Who offers micro-investing apps in Australia?

If you’re keen to expand your financial horizons beyond savings accounts and term deposits, you might have thought about becoming an investor.

It can be daunting to hear people talk about things like ‘short selling' and ‘bear markets' if you don’t know what they’re on about, but investing doesn’t always need to be complicated. Micro-investing apps can be a simple way to get started.

What is microinvesting?

Micro-investing allows you to invest in financial assets like funds or stocks with only a small amount of money, sometimes just a few dollars.

Micro-investing platforms are almost always online and are typically available as smartphone applications.

You can often buy fractionally, so you can get started even if you can’t afford full units. For example, some apps allow you to buy $0.50 worth of Rio Tinto stock, the share price of which trends close to $185.

Some platforms feature spare change investing, which automatically rounds up smaller purchases to the nearest dollar and invests the cents (e.g. you might buy a coffee for $4.50 - in this case, the app would automatically invest 50 cents).

The idea behind micro-investing is to make investing easier and more accessible for beginners. Think of it as training wheels for new investors.

See also: Beginner’s guide to investing

What micro-investing platforms are available in Australia?

1. Raiz Invest
2. Spaceship Voyager
3. CommSec Pocket
4. Sharesies
5. Blossom
6. Pearler
7. Stake
8. Douugh
9. Drip Invest

Raiz Invest

Raiz, one of the first micro-investing platforms in Australia, is also the most well-known, with a cult-like following from millennials and Gen Zs.

Raiz is a mobile app that allows users to automatically invest the spare change from their purchases into a selected mix of exchange-traded funds (ETFs). Users can also choose to make lump-sum deposits or set up recurring payments into their investment portfolio.

Raiz users can choose from a wide range of diversified portfolios, which vary depending on how conservative or aggressive they are. Plus, there are also options to stick to "socially responsible investments, allocation to Bitcoin, or full customisation.

You can withdraw your money from Raiz at any time for free, and there are no minimum account balances.

• Focus: Spare change investing into ETFs
• Fees: $2.50–$6.50 monthly, 0.275% p.a. over $26k or $28k, depending on plan
• Features: Preset portfolios, portfolio customisation, unlimited withdrawals and deposits, 
• Best For: Beginners who want “set and forget” investing with automated deposits

Spaceship Voyager

Spaceship allows users to deposit lump sums or set up recurring weekly, fortnightly, or monthly payments into different portfolios using an app.

Spaceship Voyager offers a range of portfolios that mix global growth companies, sustainable businesses, and balanced options with bonds and cash, giving investors choices from high-growth tech to more conservative, lower-risk investments.

Users can track the progress of their portfolio through the mobile app and link their portfolio to an external bank account to deposit and withdraw money.

• Focus: Global tech & ESG portfolios
• Fees: $3 monthly + 0.15–0.50% management fee p.a., depending on portfolio
• Features: Universe (tech innovators), Origin (positive impact), Earth (top 200 global firms), Galaxy & Explorer (balanced options)
• Best For: Young investors interested in global growth and sustainability

CommSec Pocket

CommSec Pocket is a micro-investing platform offered by the Commonwealth Bank of Australia, launched back in 2019. CommSec Pocket is a little different to the micro-investing apps outlined above, as customers require a linked Commonwealth Bank transaction account to deposit and withdraw funds.

CommSec Pocket offers a selection of themed ETFs, giving investors simple access to Australian, global, tech, sustainability, health, emerging markets, and bond-focused investments with low minimums and straightforward fees.

• Focus: Themed ETFs via Commonwealth Bank
• Fees: $2 per trade under $1k, 0.2% above
• Features: 10 ETF themes (Top 200, Dividends, Tech, Sustainability, Bonds, Emerging Markets)
• Best For: CBA customers who want low-cost ETF exposure

Brian Wilmot

Chief Customer Officer at Stake

Pushing past the fear of investing

This idea of loss aversion or needing to have a certain level of confidence to start investing is something I’ve heard from people, at large. There is this sense that the stock market, culturally, is just perceived to be more risky.

You’re seeing and experiencing that volatility, which can create a lot of emotional panic when you put savings or money into the market.

But it’s really about understanding that emotion is natural and pushing through the fear.

It’s not that people who are investing are genuinely or definitely more wealthy than those who aren’t. It’s the act of getting started, the act of taking a little bit of control, not just delivers that rational growth of your portfolio, but it delivers these emotional benefits of “I’m doing something… I’m on a path to overcome those challenges.”

