SG FIRE Planner

StashAway vs Syfe: Fee and Portfolio Comparison in 2026

SG FIRE Planner · · 8 min read
stashaway syfe robo-advisor investing singapore

Comparing StashAway and Syfe is a common starting point for newer investors in Singapore. Both platforms offer diversified portfolios with no minimum investment, but they differ in fees, portfolio construction, and product range.

This comparison covers the key differences so readers can compare the trade-offs more clearly.

Quick Comparison

StashAway vs Syfe comparison as of March 2026
FeatureStashAwaySyfe
Management Fee 0.2% - 0.8% 0.4% - 0.65%
Minimum Investment $0 $0
SRS Investing Yes Yes
CPF Investing No No
Portfolio Types Risk-based (ERAA) Thematic + Risk-based
Cash Management StashAway Simple Syfe Cash+ Flexi
REITs Portfolio No dedicated option Syfe REIT+
Regulation MAS Licensed MAS Licensed

Fee Structure

StashAway

StashAway uses a tiered fee structure based on total invested amount:

  • 0.8% for the first S$25,000
  • 0.7% for the next S$25,000
  • 0.6% for the next S$50,000
  • Fees continue to decrease as your portfolio grows
  • 0.2% for amounts above S$1,000,000

On top of the management fee, underlying ETF expense ratios typically range from 0.1% to 0.3%.

Syfe

Syfe charges a flat management fee depending on the portfolio:

  • Core portfolios: 0.4% - 0.65% (tiered by AUM)
  • Syfe REIT+: 0.65%
  • Syfe Select (thematic): 0.65%

Syfe’s pricing may look more competitive for some mid-sized portfolios, depending on which portfolio type is being compared.

Portfolio Options

StashAway’s core offering is its ERAA (Economic Regime-based Asset Allocation) framework, which automatically adjusts your portfolio based on macroeconomic indicators. You choose a risk level from 6.5% to 36%, and StashAway handles the asset allocation.

Syfe offers more variety:

  • Core Equity100 / Balanced / Defensive: Traditional risk-based portfolios
  • Syfe REIT+: Focused on Singapore REITs with a dividend-oriented approach
  • Syfe Select: Thematic portfolios (e.g., China Growth, Global ARI)

An investor looking for a single macro-driven portfolio may find StashAway’s ERAA framework easier to understand as one system. An investor who wants thematic or dedicated REIT exposure may find Syfe’s menu broader.

SRS Integration

Both platforms accept SRS contributions, which can be relevant for tax planning. For higher-income earners, that tax relief can be meaningful.

How Some Investors Compare Them

Some investors lean toward StashAway if:

  • You prefer a single, fully automated investment approach
  • Your portfolio is above S$100,000 and the blended fee looks lower
  • You value ERAA’s macroeconomic-based rebalancing

Some investors lean toward Syfe if:

  • You want access to thematic or REIT-focused portfolios
  • You want a simpler flat-fee structure
  • You want more portfolio customisation options

Both platforms are MAS-licensed. The more useful comparison is usually not which one is “better” in general, but which fee structure, portfolio design, and feature set fits the investor’s own preferences and use case.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use both StashAway and Syfe?

Yes. Some investors split their portfolios across both platforms to reduce platform concentration and to use different portfolio types for different goals.

Are robo advisors better than DIY investing?

Robo advisors charge management fees that DIY investors may avoid. In exchange, they offer automatic rebalancing, portfolio maintenance, and a more hands-off process. Whether that convenience is worth the fee depends on the investor.

How do robo advisor fees compare to unit trusts?

Robo advisor fees (0.2% - 0.8%) are usually lower than the typical combination of unit trust sales charges and annual management fees.