5 Best All-in-One ETFs in Canada for 2026

All-in-one ETFs have revolutionized Canadian investing by offering complete portfolio diversification in a single fund. Instead of managing multiple investments, rebalancing portfolios, or worrying about asset allocation, you can buy one ETF and get instant global exposure.

But with so many options available, which all-in-one ETF is right for you?

🎁 Ready to Start Investing?

All five of these ETFs trade commission-free on Wealthsimple. Get $25 towards your first purchase.

Claim Your $25 Bonus

In this comprehensive guide, I’ll break down the 5 best all-in-one ETFs in Canada for 2026, comparing their holdings, costs, performance, and ideal use cases. By the end, you’ll know exactly which ETF matches your investment goals.

What Are All-in-One ETFs?

All-in-one ETFs (also called asset allocation ETFs) are funds that hold a complete diversified portfolio inside a single investment. They typically contain:

The biggest advantage? You get professional portfolio management, global diversification, and automatic rebalancing for less than 0.25% annually—a fraction of what traditional mutual funds charge.

The 5 Best All-in-One ETFs in Canada (2026)

1. XEQT (iShares Core Equity ETF Portfolio)

Best for: Long-term investors with 15+ year time horizons

Ticker: XEQT
Provider: BlackRock (iShares)
Management Fee (MER): 0.20%
Asset Allocation: 100% equity (0% bonds)
Holdings: ~9,000 stocks globally
Assets Under Management: $12+ billion

What You Get:

XEQT provides 100% equity exposure across global markets with no bonds. It's the ultimate "set and forget" ETF for long-term wealth building.

Geographic Allocation:

  • 🇺🇸 United States: ~50%
  • 🇨🇦 Canada: ~25%
  • 🌍 International Developed: ~20%
  • 🌏 Emerging Markets: ~5%

Top Holdings:

  • Apple, Microsoft, Amazon (through underlying ETFs)
  • Canadian banks and resource companies
  • European and Asian multinationals

Best For:

  • Investors with 15+ year time horizons
  • Those who won't panic during market downturns
  • Anyone seeking maximum long-term growth
  • People comfortable with 100% stock exposure

✅ Pros

  • Maximum growth potential over long periods
  • True global diversification (9,000+ stocks)
  • Ultra-low 0.20% MER
  • Automatic rebalancing
  • No bonds to drag down returns in growth years

❌ Cons

  • High volatility during market downturns
  • Not suitable for short-term goals
  • 100% stocks may be too aggressive for some
  • No bond cushion during crashes

5-Year Annualized Return (as of 2025): ~9-10% (typical for global equity markets)

2. VEQT (Vanguard All-Equity ETF Portfolio)

Best for: Vanguard loyalists seeking 100% equity exposure

Ticker: VEQT
Provider: Vanguard
Management Fee (MER): 0.24%
Asset Allocation: 100% equity (0% bonds)
Holdings: ~13,000 stocks globally
Assets Under Management: $10+ billion

What You Get:

VEQT is essentially XEQT's twin—both offer 100% global equity exposure with nearly identical allocations. The main differences are the provider (Vanguard vs. BlackRock) and slightly different underlying holdings.

Geographic Allocation:

  • 🇺🇸 United States: ~48%
  • 🇨🇦 Canada: ~30%
  • 🌍 International Developed: ~17%
  • 🌏 Emerging Markets: ~5%

Key Difference from XEQT:

VEQT has a slightly higher Canadian allocation (~30% vs. ~25%) and charges a marginally higher MER (0.24% vs. 0.20%). Otherwise, performance and holdings are nearly identical.

Best For:

  • Vanguard enthusiasts
  • Investors who prefer slightly more Canadian exposure
  • Those indifferent to the 0.04% MER difference

✅ Pros

  • Vanguard's reputation for low costs
  • Slightly higher Canadian exposure
  • 13,000+ stock holdings
  • Proven long-term performance

❌ Cons

  • Slightly higher MER than XEQT (0.24% vs. 0.20%)
  • Same volatility as XEQT
  • Higher home country bias (30% Canada)

The Verdict: VEQT and XEQT are virtually identical. Choose based on brand preference or minor allocation differences.

Start Building Your Global Portfolio

Buy XEQT or VEQT commission-free and own the entire world in one fund.

