Raiz Invest is one of Australia's most popular micro-investing apps — and for good reason. Since launching in 2016, it's helped over 1.7 million Australians start investing, many of whom had never invested a dollar before. But is it actually worth using in 2026? We've been using Raiz for years and this is our honest, detailed review.
What Is Raiz Invest?
Raiz (formerly Acorns Australia) is a micro-investing platform that makes it easy to invest small amounts of money regularly. The core idea is simple: link your bank account, set up automatic round-ups from your everyday purchases, and Raiz automatically invests the spare change into a diversified portfolio of ETFs (Exchange Traded Funds).
Raiz is listed on the ASX (ticker: RZI) and is regulated by ASIC. Your investments are held by Instreet Investment Limited (AFSL 434776) as Responsible Entity of the Raiz Invest Australia Fund. This means your money is held separately from Raiz's own funds — if Raiz the company went under, your investments would still be protected.
In 2026, Raiz has evolved well beyond just spare change investing. It now offers:
- Micro-investing with round-ups and recurring deposits
- Raiz Super — managed superannuation inside the same app
- Raiz Kids — investment accounts for children under 18
- Raiz Rewards — cashback from partner brands invested automatically
- Raiz Plus — a self-directed ETF portfolio option
- Spending and income tracking tools
How Does Raiz Work?
Getting started with Raiz takes about 10 minutes. Here's the process:
- Download the Raiz app (iOS or Android) and create an account
- Complete identity verification — standard KYC process, takes a few minutes
- Choose a portfolio — Raiz offers 9 portfolio options ranging from conservative to aggressive
- Link your bank account — Raiz uses secure bank-read access to track your spending for round-ups
- Set up round-ups — every purchase gets rounded up to the nearest dollar, with the difference invested
- Make your first investment — minimum $5 to start
Once set up, Raiz essentially runs itself. Your round-ups accumulate and are invested automatically when they reach your chosen threshold (e.g., $5). You can also set up recurring weekly or monthly deposits to boost your investment rate.
Raiz Portfolio Options: Which Should You Choose?
Raiz offers 9 portfolio options, each investing in a different mix of ETFs:
| Portfolio | Risk Level | Asset Mix | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|
| Conservative | Low | Mostly bonds and cash | Short-term goals, risk-averse investors |
| Moderately Conservative | Low-Medium | More bonds than shares | 3–5 year investment horizon |
| Moderate | Medium | Balanced shares/bonds | 5+ year horizon, average risk tolerance |
| Moderately Aggressive | Medium-High | More shares than bonds | 5–10 year horizon, comfortable with volatility |
| Aggressive | High | Mostly shares | 10+ year horizon, high risk tolerance |
| Emerald (ESG) | Medium-High | Ethical/ESG shares | Socially conscious investors |
| Sapphire (Bitcoin) | Very High | Includes Bitcoin exposure | Crypto-comfortable investors |
| Raiz Plus | Variable | Self-directed ETFs | Experienced investors who want control |
| Custom | Variable | Your own mix | Anyone wanting specific allocation |
For most beginners, Moderate or Moderately Aggressive is a sensible starting point. These give you meaningful share market exposure for long-term growth while not being so aggressive that a market dip wipes you out emotionally.
The Emerald portfolio has grown significantly in popularity — it invests in companies screened for environmental, social, and governance (ESG) criteria. Performance has been comparable to the standard Moderate portfolio over recent years.
Raiz Fees: What You'll Actually Pay
Fees are one of the most important factors when evaluating any investment platform. Raiz's fee structure is straightforward but worth understanding carefully:
| Balance | Monthly Fee | Annual Cost |
|---|---|---|
| Under $1 | $0 | $0 |
| Under $20,000 | $3.50/month (Raiz) or $4.50/month (Raiz Super) | $42/year |
| Over $20,000 | 0.275% per year (billed monthly) | $275 on $100k |
Plus the underlying ETF management fees: The ETFs inside your Raiz portfolio have their own fees, typically 0.03%–0.59% per year depending on the ETF. These are deducted automatically from the ETF and reduce its returns slightly — they're not separately billed but are real costs.
Are Raiz Fees Worth It?
At small balances, the $3.50/month fee is relatively high as a percentage. On a $500 balance, $3.50/month is 8.4% annually — which would need to be overcome by investment returns just to break even. This is why Raiz is best treated as a tool to build investing habits and get started, then move to lower-cost platforms (like ETFs via SelfWealth or Pearler) as your balance grows.
