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Cruelty Free Super vs Pearler Super

Compare what each fund offers, then choose investment options to put their published costs and returns side by side.

By SuperGuru Group · Research checked 11 September 2026 · Historical APRA figures to 30 June 2026

Cruelty Free Super

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.

Membership

Public membership is available under the current product documents.

Pearler Super

Retail fund brand

Pearler Super is a digital accumulation account for members who want to choose ETFs and other approved ASX securities.

Membership

The PDS allows a zero initial investment, but an operating cash balance is required once the account is funded.

Compare fees and investment returns

Choose the actual investment pathway for each account. For lifecycle products, select the named stage relevant to you. No stage is selected automatically.

Choose an investment option to see the figures

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.

How the products differ

Cruelty Free Super and Pearler Super: product features and conditions
What to compareCruelty Free SuperPearler Super
Membership and access

Public membership is available under the current product documents.

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The PDS allows a zero initial investment, but an operating cash balance is required once the account is funded.

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Accounts and products

Cruelty Free Super accumulation.

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Pearler Personal Super accumulation.

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Investment choices

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.

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Members can choose from a menu of ETFs and other ASX-listed securities through the Pearler apps.

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Insurance

AIA provides insurance. The FAQ says a transfer of existing insurance generally needs to be completed within 30 days of leaving the other fund.

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There is no integrated insurance. Moving an entire balance from another fund can end the cover held there.

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Retirement income

The reviewed FAQ explains retirement withdrawals but does not establish a dedicated pension product. Check the income-stream pathway before retirement.

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The current PDS does not offer a pension account.

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Advice and support

Member services provide product support; personal advice needs a qualified adviser.

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The app offers investment tools. Any advice arrangement should be assessed separately from access to those tools.

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Fee details to check

Use the current PDS and reference guide for the chosen option, including administration, investment and insurance costs.

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Administration fees apply to the first $500,000, with eligible family-group caps. Add underlying investment costs, transactions and the effect of the cash account.

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Comparing investment performance

Read option inception and change dates; the pre-2024 single-option record is not the same record as every current option.

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Performance depends on the actual securities and cash held. There is no single Pearler portfolio return that applies to everyone.

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THE SUPERGURU VIEW

Our take on Cruelty Free Super

Editorial assessment

A candidate for people whose animal-welfare requirements are not met by a mainstream fund's screening policy.

What deserves a closer look

  • Ethical screens apply to the share options, not the Cash option. A shares-only allocation has different risk from a diversified balanced fund.
  • Confirm insurance-transfer acceptance before closing existing cover.

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Based on the cited product features. These are general reasons to investigate the fund, not a personal recommendation. Supporting sources.

THE SUPERGURU VIEW

Our take on Pearler Super

Editorial assessment

May suit a member who can construct and maintain a diversified listed portfolio and has separately considered insurance.

What deserves a closer look

  • At least 2% of the balance or $200, whichever is greater, must remain in cash.
  • No pension or integrated insurance is currently offered.

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Based on the cited product features. These are general reasons to investigate the fund, not a personal recommendation. Supporting sources.

Before choosing between Cruelty Free Super and Pearler Super

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 Cruelty Free Super profile · Read the full Pearler Super profile · Choose another comparison

Sources for Cruelty Free Super

Checked 2026-09-11. Documents and product terms can change after this date.

  1. Current product and trustee
  2. FAQs and insurance
  3. Current investment choices and screening scope

Sources for Pearler Super

Checked 2026-09-11. Documents and product terms can change after this date.

  1. Pearler Super PDS
  2. Insurance availability
  3. Pricing and legal fund