Comparing Sharesies vs Investnow vs Hatch vs ASB Securities vs Direct Broking and more
In this guide, we look at the pros, cons and costs of Sharesies, InvestNow, Hatch, ASB Securities, Direct Broking and more when it comes to comparing fund platforms, fund managers and share brokers
Updated 3 July 2020
InvestNow, Sharesies, Hatch, ASB Securities and Direct Broking are well-known among New Zealand investors as online platforms for trading shares and buying funds. However, each platform tends to excel in a particular area, meaning the overall the platforms are quite different.
In this guide, we look at the pros, cons and costs of each when it comes to:
Disclaimer: This guide compares various investment platforms, share brokers and managed funds available to New Zealanders. It does not offer financial advice in any form, and only looks at the pros, cons and fees of each offering.
Worried about what happens to your investments if InvestNow, Sharesies, Hatch or another platform collapsed or shut down? Our easy to read custodian guide explains what you need to know.
In this guide, we look at the pros, cons and costs of each when it comes to:
- Comparing New Zealand-operated Fund Platforms
- Comparing New Zealand-based Fund Managers
- Comparing New Zealand-based Share Broker Platforms
Disclaimer: This guide compares various investment platforms, share brokers and managed funds available to New Zealanders. It does not offer financial advice in any form, and only looks at the pros, cons and fees of each offering.
Worried about what happens to your investments if InvestNow, Sharesies, Hatch or another platform collapsed or shut down? Our easy to read custodian guide explains what you need to know.
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Comparing New Zealand-operated Fund PlatformsFund Platforms, such as Sharesies and InvestNow, offer several different funds you can invest in. The platforms don't manage your investment; instead, they let you pick the fund(s) you want to invest in and pass the money onto the underlying fund manager. The platforms let you see the fund performance data and track the results. Fund Platforms are popular with all investor types (i.e. those starting, occasional investors and expert-level) and don't have the high minimum investment levels that individual funds often charge. InvestNow doesn't charge any membership fees, which means the platform's offering is effectively free to use.
Sharesies and InvestNow are the two most prominent New Zealand-based Fund Platforms, and we compare them side-by-side below: 
InvestNowMinimum investment: $250
Funds and Fees: 120+ managed funds from 23 well-regarded fund managers, with a platform fee of $0/year. Annual fund fees (including performance fees) range from 0% to 2.72%, with many index funds offered. Our review: InvestNow 
SharesiesMinimum investment: $0.01
Funds and Fees: Eight funds available, with subscription fees starting at $1.50 per month to use its platform for balances over $50, in addition to the fund fees. Our review: Sharesies Sharesies vs InvestNow summary
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Comparing New Zealand-based Fund ManagersNew Zealand has a lot of Fund Management companies who invest your money on your behalf in different assets (like shares and bonds). As the assets increase in value, so does the value of the investment. For this, fund managers charge their investors something known as a 'management fee'. It is a percentage of the total funds under management, for example, 0.25% or 1.50% per year. This means if you have an average investment balance of $10,000 and your management fee is 1.50%, you'll pay $150/year in fees.
Managed funds can be 'active' (i.e. controlled by a research and trading team who frequently anticipate sharemarket movements and buy and sell shares) or 'passive', i.e. follow an index, such as the NZX 50 or S&P 500. You can invest with fund managers directly by contacting their customer service team and applying to join. Many have minimum balance requirements (i.e. $5,000), but you can 'trade-in' shares you own as part of your initial investment (for example, if you have $5,000 of shares in A2 Milk, you can convert this into the equivalent dollar investment of a fund. Alternatively, platforms like Sharesies and InvestNow let you invest in many fund managers without the minimum investment. While this list is by no means a recommendation, locally-operated fund managers that stand out among the crowd (for their strong performance history) include: Most fund managers will invest in New Zealand and overseas assets, so what fund(s) you pick depends on your risk profile. Simplicity offers the lowest fee managed fund option: 
Simplicity Investment FundsMinimum investment: $1,000
Funds and Fees: Simplicity Investment Funds offer five funds, with annual fees set at 0.10% (NZ Shares fund and NZ Bond fund) and 0.31% (Growth fund, Balanced fund and Conservative fund), plus a $20 annual membership fee. Our review: Simplicity Investment Funds Sharesies vs InvestNow vs Simplicity summary
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Comparing New Zealand-based Share Broker PlatformsShare Brokers let you buy and sell individual shares, although a fee is charge everything you buy or sell. This is usually a minimum fee (in dollars) or a percentage of the sale. Share Brokers are online-only (e.g. Sharesies and Hatch), online and offline (e.g. ASB Securities and Direct Broking) and offline-only, such as a local Share Broker who you call to buy and sell shares. This includes companies like Craigs Investment Partners and Forsyth Barr, which have offices all over New Zealand.