Sharesies

Founded in New Zealand, Sharesies is one of the newer kids on the block in the micro-investing space, but works a bit differently from the other apps. For starters, Sharesies doesn’t have different portfolios like Raiz or Spaceship. Instead, Sharesies allows you to invest in individual companies all over the world from a variety of stock markets, including:

• Australian Securities Exchange (ASX)

• New Zealand Exchange (NZX)

• New York Stock Exchange (NYSE)

• Nasdaq

• Chicago Board Options Exchange (CBOE)

Sharesies also gives the option of investing in ETFs containing a number of companies or assets with a single trade.

• Focus: Fractional shares worldwide
• Fees: 1.9% per trade (capped), optional $5–$20 subscription
• Features: Access to ASX, NZX, NYSE, Nasdaq, ETFs, auto-invest, round-ups
• Best For: Investors wanting global diversification with small amounts

Blossom

Launched in 2021, Blossom exists as an investment fund providing Australians with a simple way to invest in ‘fixed income’ assets.

Blossom invests in things like corporate bonds, government bonds, foreign exchange and derivatives, asset backed securities, mortgage backed securities, and more. Traditionally, these types of investments have been reserved for hedge funds, financial institutions, superannuation funds, and high net-worth individuals.

• Focus: Fixed income (bonds, cash, securities)
• Fees: 1% p.a. (only after 5.95% returns)
• Features: Defensive portfolios, ESG focus, tree-planting initiative
• Best For: Conservative investors seeking stable returns

Pearler

Pearler is an investment platform designed to encourage Aussies to play the long game rather than focus on short-term market speculation. Pearler users can invest in several different markets, including ASX and US markets, as well as ETFs.

Pearler’s Micro feature lets Australians invest in simple, themed ETF portfolios, ranging from broad Aussie and global markets to ESG, tech, and sector-specific option.

• Focus: Long-term ETF investing
• Fees: $6.50 brokerage, $1.70–$2.30 monthly for “Micro”
• Features: FIRE dashboard, auto-invest, CHESS sponsorship, US shares access
• Best For: Long-term investors focused on financial independence

Stake

Stake offers the ability for investors to take advantage of both Australian and US share markets, including some of the most influential global brands including Apple, Amazon, Nike and Google for $0 brokerage.

Stake charges the lowest fee in Australia for CHESS-sponsored ASX trades, at just $3 for trades up to $30,000. To trade US shares, customers are charged a $3 USD brokerage fee up to $30,000. For both, if the trade exceeds $30k, the brokerage fee is 0.01% of the trade amount.

Stake allows users to trade on the ASX with CHESS sponsorship and you will have your own Holder Identification Number (HIN). As Stake offers a CHESS-sponsored model, shares are held on your own HIN and only whole shares are supported.

The initial purchase of shares in any listed ASX company or ETF must be at least $500. This is the ASX ‘minimum marketable parcel’ rule. However after that initial $500 purchase, there is no minimum on subsequent purchases of shares in the same company.

In order to utilise Stake, investors are required to convert Australian dollars to US dollars. Investors will need to transfer any US dollars into their Stake account, or convert Aussie dollars into US dollars before making a US trade. 

• Focus: ASX & US shares/ETFs
• Fees: $3 brokerage, 0.7% FX conversion
• Features: CHESS-sponsored ASX trades, extended Wall St hours, SMSF admin
• Best For: Active traders who want direct ownership of shares

Douugh

Douugh is an investment platform with a mission statement of helping Aussies manage and grow their money to live financially better lives, establishing healthy investment routines.

Douugh’s industry-first ‘Autopilot' feature means Aussies can schedule regular investments straight from their connected bank account to create automated investments aligned with their financial goals and budget, removing the emotional and stressful aspects of investing. 

Douugh offers a Base portfolio that tracks the top 100 US ETFs, rebalanced quarterly. It also has Core portfolios managed by BlackRock, available in three risk levels: Steady (low), Lift (moderate), and Growth (aggressive).

For eco-conscious investors, Douugh provides Sustainable portfolios, also managed by BlackRock, with options graded by risk: Eco (conservative), Renew (moderate), and Thrive (aggressive).

