningstar research, and finance portfolios through a margin-loan facility. Regulated by ASIC, CommSec is CHESS-sponsored for Australian equities, but accounts are available only to Australian residents.
Pros
- ASIC-regulated, backed by Commonwealth Bank
- Intuitive mobile app
- CHESS sponsorship for ASX shares
- Access to 13 global markets
- Integrated CDIA cash account with fast settlement
- Comprehensive research & Morningstar data
Cons
- Available only to Australian residents
- Higher brokerage than new discount brokers
- No MT4/MT5 or cryptocurrency trading
- No negative-balance protection
- Limited derivative line-up (no CFDs/FX)
Admirals & CommSec Regulation
| Feature | Admirals | CommSec |
|---|---|---|
Companies | Admiral Markets Cyprus Ltd, Admiral Markets AS Jordan Ltd, Admiral Markets UK Ltd, Admiral Markets Group, Admirals AU Pty Ltd, Admirals SA (Pty) Ltd, Admirals KE Ltd, Admirals SC Ltd | Commonwealth Securities Ltd |
Countries | Cyprus, Jordan, United Kingdom, Estonia, Australia, South Africa, Kenya, Seychelles | Australia |
Regulators | CySEC, JSC, FCA, EFSA, ASIC, FSCA, CMA, SFSA | ASIC |
Investor Protection | UK Financial Services Compensation Scheme (FSCS), Investor Compensation Fund (ICF) | - |
Investor Protection Size | £85 000 / €20 000 | - |
Publicly Traded | ||
Segregated Accounts | ||
Guaranteed Stop Loss | ||
Negative Balance Protection |
Account Types
| Account | Admirals | CommSec |
|---|---|---|
STP Account | ||
| Account Name | Trade | — |
| Min Deposit | $25 | — |
| Lot Size | 0.01 | — |
| Spread Type | Floating | — |
| Execution | Market | — |
| Min Spread | 0.6 | — |
| Fee | No | — |
| Max Leverage | 1:1000 | — |
| Stop Out | 30% | — |
| Margin Call | 100% | — |
Zero Account | ||
| Account Name | Zero | — |
| Min Deposit | $25 | — |
| Lot Size | 0.01 | — |
| Spread Type | Floating | — |
| Execution | Market | — |
| Min Spread | 0 | — |
| Fee | $6 per 1 lot | — |
| Max Leverage | 1:1000 | — |
| Stop Out | 30% | — |
| Margin Call | 100% | — |
DMA Account | ||
| Account Name | — | Commonwealth Direct Investment Account (CDIA) |
| Min Deposit | — | $1 |
| Lot Size | — | 0.01 |
| Spread Type | — | Floating |
| Execution | — | Market |
| Min Spread | — | 1 |
| Fee | — | $10 per 1 lot |
| Max Leverage | — | 1:1 |
| Stop Out | — | - |
| Margin Call | — | - |
| Additional Features | ||
| Demo Account | ||
| VIP Account | ||
| Swap-Free Account | ||
| Copy Trading | ||
| VPS | ||
| PAMM/MAM Accounts | ||
Funding and Fees
| Feature | Admirals | CommSec |
|---|---|---|
Base currencies | USD, EUR, GBP, AUD, BRL, MXN, CLP, SGD, THB, VND | AUD |
Deposit and withdrawal methods | Bank Wire, Credit Card, Debit Card, Skrill, Neteller, Perfect Money, Bitcoin (BTC), Tether (USDT), USD Coin (USDC), Ethereum (ETH) | Linked CDIA bank account, NetBank transfer, BPAY |
Inactivity fee | $10 per month after 24 months | |
Interest on margin | ||
Withdrawal fee |
Trading Platforms and Conditions
| Feature | Admirals | CommSec |
|---|---|---|
Trading Platforms | MetaTrader 4 (MT4), MetaTrader 5 (MT5) | CommSec Web, CommSec App, CommSec Pocket |
Execution Speed | 150 ms | 3 ms |
Scalping | ||
Expert Advisors (EAs) | ||
Depth of Market (DOM) | ||
Spread | low | average |
Trading Assets
| Asset | Admirals | CommSec |
|---|---|---|
Currencies | 82 | 0 |
Indices | 43 | 0 |
Stocks | 3428 | 2200 |
Cryptocurrencies | 21 | 0 |
Bonds | 2 | 0 |
Metals | 7 | 0 |
Energies | 3 | 0 |
Soft Commodities | 7 | 0 |
ETFs | 362 | 200 |
Education and Analytics
| Feature | Admirals | CommSec |
|---|---|---|
Economic Calendar | ||
Indicators | ||
Robots | ||
Signals | ||
Autochartist | ||
Expert Analytics | ||
News Feed | ||
Education Articles | ||
Webinars | ||
Seminars |
Bonuses
| Bonus | Admirals | CommSec |
|---|---|---|
| Welcome Bonus | ||
| Is available | ||
| Size | 100%, up to $5000 | — |
| Details | Learn More | — |
Customer Support
| Contact | Admirals | CommSec |
|---|---|---|
Email | global@admiralmarkets.com | hoax@cba.com.au |
Phone | +442081577344 | +61283971206 |
Telegram | Telegram | — |
LinkedIn | — | |
YouTube | YouTube | YouTube |
Instagram | ||
Twitter |
Which Broker is Better?
After comparing Admirals and CommSec, Admirals comes out ahead as our overall pick. It ranks higher in our internal scoring and delivers a stronger balance of pricing (spreads/fees), platform experience, and product range. That said, the runner-up may still be a better fit if you prioritize specific needs—like a particular account type, funding method, or niche instruments. This is not financial advice; always choose a broker that matches your goals and local regulatory requirements.
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Andriy Bondarenko
Broker Analyst
Andriy is a seasoned expert in broker reviews with over a decade of experience in finance and trading. Under his leadership, the team produces in-depth and unbiased analyses of leading trading platforms.