Best ETF Monthly Investment Plans in Singapore

Investors are spoilt for choice today as there are many avenues to invest small amounts on a regular basis automatically. In this post, we want to cater to those who prefer to accumulate ETFs of their choice on a long term basis. If you like to have control of your investments and not pay for advisory fees, this is highly relevant to you. We have also excluded managed portfolios even though they offer monthly investment options.

Regular Investment Plans for ETFs in Singapore

We have found 5 platforms in Singapore that offers ETF monthly investment plans. Here is a quick summary table to compare their offerings, read on to have a deeper review of each plan.

	FSMOne	POEMS	POEMS	POSB	OCBC	Syfe
Program	Regular Savings Plan	Recurring Plan	Share Builder Plan	Invest Saver	Blue Chip Investment Plan	Syfe Wealth Custom Portfolio
Markets	Singapore, Hong Kong and US	Singapore, Hong Kong and US	Singapore	Singapore	Singapore	US
No. of ETFs	70	All ETFs in the above markets (~3,000)	11	4	6	117
Min Investment	$50	$100	$100	$100	$100	$1
Buying Fees	0.08% or min SGD 1, HKD 5, USD 1, whichever is higher	0.08% for Singapore US$1.88 to US$3.88 for US 0.05% to 0.08% or min HK$15 to HK$30	S$6 (≤2 counters) S$10 (≥3 counters)	0.5% to 0.82%	0.3% of the total investment amount or S$5 per counter, whichever is higher. 0.88% new customers under FRANK (below 30yo)	Nil
Selling Fees	Flat S$8.80 for Singapore 0.08% or min HKD 50 0.08% or min USD 8.80	0.08% for Singapore US$1.88 to US$3.88 for US 0.05% to 0.08% or min HK$15 to HK$30	0.08% for Singapore US$1.88 to US$3.88 for US 0.05% to 0.08% or min HK$15 to HK$30	Nil	0.3% of the total investment amount or S$5 per counter, whichever is higher. 0.88% new customers under FRANK (below 30yo)	Nil
Other Fees	Respective exchange, dividend handling, and corporate action fees apply on each transaction	Respective exchange, dividend handling, and corporate action fees apply on each transaction	Respective exchange, dividend handling, and corporate action fees apply on each transaction	Nil	Nil	0.35% to 0.65% annual fees
USP	Best overall	Best for Singapore ETFs Biggest selection	–	Easiest to setup	Easiest to setup	Lowest investment amount

Best Overall – FSMOne Regular Savings Plan

We rate FSMOne’s Regular Savings Plan as the best overall because it has several characteristics that would cater to most ETF investors.

Offers ETFs from most major markets

First, it is broad enough to offer ETFs listed in Singapore, Hong Kong and the US. There is only one other platform that offers this. For example, if you like to bet on the future of China, you might be keen to buy the cheaper iShares Core MSCI China ETF (2801) which is listed in Hong Kong, rather than the sister MCHI listed in US. Only FSMOne and POEMS allow you to do this on a regular basis.

But FSMOne shines further as there are minimum lot sizes in Hong Kong. The minimum lot size for 2801 is 200 shares and that means that you must minimally invest S$891 (at the time of writing). POEMS’s recurring plan doesn’t allow odd lots but FSMOne does. So you can just invest what you are comfortable with. Even $100 is possible.

Relatively large ETF selection

Second, there are 70 ETFs which you can subscribe under this plan and this is the third largest selection among the platforms reviewed here. You should be able to find an ETF of your liking. Here is a table of the ETFs they offer (accurate at the time of writing but always check the latest list at FSMOne):

