CommSec Pocket is a micro-investing app from the Commonwealth Bank’s CommSec brokerage arm. Unlike Raiz and Spaceship (which invest in opaque managed portfolios), CommSec Pocket lets you invest in seven specific, named ETFs with a $50 minimum — giving beginners more transparency and control than other micro-investing apps.
General information only — this review does not constitute a recommendation to use CommSec Pocket.
CommSec Pocket at a Glance
| Feature | Detail |
|---|---|
| Provider | CommSec (Commonwealth Bank) |
| Minimum investment | $50 per transaction |
| Fee structure | 0.2% per transaction (minimum $2) |
| ETF options | 7 thematic ETFs |
| Round-up feature | No |
| Monthly fee | None |
| Super option | No |
| Regulated by | ASIC (AFSL holder) |
| Availability | iOS and Android |
Available ETFs
CommSec Pocket offers seven ETF options:
| ETF | Name | Focus | Management fee |
|---|---|---|---|
| IOZ | iShares Core S&P/ASX 200 ETF | Australian shares | 0.05% |
| IVV | iShares S&P 500 ETF | US shares | 0.03% |
| ETHI | BetaShares Global Sustainability ETF | Sustainable global shares | 0.59% |
| NDQ | BetaShares NASDAQ 100 ETF | US tech / NASDAQ-100 | 0.48% |
| IAA | iShares Asia 50 ETF | Asian markets | 0.50% |
| IAF | iShares Core Composite Bond ETF | Australian bonds | 0.26% |
| ISEC | iShares Enhanced Cash ETF | Short-term fixed income | 0.12% |
ETF management fees are charged by the ETF provider (within the fund), not by CommSec Pocket — these are in addition to CommSec Pocket’s transaction fee.
CommSec Pocket Fee Structure
CommSec Pocket charges 0.2% per transaction with a minimum of $2 per trade.
| Investment amount | Transaction fee | Effective % |
|---|---|---|
| $50 | $2.00 | 4.0% |
| $100 | $2.00 | 2.0% |
| $500 | $2.00 | 0.4% (min $2 applies) |
| $1,000 | $2.00 | 0.2% |
| $2,000 | $4.00 | 0.2% |
| $5,000 | $10.00 | 0.2% |
Key insight: At $50 transactions, the 4% fee is very high. CommSec Pocket becomes more cost-effective at $500+ per transaction — or when investing infrequently (not every week).
Unlike Raiz/Spaceship, CommSec Pocket has no ongoing monthly fee — you only pay when transacting.
CommSec Pocket vs Raiz vs Spaceship: Fee Comparison
At $100/month invested (monthly deposits):
| Platform | Annual fee | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Raiz | $42 | Flat monthly fee regardless of how much you invest |
| Spaceship | $36 | Flat monthly fee |
| CommSec Pocket | $24 | 12 × $2 minimum transaction fees |
CommSec Pocket is cheapest for small monthly investors — but with $50 minimum per transaction and no automation, it requires more manual effort.
The Transparency Advantage
The key differentiator for CommSec Pocket is transparency: you buy and hold named ETFs (IOZ, IVV, NDQ) directly in your own account, rather than units in an opaque managed portfolio. This means:
- You know exactly what you own
- You can track performance against published ETF benchmarks
- It is easier to understand your tax position
- The account can be viewed alongside a full CommSec brokerage account
CommSec Pocket Limitations
- No round-up investing: Contributions are manual only
- $50 minimum per investment: Not suitable for very small amounts
- No automation: Requires manual deposits — no set-and-forget
- 7 ETF choices: Limited universe compared to a full brokerage account
- No super integration: Investments only
Who CommSec Pocket Suits
CommSec Pocket may suit:
- Investors who want transparency about what they hold
- Those who already bank with CommBank and want integration
- Investors depositing $500+ at a time (lower effective fee)
- Those who want ETF exposure without opening a full brokerage account
CommSec Pocket may not suit:
- Investors wanting full automation (no round-ups, no scheduled deposits)
- Those investing very small amounts frequently (fees proportionally high on $50 transactions)
- Investors wanting access beyond the 7 available ETFs
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Frequently Asked Questions
Is CommSec Pocket safe? CommSec Pocket is operated by Commonwealth Securities Limited (CommSec), an ASIC-regulated entity and a subsidiary of the Commonwealth Bank. You directly own units in the listed ETFs — your holdings are registered with the ETF issuer (iShares/BetaShares), not held as a liability of CommSec. This direct ownership structure provides strong investor protection.
Can I transfer CommSec Pocket holdings to a full CommSec account? CommSec Pocket and CommSec standard brokerage are separate products. You cannot directly transfer your Pocket ETF holdings to a standard CommSec brokerage account. You would need to sell through Pocket and reinvest via CommSec — triggering a potential CGT event.
Is CommSec Pocket better than Raiz? CommSec Pocket offers more transparency (you hold named ETFs) and no monthly fee — advantageous for lump-sum investors. Raiz offers automation (round-ups, scheduled deposits) and more portfolio options. For investors who want set-and-forget automation, Raiz may be more practical. For those making deliberate, larger deposits, CommSec Pocket’s fee structure is more attractive. General information only.
This article is for general informational purposes only and is not a recommendation to use CommSec Pocket or any other platform. Platform fees and features may have changed — always verify current terms at commsec.com.au/pocket. For personal advice, speak with a licensed financial adviser through the ASIC financial advisers register or MoneySmart.