Three micro-investing apps to compare
Checked 18 September 2026. Fees below are in Australian dollars. Introductory offers are excluded from ongoing fee comparisons. Investment costs can apply in addition to the advertised monthly fee; check the current disclosure documents before opening an account.
Pearler Micro
Its $2 monthly platform charge is the lowest standard paid monthly charge among these three options. That makes it worth comparing first for regular small contributions, provided its investment options and ownership structure suit your needs.
Pearler Micro is our lower-flat-fee pick, Raiz is worth comparing for its guided round-up experience, and Spaceship Voyager offers another managed-portfolio approach. None is automatically the right investment for every beginner.
Micro-investing makes small contributions practical. The harder decision is whether the investments, costs and withdrawal arrangements suit the goal. An attractive app cannot turn market-linked investments into a guaranteed savings account.
General information only
This comparison does not account for your objectives, financial circumstances or needs. Investments can fall in value and returns are not guaranteed. Read the current product disclosure statement (PDS) and target market determination (TMD), and consider appropriate licensed advice before deciding.
The shortlist
- Pearler Micro: compare first if a lower ongoing flat platform fee matters.
- Raiz: compare its round-up workflow and available portfolios, paying attention to plan changes.
- Spaceship Voyager: compare if you prefer its managed investment approach and understand both fee components.
How we chose
This is a research-based comparison of official pricing, investment structures and automation features. We have not conducted hands-on app testing or ranked future investment returns. Our selection labels describe platform features, not the suitability of a particular fund for you.
We looked for clear differences in ongoing charges and how contributions are invested. These are three options to investigate, not an exhaustive market survey. Past performance, downloads and branding did not determine our selection.
1. Pearler Micro
From $5 • $2 monthly platform fee
Pearler’s current pricing lists ten Micro investment options, a $5 starting amount and a $2 monthly platform charge after the advertised first two months without that charge. Underlying investment and operational costs remain relevant. Micro is distinct from Pearler’s separately priced share-broking service.
The Pearler Investors Fund holds ETFs. Buying through Micro is therefore different from acquiring individual CHESS-sponsored ETF holdings through a broker. Its automation includes recurring investing and round-ups; spare-change investing is not exclusive to Raiz.
The appeal is a relatively simple ongoing platform charge. The limitation is that a restricted menu still requires a meaningful investment decision. Compare the underlying exposures and costs instead of assuming every option provides the same diversification.
Reasons to compare
- Lower standard monthly charge in this comparison
- Recurring contributions and round-ups
- Small starting amount
What to consider
- A fixed fee still weighs heavily on a tiny balance
- Fund interests differ from directly held ETFs
- Underlying investment costs still matter
2. Raiz
Lite starts at $2.50 a month
Raiz combines round-ups with manual and recurring contributions from $5. Lite costs $2.50 monthly and offers three portfolios: Conservative, Moderately Conservative and Moderate. Balances above $1,500 move to Regular.
Regular starts at $5.50 monthly, with percentage-based pricing above $26,000. Sapphire and Property have a separate combined monthly-and-percentage charge. Check the selected portfolio’s fee schedule rather than treating “Regular” as one universal price.
Our reason to compare Raiz is its guided spare-change approach. The practical question is whether that workflow helps you contribute consistently. Pearler also offers round-ups, so this feature alone does not establish better value.
Reasons to compare
- Round-ups alongside scheduled contributions
- Preset portfolio choices
- Low starting amount
What to consider
- Lite has a $1,500 balance ceiling
- Lite offers only three portfolios
- Costs depend on plan and portfolio
3. Spaceship Voyager
No one-off minimum • monthly and management fees
Spaceship Voyager offers five managed portfolios and no minimum for a one-off investment. Recurring investment plans have a $5 minimum. Its range includes share-heavy, balanced and conservative approaches; compare the actual holdings and suggested timeframe.
The monthly charge is $3 when any Voyager portfolio reaches $100 at any time during the month. It is nil when every portfolio remains below $100 throughout the month. Portfolio management fees are additional and currently range from 0.15% to 0.50% a year.
For example, Universe has a 0.50% annual management fee. With a constant $1,000 balance and twelve monthly charges, its two fee components total about $41 for a year. That illustration is a cost calculation, not an expected return.
Spaceship is worth comparing if its investment approach appeals to you. A familiar company in the holdings list does not establish that the portfolio suits your goal or tolerance for losses.
Reasons to compare
- No one-off investment minimum
- Several managed investment approaches
- Monthly fee charged once across portfolios in one account
What to consider
- Management fees are additional
- The monthly fee begins at the stated $100 threshold
- Share-heavy options can experience substantial volatility
What the monthly fee means for a small balance
Convert a recurring dollar charge into a percentage before comparing it. The following examples assume a constant balance, twelve full monthly charges and no introductory rebates. They show the flat monthly component only, excluding underlying investment and other applicable costs.
| Balance | Pearler: $24/year | Raiz Lite: $30/year | Spaceship: $36/year |
|---|---|---|---|
| $100 | 24% | 30% | 36% |
| $500 | 4.8% | 6% | 7.2% |
| $1,000 | 2.4% | 3% | 3.6% |
| $1,500 | 1.6% | 2% | 2.4% |
| $5,000 | 0.48% | Not eligible for Lite | 0.72% |
A $5,000 account cannot remain on Raiz Lite. The table deliberately does not extend its $30 annual charge beyond the plan limit. Compare the applicable Regular portfolio instead. Percentage-based fund charges can also make the cheapest flat monthly fee different from the lowest total cost.