Get Started Now

3. XGRO (iShares Core Growth ETF Portfolio)

Best for: Moderate investors seeking growth with some stability

Ticker: XGRO
Provider: BlackRock (iShares)
Management Fee (MER): 0.20%
Asset Allocation: 80% equity / 20% bonds
Holdings: ~9,000+ stocks + bond portfolio
Assets Under Management: $8+ billion

What You Get:

XGRO offers 80% equity exposure with a 20% bond cushion to reduce volatility. It's the middle ground between aggressive growth (XEQT) and balanced investing (XBAL).

Asset Mix:

  • 80% stocks (global diversification)
  • 20% bonds (Canadian and global fixed income)

Best For:

  • Investors with 10-15 year time horizons
  • Those who want growth but can't stomach 100% equity volatility
  • People nearing retirement who still want meaningful growth
  • Investors who want "set and forget" with less risk than XEQT

✅ Pros

  • Lower volatility than 100% equity ETFs
  • 20% bond cushion during downturns
  • Still 80% growth-oriented
  • Same low 0.20% MER as XEQT
  • Automatic rebalancing

❌ Cons

  • Lower long-term returns than 100% equity
  • Bonds may underperform in rising rate environments
  • Still has significant equity risk (80%)

Expected Return: Historically ~7-8% annualized (slightly lower than XEQT due to bond allocation)

4. VGRO (Vanguard Growth ETF Portfolio)

Best for: Vanguard fans wanting 80/20 allocation

Ticker: VGRO
Provider: Vanguard
Management Fee (MER): 0.24%
Asset Allocation: 80% equity / 20% bonds
Holdings: ~13,000+ stocks + bond portfolio
Assets Under Management: $7+ billion

What You Get:

VGRO is Vanguard's answer to XGRO—virtually identical 80/20 allocation with slightly different underlying holdings and a marginally higher MER.

Asset Mix:

  • 80% stocks (slightly more Canadian exposure than XGRO)
  • 20% bonds (Canadian and global)

Best For:

  • Vanguard loyalists
  • Investors who prefer 80/20 allocation
  • Those comfortable with the slightly higher MER for Vanguard branding

✅ Pros

  • Balanced growth with stability
  • Vanguard's reputation
  • Reduced volatility vs. 100% equity

❌ Cons

  • Higher MER than XGRO (0.24% vs. 0.20%)
  • Slightly higher Canadian home bias
  • Lower growth potential than VEQT

The Verdict: VGRO vs. XGRO is like VEQT vs. XEQT—nearly identical performance, choose based on brand preference.

5. XBAL (iShares Core Balanced ETF Portfolio)

Best for: Conservative investors approaching retirement

Ticker: XBAL
Provider: BlackRock (iShares)
Management Fee (MER): 0.20%
Asset Allocation: 60% equity / 40% bonds
Holdings: ~9,000+ stocks + bond portfolio
Assets Under Management: $5+ billion

What You Get:

XBAL is the most conservative all-in-one ETF on this list, with 40% bonds providing significant downside protection. It's ideal for investors nearing retirement or those with lower risk tolerance.

Asset Mix:

  • 60% stocks (global)
  • 40% bonds (Canadian and global fixed income)

Best For:

  • Investors within 5-10 years of retirement
  • Conservative investors who prioritize capital preservation
  • Those who need income and stability over growth
  • People with low risk tolerance

✅ Pros

  • Lowest volatility of all-in-one ETFs
  • 40% bond cushion for downturns
  • Still participates in equity growth (60%)
  • Best for pre-retirees
  • Same low 0.20% MER

❌ Cons

  • Lowest growth potential
  • Too conservative for long-term investors
  • Bond returns have been weak recently
  • May not keep pace with inflation long-term

Expected Return: Historically ~5-6% annualized (lower due to higher bond allocation)

Find Your Perfect Asset Allocation

Whether you want 100% equity or 60/40 balance, all five ETFs trade commission-free on Wealthsimple.

Open Your Account

Side-by-Side Comparison

| ETF | Provider | MER | Equity % | Bond % | Best For | Risk Level | |-----|----------|-----|----------|--------|----------|------------| | **XEQT** | iShares | 0.20% | 100% | 0% | Long-term growth (15+ years) | High | | **VEQT** | Vanguard | 0.24% | 100% | 0% | Long-term growth (Vanguard fans) | High | | **XGRO** | iShares | 0.20% | 80% | 20% | Moderate growth (10-15 years) | Medium-High | | **VGRO** | Vanguard | 0.24% | 80% | 20% | Moderate growth (Vanguard fans) | Medium-High | | **XBAL** | iShares | 0.20% | 60% | 40% | Conservative (5-10 years) | Medium |

How to Choose the Right All-in-One ETF

Step 1: Determine Your Time Horizon

Step 2: Assess Your Risk Tolerance

Ask yourself: “If my portfolio dropped 30% tomorrow, would I panic sell?”

