★ BEST INVESTING TOOLS COMPARISON ★
VOL. XCIV, NO. 247
Source check: CommSec checked July 17, 2026
Tool Comparison
CommSec vs StockCharts
Pick CommSec instead if
CommSec
Transaction-priced · Fees vary by offer and jurisdiction · Web · Mobile
- You care about brokerage and downloadable tax reports, things StockCharts doesn't offer
Start here
StockCharts
Free • From $19.95/mo · Web · Mobile
- You'd rather start free and only pay if you outgrow it
- Delayed quotes won't cut it; you need real-time data
- You care about screeners, data visualizations, and alerts, things CommSec doesn't offer
Skip both if: Neither one clicks with how you research; there are strong third options.
See alternativesOutbound links may include affiliate or sponsor codes.
Our take
The bottom line
CommSec and StockCharts cover a lot of the same ground (3 shared categories, portfolio, watchlist, and options), so for the basics you won't go far wrong with either. StockCharts simply does more: 9 categories to CommSec's 5, including screeners, data visualizations, and alerts. CommSec counters by keeping things simpler.
What readers say
CommSec
Vote once to reveal the community verdict.
StockCharts
Vote once to reveal the community verdict.
Key differences at a glance
- Free plan
- StockCharts
- Free trial
- StockCharts30 days
- Broader coverage
- StockCharts9 vs 5 categories
- Real-time data
- StockCharts
- Asset coverage
- StockChartsAdds mutual funds and commodities
See for yourself
How they stack up
The side-by-side table: pricing, platforms, data, and coverage at a glance.ShowHide
How they stack up
The side-by-side table: pricing, platforms, data, and coverage at a glance.| Attribute | ||
|---|---|---|
| Pricing & plans | ||
Starting price | Transaction-priced · Fees vary by offer and jurisdiction | Free • From $19.95/mo |
Free tier | No | Yes |
Free trial | — | 30 days |
Plan limits | — | 14 limits: Basic: chart lists: 1, Basic: custom scans: 1 +12 more |
| Platforms & access | ||
Web app | Yes | Yes |
Mobile app | Yes | Yes |
API access | No | No |
Broker sync | — | No |
Integrations | — | Tradier Brokerage and OptionsPlay |
| Audience & fit | ||
Experience level | Beginner, Intermediate, Advanced | Beginner, Intermediate, Advanced |
Best for | — | — |
Categories covered | 5 | 9 |
Regions | APAC, North America, Europe | North America, Europe, APAC |
| Data & capabilities | ||
Data quality | — | 5 signals: Latency: Real-time, 15-min Delayed, and End of Day, Granularity: Minute and EOD +3 more |
Capabilities | — | 3 signals: Custom formulas, Universe builder +1 more |
| Try it | Visit CommSec | Visit StockCharts |
Where each one shines
What CommSec and StockCharts each do best.ShowHide
Where each one shines
What CommSec and StockCharts each do best.What CommSec does best
- CHESS-sponsored Australian shares, ETFs and listed investments.
- International stocks across U.S., Canada, Europe and Asian markets.
- Domestic online brokerage from A$5 with eligible CDIA settlement.
- Custodian-supported international fractional and recurring orders.
- Exchange-traded options and advanced market tooling.
What StockCharts does best
- Tools for building technical workflows with SharpCharts, ACP, Point & Figure charts, Seasonality charts, Relative Rotation Graphs, PerfCharts, and saved layouts.
- ChartLists as watchlists or portfolios, with tier-based limits and support for importing symbols from CSV.
- Tools for running Advanced Scan Workbench filters with custom syntax on daily, weekly, and monthly bars, while planning around the lack of intraday scan execution.
- Tools for creating price alerts and advanced alerts that can notify through email, SMS, and in-platform messages during market hours.
- Free U.S.
