We’ve had a few people asking for a Stake Super vs Grow SMSF comparison – so here it is! Stake Super offers a simple $990 annual fee that bundles setup and first-year administration inside one platform. Grow SMSF separates setup ($1,495 for a corporate trustee) from ongoing annual fees that start after the compliance work is actually completed — usually 12–15 months later. After the 2026 Budget, SMSFs have become the preferred structure for long term growth investments including property. Choose the provider whose fees, investment flexibility, and support model match your chosen investments and needs.
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My background with Stake and why I started Grow
I was a customer and early advocate of Stake. I became one of their first SMSF trading account holders because they gave SMSF investors clean access to the US market.
That led me to work closely with the team, including CEO Matt Leibowitz, who championed the SMSF product. While there (late 2020 to early 2022) with a small team, I built the early version of Stake’s SMSF offering — onboarding, communications, invoicing, and vendor stack selection (SMSF software, legal documents/deeds, independent auditors).
The foundation was solid. Stake has since scaled it well through tight integration with their brokerage solution. I left because I felt the job was done and I wanted to build something of my own that could give Australians even greater flexibility and direct help with their super.
That’s Grow SMSF.
Stake Super vs Grow SMSF comparison 2026
| Feature | Stake Super | Grow SMSF |
|---|---|---|
| Upfront SMSF setup fee (corporate trustee) | $990 (includes ASIC) | $1,495 (company trustee, includes ASIC) $880 (individual trustees*) |
| Annual fee model | $990 / $1,690 / $2,490 (payable on anniversary of setup) | $1,485 / $1,870 / $2,225 (payable after compliance work done) |
| Investment lock-in | Stake platform only | Any broker — Selfwealth, IBKR, Betashares Direct + more |
| Property / LRBA support | Available (higher tier) | Deep expertise + valuations & title searches included |
| Support | Digital + general support team | Dedicated senior SMSF Account Manager + Growbot AI |
| Best for | Simple ASX/US share portfolios, low touch | Property, global markets, crypto, complex strategies |
The timing of fees: why it matters for real cost
This is often misunderstood when completing a Stake Super vs Grow SMSF comparison.
Stake states their $990 fee “includes setup and the first year”. Their T&Cs confirm that ongoing annual fees are charged on the anniversary of the application date.
Example:
- Set up with Stake in July 2026 → they charge the next $990 in July 2027.
- By the time your first tax return and audit are completed (likely July–October 2027), you have already paid the second year’s fee.
Grow charges annual fees on completion of the work — after the accounts, tax return, and audit are finished. For a July 2026 setup, that first annual fee typically lands in October or November 2027 — giving you an extra 3–4 months of cashflow before the next payment is due.
Stake’s “$990 includes the first year” is clever marketing language, not surprising as Stake’s marketing team is clever and well resourced. In practice, depending on timing, many trustees end up paying for year two before year one’s compliance work is even finished. Grow’s model spreads the real cost further apart.
If you are doing a strict year-one cost comparison, factor in this timing difference. It often makes the headline numbers less meaningful than they first appear.
Stake Super vs Grow SMSF fees comparison (setup + annual tiers)
| Item | Stake Super | Grow SMSF | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Setup (corporate trustee) | Included in year-1 fee | $1,495 | Grow setup is one-off and separate |
| Standard annual fee | $990 | $1,485 (Starter) | Single market or simple portfolio |
| Mid-tier annual fee | $1,690 | $1,870 (Flexi) | Two markets/products |
| Property / LRBA annual fee | $1,690+ | $2,255 (Property Base) | Includes annual valuations & title searches |
| Full alternative assets tier | $2,490 | $2,640 (Property Flexi) | Shares + property + crypto etc. |
| Non-standard assets (private companies, unlisted funds, etc.) | Higher tier or custom | Bespoke / custom pricing available | Grow quotes case-by-case |
| ATO Supervisory Levy | $259/yr ($518 year 1) | $259/yr ($518 year 1) | Paid to ATO, not the provider |
| ASIC annual review (corporate) | $67 | $67 | Paid directly to ASIC |
Investment options and preferred brokers
Stake keeps everything inside its own platform. That works cleanly for many people.
Grow gives you choice:
- Selfwealth — clean, low-cost access to US, ASX and HK markets.
- Interactive Brokers (IBKR) — full global access including US, ASX, and international markets at institutional pricing.
- Betashares Direct — simple, low-cost ASX-only option.
You are never locked in. Many clients run IBKR for global exposure and Selfwealth or Betashares for simpler holdings, all under one Grow SMSF compliance wrapper.
US investing cost examples: Stake brokerage versus IBKR + Grow
This is where the practical difference is largest for anyone investing in US stocks and ETFs.
