Stake and Superhero both offer low-cost access to US shares and ASX-listed securities, but they serve different investment styles. Superhero is a CHESS-sponsored platform with $2 ETF brokerage and commission-free US shares. Stake is a custodian-based platform focused primarily on US share investing with commission-free trades and fractional shares. The right platform depends heavily on whether CHESS sponsorship and Australian ETFs or US-focused direct investing is your priority.
Stake vs Superhero — Quick Comparison
| Feature | Stake | Superhero |
|---|---|---|
| ASX ETF brokerage | $3.00 | $2.00 |
| ASX share brokerage | $3.00 | $5.00 |
| US shares brokerage | $0 | $0 |
| CHESS sponsored (ASX) | No — custodian | Yes |
| Fractional shares (US) | Yes | Yes |
| Fractional shares (ASX) | No | No |
| Auto-invest | No | Yes (ETFs) |
| Minimum investment | $10 (US); $50 (ASX) | $100 |
| FX fee (USD) | ~0.70% | ~0.60% |
| Mobile app | Yes | Yes |
ASX ETF Investing
For ASX ETF investors, Superhero has meaningful advantages:
- Cheaper: $2 vs $3 per ETF trade
- CHESS sponsored: Superhero holds ASX ETF units in your name; Stake uses a custodian
- Auto-invest: Superhero supports scheduled recurring ETF contributions; Stake does not
ASX Individual Shares
For ASX individual shares, Stake is cheaper ($3 vs Superhero’s $5), but uses a custodian model. Investors who prioritise CHESS for direct share ownership will prefer Superhero or SelfWealth.
US Share Investing
Both platforms offer $0 commission US shares and fractional shares. Stake has a longer history and established reputation for US investing in Australia. Superhero expanded its US offering more recently. FX rates are similar (Stake ~0.70%, Superhero ~0.60%).
Key difference: Stake offers a premium “Stake Black” tier for higher-volume US investors (extended hours, reduced FX rates, priority support). Superhero does not have an equivalent premium US tier.
CHESS — The Critical Difference for Long-Term Investors
For investors building a long-term ASX share or ETF portfolio, CHESS sponsorship matters. Superhero is CHESS sponsored — your ASX holdings are registered in your name with a HIN. Stake uses a custodian model.
If an investor’s primary focus is their ASX ETF portfolio (the core of most Australian buy-and-hold strategies), the CHESS difference is material. See CHESS vs Custodian.
Platform Maturity
Stake was founded in 2017 and has an established track record in Australian US share investing. Superhero was founded in 2020 and has grown rapidly with its low ETF brokerage and CHESS expansion.
Who Should Use Stake?
- Investors primarily focused on US-listed shares
- Investors wanting fractional US shares with $0 commission
- Investors who regularly trade US shares and may benefit from Stake Black premium features
- Investors comfortable with custodian-model ASX holdings
Who Should Use Superhero?
- ETF investors wanting the cheapest CHESS-sponsored ASX ETF brokerage
- Investors who want auto-invest (scheduled ETF contributions)
- Investors building a primarily ASX-based portfolio and want US access as a secondary feature
- Investors for whom CHESS sponsorship is a priority
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Frequently Asked Questions
Is Stake or Superhero safer? Both are ASIC-regulated and hold client assets separately from company assets. For ASX holdings, Superhero offers stronger protection via CHESS (shares in your name). Stake uses a custodian for ASX holdings. For US holdings, both use custodian/nominee structures — this is standard across all Australian brokers for US securities.
Can I use both Stake and Superhero? Yes. Some investors use Superhero for their core ASX ETF DCA strategy (CHESS, auto-invest, $2 ETF brokerage) and use Stake for their US direct stock exposure (fractional shares, established US platform). Managing two accounts adds some complexity to tax record-keeping.
Does Stake have ASX ETFs? Yes. Stake offers ASX-listed ETFs at $3 per trade, held via a custodian.
This article provides general financial information only. Fees and features are as of the date of publication and may have changed. For advice tailored to your situation, speak with a licensed financial adviser. You can find one through the ASIC financial advisers register or MoneySmart.