Best ETFs to Buy on Wealthsimple in 2026
Wealthsimple is the best platform in Canada to buy ETFs—zero commissions, fractional shares, and no account minimums. But with thousands of ETFs available, which ones should you actually buy?
After years of investing on Wealthsimple myself, here are the 7 best ETFs you can buy in 2026—starting with the only one most Canadians will ever need.
Get $25 to Start Investing on Wealthsimple
Open a commission-free account and buy any of these ETFs with zero trading fees
Claim Your $25 BonusWhy Buy ETFs on Wealthsimple?
Before we get to the picks, here’s why Wealthsimple is the ideal platform for ETF investing in Canada:
Wealthsimple Advantages for ETF Investors
- $0 commissions on all ETF trades — Buy and sell without paying a cent in fees
- Fractional shares — Invest as little as $1 into any ETF, no need to buy full shares
- No account minimums — Open a TFSA, RRSP, or FHSA with $0
- Automatic deposits — Set up recurring buys on autopilot
- All account types — TFSA, RRSP, FHSA, RESP, and personal accounts
- Canadian-owned platform — Regulated by IIROC, member of CIPF
On platforms like Questrade, you pay commissions to sell ETFs. With the big banks, you’re paying $5-10 per trade. On Wealthsimple? Every buy and every sell is free. That makes it the perfect platform for regular contributions and long-term ETF investing.
For a deeper comparison, check out our Wealthsimple review and best investing app in Canada guide.
The 7 Best ETFs to Buy on Wealthsimple in 2026
1 XEQT — Best All-in-One ETF TOP PICK
The one ETF most Canadians should buy. Period.
Provider: BlackRock (iShares)
MER: 0.20%
Type: All-in-one global equity
Holdings: 9,000+ stocks worldwide
Allocation: 45% US / 25% Canada / 20% International / 10% Emerging Markets
XEQT is the single best ETF you can buy on Wealthsimple. One purchase gives you instant exposure to over 9,000 stocks across every major market in the world—US, Canada, Europe, Asia, and emerging markets. It rebalances automatically, costs just 0.20% per year, and requires zero maintenance.
For the vast majority of Canadian investors with a 5+ year time horizon, XEQT is the only ETF you need. No stock picking. No rebalancing. No guessing which sector will outperform. Just buy XEQT regularly and let compound growth do the work.
If you’re new to XEQT, read our complete guide: What is XEQT?
Who Should Buy XEQT on Wealthsimple
Everyone. Seriously. Whether you're a student investing your first $100 or building a six-figure TFSA, XEQT is the foundation. Set up automatic weekly or biweekly buys on Wealthsimple and don't look back.
Why It's #1
- Complete global diversification in one ticker
- Ultra-low 0.20% MER
- Automatic rebalancing included
- Perfect for Wealthsimple's fractional shares
- Set-and-forget simplicity
Considerations
- 100% equities—higher volatility short-term
- Not ideal for money you need within 3 years
- No bond allocation (by design)
The Verdict: If you only buy one ETF on Wealthsimple, make it XEQT. It’s our core recommendation across this entire site for good reason—it’s the simplest path to long-term wealth for Canadians.
Start Buying XEQT Commission-Free
Open your Wealthsimple account and get $25 towards your first XEQT purchase
Get Your $25 Bonus2 XGRO — Best Balanced Growth ETF CONSERVATIVE PICK
Like XEQT, but with a 20% bond cushion for smoother rides.
Provider: BlackRock (iShares)
MER: 0.20%
Type: All-in-one balanced (80% equity / 20% bonds)
Holdings: 9,000+ stocks + 1,500+ bonds
If XEQT’s 100% equity allocation makes you nervous, XGRO is your answer. It holds the same global stocks as XEQT but adds a 20% bond allocation to reduce volatility. During market crashes, that bond cushion softens the blow—you’ll fall less, though you’ll also grow slightly less over time.
On Wealthsimple, XGRO is just as easy to buy as XEQT. Same $0 commissions, same fractional shares, same set-and-forget approach.
Who Should Buy XGRO on Wealthsimple
Investors who want global diversification but can't stomach the full volatility of a 100% equity portfolio. Particularly good for those within 10-15 years of retirement or anyone who would panic-sell during a major market downturn.
For a detailed comparison, see our post: XGRO vs XEQT.
The Verdict: XGRO is excellent for investors who want slightly less risk than XEQT. The 0.20% MER is identical, and you get automatic rebalancing between stocks and bonds. A great “one and done” ETF on Wealthsimple.
3 VFV — Best US Market ETF GROWTH PICK
Pure S&P 500 exposure for investors who want more US market weight.
Provider: Vanguard Canada
MER: 0.09%
Type: US equity (S&P 500)
Holdings: 500 largest US companies
Top Holdings: Apple, Microsoft, Nvidia, Amazon, Meta
VFV tracks the S&P 500—the 500 largest companies in the United States. It’s the most popular US equity ETF available on Wealthsimple and gives you concentrated exposure to the world’s largest and most innovative companies.
Why consider VFV when XEQT already has 45% US exposure? Some investors want to tilt their portfolio more heavily toward US markets, which have historically outperformed over the past decade. A small VFV position alongside XEQT gives you that extra US weight.
A Word of Caution
If you already own XEQT, adding VFV means you're overweighting the US market. That's a deliberate bet that the US will continue outperforming the rest of the world. It might work out—but you're giving up the balanced global diversification that makes XEQT so effective. For most investors, XEQT alone provides all the US exposure you need.
Who Should Buy VFV on Wealthsimple
Investors who understand they're making a deliberate tilt toward US markets and are comfortable with the concentration risk. If you're going to add VFV, keep it to 10-20% of your portfolio alongside XEQT as the core.
