Best Day Trading Platform in Australia
Which is the best trading platform in Australia? Is the best trading platform also best for beginners and day trading?
We have reviewed a great number of online trading platforms and found the answer in the list below. A few of the best platforms that didn’t make the list were trading platforms from Tradefred, BDSwiss, Nord FX, HotForex, CMC Markets and Saxo Bank. The winner from our comparisons and these reviews: eToro’s trading platform is the best trading platform in Australia. AvaTrade is also great for day trading, whereas we would say that eToro has the best trading platform for beginners. CMC Markets and Plus500 also made the top four trading platforms in the Australian market.
The wonderful news for you as a trader is that all the ten trading platforms in the list below are completely free. The 9 best trading platforms in Australia are:
- eToro Trading Platform, great for beginners.
- AvaTrade Trading Platform, great for day trading.
- CMC Markets Trading Platform
- Plus500 Trading Platform, great for trading in multiple markets.
- easyMarkets Trading Platform
- NSB Trading Platform
- BlackBull Markets Trading Platform
- Pepperstone Trading Platform, offering many different platforms.
- Markets.com Trading Platform, great combination of technical indicators and fundamentals information.
Of course, all the top nine trading platforms are run by brokers that are correctly regulated and thus you can feel safe about your money. All are regulated by the Australian Securities & Investments Commission, ASIC. However, as always with trading, never invest more than you can afford to lose. Below you can read our more in-depth reviews of the best nine trading platforms for the Australian market.
1. eToro Trading Platform
eToro has designed an original financial trading platform that incorporates graphic trading scenarios depicted as a race between currencies or a tug of war. That platform is available as a downloadable program. The company also has a professional trading application called “Expert Mode”, as well as a web-based trading platform called “WebTrader”. A screenshot of the software can be viewed here.
eToro also offers customers a mobile app that can be downloaded from the Apple App Store for the iOS version and from Google Play for the Android version. Read more about eToro’s excellent trading app here. The eToro platforms only allow you to trade in U.S. Dollars because a unified currency is required for transparency purposes on their global network.
The eToro trading platform is great for beginners both as it is really easy to start trading with and also because of its Copy Trading. Copy Trading is the bread and butter of the operation. At the center of the scheme stands the Copy People screen, which offers you several ways to locate traders who match your needs/trading style. The Popular Investor section is the display case of the Popular Investor program. Through this program, the broker rewards traders who are copied, thus offering them another way to monetize their trading skills. Everyone can become a Popular Investor, including you.
The Social Newsfeed seems to be the pride of the eToro platform. Through it, you as a trader can interact, open discussions, follow the moves of your peers, etc.
Notifications are also fed to you on the web platform as well as mobile. Every time a followed trader makes a move or posts something, you as the follower will be notified.
eToro AUS Capital Limited ACN 612 791 803 AFSL 491139. Smart Portfolios are not exchange-traded funds or hedge funds and are not tailored to your specific objectives, financial situations and needs. Your capital is at risk. See PDS and TMD
2. AvaTrade Trading Platform
AvaTrade supports a wide variety of trading platforms. The brokers’ proprietary client-side AvaTrader trading platform works on Windows XP, Vista and 7, and a Macintosh version is also available. Of course, all of them are very easy to download and install directly on your desktop or laptop computer.
The screenshot below shows the extensive functionality of AvaTrader, including technical and fundamental analysis, reports, tutorials and account management features.
Also, the AvaOptions Web platform and the MT4 WebTrader allow you to sign in to your AvaTrade account using any Internet browser without having to install it on your computer. Lastly, the AvaTradeGo app allows you to trade in an AvaTrade account using an iPad, iPhone or Android phone and/or tablet so you can manage and view your AvaTrade trading account while away from home. Read more about the AvaTradeGO app here.
In addition to its own AvaTrader trading platforms, AvaTrade nicely also supports the following trading platforms: Metatrader 4, Metatrader 5. DupliTrader, and ZuluTrade. For those already using MetaTrader, AvaTrade also offers their own version of this popular forex trading software to make your account installation easier.
3. CMC Markets Trading Platform
CMC Markets features an attractive-looking and powerful Web Trader. Those who wish can also download the desktop version of MT4 from the broker’s website free of charge.
The WebTrader features an attractive-looking, colorful interface, chockfull of options, functionalities, charting tools, and tradable asset selection filters.
