Compare what each fund offers, then choose investment options to put their published costs and returns side by side.
Retail fund
Bendigo SmartStart Super continues under Betashares ownership. Existing product terms should be assessed separately from any proposed future Betashares super product.
Check current availability for the specific product and option. Certain failed investment options are closed to new members.
Retail fund brand
Cruelty Free Super gives animal-welfare concerns a central role in its ethical approach. It replaced its single Growth option with three choices in 2024.
Public membership is available under the current product documents.
Choose the actual investment pathway for each account. For lifecycle products, select the named stage relevant to you. No stage is selected automatically.
The costs and returns belong to the selected product, option or lifecycle stage.
Source: APRA Comprehensive Product Performance Package 2026, published 28 August 2026. Fees reflect the reporting year to 30 June 2026, are net of tax, use standard arrangements and exclude member-activity fees. Dollar figures are rounded. They are not a current quote. Check the latest PDS for changes, insurance premiums and any separately charged advice.
Returns are annualised historical results. Different return bases, risk levels and periods cannot be treated as interchangeable. MySuper net returns use a $50,000 representative balance even when you change the fee balance. A lifecycle stage return does not track a person moving between stages. Missing figures mean not reported, not zero. Past returns do not predict future returns. Read our method and APRA's definitions.
| What to compare | Bendigo SmartStart Super | Cruelty Free Super |
|---|---|---|
| Membership and access | Check current availability for the specific product and option. Certain failed investment options are closed to new members. Sources123 | Public membership is available under the current product documents. Sources123 |
| Accounts and products | Bendigo SmartStart Super and SmartStart Pension. Sources123 | Cruelty Free Super accumulation. Sources123 |
| Investment choices | MySuper is an age-based strategy using Growth Index, Balanced Index and Conservative Index at different ages, with a separate choice menu. Sources123 | The current choices are Cruelty Free Australian Shares, Cruelty Free International Shares and Cash. Members select their own mix; these are not three diversified balanced portfolios. Sources123 |
| Insurance | Insurance is available under the SmartStart policy and guide. Sources123 | AIA provides insurance. The FAQ says a transfer of existing insurance generally needs to be completed within 30 days of leaving the other fund. Sources123 |
| Retirement income | SmartStart Pension has its own product documentation. Sources123 | The reviewed FAQ explains retirement withdrawals but does not establish a dedicated pension product. Check the income-stream pathway before retirement. Sources123 |
| Advice and support | Use the current support and advice documents to establish services and charges. Sources123 | Member services provide product support; personal advice needs a qualified adviser. Sources123 |
| Fee details to check | Use the current PDS and updates; ownership change alone does not establish a fee reduction. Sources123 | Use the current PDS and reference guide for the chosen option, including administration, investment and insurance costs. Sources123 |
| Comparing investment performance | The current site reports that Bendigo Balanced Wholesale and Bendigo High Growth Index did not pass the 2026 APRA performance test. This finding is option-specific, not a claim about every SmartStart option. Sources123 | Read option inception and change dates; the pre-2024 single-option record is not the same record as every current option. Sources123 |
THE SUPERGURU VIEW
Most useful for an existing member reviewing their exact option and current alternatives.
Based on the cited product features. These are general reasons to investigate the fund, not a personal recommendation. Supporting sources.
THE SUPERGURU VIEW
A candidate for people whose animal-welfare requirements are not met by a mainstream fund's screening policy.
Based on the cited product features. These are general reasons to investigate the fund, not a personal recommendation. Supporting sources.
Use the membership rules to establish which accounts are available to you. Then compare the total price of the investment option and cover you need. A lower fee or higher historical return alone does not tell you which fund is suitable.
Ask both funds to confirm insurance acceptance, exclusions, waiting periods and whether cover would change when you leave your employer. Obtain advice before giving up a defined benefit or an insurance policy you may not be able to replace. ASIC Moneysmart explains the comparison checks.
Read the full Bendigo SmartStart Super profile · Read the full Cruelty Free Super profile · Choose another comparison
Checked 2026-09-11. Documents and product terms can change after this date.
Checked 2026-09-11. Documents and product terms can change after this date.