• Focus: Automated portfolios + share trading
• Fees: $2.99 monthly (portfolios), $4.99 trading
• Features: Autopilot investing, Stockback™ rewards, Spot borrowing up to $500
• Best For: Investors who want budgeting + investing in one app

Drip Invest

Drip is an Australian micro-investing app primarily designed for under-18s. It serves as an educational tool, giving children and teenagers a hands-on, real-life experience with investing under the supervision of their parents.

Drip Invest lets kids start with as little as $5, offering 15 themed ETF options that cover major regions (Australia, USA, Europe, Asia, Emerging Markets), sectors (Tech, Sustainability, Cyber Security, Crypto, Precious Metals), and risk levels (Conservative, Balanced, Growth, High Growth).

Drip also offers educational resources and tools through the app, including an investing dictionary, investing calculator and introductory lessons.

• Focus: Kids & teen investing
• Fees: $6.99/month (<18), 0.8% p.a. management
• Features: 15 ETF options, parental controls, educational tools
• Best For: Families teaching kids about investing

Micro-investing platforms compared

The table below compares each of these Australian micro-investing platforms on the minimum investment requirements and the types of investment options allowed.

Pros of micro-investing platforms

• Easy and accessible for beginners

Arguably the biggest benefit of micro-investing platforms is that they make investing in the share market easy and accessible for complete novices. This is because when it comes to investing, many people have a lack of knowledge and/or a lack of funds working against them. Micro-investing apps address these barriers to entry. Unlike traditional investing where you need anywhere between $500-$5,000 to get started, you can start investing in the share market with your spare change through micro-investing apps.

• Choose from a range of diversified portfolios

Another major benefit micro-investing apps have going for them is that you can easily invest in a range of diversified portfolios without needing to have any knowledge about which stocks are best to invest in (although you should still check!).

• You could get better returns than using a savings account

Micro-investing apps are based on the principle that regular investing, even in tiny amounts, can lead to generous returns over time. Generally speaking, micro-investing is a long-term investment strategy as opposed to a quick money hit, meaning you could stand to earn a better return on your savings if you keep them in your micro-investing account instead of the bank.

It’s important to remember bank accounts like savings accounts or term deposits are a different product to micro-investing apps. Deposits are generally risk-free and the government guarantee protects up to $250,000 of your money per bank. With no government guarantee, micro-investing comes with much higher risk, meaning there’s a higher chance of losing some or all of your money.

Cons of micro-investing platforms

• Fees could eat into your returns

Depending on how low your account balance is, fees could eat into your returns if you’re not investing enough money regularly. Your chosen app's monthly fee could really make a difference for investors with smaller balances, which is why it’s important to compare them to find one with a fee structure that will work for your investing goals.

• Don’t expect enormous returns

Micro-investing apps are designed as a gateway into the world of investing for beginners and while it’s definitely a great way for newbie investors to dip their toes in, don’t expect to see massive returns, particularly if you’re not investing regularly.

Which micro-investing platform is the best?

As with any financial product, there is no ‘best’ micro-investing platform. Raiz and CommSec pocket may be the most well-known but that doesn’t necessarily mean they’re going to be the right platform for you. What makes a product right for you is how well it suits your needs.

There are a few points of difference between these micro-investing platforms, such as:

• Some charge brokerage fees, others don’t.

• Some charge fees, others don’t charge fees at all or only charge fees on balances over a certain amount.

• Some have a minimum investment amount, while others have a $0 minimum investment.

• Some allow you to choose a diversified portfolio based on different degrees of risk, others allow you to choose a portfolio made up of certain ETFs (like the top 200 Australian companies on the ASX) and others let you invest in individual companies.

When deciding which one to use, it’s important to consider each of these so you can find the micro-investing tool that best suits your needs and investing goals.

1. Savings.com.au’s two cents

Micro-investing carries risk like any investment, but it offers beginners a low-cost way to start. Most platforms let you choose portfolios based on your risk appetite, from conservative options with lower returns to aggressive ones with higher potential but greater risk.

It’s also important to remember the old idiom: investing is all about time in the market, not timing the market. The earlier you begin investing and the longer you invest, the more time you have to ride out the share market dips. Try not to panic if the share market fluctuates.

Investing doesn’t need to be scary, and it’s never too early to start. In fact, not investing early is perhaps the biggest investment mistake of all! Before you take out any financial product, always read the product disclosure statement (PDS) for each investment product and make sure you understand the key fees, features, commissions, risks and benefits.