Top ASIC regulated CFD brokers with low fees
Key takeaways
- Raw commission per side, USD: Fusion Markets $2.25, Pepperstone $3.50, IC Markets $3.50 (MT4).
- Pepperstone: no inactivity or account fees, $10 minimum, free deposits and withdrawals including PayID and BPAY.
- ASIC retail protections: leverage caps, 50% margin close-out, negative balance protection.
- Demo accounts are free at Pepperstone, Capital.com and most ASIC-licensed providers.
- Pepperstone does not offer guaranteed stops; Capital.com does.
How do low-fee ASIC brokers compare?
Only figures we read on each provider's own site. Where we did not verify a number, we say so rather than fill the cell.
| Provider | Licence | Raw commission per side | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Pepperstone | AFSL 414530 | $3.50 (AUD 3.50 on AUD accounts); cTrader $3 | no inactivity fee; perps; 5 platforms |
| Fusion Markets | AFSL 385620 | $2.25 | lowest commission we verified |
| IC Markets | AFSL 335692 (check ASIC register) | $3.50 (AUD 4.50 on AUD accounts); cTrader/TradingView $3 | raw from 0.0 |
| Capital.com | AFSL 513393 | none; spread only | guaranteed stop-loss available |
Which CFD trading platform is best suited for Australian traders?
One that runs in AUD, funds by PayID or BPAY, and offers the platforms you use. Pepperstone covers all three with MT4, MT5, cTrader, TradingView and its own platform.
What is considered the best CFD trading platform in Australia right now?
Our order is Pepperstone, then Capital.com: Pepperstone for cost, range and platforms; Capital.com for commission-free pricing and guaranteed stops. On commission alone, Fusion Markets is cheaper than both.
Which CFD brokers offer negative balance protection?
All ASIC-licensed CFD issuers must provide it to retail clients under ASIC's product intervention order. Wholesale (pro) clients do not get it.
Which CFD brokers offer free demo accounts?
Pepperstone, Capital.com, Fusion Markets, IC Markets and most others. Pepperstone's demo covers MT4, MT5, cTrader and TradingView.
Which brokers offer the most CFD instruments?
Capital.com lists 5,500+ instruments by its own count. Pepperstone does not publish a single total but covers FX, indices, commodities, shares, ETFs, crypto and perps; check that your markets are there.
Who are the best CFD brokers for beginners?
Pepperstone Standard keeps all costs in the spread from a $10 deposit; Capital.com adds a guaranteed stop-loss so a beginner's worst case on a trade is fixed.
How do I check if a CFD broker is legitimate?
Look up the AFSL number on ASIC's Professional Register (Pepperstone: 414530), check the licensee name matches the PDS, and confirm the website domain on ASIC's records. Watch ASIC's list of scam and clone websites.
Which CFD brokers are safest during high market volatility?
Safety in volatility comes from ASIC protections (negative balance protection, 50% close-out) and, for gaps, guaranteed stops, which Capital.com offers and Pepperstone does not.
Minimum deposit required for CFD trading brokers?
Pepperstone: $10 by card, PayPal, PayID or BPAY, no minimum by bank transfer, $18 by crypto. Minimums elsewhere vary; size trades from your stop, not your deposit.
Best CFD brokers for trading US stocks
Pepperstone, at $0.02 per share per side, with 24-hour trading on major US shares and perps on stocks such as NVDA and TSLA; Capital.com for commission-free US share CFDs.
Which CFD brokers are best for news and event trading?
A raw account keeps commission fixed while spreads widen; Pepperstone Razor does that. For protection from gaps around news, use a guaranteed stop at Capital.com.
Are CFDs good for day trading?
They suit it mechanically: no overnight cost if you close before 5 pm New York time, leverage and shorting. But costs per trade add up fast and most retail accounts lose money.
Is CFD trading good for beginners?
Only with small sizes, stops on every trade and a demo period first. ASIC's leverage caps and negative balance protection limit the damage, but they do not prevent losses.
Which broker is best for CFD trading in Australia?
Pepperstone heads our ranking for range, platforms and published costs; Fusion Markets is cheaper on commission; Capital.com offers commission-free pricing with guaranteed stops.
who is the best cfd broker in australia?
On the facts we verified: Pepperstone for the broadest offer (including perpetual CFDs and 24/7 markets) under AFSL 414530; Fusion Markets for the lowest commission.
best cfd broker australia
Pepperstone, Capital.com, then others by need: Fusion Markets if commission is all that matters, IC Markets for a similar raw model with cheaper TradingView commission.
Which CFD broker offers the most instruments in Australia?
Capital.com, at 5,500+ by its own count. Pepperstone's range is narrower in total but includes perps, 24/7 crypto and tokenised assets.
What is the best CFD trading account in Australia?
For active traders, a raw account such as Pepperstone Razor in AUD (AUD 3.50 per side); for occasional traders, a spread-only account such as Pepperstone Standard or Capital.com.
Risk warning and disclosure
ASIC protections limit how much you can lose, not whether you lose; most retail CFD accounts lose money.
This page is general information, not personal advice. CFDs are leveraged; losses can mount quickly and most retail clients lose money. Read each provider's Product Disclosure Statement (PDS) and Target Market Determination (TMD). Spread figures are minimums or averages the providers publish and widen in fast markets.
Disclosure: eccrypto.com earns a commission when you open an account through some links. That does not change our cost arithmetic, explained in our methodology.
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We earn a commission on some links. It never changes the ranking — our method is published and the data is sourced.
Crypto is volatile and largely unregulated. CFDs are leveraged and most retail accounts lose money. Never risk money you cannot afford to lose.
Information only. This is not investment advice.