StashAway: A Safe Platform For Newbies To Start Investing

One of the first robo advisors in the now crowded space, StashAway is a name well-known by many. Here’s what you can expect if you decide to invest your cash or SRS funds with StashAway.

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• What you are investing in: Exchange traded funds (ETFs), unit trusts, and fixed deposits

• Minimum investment amount: No minimum required

• Management fee: 0.15% to 0.8% p.a. depending on your investment amount

• StashAway Simple projected returns: 3.1% p.a.

• StashAway Simple Plus projected returns: 3.5% p.a.

• What can you use to invest? Cash and SRS

As one of the early players in the robo advisory space in Singapore, StashAway has made a name for itself and is widely known amongst both investors and non-investors. With its intelligent investment framework, StashAway pairs two important components—personalised wealth management and financial planning. 

StashAway makes investment decisions that are data-driven, using macroeconomic indicators to find changing economic conditions long before the markets respond. They also rely on data and research to select the asset classes that comprise your investment portfolio. This all boils down to StashAway’s ERAA® (Economic Regime-based Asset Allocation) investment strategy.

SingSaver's Exclusive Offer: Enjoy waiver of management fees on up to the first S$40,000 invested in the first 6 months. No minimum deposit required. T&Cs apply.

While StashAway used to only offer ETFs in its early days, it has since expanded its product lineup to include unit trusts and fixed deposits.

Here are its current offerings:

What is StashAway Simple? This is StashAway’s cash management account—an account meant for your savings.

StashAway Simple helps customers earn a projected 3.1% p.a. (even if you’re not investing with StashAway). StashAway Simple does not impose a minimum balance and there is no limit to the amount that can earn the projected returns.

• Underlying funds: 30% in LionGlobal SGD Money Market fund, 70% in LionGlobal SGD Enhanced Liquidity Fund

• Fees: 0.15% management fee charged by StashAway, and approximately 0.14% fee charged by the underlying fund manager, already factored into the projected rate

• Projected return after all fees: Normally up to 3.1% p.a., but new investors can enjoy an additional 0.25% p.a. rate booster for 6 months, bringing the total projected return to 3.35% p.a.

There are three types of StashAway Simple portfolios available depending on your risk appetite and desired returns:

StashAway Simple™ Plus: Earn potentially higher returns at 3.5% p.a.

If you're willing to bear slightly more risk, StashAway Simple™ Plus is another option to grow your savings. The projected rate is calculated based on yield from underlying funds and rebates from fund managers, excluding fees. With no minimum balance or cap on balance for earning returns, there's flexibility in that you can withdraw your funds anytime.

That said, due to the allocation to short-duration bonds and underlying funds, it is recommended to hold your cash for at least 12 months to reap the full benefits of higher rates while managing your risk.

• Underlying funds: 20% LionGlobal SGD Enhanced Liquidity Fund, 20% Nikko AM Shenton Short Term Bond Fund, 60% LionGlobal Short Duration Bond Fund

• Fees: 0.2% p.a., and approximately 0.16% fee charged by underlying fund manager, embedded in projected rate

• Projected return after all fees: 3.5% p.a.

Looking to grow your money steadily over time? General Investing Portfolios are built just for that. These portfolios invest in a mix of global stocks, bonds, and other assets, balancing risk and reward based on how much risk you're comfortable with.

For example, if you're saving for your child’s education or your own retirement, they help you stay invested without needing to pick individual stocks. Plus, everything is managed automatically, so you don’t have to worry about market ups and downs every day.

StashAway offers three different types of General Investing Portfolios:

• General Investing powered by StashAway

• General Investing powered by BlackRock

• Responsible Investing with ESG

Here’s a quick breakdown of each of those portfolios:

General Investing powered by StashAway

This is StashAway’s core investment option, built to help you grow your wealth steadily over time without needing to watch the markets every day. Using its smart investment framework, ERAA (Economic Regime-based Asset Allocation), StashAway automatically adjusts your portfolio based on what’s happening in the global economy.