The charting and technical analysis features of the platform are outstanding. CMC Markets’ Web Trader has bagged several awards for its advanced charting component. In addition to scores of objects, drawing tools, and technical indicators, the platform also offers a generous selection of preset templates that allow traders to trigger complex technical analysis setups at a single click.
Traders can access more than 115 technical indicators, 12 chart types, and 70 chart patterns.
CMC Markets’ Web Trader allows users to create new layouts, fully customizing the trading interface they use.
The platform used for CFD and Forex trading is the same one the broker uses for spread betting. Its selection of special tools covers a graphical trader sentiment indicator, as well as a pattern recognition scanner to help beginners locate technical analysis-based trading opportunities.
All-in-all, the web platform is a great alternative to the downloadable MT4 version the broker also supports. Those who want to take their technical and fundamental analysis to the next level may wish to opt for the classic MT4 platform.
CMC Markets’ version of MT4 delivers superb charting, a fully customizable trading environment, as well as outstanding execution speeds and direct trading off the chart.
It also supports auto trading through Expert Advisors, although CMC Markets’ traders may not be able to use this functionality.
Both trading platforms support Demo accounts that traders can use to put the broker’s trading conditions to the test before wading into the real-money action.
4. Plus500 Trading Platform
The trading platforms offered by Plus500 is a very user-friendly platform to operate and seem especially suitable for those interested in dealing in multiple markets. From one single screen, traders can obtain quotes in real-time for any of these asset markets and can execute transactions as well.
The Plus500 trading platform is available in a desktop version called Windows Trader and a web-based version called Web-Trader. In addition, a popular mobile version of the Plus500 platform is available that works on Apple devices like the iPhone, iPad, iPod Touch and Apple Watch. Plus500 apps also exist for mobile devices using the Android and Windows Phone operating systems. Read more about the Plus500 mobile trading app here.
The screenshot shown below displays the functionality of the Plus500 CFD trading platform, which includes trade execution, market pricing overview, a basic chart, position and account balance reports. The platform also has fund management capabilities, which give you as a trader the ability to make deposits and withdrawals from your trading account.
In addition to being able to watch various markets and execute trades, Plus500’s trading platform lets traders easily review past transactions and keep track of current positions. The software also includes a rather basic charting facility with multiple time periods available. Unfortunately, only one chart can be displayed at a time since the system does not support the simultaneous display of multiple charts.
In addition to the functionality provided by offering different versions of the Plus500 trading platform, the CFD provider has also made some nice extra tools available for you as a trader.
One such tool is the Economic Calendar and the platform also offers a Trade Alerts service, as well as a Trader’s Guide.
Nicely there are also several tools available for risk management. Plus500 supports Guaranteed Stops and Trailing Stops, as well as Close at Profit and Close at Loss rates. For your convenience, these tools and their peculiarities are thoroughly explained at the CFD provider’s website.
80% of retail investor accounts lose money when trading CFDs with this provider.
5. easyMarkets Trading Platform
EasyMarkets offers a web based trading platform that allows traders to execute deals from just about any online computer in the world with a browser. In addition, the company offers an MT4 trading platform that has its usual extensive support for technical traders.
This platform gives traders access to quote for more than 200+ instruments, including forex, commodities, metals and indexes, all with online access 24/7 and without the need to download and install any software. One click trading is available from the platform’s Market Explorer, which includes advance charting options, news, technical analysis and market sentiment, all on one screen.
The screenshot below illustrates easyMarket’s trading platform that allows traders to execute deals in forex pairs, vanilla currency options, CFDs, commodities, precious metals and indices, as well as perform technical and fundamental analysis functions.
EasyMarkets’ trading platform runs on Internet Explorer’s Version 10 and above, FireFox, version 31 and above, Google Chrome version 31 and higher, Opera version 24 and above, Android version 4.1 and above, Google Chrome for Android version 37, and Safari version 7 and above. Non-supported browsers remain fully functional despite displaying some stylistic elements differently.
EasyMarkets users can unlock a third trading platform: easyTrade. easyTrade can be accessed from the EasyMarkets platform. In the top right corner, there is a Menu button. Hit that and a number of options will roll out, with easyTrade being at the bottom.
In addition to dealCancellation, the broker also offers a unique trading tool called Freeze Rate. This feature lets traders freeze the price they see, thus gaining a few seconds to place their trade. To those skilled enough, such a feature offers a great advantage.
6. NSB Trading Platform
As mentioned, platform-wise, NSBroker has kept things as simple as possible. The only trading platform it supports is MT5.