At balances over $20,000, the 0.275% fee is quite competitive — comparable to other managed fund fees in Australia.
The free tier: Raiz charges no fees when your balance is below $1. This is a quirk that means if you withdraw everything, you pay no monthly fee.
Raiz Rewards: Earn Cashback While You Invest
One of Raiz's most underrated features is Raiz Rewards — a cashback program where purchases at partner brands earn you cashback that's automatically invested into your Raiz account.
Partner brands include major Australian retailers and services — think travel booking platforms, clothing retailers, subscription services, and more. The cashback rates vary by partner but typically range from 1–10% of purchase value.
For regular shoppers who already use these brands, Raiz Rewards can meaningfully offset the monthly fee. If you earn $5–$10/month in Rewards cashback, you're effectively getting your investment account for free.
Raiz Super: Should You Use It?
Raiz Super lets you manage your superannuation inside the same app, with the same portfolio options as the investment account. The appeal is obvious — one app, full visibility of both your investments and your super.
The fee for Raiz Super is $4.50/month for balances under $20,000, plus the 0.275% annual fee above that, plus underlying ETF fees and an administration charge.
Whether Raiz Super makes sense depends on your balance and investment horizon. For large super balances, dedicated industry super funds like Australian Retirement Trust or Hostplus often offer lower total fees. For smaller balances and those who want simplicity and visibility, Raiz Super is competitive.
Raiz Kids: Investing for Children
Raiz Kids allows you to create investment accounts for children under 18, with the same portfolio options and round-up features. Parents control the account and can involve children in watching it grow — a genuinely useful financial education tool.
The minimum investment for a Raiz Kids account is $5, and the same $3.50/month fee applies per Kids account. Families with multiple children should factor in the cumulative fee.
Raiz Plus: Self-Directed ETF Investing
Raiz Plus is a newer feature allowing users to build their own ETF portfolio from a curated selection of individual ETFs. This is aimed at more experienced investors who want to move beyond the preset portfolios while staying within the Raiz app.
Available ETFs on Raiz Plus include household names like VAS (Vanguard Australian Shares), IVV (iShares S&P 500), NDQ (BetaShares NASDAQ 100), and GOLD (Global X Physical Gold). The ability to invest in these without brokerage fees (beyond Raiz's flat fee) makes it genuinely attractive for buy-and-hold investors.
Raiz Security: Is Your Money Safe?
Raiz uses bank-level 256-bit encryption for data. Your investments are held in a managed fund structure by the Responsible Entity (Instreet Investment Limited, AFSL 434776), separately from Raiz's company assets. This means your investments are protected even if Raiz the company faces financial difficulty.
Raiz is a publicly listed Australian company (ASX: RZI) regulated by ASIC. It holds $2.1 billion in funds under management as of early 2026, with 336,000+ active customers. This is a legitimate, regulated financial product — not a cryptocurrency exchange or unregulated platform.
How Does Raiz Actually Perform?
Investment performance depends entirely on which portfolio you choose and when you invested. As a reminder, past performance does not guarantee future results — this is general information, not financial advice.
Raiz's Aggressive portfolio is primarily invested in Australian and global shares via ETFs. Over the past decade, Australian and global share markets have delivered strong returns overall, though with significant volatility periods (COVID-19, 2022 rate rises).
The key insight: Raiz is a long-term wealth building tool, not a get-rich-quick strategy. The real value is in the automation — round-ups and recurring deposits ensure you're regularly investing without thinking about it, which for most Australians is the hardest part of building wealth.
Raiz Pros and Cons
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Extremely easy to set up and use | $3.50/month fee is high % on small balances |
| Automatic round-ups build investing habits | Limited control vs direct ETF investing |
| 9 portfolio options including ESG and Bitcoin | Not suitable as a large-balance long-term vehicle due to fees |
| Raiz Rewards can offset fees | Super product has additional charges |
| Raiz Kids for family investing | Underlying ETF fees add to total cost |
| Raiz Plus for self-directed ETF investing | No individual stock picking available |
| ASIC regulated, ASX listed company | App can be glitchy during high market activity |
| $2.1B FUM — established and trusted | Round-up feature requires read access to bank account |
Who Is Raiz Best For?
