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Page last updated: 05 August 2021

Online investing platforms

An online investing platform is a website or mobile application used to invest within the financial markets. Online platforms have made investing more accessible.  You can invest smaller amounts of money at relatively low cost and they’re easy to use. They can be an opportunity to learn about investing by doing it. 

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If you have investing FOMO, first consider the Five D’s of DIY investing:

Recent research by the FMA into online investing platforms found 31% of all online DIY investors jumped into an investment because they didn’t want to miss out. Additionally, 27% said they invested based on a recommendation from someone they know without doing their own research.

Read more about online investing platforms

Is online investing right for you? Here are some things to think about if you decide that online investing is for you.

How to choose an online investing platform

Investment goals are the first step to using investing platforms, then focus on products that will help you reach those goals.

Read about using an investing platform

 

Online investing platforms make investing 'easy' but aren't exempt from their share of risks or scams.

Understand the risks of online investing

Interesting facts from our investing platforms research

We commissioned research about online investing platforms to help us understand the type and profile of investors in retail platforms, and the associated risks and behaviours. We will use the findings to help prioritise future activities and messages to reach new investors. See the media release for an overview of the findings, or See the full research pack.

Our research records that 79% of investors who use online investment platforms, buy and hold for the long term.

Reseach says that 30% who used an online investing platform did so to avoid missing out.

After investing on an online investing platform, 80% of those researched felt more positive about investing. 

Our research records that 79% of investors who use online investment platforms, buy and hold for the long term.

Reseach says that 30% who used an online investing platform did so to avoid missing out.

After investing on an online investing platform, 80% of those researched felt more positive about investing.