For example, when times are good, it may lean more into stocks for growth. If markets get rocky, it shifts towards safer assets to protect your money. Everything is managed for you, from what to invest in to rebalancing your portfolio when needed, so you can stay on track towards your long-term goals while focusing on daily life in Singapore.

Users can decide how much risk they want to take on.

To give you a better idea of the returns you’d get, here’s a table breaking down the 2024 returns of this investment option, broken down by risk level:

SingSaver's Exclusive Offer: Enjoy waiver of management fees on up to the first S$40,000 invested in the first 6 months. No minimum deposit required. T&Cs apply.

Want expert guidance but without the stress of picking stocks yourself?

This option combines BlackRock’s global investment know-how with StashAway’s easy-to-use platform. BlackRock, one of the world’s biggest asset managers, helps shape the portfolio by deciding how much should go into different assets, like stocks or bonds.

StashAway then handles the day-to-day management, making sure your money stays invested and balanced. It’s a simple way to tap into professional insights and global diversification, all while your portfolio is automatically managed for you.

Again, to give you an idea of potential returns, here’s a table breaking down the 2024 returns of this investment option, broken down by risk level: 

StashAway also offers a few more specialised portfolios if you have specific goals in mind.

Want to ride the wave of emerging trends? Thematic Portfolios let you invest in exciting sectors like technology and clean energy. Prefer to keep things closer to home? Singapore investing focuses on local stocks and bonds so you can grow your money within Singapore’s economy.

If regular payouts sound appealing, Income Investing is designed to generate steady income from your portfolio. And for those who want full control, flexible portfolios let you customise your own mix of investments to suit your personal strategy.

1. Easy to get started with no minimum deposit

Some robo-investors require minimum investment amounts of $1,000 to $10,000, often proving to be a barrier to entry for new investors. With StashAway, you can start investing even with just a single dollar; there is no minimum investment amount required and no minimum balance you have to maintain in your investment account.  

There is just one exception: the Income portfolio requires a minimum account balance of $10,000.

2. Low fees

One of the biggest advantages of using StashAway is how affordable it is. Unlike traditional investment options that often come with hefty charges, StashAway keeps fees low so more of your money stays invested. You’ll pay a management fee that starts from just 0.15% a year and goes up to 0.8% depending on how much you invest.

The more you invest, the lower your rate. On top of that, there are small fees charged by the funds you invest in (known as expense ratios), but these are already factored into the projected returns you see. There are no hidden costs, sales charges, or withdrawal fees, which makes it easier to grow your money without worrying about eating into your gains.

3. Can invest with SRS

If you’ve been building up your SRS savings, good news—you can invest them directly through StashAway. Simply link your SRS account when setting up your portfolio, and choose from eligible options like General Investing, Responsible Investing (ESG), and Singapore Investing.

Once invested, your SRS funds will start working harder for you while still enjoying tax benefits. It’s a straightforward way to grow your retirement nest egg while letting StashAway handle the day-to-day investing. Just keep in mind that cash management portfolios like Simple are not available for SRS.

» Learn more: How to maximise your SRS

4. Customise investments and achieve goals that matter to you

Everyone has different financial goals, and StashAway makes it easy to tailor your investments to suit yours.

Want to grow your savings steadily for retirement? General Investing Portfolios help you build wealth over the long term with a balanced mix of global assets.

Interested in riding the wave of exciting trends? Thematic Portfolios let you invest in sectors like tech and clean energy.

Prefer to support sustainable companies? Responsible Investing (ESG) focuses on firms with strong environmental and social practices.

You can even invest closer to home with Singapore Investing, or create a steady income stream through Income Investing.

If you prefer full control, the flexible portfolios let you pick and choose exactly where your money goes. Whatever your goals, from wealth building to passive income, there’s a portfolio designed to help you get there.

5. Safe and licensed by the Monetary Authority of Singapore (MAS)

When it comes to investing your money, safety always comes first, and StashAway makes this a priority. The platform is licensed and regulated by MAS, which means it meets strict guidelines to protect your interests as an investor.

