What Makes Pearler Different?
Pearler was founded in 2019 by Australian investors who felt existing platforms were too focused on active trading. The platform is deliberately designed to make long-term, automated investing as simple as possible. Key differentiating features include: Autoinvest (automatically purchases your chosen ETFs on a scheduled basis), a low brokerage fee of $6.50 per trade, community features showing how other Pearler users are invested, and a FIRE-focused dashboard showing progress toward financial independence goals.
Pearler Fees: How They Stack Up
Pearler's brokerage fee is $6.50 per trade — competitive with SelfWealth ($9.50) and significantly less than CommSec's tiered fees. The combination of automated investing and low/no brokerage on scheduled purchases makes Pearler extremely cost-effective for regular, systematic ETF investors.
The Autoinvest Feature: How It Works
You set up your target allocation (e.g., 50% VAS, 50% VGS), a contribution amount, and a frequency (weekly, fortnightly, monthly). Pearler then automatically purchases your chosen ETFs according to your schedule. This removes the psychological barriers to investing and implements true dollar-cost averaging.
Tax and Reporting on Pearler
Pearler provides annual tax reports showing your realised capital gains, dividends received, and any DRP shares acquired. The platform supports CHESS-sponsored holdings — meaning your shares are held in your name and registered with the ASX's CHESS system, providing additional investor protections.
Pearler 2025 Verdict
Pearler is one of the best platforms available for Australian long-term ETF investors who want to automate their investment strategy. The autoinvest feature is genuinely excellent, the brokerage costs are competitive, and the platform philosophy aligns well with evidence-based investing principles.
Rating: 4.5/5 — Excellent for systematic ETF investors. One of Australia's best platforms for its target market.