Comparison of CommSec and eToro
| Feature | CommSec | eToro |
|---|---|---|
| Broker | ||
| Year Founded | 1995 | 2006 |
| Broker Type | DMA | MM, Social |
| Dealing | A-book | B-book |
| Execution | Market | Instant |
| Regulation | ASIC | SFSA, FCA, CySEC, ASIC, SEC |
| Platforms | CommSec Web, CommSec App, CommSec Pocket | eToro |
| Spread | ⮕ Average | ⬈ High |
| Maximum Leverage | 1:10 | 1:30 |
| Minimum Deposit | $1 | $200 |
| Base Currencies | AUD | USD |
| Funding Methods | Linked CDIA bank account, NetBank transfer, BPAY | Bank Wire, Credit Card, Debit Card, PayPal, Skrill, Neteller, Klarna, Rapid Transfer, Trustly |
| Inactivity Fee | ✖ | $10 per month after 12 months |
| Interest on Margin | ✔ | ✖ |
| Withdrawal Fee | ✖ | $5 |
| Investor Protection | - | Investor Compensation Fund (ICF) |
| Protection Size | - | €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) | Shares, ETFs, options, managed funds, margin lending | Currencies, Indices, Stocks, ETFs, Cryptocurrencies, Metals, Energies, Soft Commodities |
| Review | CommSec Review | eToro Review |
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)
About eToro
eToro is a globally renowned social trading platform, offering a unique approach to forex and CFD trading through its innovative copy trading feature. Established in 2007 and regulated by multiple top-tier authorities, including the FCA, CySEC, and ASIC, eToro has become a popular choice for traders of all experience levels. The platform allows users to follow and copy successful traders, making it particularly appealing to beginners seeking to learn and profit from experienced professionals. Beyond social trading, eToro offers a diverse range of instruments, including forex, stocks, ETFs, commodities, and cryptocurrencies, making it a versatile platform for portfolio diversification. Its proprietary platform is user-friendly and comes with robust analytical tools, catering to both novice and seasoned traders. However, while eToro's zero-commission stock trading is a standout feature, its relatively high spreads and inactivity fees may deter cost-conscious traders.
Pros
- Unique copy trading feature for following successful traders
- Regulated by multiple top-tier authorities (FCA, CySEC, ASIC, etc.)
- Offers a wide range of instruments, including cryptocurrencies and stocks
- User-friendly proprietary platform with robust analytical tools
- Zero-commission stock trading for non-leveraged positions
- Integrated social features for sharing insights and strategies
Cons
- Relatively high spreads compared to other brokers
- Inactivity fees applied after 12 months of non-use
- Limited options for advanced trading platforms like MT4 or MT5
- Withdrawal fees for certain transactions
- Customer support may have delayed response times during peak periods
CommSec & eToro Regulation
| Feature | CommSec | eToro |
|---|---|---|
Companies | Commonwealth Securities Ltd | eToro (Seychelles) Limited, eToro (UK) Ltd, Etoro (Europe) Ltd, eToro AUS Capital Limited, eToro USA Securities Inc. |
Countries | Australia | Seychelles, United Kingdom, Cyprus, Australia, United States |
Regulators | ASIC | SFSA, FCA, CySEC, ASIC, SEC |
Investor Protection | - | Investor Compensation Fund (ICF) |
Investor Protection Size | - | €20 000 |
Publicly Traded | ||
Segregated Accounts | ||
Guaranteed Stop Loss | ||
Negative Balance Protection |
Account Types
| Account | CommSec | eToro |
|---|---|---|
Market Maker Account | ||
| Account Name | — | eToro |
| Min Deposit | — | $200 |
| Lot Size | — | 0.01 |
| Spread Type | — | Floating |
| Execution | — | Instant |
| Min Spread | — | 1 |
| Fee | — | No |
| Max Leverage | — | 1:30 |
| Stop Out | — | 50% |
| 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 | CommSec | eToro |
|---|---|---|
Base currencies | AUD | USD |
Deposit and withdrawal methods | Linked CDIA bank account, NetBank transfer, BPAY | Bank Wire, Credit Card, Debit Card, PayPal, Skrill, Neteller, Klarna, Rapid Transfer, Trustly |
Inactivity fee | $10 per month after 12 months | |
Interest on margin | ||
Withdrawal fee | $5 |
Trading Platforms and Conditions
| Feature | CommSec | eToro |
|---|---|---|
Trading Platforms | CommSec Web, CommSec App, CommSec Pocket | eToro |
Execution Speed | 3 ms | 0 ms |
Scalping | ||
Expert Advisors (EAs) | ||
Depth of Market (DOM) | ||
Spread | average | high |
Trading Assets
| Asset | CommSec | eToro |
|---|---|---|
Currencies | 0 | 47 |
Indices | 0 | 13 |
Stocks | 2200 | 2500 |
Cryptocurrencies | 0 | 112 |
Bonds | 0 | 0 |
Metals | 0 | 7 |
Energies | 0 | 2 |
Soft Commodities | 0 | 4 |
ETFs | 200 | 250 |
Education and Analytics
| Feature | CommSec | eToro |
|---|---|---|
Economic Calendar | ||
Indicators | ||
Robots | ||
Signals | ||
Autochartist | ||
Expert Analytics | ||
News Feed | ||
Education Articles | ||
Webinars | ||
Seminars |
Customer Support
| Contact | CommSec | eToro |
|---|---|---|
Email | hoax@cba.com.au | customerservice@etoro.com |
Phone | +61283971206 | +1800778439 |
LinkedIn | — | |
YouTube | YouTube | YouTube |
Instagram | — | |
Twitter |
Which Broker is Better?
After comparing CommSec and eToro, eToro 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.