Step 3: Choose Your Provider

iShares (XEQT, XGRO, XBAL):

Vanguard (VEQT, VGRO, VBAL):

Bottom line: Both are excellent. The 0.04% MER difference is negligible over time.

Skip the Complexity - Buy One ETF

Stop overthinking your portfolio. Choose your all-in-one ETF and start investing today.

Get Your $25 Bonus

Why All-in-One ETFs Beat DIY Portfolios

Traditional Approach (Before All-in-One ETFs):

  1. Buy separate Canadian, US, and international ETFs
  2. Manually rebalance quarterly
  3. Track multiple holdings
  4. Pay trading commissions (historically)
  5. Deal with currency conversions

All-in-One ETF Approach:

  1. Buy one ETF
  2. Automatic rebalancing
  3. Track one holding
  4. Zero commissions (on platforms like Wealthsimple)
  5. All in CAD

The result? Less work, lower costs, better results for most investors.

Where to Buy These ETFs Commission-Free

🚀 Start Investing Today

All five ETFs are available commission-free on Wealthsimple. Open an account in minutes and start building wealth.

Get Your $25 Bonus →

Why Wealthsimple?

How to buy:

  1. Open a Wealthsimple Trade account (takes 5 minutes)
  2. Fund your account via bank transfer
  3. Search for your chosen ETF (XEQT, VEQT, etc.)
  4. Buy and hold long-term

Our Top Pick: XEQT

While all five ETFs are excellent, XEQT edges out as our top recommendation for most Canadian investors because:

  1. Lowest MER (0.20%) among 100% equity options
  2. Perfect for long-term growth (15+ years)
  3. True global diversification (9,000+ stocks)
  4. Automatic rebalancing by BlackRock
  5. Commission-free trading on Wealthsimple
  6. Massive AUM ($12B+) ensures liquidity

Who XEQT is NOT for:

For these investors, XGRO (80/20) or XBAL (60/40) may be better fits.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold multiple all-in-one ETFs?

No. The entire point of an all-in-one ETF is portfolio simplicity. Holding multiple defeats the purpose and creates overlapping holdings. Pick one based on your risk tolerance and stick with it.

XEQT vs. VEQT—which is better?

They’re virtually identical. XEQT has a slightly lower MER (0.20% vs. 0.24%) and less Canadian exposure. VEQT has more Canadian stocks. The performance difference is negligible—choose based on brand preference.

Should I switch from VGRO to XEQT as I get younger?

Only if your risk tolerance supports 100% equity. Moving from 80/20 (VGRO) to 100% equity (XEQT) increases volatility. Don’t make the switch unless you can handle larger swings.

Do these ETFs pay dividends?

Yes. All five distribute dividends quarterly (typically March, June, September, December). XEQT’s dividend yield is ~2-2.5% annually.

Can I hold these in my TFSA or RRSP?

Absolutely. All five ETFs are Canadian-listed and perfectly suited for TFSAs, RRSPs, and FHSAs. They’re also efficient for non-registered accounts.

The Bottom Line

The best all-in-one ETF for most Canadians is XEQT—it offers maximum growth potential, ultra-low fees, and true global diversification in a single fund. But the “best” ETF ultimately depends on your time horizon and risk tolerance:

All five ETFs beat actively managed mutual funds, eliminate the need for rebalancing, and trade commission-free on platforms like Wealthsimple.

Don’t overthink it. Pick the ETF that matches your timeline, open an account, and start investing consistently. The biggest mistake isn’t choosing the “wrong” all-in-one ETF—it’s waiting too long to start.

🎁 Ready to Buy Your First ETF?

Open your Wealthsimple account today and get $25 towards your first purchase. All five ETFs trade commission-free.

Claim Your $25 Bonus

Disclosure: This post contains referral links. I may receive compensation if you sign up through these links, but this doesn’t affect my honest assessment. All five ETFs are excellent choices for Canadian investors seeking simple, low-cost diversification.