Comparison of CommSec and Interactive Brokers
| Feature | CommSec | Interactive Brokers |
|---|---|---|
| Broker | ||
| Year Founded | 1995 | 1977 |
| Broker Type | DMA | DMA |
| Dealing | A-book | A-book |
| Execution | Market | Market |
| Regulation | ASIC | SEC, FINRA, FCA, CBI, CIRO, ASIC, SFC, SEBI, JFSA, MAS |
| Platforms | CommSec Web, CommSec App, CommSec Pocket | Trader Workstation (TWS), IBKR Mobile, Client Portal, IBKR GlobalTrader, FXTrader |
| Spread | ⮕ Average | ⬊ Low |
| Maximum Leverage | 1:10 | 1:50 |
| Minimum Deposit | $1 | $1 |
| Base Currencies | AUD | USD, EUR, GBP, AUD, CAD, CHF, JPY, HKD, SGD, SEK, NOK, DKK, NZD, PLN, HUF, CZK, MXN, ZAR, TRY, ILS, KRW, CNH, AED, SAR, MYR, TWD |
| Funding Methods | Linked CDIA bank account, NetBank transfer, BPAY | Bank Wire, ACH, SEPA/Bank Transfer, Check, Wise/Instarem, Online Bill Pay |
| Inactivity Fee | ✖ | ✖ |
| Interest on Margin | ✔ | ✔ |
| Withdrawal Fee | ✖ | First withdrawal each month free; subsequent bank wires ~ $10 |
| Investor Protection | - | SIPC, FSCS, ICS |
| Protection Size | - | $500 000 / £85 000 |
| 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 | Stocks, ETFs, Options, Futures, Forex, Bonds, Mutual Funds, Cryptocurrencies, Commodities, CFDs |
| Review | CommSec Review | Interactive Brokers 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 Interactive Brokers
Interactive Brokers (IBKR) is a global multi-asset broker founded in 1977. Regulated on four continents, IBKR offers direct market access to 150+ exchanges in 33 countries, tight pricing on FX, and some of the lowest commissions in the industry. Clients trade via the powerful Trader Workstation, streamlined Client Portal, or mobile apps, choose from 20+ base currencies, and benefit from SIPC/FSCS investor protection and ESMA-mandated negative balance protection for CFDs.
Pros
- Tier-1 regulation in the US, UK, EU, Canada, Australia, Asia
- Access to 150+ markets across 33 countries and 26 currencies
- Ultra-low spreads and volume-based commissions
- Advanced Trader Workstation plus simple mobile & web platforms
- No minimum deposit for cash accounts and no inactivity fee
- Negative balance protection for EU retail CFD traders
Cons
- Minimum FX order size ~ 20 000 units limits small accounts
- Trader Workstation has a steep learning curve
- No credit/debit-card funding options
- Customer support is not 24/7
CommSec & Interactive Brokers Regulation
| Feature | CommSec | Interactive Brokers |
|---|---|---|
Companies | Commonwealth Securities Ltd | Interactive Brokers LLC, Interactive Brokers (U.K.) Ltd, Interactive Brokers Ireland Ltd, Interactive Brokers Canada Inc., Interactive Brokers Australia Pty Ltd, Interactive Brokers Hong Kong Ltd, Interactive Brokers India Pvt. Ltd, Interactive Brokers Securities Japan Inc, Interactive Brokers Singapore Pte. Ltd |
Countries | Australia | United States, United Kingdom, Ireland, Canada, Australia |
Regulators | ASIC | SEC, FINRA, FCA, CBI, CIRO, ASIC, SFC, SEBI, JFSA, MAS |
Investor Protection | - | SIPC, FSCS, ICS |