Raiz is excellent for:
- Complete beginners who've never invested before — the automation removes all friction
- People who struggle to save — round-ups make it invisible
- Those who want to start with very small amounts ($5 minimum)
- Families wanting to invest for children via Raiz Kids
- ESG-conscious investors via the Emerald portfolio
- People who want super and investing in one app
Raiz is less suitable for:
- Large balances — higher-cost than direct ETF platforms at scale
- Experienced investors wanting individual stock selection
- Those who want the absolute lowest fees possible
- People who don't use the round-up feature — the fee isn't justified without it
Raiz vs Other Australian Investment Apps
| Platform | Best For | Min Investment | Monthly Fee |
|---|---|---|---|
| Raiz | Beginners, automation | $5 | $3.50 |
| Spaceship Voyager | Growth-focused beginners | $1 | $2.50 (under $100 free) |
| Pearler | Long-term ETF investors | $1 | $0 (brokerage per trade) |
| Stake | US stocks, experienced investors | $1 | $3/month (US) |
| SelfWealth | ASX shares, ETFs | Brokerage based | $9.50/trade flat |
How to Get Started with Raiz
- Download the Raiz app from the App Store or Google Play
- Sign up and complete identity verification
- Choose your portfolio (start with Moderate if unsure)
- Link your main spending bank account for round-ups
- Set up a small recurring deposit (even $10–$20/week adds up significantly over time)
- Set up Raiz Rewards and link any eligible brands you already shop with
- Check it monthly — resist the urge to withdraw during market dips
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Raiz Invest safe in Australia?
Yes. Raiz is regulated by ASIC, listed on the ASX, and holds over $2.1 billion in funds under management. Your investments are held separately from Raiz's company assets by the Responsible Entity (Instreet Investment Limited, AFSL 434776), providing protection even if Raiz faced financial difficulty. This is general information — read the Product Disclosure Statement before investing.
How much money do you need to start with Raiz?
The minimum investment is $5. You can start with just $5 and let round-ups build your balance from there. Many Raiz users start with a $5 lump sum and then let recurring deposits and round-ups do the rest.
Can you lose money on Raiz?
Yes — Raiz invests in share markets and ETFs, which go up and down. You can lose money, particularly if you withdraw during a market downturn. Investment in Raiz is subject to market risk. The Conservative portfolio has lower risk but also lower return potential. All investment products carry risk — read the PDS and consider your financial situation before investing.
How do I withdraw money from Raiz?
You can withdraw all or part of your Raiz balance at any time through the app. Withdrawals typically take 3–5 business days to process and reach your bank account. There are no withdrawal fees, but capital gains tax may apply depending on your investment gains.
Is Raiz better than a savings account?
That depends on your timeline and risk tolerance. A high-interest savings account (currently 4.5–5.5% in Australia) offers guaranteed returns with no risk. Raiz invests in share markets which historically outperform savings rates over long periods (10+ years) but with volatility. Raiz is not a replacement for a savings account — it's a long-term wealth building tool. This is general information, not financial advice.
Does Raiz have a referral program?
Yes — existing Raiz users can refer friends via Settings → Invite Friends in the app. Both the referrer and the new user receive $5 credited to their accounts when the new user completes their first investment of $5 or more.
Our Verdict on Raiz Invest Australia
Raiz is an excellent starting point for Australians who've never invested before. The automation — round-ups, recurring deposits, and Rewards cashback — makes investing genuinely effortless. The barrier to entry ($5 minimum, 10-minute setup) is as low as it gets for a legitimate, ASIC-regulated investment product.
The main caveat is fees: $3.50/month is significant on small balances. If your Raiz account sits at $200 and you rarely add to it, the fees eat your returns. The platform rewards active users who use round-ups and recurring deposits, and those who leverage Raiz Rewards to offset the monthly cost.
For building investing habits as a beginner in Australia, Raiz is hard to beat. For growing a larger investment portfolio over time, supplement it with lower-cost direct ETF platforms as your balance grows.
Rating: 4.3/5 — Best micro-investing app in Australia for beginners. Strong feature set, ASIC-regulated, and genuinely effective at making investing automatic.
⚠️ This review contains general information only and does not constitute financial advice. Read the Raiz Product Disclosure Statement and consider your personal financial situation before investing. All investments carry risk including possible loss of capital.