Every detail we compared
Every tracked attribute for CommSec and StockCharts, side by side.ShowHide
Every detail we compared
Every tracked attribute for CommSec and StockCharts, side by side.| Attribute | ||
|---|---|---|
| Coverage & fit | ||
Asset types | StocksETFsOptions | StocksETFsMutual FundsOptionsCommoditiesCryptos |
Experience | BeginnerIntermediateAdvanced | BeginnerIntermediateAdvanced |
Regions | APACNorth AmericaEurope | North AmericaEuropeAPAC |
Coverage details | Countries: AUIdentifiers: Ticker | 4 countries7 exchangesIdentifiers: Ticker |
| Data | ||
Data freshness | Not specified | Real-time15-min DelayedEnd of Day |
Data granularity | Not specified | MinuteEOD |
| Access & integrations | ||
Import methods | Not specified | CSVManual |
Integrations | Not specified | Tradier BrokerageOptionsPlay |
Export formats | CSVPDF | CSVImage |
| Plans & trust | ||
Capability signals | Not specified | Custom formulasUniverse builderGreeks |
Vendor & support | Commonwealth Securities LimitedCountry: AustraliaSupport: Phone and Email | StockCharts.com, Inc.Country: USFounded 1999Support: Email |
Curation ratings | Not specified | Methodology 3/5Reliability 4/5UX 4/5 |
Green tags are exclusive to that tool in this comparison.
What you'll actually pay
Plans, billing, trials, and per-month pricing for both tools.ShowHide
What you'll actually pay
Plans, billing, trials, and per-month pricing for both tools.| Tier | ||
|---|---|---|
| Free plan | — | Free |
| Entry paid plan | — | $19.95/mo“Basic”chart lists: 1 · custom scans: 1 · +2 more |
| Tier 2 | — | $29.95/mo“Extra”chart lists: 250 · custom scans: 200 · +3 more |
| Top plan | — | $49.95/mo“PRO”chart lists: 500 · custom scans: 500 · +3 more |
| Free trial | — | 30 days |
Questions we keep getting
What's the difference between CommSec and StockCharts?
CommSec leans toward brokerage, portfolio, and watchlist, while StockCharts puts more weight on screeners, data visualizations, and alerts. They overlap in 3 categories, so for most people it comes down to workflow preference and price.
Is CommSec or StockCharts free to use?
StockCharts has a free tier, so you can get started without paying anything. CommSec is paid-only. If budget matters, start with StockCharts and see how far it takes you before opening your wallet.
Should I choose CommSec or StockCharts?
It depends on what you're after. Pick CommSec if brokerage and downloadable tax reports matter to you; go with StockCharts if you'd rather have screeners and data visualizations. And if you only need the basics both share, let price decide.
What asset classes do CommSec and StockCharts cover?
Both cover stocks, ETFs, and options. StockCharts adds mutual funds, commodities, and cryptos on top.
Does CommSec or StockCharts have real-time data?
StockCharts offers real-time data, which matters if you trade actively. CommSec runs on delayed or end-of-day data, which is perfectly fine for longer-term investors who don't live and die by the tick.
Can I export data from CommSec and StockCharts?
Yes, both export to spreadsheets (CSV), which is handy if you like running your own numbers.
Which has a better stock screener: CommSec or StockCharts?
StockCharts has a stock screener for surfacing ideas; CommSec doesn't, and focuses its energy elsewhere.
Can I track my portfolio with CommSec or StockCharts?
Yes, both do portfolio tracking: holdings, performance, and allocation in one place.
Keep researching
Other tools you might like
Keep Exploring
Feedback
Spot stale pricing, missing features, or a comparison that feels off? Send feedback on the verdict, table, alternatives, or recommendation.
Curation & Accuracy
This directory blends AI‑assisted discovery with human curation. Entries are reviewed, edited, and organized with the goal of expanding coverage and sharpening quality over time. Your feedback helps steer improvements (because no single human can capture everything all at once).
Details change. Pricing, features, and availability may be incomplete or out of date. Treat listings as a starting point and verify on the provider’s site before making decisions. If you spot an error or a gap, send a quick note and I’ll adjust.