Investor Protection Size | - | $500 000 / £85 000 |
Publicly Traded | ||
Segregated Accounts | ||
Guaranteed Stop Loss | ||
Negative Balance Protection |
Companies
CommSec
Commonwealth Securities Ltd
Interactive Brokers
Interactive Brokers LLC, Interactive Brokers (U.K.) Ltd, Interactive Brokers Ireland Ltd, Interactive Brokers Canada Inc., Interactive Brokers Australia Pty Ltd, Interactive Brokers Hong Kong Ltd, Interactive Brokers India Pvt. Ltd, Interactive Brokers Securities Japan Inc, Interactive Brokers Singapore Pte. Ltd
Countries
CommSec
Australia
Interactive Brokers
United States, United Kingdom, Ireland, Canada, Australia
Regulators
CommSec
ASIC
Interactive Brokers
SEC, FINRA, FCA, CBI, CIRO, ASIC, SFC, SEBI, JFSA, MAS
Investor Protection
CommSec
-
Interactive Brokers
SIPC, FSCS, ICS
Investor Protection Size
CommSec
-
Interactive Brokers
$500 000 / £85 000
Publicly Traded
CommSec
Interactive Brokers
Segregated Accounts
CommSec
Interactive Brokers
Guaranteed Stop Loss
CommSec
Interactive Brokers
Negative Balance Protection
CommSec
Interactive Brokers
Account Types
| Account | CommSec | Interactive Brokers |
|---|---|---|
DMA Account | ||
| Account Name | Commonwealth Direct Investment Account (CDIA) | IBKR Pro |
| Min Deposit | $1 | $0 |
| Lot Size | 0.01 | 0.01 |
| Spread Type | Floating | Floating |
| Execution | Market | Market |
| Min Spread | 1 | 0.1 |
| Fee | $10 per 1 lot | $4 per 1 lot |
| Max Leverage | 1:1 | 1:50 |
| Stop Out | - | 50% |
| Margin Call | - | 100% |
| Additional Features | ||
| Demo Account | ||
| VIP Account | ||
| Swap-Free Account | ||
| Copy Trading | ||
| VPS | ||
| PAMM/MAM Accounts | ||
DMA Account
Account Name
CommSec
Commonwealth Direct Investment Account (CDIA)
Interactive Brokers
IBKR Pro
Min Deposit
CommSec
$1
Interactive Brokers
$0
Lot Size
CommSec
0.01
Interactive Brokers
0.01
Spread Type
CommSec
Floating
Interactive Brokers
Floating
Execution
CommSec
Market
Interactive Brokers
Market
Min Spread
CommSec
1
Interactive Brokers
0.1
Fee
CommSec
$10 per 1 lot
Interactive Brokers
$4 per 1 lot
Max Leverage
CommSec
1:1
Interactive Brokers
1:50
Stop Out
CommSec
-
Interactive Brokers
50%
Margin Call
CommSec
-
Interactive Brokers
100%
Additional Features
Demo Account
CommSec
Interactive Brokers
VIP Account
CommSec
Interactive Brokers
Swap-Free Account
CommSec
Interactive Brokers
Copy Trading
CommSec
Interactive Brokers
VPS
CommSec
Interactive Brokers
PAMM/MAM Accounts
CommSec
Interactive Brokers
Funding and Fees
| Feature | CommSec | Interactive Brokers |
|---|---|---|
Base currencies | AUD | USD, EUR, GBP, AUD, CAD, CHF, JPY, HKD, SGD, SEK, NOK, DKK, NZD, PLN, HUF, CZK, MXN, ZAR, TRY, ILS, KRW, CNH, AED, SAR, MYR, TWD |
Deposit and withdrawal methods | Linked CDIA bank account, NetBank transfer, BPAY | Bank Wire, ACH, SEPA/Bank Transfer, Check, Wise/Instarem, Online Bill Pay |
Inactivity fee | ||
Interest on margin | ||
Withdrawal fee | First withdrawal each month free; subsequent bank wires ~ $10 |
Base currencies
CommSec
AUD
Interactive Brokers