On top of that, your funds are kept in a separate custodian account under your name, so they will always belong to you, even if something happens to StashAway. To further protect your account, StashAway uses two-factor authentication (2FA) for every important action. You’ll need to enter a One-Time Password (OTP) sent via SMS, and you’ll also get email alerts for every transfer and withdrawal, so you stay informed and in control at all times.

1. Management fee

StashAway keeps things simple and transparent when it comes to fees. Whichever type of portfolio you choose, management fees are generally low—and the more you invest, the lower your fee rate gets.

For most portfolios like General Investing, Thematic Portfolios, and Income Investing, fees range from 0.2% to 0.8% per year, with higher investment amounts qualifying for lower rates.

If you opt for StashAway Simple, which focuses on cash management, the fee is even lower at 0.15% p.a., while Simple Plus charges 0.2% p.a.. For those creating a Single ETF Flexible Portfolio, there’s a flat rate of 0.3% p.a., no matter how much you invest.

Best of all, there are no hidden fees. No sales charges, no withdrawal fees, and no lock-ins, so you can invest confidently knowing exactly what you're paying.

2. No option to invest with CPF

While StashAway offers a variety of ways to grow your money, investing with your CPF funds is not one of them. At the moment, StashAway does not support CPF investments, which means you won’t be able to use your CPF Ordinary Account or Special Account savings for any of its portfolios.

If you’re looking to invest with CPF, you’ll need to explore other CPF-approved investment options under the CPF Investment Scheme (CPFIS). For now, StashAway is best suited for cash, SRS (Supplementary Retirement Scheme), and growing your funds outside of CPF.

3. Limited selection of asset classes and products

Although StashAway now offers more than just ETFs, including unit trusts and fixed deposits, its range still leans towards broad-market, passive investments. This works well for those who want simple, hands-off investing, but it may not suit everyone.

If you're after more niche opportunities like individual stocks, cryptocurrencies, or alternative assets, you might find StashAway’s offerings a little limited compared to full-service brokerages or DIY platforms that offer a wider variety of options.

When it comes to fees, each robo advisor offers something a little different depending on how much you plan to invest and what features matter most to you.

Syfe stands out for budget-conscious investors, charging between 0.40% to 0.65% p.a. with no minimum amount needed, and offering a projected 5.61% p.a. on its Cash+ account. Endowus, while requiring at least $1,000 to start, offers lower fees for CPF and SRS funds at 0.4% flat, and 0.6% p.a. for cash investments up to $200,000—plus, it's the only one that lets you invest your CPF.

StashAway charges up to 0.8% p.a. on smaller balances, though its Simple and Simple+ accounts offer projected returns of up to 5% p.a. without lock-ins. Finally, AutoWealth combines a flat 0.5% advisory fee with a U$18 annual platform fee, though it requires a $3,000 minimum investment and does not support SRS or CPF.

Ultimately, if you’re starting with a small sum, Syfe’s lower fees and no minimums may appeal most. For CPF investing, Endowus is your only choice. Meanwhile, StashAway offers flexibility, strong cash management options, and no minimum for most portfolios (except Income). AutoWealth keeps costs predictable with its flat fees, which become attractive for larger portfolios. Choosing the right platform really comes down to what you want to invest, and how much control and flexibility you need.

» More: Best robo advisors in Singapore

StashAway remains one of the most well-rounded robo advisors in Singapore, offering a variety of portfolios to suit different goals.

From simple cash management and steady income to long-term investing and thematic growth opportunities. It’s easy to get started with no minimum deposit required for most portfolios, fees are transparent and competitive, and investors can use both cash and SRS to grow their wealth. On top of that, its smart, automated investment framework (ERAA®) ensures your portfolio adjusts as markets shift, taking the guesswork out of investing.

That said, StashAway does have its limitations.

CPF investing is not supported, and its range of investment products remains largely focused on ETFs and unit trusts, which may not appeal to investors seeking access to individual stocks, crypto, or alternative assets. Management fees for smaller portfolios are also on the higher side compared to some competitors like Syfe or Endowus.

Still, if you're looking for a platform that balances ease of use, flexibility, and relatively low fees with a good variety of portfolios, StashAway is an excellent choice, especially for beginners and passive investors who want to grow their money without too much fuss.