Best Platforms to Buy US Shares from NZ: Sharesies, Hatch, or Stake

Introduction

For New Zealand investors looking to access the US stock market, choosing the right trading platform is crucial. This comprehensive guide compares the leading platforms - Sharesies, Hatch, and Stake - to help you make an informed decision based on your investment needs and preferences.

Platform Overview

Sharesies

Platform characteristics:

1. Company Background

   • NZ-based company
   • Established 2017
   • Local focus
   • Multi-market access

2. Key Features

   • Fractional shares
   • Auto-invest
   • Portfolio tools
   • Educational resources

Hatch

Platform details:

1. Company Profile

   • Kiwi Wealth subsidiary
   • US market specialist
   • Digital focus
   • Educational emphasis

2. Core Features

   • Direct US trading
   • Research tools
   • Portfolio tracking
   • Tax reporting

Stake

Platform overview:

1. Company Information

   • Australian origin
   • US market focus
   • Digital platform
   • Modern interface

2. Main Features

   • Commission-free
   • Advanced tools
   • Quick funding
   • Mobile first

Fee Comparison

Trading Costs

Platform fees:

1. Sharesies

   • Transaction fees
   • Currency conversion
   • Subscription options
   • Account fees

2. Hatch

   • Trading commission
   • Exchange rates
   • Account charges
   • Transfer fees

3. Stake

   • Commission structure
   • FX fees
   • Account costs
   • Additional services

Hidden Costs

Additional expenses:

1. Currency Conversion

   • Exchange rates
   • Spread costs
   • Timing impact
   • Conversion fees

2. Account Maintenance

   • Monthly fees
   • Inactivity charges
   • Service costs
   • Premium features

User Experience

Platform Interface

Design comparison:

1. Sharesies

   • User-friendly design
   • Mobile optimization
   • Navigation ease
   • Feature access

2. Hatch

   • Clean interface
   • Research integration
   • Portfolio view
   • Trading tools

3. Stake

   • Modern design
   • Mobile focus
   • Quick access
   • Feature layout

Trading Process

Operation comparison:

1. Order Types

   • Market orders
   • Limit orders
   • Stop orders
   • Advanced options

2. Execution Speed

   • Order processing
   • Settlement time
   • Confirmation
   • Trading hours

Investment Options

Available Markets

Trading access:

1. US Markets

   • NYSE
   • NASDAQ
   • OTC markets
   • ETF access

2. Additional Markets

   • NZ shares
   • Australian stocks
   • Global markets
   • Fund options

Investment Products

Product range:

1. Shares

   • Common stocks
   • Preferred shares
   • ADRs
   • REITs

2. Funds

   • ETFs
   • Index funds
   • Sector funds
   • Thematic investing

Research Tools

Market Analysis

Research capabilities:

1. Sharesies Tools

   • Company information
   • Market news
   • Performance data
   • Portfolio analysis

2. Hatch Resources

   • Research reports
   • Financial data
   • News integration
   • Analysis tools

3. Stake Features

   • Market data
   • Technical analysis
   • News feed
   • Trading ideas

Educational Resources

Learning support:

1. Training Materials

   • Getting started
   • Trading guides
   • Market education
   • Investment basics

2. Support Resources

   • Help center
   • FAQ section
   • Tutorial videos
   • Community forums

Account Management

Setup Process

Account creation:

1. Registration

   • Identity verification
   • Document requirements
   • Processing time
   • Account types

2. Funding Options

   • Bank transfer
   • Deposit methods
   • Processing time
   • Minimum amounts

Portfolio Management

Account features:

1. Tracking Tools

   • Performance monitoring
   • Position tracking
   • Dividend management
   • Tax reporting

2. Management Features

   • Rebalancing tools
   • Auto-invest
   • Dividend reinvestment
   • Portfolio analysis

Tax Handling

Tax Reporting

Compliance support:

1. FIF Calculations

   • Annual reporting
   • Cost basis tracking
   • Gain calculation
   • Loss recording

2. Tax Documents

   • Annual statements
   • Transaction history
   • Dividend records
   • Cost basis reports

Tax Efficiency

Optimization options:

1. Structure Options

   • Personal account
   • Company structure
   • Trust accounts
   • Joint holdings

2. Tax Strategies

   • Loss harvesting
   • Holding period
   • Dividend treatment
   • Currency impact

Security Features

Account Protection

Safety measures:

1. Platform Security

   • Encryption
   • Authentication
   • Fraud protection
   • Insurance coverage

2. Asset Security

   • Custodial arrangements
   • Segregation
   • Regulatory compliance
   • Backup systems

Regulatory Compliance

Legal framework:

1. NZ Regulation

   • FMA oversight
   • Licensing
   • Reporting
   • Audit requirements

2. US Compliance

   • SEC rules
   • FINRA requirements
   • Trading regulations
   • Reporting obligations

Customer Support

Support Channels

Service options:

1. Contact Methods

   • Email support
   • Phone service
   • Chat options
   • Social media

2. Response Time

   • Service hours
   • Resolution time
   • Emergency support
   • Follow-up process

Support Quality

Service assessment:

1. Knowledge Base

   • Technical expertise
   • Problem resolution
   • Communication clarity
   • Solution efficiency

2. User Feedback

   • Customer reviews
   • Service ratings
   • Problem areas
   • Improvement needs

Platform Comparison

Strengths Analysis

Platform advantages:

1. Sharesies Strengths

   • Local presence
   • Multi-market access
   • Fractional shares
   • User-friendly

2. Hatch Strengths

   • US focus
   • Research tools
   • Educational resources
   • Tax support

3. Stake Strengths

   • Commission-free
   • Modern interface
   • Quick funding
   • Advanced features

Weakness Analysis

Platform limitations:

1. Sharesies Limitations

   • Higher fees
   • Limited tools
   • Basic research
   • Currency costs

2. Hatch Limitations

   • US only
   • Trading fees
   • Limited markets
   • Feature restrictions

3. Stake Limitations

   • New platform
   • Limited history
   • Basic support
   • Market access

Decision Framework

Platform Selection

Choice factors:

1. Investment Style

   • Trading frequency
   • Investment size
   • Market focus
   • Tool requirements

2. Cost Sensitivity

   • Fee impact
   • Transaction volume
   • Currency needs
   • Service value

User Requirements

Needs assessment:

1. Feature Needs

   • Research requirements
   • Trading tools
   • Portfolio management
   • Support needs

2. Service Priorities

   • Platform reliability
   • User experience
   • Support quality
   • Cost efficiency

Implementation Guide

Getting Started

Setup process:

1. Platform Choice

   • Requirement analysis
   • Feature comparison
   • Cost assessment
   • Service evaluation

2. Account Setup

   • Registration
   • Verification
   • Funding
   • Trading activation

Ongoing Usage

Regular operations:

1. Trading Process

   • Order placement
   • Position monitoring
   • Portfolio management
   • Performance tracking

2. Account Maintenance

   • Regular review
   • Cost monitoring
   • Tax management
   • Support utilization

Conclusion

Platform choice depends on:

• Investment goals
• Trading style
• Cost sensitivity
• Feature needs
• Support requirements

Success factors include:

• Platform fit
• Cost efficiency
• Feature access
• Support quality
• User experience

Additional Resources

• Platform websites
• User reviews
• Comparison tools
• Educational materials
• Support documentation