Best Online Trading Platform NZ 2026: Compare Fees

Choosing an online trading platform in New Zealand can feel like picking a favourite among a dozen good options — each one promising low fees, but the fine print varies. With over a million people already using Sharesies, the decision often comes down to how you trade, how much you invest, and what markets you want to access.

Users on Sharesies: 1,000,000+ ·
App rating (Sharesies): 4.7/5 ·
Average brokerage fee NZ: $0 – $10 per trade ·
Platforms compared: 5

Here’s how the top platforms stack up on key metrics for Kiwi traders.

Which platform is best for trading in NZ?

Five platforms dominate the conversation: Sharesies, Tiger Brokers, InvestNow, ASB Securities, and Interactive Brokers (IBKR). Each serves a different trading style, and the best choice depends on your goals.

Overview of top NZ trading platforms

• Sharesies – over 1 million customers, 4.7/5 app rating, charges brokerage as a percentage of trade value (1.9% on first NZ$100, then 0.5% capped at NZ$25) (Dividends.co.nz).
• Tiger Brokers – low-cost US trades starting at $0, NZX commission at 0.03% with a $2 minimum (Dividends.co.nz).
• InvestNow – zero platform fee for NZX funds; fund MERs apply (Dividends.co.nz).
• ASB Securities – NZX online fee of $15 per trade, backed by ASB Bank (Dividends.co.nz).
• IBKR – favoured by active traders for global markets and low margin rates, but with a steeper learning curve.

Criteria for choosing the best platform

Look at brokerage fees, market access, minimum investment, regulatory oversight, and ease of use. The FMA regulates all major NZ platforms, so trust is consistent. The trade-off: lower fees often mean fewer features, and bank-backed platforms charge more for perceived safety.

Final recommendation

For beginners, Sharesies wins on simplicity. For active traders who want US options, Tiger Brokers is the best value. InvestNow suits long-term fund investors. ASB Securities works for those who want a bank relationship. The implication: no single platform is best for everyone — matching your style to the fee structure matters most.

What is the most trusted trading platform?

Trust in NZ trading platforms comes down to regulation, history, and transparency. All major platforms are licensed by the Financial Markets Authority (FMA), but some carry additional security through bank ownership.

Trust factors: regulation, transparency, history

• ASB Securities – a subsidiary of ASB Bank, a New Zealand-owned bank, providing direct NZX registration and a long track record (MoneyHub NZ).
• Sharesies – FMA licensed and used by over 1 million people, with no minimum investment and a transparent fee schedule (MoneyHub NZ).
• Tiger Brokers – registered with the FMA and NZX, though it is a newer entrant compared to ASB Securities (MoneyHub NZ).

All platforms must comply with NZ financial regulations, so the difference is less about safety and more about the level of service and recourse each offers.

What is the lowest brokerage fee in NZ?

Brokerage fees vary widely across platforms. Four platforms, one pattern: the more you trade, the more important a low flat fee becomes.

Data from Dividends.co.nz and Canstar NZ.

The catch: zero fees often come with currency conversion markups or account fees. Invezz NZ notes that some platforms charge annual account fees of around NZ$30 to NZ$35 (Invezz NZ).

What is the safest trading platform for beginners?

Beginners need a platform that is easy to use, regulated, and forgiving of small mistakes. Sharesies leads here, but ASB Securities and InvestNow also have strong safety profiles.

Safety features for new traders

• Sharesies – simple app, auto-invest features, and no minimum investment. Rated 4.7/5 on app stores (MoneyHub NZ).
• InvestNow – focuses on diversified managed funds, reducing single-stock risk. No platform fee (Dividends.co.nz).
• ASB Securities – bank-backed security and educational resources, but higher fees ($15 per trade) (MoneyHub NZ).

All three are FMA regulated. The trade-off: safety through a bank costs more, while safety through simplicity means lower fees but no human support. See how NZ banks compare for a broader view of financial service providers.

Sharesies vs Tiger Brokers: Which is better?

This is the most common comparison among NZ traders. The answer depends on trade size, frequency, and market access.

Fees and costs

• Sharesies: cheaper for very small trades ($0.50 flat for trades under $500).
• Tiger Brokers: cheaper for large trades (0.03% with $2 min) and offers $0 US stock trades (MoneyHub NZ).

Available markets and products

• Sharesies: NZ, AU, US stocks and ETFs.
• Tiger Brokers: US, HK, AU, SG markets, plus options trading (MoneyHub NZ).

User experience and support

Sharesies has a 4.7/5 app rating; Tiger Brokers is also well-rated but less beginner-friendly. Reddit user on PersonalFinanceNZ notes: “IBKR is generally favoured here. Personally I use Sharesies for growth investments, and Tiger for trading and access to the options markets.” (PersonalFinanceNZ subreddit)

Verdict by use case

• Beginners and auto-invest: Sharesies.
• Active traders and options: Tiger Brokers.

MoneyHub NZ describes Tiger Brokers as “Best Low-Cost Shares Platform” and Sharesies as “Best App or Platform for Beginners and Auto-Investing” (MoneyHub NZ).

Confirmed facts and what’s still unclear

Confirmed facts

• Sharesies has over 1 million customers.
• The FMA regulates all major NZ trading platforms.
• ASB Securities is a subsidiary of ASB Bank (MoneyHub NZ).
• Tiger Brokers offers options trading (MoneyHub NZ).

What’s unclear

• Which platform has the best customer support?
• Long-term reliability of newer platforms like Tiger Brokers.
• Exact user satisfaction rankings beyond app stores.
• Exact number of users for platforms other than Sharesies.

What experts and users say

“IBKR is generally favoured here. Personally I use Sharesies for growth investments, and Tiger for trading and access to the options markets.”

— Reddit user on PersonalFinanceNZ subreddit

“Canstar’s ratings reveal the best providers for customer satisfaction, ease of trades and fees.”

— Canstar NZ

“Tiger Brokers is the best low-cost shares platform; Sharesies is the best app for beginners and auto-investing.”

— MoneyHub NZ

For a Kiwi trader, the choice is clear: if you want to start small and invest regularly, go with Sharesies. If you trade actively and want global markets, Tiger Brokers is the better bet. For bank-backed security, ASB Securities works. The consequence of picking the wrong platform is paying more in fees than you need to — and that’s money that should be compounding in your portfolio.

Related reading: Best Bank in NZ 2026 · Best Home Loans NZ

For a comparable breakdown of UK trading platforms, our UK guide provides detailed fee comparisons and regulatory insights.

Frequently asked questions