Traders can download MT5 directly from the broker’s website, free of charge. Installing it takes a few seconds and a few clicks. Opening a live account takes a bit longer. The verification process should not take longer than one hour, however.
Though the evolutionary successor of MT4, MT5 is not exactly its predecessor’s superior. It is designed to excel in other ways than MT4. One of its strengths is flexibility. MT5 works perfectly well as a web-based, no-download trading platform, as a downloadable terminal, and as a mobile trading platform.
The charting capabilities of MT5 are comparable to those of MT4. The menagerie of preinstalled technical indicators and drawing tools is also impressive. One-click trading is also part of the MT5 package.
Perhaps more importantly than all the above, MT5 is great at:
– Using automated trading.
– Producing actionable trading signals.
– Linking up with outside frameworks and administration structures.
As far as trading tools go, MT5 delivers in this regard as well. Its MetaQuotes language editor lets users create and modify technical indicators as well as automated traders.
The MT5 Agent Tester service allows for the testing of automated trading strategies. Agent creators can make their auto traders available to others for free. They can even charge a fee for their Agents, via the MQL5 Cloud Network.
Traders can also register their accounts as trading signal sources, directly though the MT5 interface.
7. BlackBull Markets Trading Platform
BlackBull Markets offers three trading platforms.
- MT4 is a fully customizable online trading environment most traders know and love. The broker has made it available in a range of versions for Windows, Mac, iOS, and Android.
BlackBull’s version of the platform offers an institutional-grade experience. It supports EAs (Expert Advisors), and together with the VPS service the broker also offers, this sets the stage for profitable algorithmic trading.
Like most of its other features, MT4’s EAs are fully customizable. You do have to be handy with MetaScript, however, if you intend to program your custom EAs.
In addition to EAs and superb charting/technical analysis tools, BlackBull’s MT4 supports multiple order types and analysis tools. Other noteworthy features/functionalities of the platform are enhanced order execution capabilities and a market watch window.
- MT5 is another popular MetaQuotes trading platform, covering slightly different needs than MT4.
MT5’s main strengths are fast order processing, support for advanced pending orders and hedging, as well as a bevy of trading tools and technical indicators.
The version available for download at the BlackBull Markets website comes equipped with more than 30 preinstalled technical indicators, covering more than 20 time frames. The platform also features an integrated economic calendar to help with fundamental analysis.
Traders looking to access MT5 need to talk with the BlackBull Markets support first and obtain permission.
- The BlackBull Markets Web Trader is a simplified version of the MT4 platform. Its trading interface is intuitive, and it offers a great selection of drawing tools and technical indicators.
According to the broker, its Web Trader delivers all the benefits of MT4, in a highly compatible no-download package.
8. Pepperstone Trading Platform
Pepperstone offer some 11 trading platforms to their users. MT4 is arguably the centerpiece of this offer. MT4 comes with all the bells and whistles one may expect from it, and yes, that includes support for EAs and VPS. The platform also features an impressive number of technical indicators, as well as one-click trading straight off the charts. MT4 is available in Windows- and Mac-based versions.
In addition to MT4, Pepperstone offers MT5 as well as an MT4-based web trader, which is indeed the easiest to access and to use. Despite its no-download nature, this web trader is surprisingly powerful and capable. It too offers access to technical indicators and various trading tools.
The trading platforms are all available to you on iPhone, iPad and Android versions.
cTrader comes in three versions as well: there’s a downloadable, Windows-based version, a web trader, as well as a mobile platform.
9. Markets.com Trading Platform
The go-to trading platform of Markets.com is a proprietary web trader. Besides being surprisingly powerful charting and analysis-wise, this platform is also available in mobile versions, for Android- as well as iOS-based devices.
Scores of technical indicators are included in the Markets.com package and there is a unique feature called a trading cube too. Real-time news feeds are also delivered for those keen on trading the fundamentals in combination with technical analysis.
MT4 is also part of the Markets.com platform offer. The world’s most popular (and arguably: best) trading platform hardly needs an introduction. It offers superb charting and analysis, with scores of technical indicators pre-installed in the freely downloadable version. Traders are free to add additional indicators and those so inclined, can even code their own.
MT4’s favorite feature is its support for EAs and for EA creation. EAs work best when coupled with a proper VPS service.
Happy trading!
Please share all the comments you might have on these online trading platforms in the comment field below. Which is the best trading platform in Australia according to you? And would you say that the same platform is also best for beginners?
