InvestSMART Review: Stockspot vs InvestSMART

InvestSMART is an ASX-listed company that owns Intelligent Investor, and Eureka Report.

Stockspot is Australia's first and largest digital investment adviser, launching its robo-advice investment service in 2014.

We've written this review comparing Stockspot and InvestSMSART so you can make an informed decision about how you want to invest.

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Review of the key differences

ASSETS UNDER MANAGEMENT

StockspotStockspot manages more than $1.5 billion on behalf of its 20,000 clients. Stockspot's clients range from first-time investors with $1,000 to experienced investors with more than $5 million.

InvestSMARTInvestSMART total funds under management (FUM) stands at over $750 million as at 31 March 2026. InvestSMART currently manages Professionally Managed Portfolios (PMA) on behalf of around 3,400 clients as at 31 March 2026. InvestSMART also manages its own ASX-listed active ETFs.

INVESTMENT PERFORMANCE

Stockspot

12 months to 31 March 2026

Conservative (Amethyst): +9.7%
Moderately conservative (Sapphire): +10.9%
Balanced (Turquoise): +12.1%
Growth (Emerald): +13.2%
High growth (Topaz): +14.9%

3 years to 31 March 2026 (per annum)

Conservative (Amethyst): +10.1%
Moderately conservative (Sapphire): +11.0%
Balanced (Turquoise): +11.9%
Growth (Emerald): +12.9%
High growth (Topaz): +13.9%

5 years to 31 March 2026 (per annum)

Conservative (Amethyst): +6.9%
Moderately conservative (Sapphire): +7.8%
Balanced (Turquoise): +8.6%
Growth (Emerald): +9.5%
High growth (Topaz): +10.4%
Long term performance is the most important measure because it captures the swings and roundabouts of market volatility. Stockspot has outperformed InvestSMART over all portfolios and all time periods. Stockspot has also outperformed at least 99% of similar diversified funds over ten years as a result of selecting the right low-cost ETFs and the inclusion of gold as a defensive asset.Performance is after-fees as at 31 March 2026. Returns are after ETFs fees and after Stockspot fees based on the Gold tier. We use the compound time weighted return methodology including the reinvestment of distributions but excluding individual tax. The Stockspot portfolios have been published since July 2013 and open for investment since May 2014. Investing in financial products involves risk. Past performance of financial products is no guarantee of future performance.

InvestSMART

12 months to 31 March 2026

Conservative: +3.6%
Balanced: +4.8%
Growth: +6.8%
High growth: +8.2%

3 years to 31 March 2026 (per annum)

Conservative: +4.9%
Balanced: +6.8%
Growth: +8.8%
High growth: +10.8%

5 years to 31 March 2026 (per annum)

Conservative: +3.1%
Balanced: +4.9%
Growth: +6.7%
High growth: +8.6%
InvestSMART has outperformed many other diversified funds, but still lagged behind all of Stockspot’s portfolios on an after-fee basis.Performance data is sourced from the InvestSMART website as at 31 March 2026.

MANAGEMENT FEES

Stockspot

Both Stockspot and InvestSMART offer a fee structure which is markedly lower than active fund managers and traditional financial advisers.

Stockspot management fee starts from just $1 per month for accounts up to $20,000, see Stockspot's full fee tiers here.

Stockspot does not charge any brokerage fees on top of its monthly management fee.

InvestSMARTBoth Stockspot and InvestSMART offer a fee structure which is markedly lower than active fund managers and traditional financial advisers.InvestSMART charges a management fee of 0.44% p.a. for accounts $0 to $200,000 and a capped fee of $880 per annum for accounts $200,000 and over.In addition to its flat administration fee of 0.11% p.a. (which includes all buy-side brokerage) there is sell-side brokerage applied at the greater of $4.40 or 0.044% of the trade value.

SPEAK TO AN ADVISER

StockspotStockspot provides options to speak with a qualified investment adviser via phone, email, webchat, or by scheduling a video appointment.

InvestSMARTInvestSMART has a contact center but does not have an adviser team.

NOT AN ETF ISSUER

StockspotStockspot acts only as an investment adviser and doesn't issue its own ETFs. Stockspot believes that being both an ETF investment adviser and ETF product manufacturer creates a conflict of interest. Read Stockspot's wealth management principles here.

InvestSMARTInvestSMART acts as an investment adviser for its ETF portfolios and separately issues its own active ETFs.InvestSMART’s own active ETFs are not currently part of the InvestSMART Professionally Managed Accounts (PMAs).

INVEST FOR KIDS FOR FREE

StockspotKids invest for free with Stockspot with zero management fees for kids accounts up to $10,000 or until they turn 18. As you grow your primary account balance so too does your kids fee-free limit, see the full fees and pricing tiers here.

InvestSMARTNo fee-free option for kids.

* Information on InvestSMART is based on details from their website, blog and Financial Services Guide (FSG) as of 31 March 2026.

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Benefits of Stockspot portfolios

Investment expertise

We continually research and review the best investments for your portfolio

Keeps risk under control

We precisely rebalance your portfolio as the market changes

View your portfolio anytime

You can keep track of your portfolio and investing goals online and on our app

Enjoy fewer ups and downs

Diversification into bonds makes our portfolios less risky than just owning Australian shares

Makes your money work harder

We automatically reinvest your dividends, earning you more

Local team available to help

We help thousands of people every day, from those just starting out to experienced investors

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Meet the team

Founder Chris Brycki started Stockspot to help Australians invest better and achieve financial freedom. As a professional fund manager he saw too many people getting ripped off by bad investment advice and high fees. Chris left his career to build Australia's first personalised online investing platform.

Today, Stockspot has a team of qualified professionals who help guide thousands of clients to build wealth with a proven investment strategy.

Our set of principles guides how we advise clients and invest their money. This is our DNA and what sets us apart from other products and investment managers.

Stockspot team
Our principles
Meet our senior investment experts
Meet our financial advisers

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Trusted by thousands of Australians

We're trusted by thousands of clients to manage hundreds of millions of dollars. That's because we always act in our clients' best interests.

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"Love how easy Stockspot is to use, the team is always ready to help answer any questions and the dashboard shows me exactly how my money is being invested in a simple format."

Melissa

"Stockpot is a professional, quality "outfit" with low fees. Great communicators. Have and will continue to recommend Stockspot!"

Jurg M.

"Lowest fees, great communication and well constructed funds."

BRENDON W.

"Highly recommend this company, if you're thinking of investing then this is the best way to do it."

BRODIE S.

"This company truly has the best interest of the client at heart. A transparent business model and values, with easy to use website and investing tech."

MITCH
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