Investing in the US markets can be complicated. If you are on the search for the best US stocks to buy in September 2021, you need a reliable trading platform first. When you are based in NZ, there are three main options that you have for investments: Sharesies NZ, Hatch and Stake.
As buyers navigate through these options, it becomes difficult to determine which one would be the most suitable. In a nutshell, the platform that you should use depends upon the amount you want to invest in stocks, how often you want to trade and some other factors.
This guide shows you all the key differences between the three platforms, and helps you determine which one is right for you.
Option 1: Sharesies NZ
If you have been in New Zealand for a while, you would know that Sharesies was the first NZ based trading platform to be launched. The company began in 2017 through a startup incubator, and since then they have taken pride in being the first (and often, most reliable) affordable online investor.
Sharesies targets young people who are just starting out with investments. They facilitate people by having a low fee of 1 cent per share to invest in both the NZ and US markets. If you are looking for popularity statistics for Sharesies, then it is safe to say that over 1 billion dollars have been invested using the platform for the past 4 years.
In our opinion, Sharesies NZ is most suitable for:
- New investors who want to spread their reach to the US market,
- Current investors in the NZ market who want to purchase a small number of US shares.
If you are new to Sharesies or thinking about getting it you can do so by clicking HERE or reading our full review HERE.
Option 2: Hatch NZ
Hatch is another popular option from New Zealand that gives you access to US market stocks. While Hatch has been around for multiple years now, their popularity surged the most during 2020. This web platform provides easy access to over 3,500 stocks that you can buy and sell using Hatch with each transaction being supported by the professional team behind the startup.
For both beginners and experienced investors, Hatch provides a feature set that is easy to follow but also has everything that you would need. The best part about Hatch is that they have a comprehensive FAQ list on their website which aids all beginners in getting started with trading.
In our opinion, Hatch is most suitable for:
- People who want to continue investing for years,
- Large investors who are likely to hold their stocks.
If you are new to Hatch or thinking about getting it you can do so by clicking HERE or reading our full review HERE.
Option 3: Stake
Stake has been designed for expert traders. This platform offers a complete set of features including order types, day trading, etc. Stake was launched in 2017 and has since then accumulated a large number of experienced investors on the platform. The most attractive feature offered by Stake is their fee-free trade, meaning there is zero brokerage fee involved when you trade using Stake.
In our opinion, Stake is most suitable for:
- Investors who have prior experience in trading,
- Traders who want complete control over their trading processes.
If you are new to Stake or thinking about getting it you can do so by clicking HERE or reading our full review HERE.
Final Words
The truth is that most trading platforms essentially offer the same features. Whether you choose Sharesies, Hatch or Stake, you will have access to the following features:
- Funding from your NZ bank account
- Using DriveWealth as the main broker for US investments
- Registered and protected investing
- Customer representative support.
If the fee is your main determinant, then Hatch proves to be the cheapest per trade. As you start accumulating more and more shares, you can have access to economies of scale that allow you to make larger investments in the future.
However, if you plan on investing less than $750 in US shares, then Sharesies NZ provides better value for money. This can be attributed to the fact that purchasing multiple shares through Hatch means that their basic fee of 1 cent per share tends to add up to a significant amount.
While Hatch, Sharesies NZ and Stake have varying fee structures depending upon the amount you invest, it is important to plan your transactions in advance.
Sharesies NZ would be a great choice for those who want to invest small amounts into the US market. Hatch is more suitable for those who want to trade continuously, and Stake is for those who want to buy and sell shares in multiple companies over the US market.