Stake applies a 0.55% FX spread (55 basis points) on AUD to USD conversions, with a US$2 minimum. That’s US$55 per A$10,000 transferred.
Interactive Brokers (via Grow) charges just 0.03% on auto-conversions (or 0.002% on manual trades), with a US$2 minimum. Brokerage is also materially lower.
One-way purchase cost (AUD converted to USD + brokerage)
| Investment Amount (AUD) | Stake FX (0.55%) + Brokerage | IBKR FX (0.03% auto) + Brokerage | Savings with IBKR |
|---|---|---|---|
| $20,000 | $113 | $12 | $101 |
| $50,000 | $278 | $23 | $255 |
| $100,000 | $553 | $38 | $515 |
For anyone making regular or larger US allocations, the savings with IBKR via Grow are substantial — often hundreds of dollars on larger trades and FX conversions. This is also a key reason Stake can position their SMSF services at a comparatively low price – they have the ability to generate revenue via other products and services.
By comparison, Grow is a ‘pure’ SMSF service provider: You pay fees, receive service. Grow does not receive revenue or commissions from any preferred bank, broker or investment provider. We select our preferred suppliers based on what works best for our customers and also preference platforms that enable Grow with read-only accountant access to reports and data feeds directly into our SMSF accounting platform.
Support model: what changes in practice
Grow is 100% SMSF-focused. Every client is assigned a dedicated senior Account Manager — usually an SMSF Specialist Advisor with 10+ years’ experience. We combine that with a continuously improving AI agent (Growbot) and a growing team of SMSF accountants and administrators.
Clients consistently tell us the difference is confidence. When you need to set up an LRBA, handle crypto compliance, or navigate a complex rollover, you speak to people who do this every day — not a general support queue.
Stake’s model is efficient for straightforward cases. Some users report it can feel hit-or-miss once queries move beyond basic platform functions.
When to choose Stake Super
- Simple ASX and US share portfolio inside one platform.
- Lowest headline annual fee and minimal admin.
- Comfortable with anniversary-based fee timing.
- Unlikely to need property, crypto, or multiple brokers.
When to choose Grow SMSF
- Want genuine choice (Selfwealth, IBKR, Betashares Direct or any broker).
- Planning property via LRBA, cryptocurrency, or non-standard assets.
- Value dramatically lower FX costs on US and international investing.
- Prefer fees charged after compliance work is completed (better cashflow).
- Want bespoke pricing and a dedicated senior SMSF accountant as your account manager.
FAQ
Is Stake Super cheaper than Grow SMSF? The $990 headline is lower for simple portfolios, but once you include separate setup, property tiers, FX costs on US trades (0.55% vs 0.03%), and fee timing, the real difference often narrows or favours Grow for anything beyond basic share investing.
How much can I save on US investing with Interactive Brokers (IBKR) via Grow? On a $100,000 US stock purchase, typical savings are around $515 in FX + brokerage versus Stake. The gap widens with larger amounts or regular trading.
Can I use Interactive Brokers with Grow SMSF? Yes. Our dedicated IBKR SMSF solution gives full platform access with Grow handling all compliance, tax, and audit.
Can I use Stake as a broker and Grow as my SMSF accountant? Yes. However as Stake is no longer a preferred broker for Grow, an additional $385 fee will be added for each State ASX or Stake Wall St portfolio under your SMSF.
Does Grow support cryptocurrency? Yes. Deep integration with Swyftx as well as support for other Australian-based crypto exchanges. Support for secure self-custody options.
What is the real first-year cost difference? Stake charges $990 on application and again on the anniversary (often before year-one work finishes). Grow charges setup once, then the first annual fee after accounts and audit are completed — usually 12–15 months later.
Can I switch from Stake to Grow? Yes. We handle the full transfer and compliance process. There is no cost to upgrade from Stake Super to Grow SMSF. Learn more: Schedule a Call and Transfer your SMSF.
Can I change broker from Stake to Interactive Brokers (IBKR): Yes. This is a common and popular practice. Once your new IBKR account is open you can trigger an ACATS transfer of your Stake portfolio (with Drivewealth). There is a fee of $US65 and the transfer usually occurs within a few days. Only whole stocks/ETFs and cash is transferred. Fractional shares cannot be transferred, therefore it is typically recommended to sell down any fractional holdings prior to triggering the transfer.
Do you provide financial advice? No. Factual information only. Speak to a licensed financial adviser for personal strategy advice.
Ready to run the exact numbers for your situation?
Book a free 15-minute SMSF feasibility call. We’ll compare fees, FX costs, timing, and investment options side-by-side for your planned strategy.
Thank you for reading our Stake Super vs Grow SMSF comparison article.
