Pearler vs CommSec vs SelfWealth: Auto-Invest Compared
These three platforms come up together in every "which app should I auto-invest with?" conversation — and they win on completely different dimensions. Pearler has the truest auto-invest, CommSec Pocket has the cheapest small trades, and SelfWealth has the cheapest large manual ones. Here's the full breakdown with yearly cost tables.
Key takeaways
- ·Pearler is the only one of the three with full native auto-invest: schedule ETF purchases on any cycle at a flat $6.50 per ASX trade.
- ·CommSec Pocket's $2 fixed brokerage is the cheapest way to make small recurring ASX ETF purchases — but the ETF menu is limited and per-purchase amounts are capped.
- ·SelfWealth charges a flat $9.50 per ASX trade with no auto-invest feature — it wins for large manual trades (from roughly $50,000 up, the flat fee beats percentage-based pricing), not for automation.
- ·At $500/month into one ASX ETF, the yearly brokerage bill is roughly: Pocket $24, Pearler $78, SelfWealth $114, full CommSec ~$119.
- ·If you also want US stocks, none of these three is the natural fit — Stake's flat US$3 per trade with 0.55% FX is the usual pick, and you can run both alongside each other.
Quick verdict
Choose Pearler if…
you want genuine set-and-forget investing: pick your ETFs once, set a schedule and dollar amount, and let the platform buy automatically. Flat $6.50 ASX brokerage, CHESS-sponsored, built for long-term portfolio builders. The best pure auto-invest experience of the three.
Choose CommSec (Pocket) if…
you're starting small and want the lowest possible cost per purchase. Pocket's $2 brokerage makes tiny weekly or fortnightly ETF buys economical, inside a simple app backed by CommBank. Best below roughly $1,000–$2,000 per month; above that, the caps and limited ETF menu push you to Pearler or full CommSec.
Choose SelfWealth if…
you place large manual trades and want community benchmarking. The flat $9.50 is outstanding value on big orders — a $100,000 trade costs 0.0095% in brokerage — but with no auto-invest, it's the wrong tool if automation is the goal.
The wildcard: Stake for US stocks
Many Australian investors run one of these for ASX ETFs and Stake for US stocks — flat US$3 per trade, 8,000+ US stocks and ETFs, 0.55% FX conversion. Use referral code jaymem884 for a free US stock + $10 credit at sign-up.
Auto-invest capability compared
| Feature | Pearler | CommSec / Pocket | SelfWealth |
|---|---|---|---|
| Native auto-invest | Yes — full schedules | Partial — recurring orders on Pocket only | No |
| ASX ETF brokerage | $6.50 flat | Pocket: $2 flat · standard: $5–$29.95 tiers | $9.50 flat |
| US stocks | Available, not a focus | International account (manual, USD$5 or 0.12% min) | Available, not a focus |
| CHESS sponsorship | Yes | Yes (Pocket via CommSec) | Yes |
| Standout extra | Community portfolios, goal tracking | Deepest research suite (standard CommSec) | Community performance benchmarking |
Fees as of September 2026, based on our hands-on testing for the individual platform reviews. All three are CHESS-sponsored, so shares are held under your own HIN regardless of which you pick. Verify current pricing on each platform's site before deciding.
What auto-investing actually costs per year
Brokerage only, assuming 12 purchases per year into a single ASX ETF (monthly investing). This is where the three models really separate — small regular contributions punish high per-trade fees.
$500 per month ($6,000/year, 12 trades)
CommSec Pocket
$24
Pearler
$78
SelfWealth
$114
CommSec standard
~$119
$1,000 per month ($12,000/year, 12 trades)
CommSec Pocket
$24*
Pearler
$78
SelfWealth
$114
CommSec standard
~$179
*At $1,000 per purchase you're at the top of Pocket's comfortable range — confirm current per-purchase limits in the app.
$2,000+ per month ($24,000/year, 12 trades)
This is where Pearler's flat $6.50 becomes the clear winner: $78/year regardless of trade size, while Pocket's per-purchase caps force split orders and SelfWealth's $9.50 manual trades cost $114/year with no automation. Flat fees beat percentage-based tiers decisively at this contribution level.
Pair your ASX auto-invest with US stock access
Hello Stake gives Australians direct access to 8,000+ US stocks and ETFs at flat US$3 per trade — the piece these three ASX-focused platforms don't cover well. Sign up with referral code jaymem884 for a free US stock + $10 credit.
Open Stake Free — Code jaymem884Not financial advice. Invest based on your own research and risk tolerance.
Frequently asked questions
Which platform is cheapest for auto-investing in ASX ETFs?
For small regular contributions (up to roughly $1,000 per purchase), CommSec Pocket is the cheapest — its $2 fixed brokerage makes 12 annual $500 purchases cost $24 for the year, versus $78 on Pearler and $114 on SelfWealth. Above Pocket's contribution limits, Pearler's flat $6.50 with native auto-invest schedules is the cheapest hands-off option. SelfWealth never wins on auto-invest cost because it charges $9.50 per trade and has no recurring-order feature.
Does SelfWealth have auto-invest?
No. As of September 2026, SelfWealth does not offer native auto-invest or recurring order functionality — every trade must be placed manually at its flat $9.50 ASX brokerage. Investors who want set-and-forget ETF purchases typically pair SelfWealth's low flat fee with manual monthly buys, or choose Pearler (native auto-invest) or CommSec Pocket (recurring ETF orders) instead.
Is CommSec Pocket good for beginners?
Yes — Pocket is arguably the simplest entry point for beginner auto-investors. It offers a small curated menu of themed ETFs, $2 fixed brokerage per purchase, recurring order scheduling, and the reassurance of the CommSec/CommBank brand. Its main limitations are the restricted ETF menu and per-purchase contribution limits, which is why investors with more than roughly $1,000–$2,000 per month often graduate to Pearler or a full CommSec account.
Can I auto-invest in US stocks from Australia?
None of the three platforms in this comparison is the strongest US auto-invest route. Pearler and SelfWealth focus on ASX investing, and CommSec's international account is manual with higher fees. For US stocks, most Australians use Stake's flat US$3 brokerage and buy on a self-managed monthly schedule — see our how to buy US stocks from Australia guide. The AUD/USD conversion is the extra cost to watch: Stake charges 0.55% FX on deposits.