How Stake ranks
Trust & Regulation
#13of 15
Fees & Spreads
#12of 15
Platforms & Tools
#12of 15
Customer Support
#5of 15
Regulation
ASIC, FCA
Inactivity Fee
None
Stake Pros
- Commission-free US, ASX (AU), and UK stock investing under ASIC and FCA regulation
- Real share ownership - no CFDs, no overnight financing, dividends paid
- FCA licence 942016 with FSCS protection up to GBP 85,000 for UK clients
- Clean, simple interface designed for long-term stock investors
- No account minimum
Stake Cons
Stake Stock Broker Review
Commission-free US stocks for Australian and UK investors
Stake was built specifically to solve one problem: giving Australian and UK retail investors clean, low-cost access to US-listed stocks without the regulatory complexity of Interactive Brokers or the currency conversion friction that builds up in dollar-denominated alternatives.
The Australian platform (ASIC regulated) offers commission-free trades on ASX and US-listed equities. The UK platform (FCA regulated) covers US and UK-listed stocks. There is no commission on any trade; Stake earns revenue through currency conversion at a 0.7% FX margin on USD trades (Australia) and 0.7% on USD trades from the UK platform.
Real shares, no CFDs
Stake provides actual beneficial ownership of shares through a custodian structure, not CFDs. Dividends are paid to your account, positions do not expire, and there are no overnight financing charges. For investors who want to hold US stocks for the long term without CFD complications, this is the correct structure.
Stake Black: a premium tier
Stake Black (AUD 9/month in Australia, GBP 9/month in the UK) adds priority order execution, a 24/7 customer support line, and exclusive ASX events. At AUD 108/year, the premium is cost-effective for investors who trade more than once or twice per month where the execution priority is relevant.
ASIC (AU) and FCA (UK): regulated across two primary markets
Stake's Australian entity is ASIC-regulated. The UK entity holds FCA licence 942016, covering British users with FSCS protection up to GBP 85,000 on eligible investments. These regulations apply to their respective jurisdictions; no single Stake entity covers both markets.
Where it falls short
Stake does not offer fractional shares, which limits accessibility to high-priced US equities like Amazon and Alphabet. No ISA account is available for UK clients, a real gap for tax-efficient investing. Research tools are minimal: no integrated analyst reports, no stock screener, no technical charting beyond basic price history. No options, futures, or margin trading are available, and the 0.7% FX conversion margin on USD trades is the primary cost for non-USD investors.
Bottom line
Stake is the right platform for Australian and UK investors who want simple, commission-free access to US-listed stocks under local ASIC or FCA regulation, without the interface complexity of Interactive Brokers. The 0.7% FX conversion margin on USD trades is the cost to monitor. Investors who want ISA wrappers, fractional shares, or research tools should consider Trading 212 or Freetrade instead.
Stake Score Breakdown
Overall Score3.9/ 53/440% of total score−−0.3 below average#13 of 15
4.3/ 5
- Top-tier regulator (FCA, ASIC, CFTC, etc.)
- Segregated client funds
- Negative balance protection
- Compensation scheme (e.g. FSCS)
2/230% of total score−−0.1 below average#12 of 15
4.3/ 5
- Commission-free trading
- No deposit fee
1/720% of total score−−0.5 below average#12 of 15
3.5/ 5
- Research tools
- Stock screener
- Mobile app
- Advanced charting tools
- Short selling available
- IPO access
- Global exchange access
0/510% of total score++0.1 above average#5 of 15
4.0/ 5
- Fractional shares
- Dividend reinvestment (DRIP)
- Stocks & Shares ISA
- SIPP pension account
- Extended hours trading
User Reviews
1 trader review
3.0/ 5
Based on 1 review
100% recommend
1Filter:
AmiraMay 2026
3.0
RecommendsExperience:BeginnerStyle:Day traderTenure:Under 6 monthsAccount:ISATrades:UK Stocks
Fractional sharesGood research toolsCommission-freePoor mobile appSlow transfers
The commission-free trades are a nice touch, but the lack of fractional shares really limits my options. I've been running into some issues with the app, feels clunky at times. I just wish the research tools were a bit better, especially for someone just starting out.
Stake Active Stock Bonuses
2Tiered Pricing
Unlimited commission-free US and ASX trades for AUD 9/month
Stake Black - Commission-Free US & ASX Trading
Stake Black subscribers pay zero brokerage commission on US and ASX trades - unlimited trades for AUD 9/month.
Researching your options? to compare scores, spreads, and regulation side by side.
Stake Fees & Costs
- Withdrawal Fee
- Free
- Inactivity Fee
- None
Stake Regulatory Licences
Verified regulation is a key factor in identifying a reliable choice for stock traders.
About Stake
- Founded
- 2017
- Headquarters
- Sydney, Australia
- Website
- hellostake.com
- Deposit Methods
- Bank TransferCredit CardDebit Card
- Withdrawal methods
- Bank Transfer
Stake Stocks Trading Platforms
Compare the leading stock trading platforms supported by Stake.
Stake Markets & Instruments
Stocks
ETFs
Countries Where Stake Is Available
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Frequently Asked Questions About Stake Stock Trading
No. Stake does not currently offer a Stocks and Shares ISA for UK clients. Investments through Stake UK are held in a general investment account. UK investors who need an ISA wrapper should consider Trading 212 or Freetrade, both of which offer Stocks and Shares ISAs.
Stake earns revenue primarily through a 0.7% FX conversion margin applied when you fund your account in a local currency (AUD or GBP) and invest in USD-denominated US stocks. This conversion cost applies to each deposit and each withdrawal where currency conversion occurs. There is also a Stake Black premium subscription at AUD/GBP 9 per month.