A useful calculation
Annual dollar fee ÷ average account balance × 100 = approximate annual fee percentage. Use a realistic average balance if you contribute regularly. This is a budgeting comparison, not a prediction of investment performance.
Decide what the money is for
Before comparing interfaces, write down the goal, when you expect to need the money and how you would respond to a fall in value. An app you enjoy using may still offer an investment that does not fit that plan. Read each option’s stated risks and suggested investment timeframe.
Keep the platform decision separate from the portfolio decision. You may prefer a provider’s price but find its available investments unsuitable. There is no need to choose a product merely because opening the account is easy.
Round-ups still come from your budget
Rounding a $4.60 purchase up to $5 allocates another 40 cents of your own money. It does not create a bonus. If you make fifty such purchases, that is $20 in additional contributions to allow for.
A fixed weekly amount is easier to forecast. Round-ups may feel more natural if you prefer contributions linked to everyday activity. Either approach should fit the money available after planned expenses. Spending extra to create round-ups defeats the purpose.
When trying automation, check the first few transfers and the linked account balance. Make sure you know how to pause contributions, change the amount and stop future debits. Choose a routine you can sustain without constant attention.
Understand what you own
Moneysmart explains that micro-investing can involve different ownership arrangements and restrictions on moving investments. Do not assume that holding an investment through an app is the same as owning a whole security under a personal Holder Identification Number.
Ask the provider what legal interest you acquire, who holds the assets and whether you can transfer your holding without selling. If moving platforms requires a sale, consider tax and other consequences before switching. Read Moneysmart’s micro-investing guide.
Compare with a broker as well
A useful comparison starts with your intended contribution pattern. Write down how often you expect to invest, the amount each time, the investments you want and the likely balance. Then calculate the costs under each service’s current fee schedule.
A monthly subscription and a per-trade charge behave differently. A broker with a low advertised trade price is not automatically cheaper for frequent tiny purchases, while an app’s convenience is not automatically worth its ongoing cost at every balance. Include any relevant account, currency, transfer and investment charges.
Also compare the work involved. Would you be comfortable placing orders and selecting investments, or would a limited managed menu help you follow a plan? Automation is useful only when the underlying plan is suitable.
Read beyond the portfolio name
Names such as “growth”, “moderate” or “ethical” are starting points for investigation. Look at the actual asset allocation, major holdings, geographical exposure and investment process. Consider whether a second fund adds diversification or mostly repeats investments you already hold.
For an ethical option, read the exclusions and selection approach. For a share-heavy option, consider the stated risk level and timeframe. Avoid choosing on the basis of last year’s best-performing chart: a historical result cannot promise the next one.
Keep tax records from the beginning
Investment income and realised gains can have tax consequences. Retain annual statements, transaction records and relevant cost-base information. Reinvesting a distribution does not necessarily remove a tax obligation, and switching investments can involve a disposal.
Use the provider’s statement together with appropriate tax guidance. If you are unsure, ask a registered tax agent rather than assuming a small account is exempt from reporting. Moneysmart explains investing and tax.
Questions to ask before signing up
- What is the total ongoing cost? Identify the monthly charge and investment-level costs separately.
- What changes as the balance grows? Check automatic upgrades and percentage-fee thresholds.
- Which investment suits the goal? Read its PDS and TMD.
- What do I own? Understand the fund or custody arrangement.
- How do I leave? Ask about withdrawals, transfers, account closure and stopping recurring debits.
- What records will I receive? Find out how to download statements before closing an account.
Review the account when your circumstances change
Set a reminder to review fees and contributions periodically, and read provider notices. A platform that made sense for an initial experiment may be less suitable once you are investing larger amounts or want different holdings.
Reviewing does not mean selling immediately. First compare the costs and consequences of staying, pausing new contributions or moving. Avoid changing direction solely because another app looks newer or advertises a temporary joining offer.
Frequently asked questions
Which has the lowest monthly fee?
Pearler has the lowest standard paid flat monthly charge among these three. Spaceship has a conditional monthly-fee exemption below its threshold, and introductory offers can change short-term costs. Compare total costs for your balance and chosen investments.
Are round-ups exclusive to Raiz?
No. Pearler also advertises round-ups. Compare the workflow and costs, rather than treating spare-change investing as a unique feature.
Can I lose money?
Yes. Small contributions and an easy interface do not remove investment risk. The value of market-linked investments can fall.
Does a small starting amount mean low fees?
No. Starting requirements and ongoing costs are separate. A $24 annual charge is 24% of a constant $100 balance before other costs.
Can I withdraw instantly?
Do not assume so. Check the provider’s processing and bank-transfer times, and any circumstances in which withdrawals can be delayed. Money invested in a fund should not be treated as immediately available cash.
Our verdict
Compare Pearler Micro first for its lower ongoing flat platform charge. Consider Raiz if its guided experience suits how you want to contribute, and Spaceship Voyager if its managed portfolios fit what you are seeking.
The final choice depends on the investment, total cost and ownership arrangements as well as the app. Start with a goal and a sustainable contribution plan, then choose a service that supports them.
Sources and fee checks
Official information checked on 18 September 2026. Fees and features can change. Consult the latest disclosure documents for the exact option before investing.
- Pearler: current pricing
- Pearler: Micro pricing and automation
- Pearler Investors Fund: PDS
- Raiz: plan fees and restrictions
- Raiz: disclosure documents
- Spaceship Voyager: portfolio overview
- Spaceship Universe: PDS dated 18 August 2026
- Spaceship Voyager: reference guide
- Moneysmart: micro-investing
- Moneysmart: investing and tax
Need a second opinion?
Ask Adrian before making the decision.
Tell us what you are choosing between, what matters most to you and what you have already checked.