Share Brokers enable you to trade shares on the NZX, the ASX and/or other markets. Hatch specifically offers US-based shares and doesn't serve anyone looking to invest locally. Unlike Fund Managers who either actively invest or follow an index, you'll need to know what you're doing by way of research before trading any shares.
SharesiesTrading fees: 0.50% for orders up to $3,000 and then 0.10% for any amount over $3,000
Sharemarket(s): NZX Our review: Sharesies 
ASB SecuritiesTrading fees: 0.30% on trades above $10,000, with fees starting at $15 for smaller trades.
Sharemarket(s): NZX and ASX (other available via phone) Our review: ASB Securities 
Direct BrokingTrading fees: $29.90 or 0.20% of the trade value, whichever is the greater
Sharemarket(s): NZX and ASX Our review: Direct Broking 
HatchTrading fees: US$8 to buy or sell shares. If more than 400 shares are traded, an additional US$0.02 fee per share is added. To buy a fraction of a share, the fee is US$3.
Sharemarket(s): USA-listed companies only Sharemarket(s): NZX and ASX Our review: Hatch Sharesies vs ASB Securities vs Direct Broking vs Hatch
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Sharesies vs Investnow vs Hatch and more - Our Conclusion
There are a lot of options available to everyday New Zealanders looking to invest in shares or funds. Dynamic startups like Sharesies and Hatch have driven down the per-transaction charges and made it easier (and cheaper) to buy and sell shares.
With regards to comparing Fund Platforms and Fund Managers, InvestNow offers the widest selection of funds and doesn't charge an annual platform fee. Sharesies has a limited number of funds by comparison, but does let you trade shares. Both Sharesies and InvestNow let you invest in many fund managers without the minimum investment that many fund manager usually charge if you go direct. Best of all, managing your investments is very easy with both Sharesies and InvestNow's user-friendly interface. Neither platforms offer low-fee options like the Simplicity Investment Funds, but the number of funds offered continues to grow as more fund managers choose to join.
Share brokers are more popular than ever, thanks to the rise of low-fee e-trading options like Sharesies and Hatch. What fund is best for you depends on where you want to invest (locally or overseas) and how much money you want to invest. Sharesies is dedicated to New Zealand-listed shares, where as Hatch serves those wanting to investment in American companies.
With regards to comparing Fund Platforms and Fund Managers, InvestNow offers the widest selection of funds and doesn't charge an annual platform fee. Sharesies has a limited number of funds by comparison, but does let you trade shares. Both Sharesies and InvestNow let you invest in many fund managers without the minimum investment that many fund manager usually charge if you go direct. Best of all, managing your investments is very easy with both Sharesies and InvestNow's user-friendly interface. Neither platforms offer low-fee options like the Simplicity Investment Funds, but the number of funds offered continues to grow as more fund managers choose to join.
Share brokers are more popular than ever, thanks to the rise of low-fee e-trading options like Sharesies and Hatch. What fund is best for you depends on where you want to invest (locally or overseas) and how much money you want to invest. Sharesies is dedicated to New Zealand-listed shares, where as Hatch serves those wanting to investment in American companies.