ETF	Exchange	Ticker
ChinaAMC Asia USD Investment Grade Bond ETF	HKEX	3141
iShares Core MSCI Asia ex Japan ETF	HKEX	3010
iShares Barclays Capital USD Asia High Yield Bond Index ETF	SGX	O9P
ARK Autonomous Technology & Robotics ETF	BATS	ARKQ
iShares MSCI Brazil ETF	NYSE	EWZ
iShares MSCI BRIC ETF	NYSE	BKF
iShares Core MSCI China ETF	HKEX	2801
Lion-OCBC Securities China Leaders ETF	SGX	YYY
iShares FTSE China A50 ETF	HKEX	2823
iShares Core CSI 300 ETF	HKEX	2846
Global X China Electric Vehicle ETF	HKEX	2845
NikkoAM-STC CN EV S$	SGX	EVS
Global X MSCI China Financials ETF	NYSE	CHIX
ICBC CSOP FTSE Chinese Government Bond Index ETF	SGX	CYC
ICBC CSOP FTSE Chinese Government Bond Index ETF	SGX	CYB
Hang Seng China Enterprises Index ETF	HKEX	2828
KraneShares MSCI All China Health Care Index ETF	NYSE	KURE
Global X MSCI China Real Estate ETF	NYSE	CHIR
Global X China Semiconductor ETF	HKEX	3191
iShares Hang Seng TECH ETF	HKEX	3067
Lion-OCBC Securities Hang Seng TECH ETF	SGX	HST
Invesco China Technology ETF	NYSE	CQQQ
ChinaAMC Hong Kong Banks ETF	HKEX	3143
First Trust Cloud Computing ETF	NASDAQ	SKYY
Global X Cybersecurity ETF	NASDAQ	BUG
O'Shares Global Internet Giants ETF	BATS	OGIG
ARK Next Generation Internet ETF	NYSE	ARKW
ETFMG Prime Mobile Payments ETF	NYSE	IPAY
ARK Innovation ETF	NYSE	ARKK
Premia Dow Jones Em ASEAN Titans 100 ETF	HKEX	9810
Vanguard FTSE Europe Index Fund ETF Shares	NYSE	VGK
ARK Fintech Innovation ETF	NYSE	ARKF
iShares MSCI Frontier and Select EM ETF	NYSE	FM
ARK Genomic Revolution ETF	BATS	ARKG
Vanguard Total World Stock Index Fund ETF Shares	NYSE	VT
Vanguard FTSE Emerging Markets Index Fund ETF Shares	NYSE	VWO
iShares J.P. Morgan USD Emerging Markets Bond ETF	NASDAQ	EMB
Vanguard Total International Bond Index Fund ETF Shares	NASDAQ	BNDX
iShares Global Financials ETF	NYSE	IXG
iShares Global Healthcare ETF	NYSE	IXJ
SPDR® Gold MiniShares	NYSE	GLDM
SPDR® Gold Shares	SGX	GSD
SPDR® Gold Shares	SGX	O87
SPDR® FTSE Greater China ETF	HKEX	3073
Tracker Fund of Hong Kong	HKEX	2800
iShares MSCI India ETF	BATS	INDA
iShares MSCI India Index ETF	SGX	I98
iShares MSCI Indonesia ETF	NYSE	EIDO
iShares MSCI Japan ETF	NYSE	EWJ
iShares Latin America 40 ETF	NYSE	ILF
iShares MSCI Malaysia ETF	NYSE	EWM
NikkoAM-StraitsTrading Asia ex Japan REIT ETF	SGX	CFA
VanEck Russia ETF	BATS	RSX
SPDR® Straits Times Index ETF	SGX	ES3
Nikko AM Singapore STI ETF	SGX	G3B
Nikko AM SGD Investment Grd Corp Bd ETF	SGX	MBH
ABF Singapore Bond Index Fd	SGX	A35
iShares MSCI South Korea ETF	NYSE	EWY
iShares MSCI Taiwan ETF	NYSE	EWT
iShares MSCI Thailand ETF	NYSE	THD
Vanguard S&P 500 ETF	NYSE	VOO
iShares Core S&P 500 ETF	NYSE	IVV
Vanguard Total Stock Market Index Fund ETF Shares	NYSE	VTI
iShares Core U.S. Aggregate Bond ETF	NYSE	AGG
Invesco KBW Bank ETF	NASDAQ	KBWB
Xtrackers USD High Yield Corporate Bond ETF	NYSE	HYLB
First Trust Dow Jones Internet Index Fund	NYSE	FDN
VanEck Semiconductor ETF	NASDAQ	SMH
Fidelity® MSCI Information Technology Index ETF	NYSE	FTEC
VanEck Vietnam ETF	BATS	VNM

Can start with just $50 per month

Third, the minimum investment is at $50 per month and this is the second lowest among the peers. This applies to other currencies too. That means that the minimum investment for a USD denominated counter is US$50 and for HKD denominated counter is HK$50. The latter is less than S$10! The exceptions apply to the SPDR Gold Shares where the minimum investment is S$300 or US$300.

Low fees

Last but not least, the fees are the lowest for Hong Kong and US listed ETFs. FSMOne charges 0.08% or minimum HK$5 / US$1. The next best offer is from POEMS but the minimum goes up to as high as HK$30. POEMS charges a flat fee of US$1.88 to US$3.88 for US counters but you only benefit if you invest US$4,850 and above. That is too high for a monthly investment amount for most investors.

With the reasons above, we believe that FSMOne caters to most investors seeking to do monthly investments into ETFs.