USD, EUR, GBP, AUD, CAD, CHF, JPY, HKD, SGD, SEK, NOK, DKK, NZD, PLN, HUF, CZK, MXN, ZAR, TRY, ILS, KRW, CNH, AED, SAR, MYR, TWD
Deposit and withdrawal methods
CommSec
Linked CDIA bank account, NetBank transfer, BPAY
Interactive Brokers
Bank Wire, ACH, SEPA/Bank Transfer, Check, Wise/Instarem, Online Bill Pay
Inactivity fee
CommSec
Interactive Brokers
Interest on margin
CommSec
Interactive Brokers
Withdrawal fee
CommSec
Interactive Brokers
First withdrawal each month free; subsequent bank wires ~ $10
Trading Platforms and Conditions
| Feature | CommSec | Interactive Brokers |
|---|---|---|
Trading Platforms | CommSec Web, CommSec App, CommSec Pocket | Trader Workstation (TWS), IBKR Mobile, Client Portal, IBKR GlobalTrader, FXTrader |
Execution Speed | 3 ms | 4 ms |
Scalping | ||
Expert Advisors (EAs) | ||
Depth of Market (DOM) | ||
Spread | average | low |
Trading Platforms
CommSec
CommSec Web, CommSec App, CommSec Pocket
Interactive Brokers
Trader Workstation (TWS), IBKR Mobile, Client Portal, IBKR GlobalTrader, FXTrader
Execution Speed
CommSec
3 ms
Interactive Brokers
4 ms
Scalping
CommSec
Interactive Brokers
Expert Advisors (EAs)
CommSec
Interactive Brokers
Depth of Market (DOM)
CommSec
Interactive Brokers
Spread
CommSec
average
Interactive Brokers
low
Trading Assets
| Asset | CommSec | Interactive Brokers |
|---|---|---|
Currencies | 0 | 87 |
Indices | 0 | 23 |
Stocks | 2200 | 8139 |
Cryptocurrencies | 0 | 11 |
Bonds | 0 | 87 |
Metals | 0 | 4 |
Energies | 0 | 10 |
Soft Commodities | 0 | 15 |
ETFs | 200 | 532 |
Currencies
CommSec
0
Interactive Brokers
87
Indices
CommSec
0
Interactive Brokers
23
Stocks
CommSec
2200
Interactive Brokers
8139
Cryptocurrencies
CommSec
0
Interactive Brokers
11
Bonds
CommSec
0
Interactive Brokers
87
Metals
CommSec
0
Interactive Brokers
4
Energies
CommSec
0
Interactive Brokers
10
Soft Commodities
CommSec
0
Interactive Brokers
15
ETFs
CommSec
200
Interactive Brokers
532
Education and Analytics
| Feature | CommSec | Interactive Brokers |
|---|---|---|
Economic Calendar | ||
Indicators | ||
Robots | ||
Signals | ||
Autochartist | ||
Expert Analytics | ||
News Feed | ||
Education Articles | ||
Webinars | ||
Seminars |
Economic Calendar
CommSec
Interactive Brokers
Indicators
CommSec
Interactive Brokers
Robots
CommSec
Interactive Brokers
Signals
CommSec
Interactive Brokers
Autochartist
CommSec
Interactive Brokers
Expert Analytics
CommSec
Interactive Brokers
News Feed
CommSec
Interactive Brokers
Education Articles
CommSec
Interactive Brokers
Webinars
CommSec
Interactive Brokers
Seminars
CommSec
Interactive Brokers
Customer Support
| Contact | CommSec | Interactive Brokers |
|---|---|---|
Email | hoax@cba.com.au | help@interactivebrokers.com |
Phone | +61283971206 | +18774422757 |
Facebook | — | |
LinkedIn | — | |
YouTube | YouTube | YouTube |
Instagram | ||
Twitter |
Email
CommSec
Interactive Brokers
Phone
CommSec
Interactive Brokers
Facebook
CommSec
—
Interactive Brokers
LinkedIn
CommSec
—
Interactive Brokers
Which Broker is Better?
After comparing CommSec and Interactive Brokers, Interactive Brokers 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.