Best for Singapore ETFs – POEMS Recurring Plan

POEMS is currently offering 0.08% commission rate for trading Singapore-listed securities. There is no minimum commission and that is a piece of great news for investors with small capital.

With S$100 regular investment, you pay only $0.08 in fees! That is the lowest in town, look no where else. POEMS did mention that this is a promotional rate but it lasts until 31 December 2022. Given that the broking competition has intensified, we think there is a good chance low commission rates will persist beyond 2022.

As mentioned previously, one downside of this Recurring Plan is that you cannot buy odd lots. But the reduction in SGX-listed ETFs to just 1 unit would make this a non-issue. Hence, POEMS Recurring Plan would be your best choice if you are looking at SGX-listed ETFs only.

Biggest Selection – POEMS Recurring Plan

Unlike the rest of the platforms, POEMS Recurring Plan offers regular investments into any stock or ETF listed on the Singapore, Hong Kong or the US stock markets. We are talking about almost 3,000 ETFs which you can invest in. No other offerings come close.

This option is more suitable for Singapore- and the US-listed ETFs because the minimum lot size is 1 unit. This is not the case for Hong Kong-listed ETFs where the lot size varies. It is not impossible just that your investment amount has to be much larger to clear the minimum lot size requirement.

Easiest to Set Up – POSB Invest Saver and OCBC Blue Chip Investment Plan

POSB and OCBC have been offering monthly investment into ETFs for some time. They are the most convenient if you already have a banking account. You just need to login and create the monthly investment program directly from your banking app.

Set up is instant approval and your fund deduction is seamless. This is unlike other platforms where you need to set up separate accounts, provide the necessary details and create new instructions to debit funds from your bank account.

Going with the bank would be your choice if you detest the admin process of setting up new accounts.

POSB Invest Saver offers 4 ETFs currently:

1. Nikko AM Singapore STI ETF
2. ABF Singapore Bond Index Fund
3. Nikko AM SGD Investment Grade Corporate Bond ETF
4. Nikko AM-StraitsTrading Asia Ex-Japan REIT ETF

OCBC has slightly wider selection with these 6 ETFs:

1. Nikko AM Singapore STI ETF
2. Nikko AM SGD Investment Grade Corporate Bond ETF
3. Nikko AM-ICBCSG China Bond ETF SGD
4. Lion-Phillip S-REIT ETF
5. Lion-OCBC Securities Hang Seng Tech ETF
6. Lion-OCBC Securities China Leaders ETF

POSB Invest Saver would be cheaper if you are investing small amounts each month. This is because they do not charge a minimum fee. In contrast, OCBC charges a minimum $5. If you just invest $100, your fees would cost up to 5%! Please don’t do that. You should invest minimally $500 to keep the fee to just 1% of your investment amount.

Lowest Investment Amount – Syfe Wealth Custom Portfolio

Syfe is a roboadvisor and offers managed portfolios for a fee but it has an option where you can build your own ETF portfolio. Hence, we decided to put this out as an option for you to consider. Syfe would be very suitable if you have less than $50 to invest per month. No amount is too small as long as you get started and Syfe allows you to do it.

You can invest $1 if you like but of course go higher if possible. There is no transaction fee and Syfe charges a yearly management fee instead. The charges are tiered – you pay 0.65% if your portfolio size is less than S$20,000.

Under Syfe’s custom portfolio feature, you get to do regular investment into any of the 116 ETFs listed in the US:

ETF	Ticker
iShares Asia ex Japan	AAXJ
iShares MSCI World	ACWI
iShares US Aggregate Bond	AGG
ARK Fintech Innovation	ARKF
ARK Genomic Revolution	ARKG
ARK Innovation	ARKK
ARK Autonomous Tech & Robotics	ARKQ
ARK Next Generation Internet	ARKW
ARK Space Exploration	ARKX
Amplify Transformational Data (Blockchain)	BLOK
Vanguard Total US Bond Market	BND
Vanguard Total International Bond	BNDX
Global X Robotics & AI	BOTZ
iShares EM Corp Bond	CEMB
Global X China Consumer Discretionary	CHIQ
First Trust Cybersecurity	CIBR
Global X Cloud Computing	CLOU
iShares China A Shares	CNYA
Invesco China Technology	CQQQ
iShares S&P 500 UCITS	CSPX
SPDR MSCI World ex-US	CWI
WisdomTree China ex-State-Owned	CXSE
SPDR Dow Jones	DIA
WisdomTree US Large-cap Dividend	DLN
iShares MSCI Emerging Markets	EEM
iShares MSCI EAFE	EFA
iShares MSCI Indonesia	EIDO
iShares EM UCITS	EIMI
iShares EM Gov Bond	EMB
iShares MSCI EAFE ESG	ESGD
iShares MSCI USA ESG	ESGU
VanEck Video Gaming & eSports	ESPO
iShares MSCI Australia	EWA
iShares MSCI Hong Kong	EWH
iShares MSCI Japan	EWJ
iShares MSCI Malaysia	EWM
iShares MSCI Taiwan	EWT
iShares MSCI South Korea	EWY
iShares MSCI Brazil	EWZ
iShares Fallen Angels HY Corp Bond	FALN
iShares China Large-cap	FXI
VanEck Gold Miners	GDX
SPDR Gold Shares	GLD
iShares HY Corp Bond	HYG
iShares Biotechnology	IBB
iShares Global Clean Energy	ICLN
iShares 7-10Y Treasury Bond	IEF
iShares MSCI EAFE	IEFA
iShares 3-7Y Treasury Bond	IEI
iShares MSCI EM	IEMG
iShares MSCI Core Europe	IEUR
iShares Global Infrastructure	IGF
iShares 1-5Y IG Corp	IGSB
iShares U.S. Healthcare Providers	IHF
iShares U.S. Medical Devices	IHI
iShares S&P Mid-cap	IJH
iShares S&P Small-cap	IJR
iShares Latin America 40	ILF
iShares MSCI India	INDA
Renaissance IPO	IPO
iShares Russell Mid-cap Growth	IWP
iShares Russel Mid-cap Value	IWS
KraneShares China Internet	KWEB
iShares EM Gov Bond Local	LEMB
Global X Lithium & Battery Tech	LIT
iShares IG Corp Bond	LQD
iShares MBS	MBB
iShares MSCI China	MCHI
VanEck Agribusiness	MOO
iShares USA Momentum	MTUM
VanEck Oil Services	OIH
Invesco Clean Energy	PBW
Invesco Water Resources	PHO
Invesco QQQ Nasdaq100	QQQ
Invesco S&P 500 Equal Weight	RSP
SPDR S&P Dividend	SDY
iShares 1-3Y Treasury Bond	SHY
iShares Short Duration HY Corp Bond	SHYG
iShares Silver Trust	SLV
SPDR S&P 600 Small-cap Value	SLYV
VanEck Semiconductor	SMH
SPDR Dev World ex-US	SPDW
Invesco Solar	TAN
iShares MSCI Thailand	THD
iShares TIPS Bond	TIP
iShares 20+Y Treasury Bond	TLT
Vanguard Small-cap Growth	VBK
Vanguard Real Estate	VNQ
Vanguard Global ex-US Real Estate	VNQI
Vanguard S&P 500	VOO
Vanguard Total US Stock Market	VTI
Vanguard US Value	VTV
Vanguard US Growth	VUG
Vanguard All-World UCITS	VWRA
Vanguard Total International Stocks	VXUS
SPDR Health Care Equipment	XHE
SPDR Materials Sector	XLB
SPDR Communication Services Sector	XLC
SPDR Energy Sector	XLE
SPDR Financial Sector	XLF
SPDR Industrial Sector	XLI
SPDR Technology Sector	XLK
SPDR Consumer Staples Sector	XLP
SPDR Utilities Sector	XLU
SPDR Health Care Sector	XLV
SPDR Consumer Discretionary Sector	XLY
SPDR Metals & Mining	XME
SPDR Oil & Gas Exploration & Production	XOP
iShares MSCI World UCITS	IWDA
Emerging Markets Internet and Ecommerce	EMQQ
Roundhill Ball Metaverse	METV
Fidelity Consumer Discretionary	FDIS
iShares Expanded Tech-Software Sector	IGV
Vanguard Dividend Appreciation	VIG
Vanguard Exponential Technologies	VGT
iShares Exponential Technologies	XT

Which ETF monthly investment plan is the best for you?

We hope that we have made it easy for you to compare the various ETF monthly investment plans.

• The best overall platform is FSMOne and should be suitable for most ETF investors.
• If you only want to buy Singapore-listed ETFs regularly, POEMS Recurring Plan would be your best option because it doesn’t charge minimum fees.
• If you detest the administrative process of opening up new accounts, go with what your bank offers as you should be able to begin the regular investment plan directly from your banking app.
• If you have very little capital to start (<$50), you can use Syfe whereby there is no minimum investment imposed on you.

While we have done our diligence to ensure the information is accurate, the platforms may change their offers from time to time and it is best to verify the information before opening any account.

Wish you all the best in the markets!