The Verdict: VFV is a solid ETF at an ultra-low 0.09% MER. On Wealthsimple, it’s commission-free and available in fractional shares. Just be intentional about why you’re adding US concentration on top of XEQT.
4 VDY — Best Canadian Dividend ETF INCOME PICK
High-yield Canadian dividends for income-focused investors.
Provider: Vanguard Canada
MER: 0.22%
Type: Canadian dividend equity
Holdings: ~50 Canadian dividend stocks
Distribution Yield: ~4-5%
Top Holdings: Royal Bank, TD Bank, Enbridge, Bank of Nova Scotia
VDY gives you concentrated exposure to Canada’s highest-yielding dividend stocks—banks, pipelines, telecoms, and utilities. These are the blue-chip companies that have paid (and grown) their dividends for decades.
The big advantage of Canadian dividends? Tax efficiency. Eligible dividends from Canadian companies receive preferential tax treatment in non-registered accounts thanks to the dividend tax credit. In a TFSA, they’re completely tax-free.
On Wealthsimple, VDY distributions are automatically deposited into your account—you can reinvest them into more VDY or XEQT with zero commissions.
Who Should Buy VDY on Wealthsimple
Investors approaching retirement who want passive income, or anyone who wants a steady dividend stream alongside their XEQT growth holdings. A common split: 80% XEQT for growth, 20% VDY for income.
Strengths
- High ~4-5% dividend yield
- Tax-efficient Canadian eligible dividends
- Low 0.22% MER (cheaper than ZDV)
- Stable blue-chip companies
Drawbacks
- Heavily concentrated in financials (~55%)
- Significant overlap with XEQT's Canadian holdings
- Lower long-term growth vs. broad market
- Only ~50 holdings—less diversified
The Verdict: VDY is the best dividend ETF available on Wealthsimple—cheaper than ZDV with similar exposure. Just understand you’re doubling down on Canadian banks and energy.
Buy VDY and XEQT Commission-Free
Build your growth + income portfolio on Wealthsimple with zero trading fees
Open Your Account5 ZAG — Best Bond ETF STABILITY PICK
Broad Canadian bond exposure for reducing portfolio volatility.
Provider: BMO Global Asset Management
MER: 0.09%
Type: Broad Canadian bond
Holdings: 1,500+ Canadian bonds
Distribution Yield: ~3.5-4%
ZAG is the go-to bond ETF for Canadian investors on Wealthsimple. It tracks the entire Canadian investment-grade bond market—government bonds, provincial bonds, and corporate bonds. Bonds typically move differently than stocks, so adding ZAG to an XEQT portfolio reduces overall volatility.
The key use case: creating a custom stock/bond split. Instead of switching from XEQT to XGRO, you can hold 85% XEQT and 15% ZAG for a precise allocation that you control. On Wealthsimple, rebalancing is free since there are no trading commissions.
Who Should Buy ZAG on Wealthsimple
Investors within 10 years of needing their money, or anyone who wants a specific stock/bond ratio that isn't offered by the all-in-one ETFs (XEQT, XGRO, XBAL). Also useful for investors who want to gradually add bonds as they age.
The Verdict: ZAG is a rock-solid bond ETF at a tiny 0.09% MER. Wealthsimple’s commission-free trading makes it easy to rebalance your XEQT/ZAG split without worrying about costs.
6 XRE — Best REIT ETF REAL ESTATE PICK
Canadian real estate exposure without buying property.
Provider: BlackRock (iShares)
MER: 0.61%
Type: Canadian REIT
Holdings: 19 Canadian REITs
Distribution Yield: ~4.5-5%
XRE invests in Canadian Real Estate Investment Trusts—companies that own apartment buildings, office towers, shopping centres, and industrial warehouses. REITs are required to distribute most of their income, which results in higher yields than the broad market.
XEQT only has about 3% real estate exposure, so XRE lets you deliberately overweight this sector if you believe in Canadian real estate but don’t want to buy physical property.
Who Should Buy XRE on Wealthsimple
Investors who want meaningful real estate exposure in their portfolio—especially renters who want to benefit from the real estate market without a mortgage. Keep it to 5-10% of your overall portfolio.
The Verdict: XRE gives you real estate exposure with a strong yield, but the 0.61% MER is the highest on this list. The commission-free buying on Wealthsimple helps offset that cost, since you’re not paying trading fees on top of the higher MER.
7 CASH.TO — Best Cash Management ETF SAVINGS PICK
Park your emergency fund inside Wealthsimple and earn interest.
Provider: Purpose Investments
MER: 0.00% (fee embedded in rate)
Type: High-interest savings ETF
Current Yield: ~4-5% (varies with BoC rate)
CASH.TO isn’t an investment in the traditional sense—it’s a cash management tool. It holds deposits at Canadian banks and pays you a competitive interest rate. Your principal is stable (no volatility), and you can sell anytime.
The beauty of CASH.TO on Wealthsimple: you can keep your emergency fund in the same account as your XEQT investments. No need to transfer money to a separate savings account. Buy CASH.TO with your emergency fund, buy XEQT with your investing money—all in one place.
Who Should Buy CASH.TO on Wealthsimple
Anyone who wants to park short-term cash (emergency fund, house down payment savings, or money waiting to be invested) inside their Wealthsimple account while earning better rates than a chequing account.
The Verdict: CASH.TO is the best way to earn interest on idle cash within Wealthsimple. Just remember it’s for savings, not growth—your long-term money should be in XEQT.
Buy All These ETFs Commission-Free
Open your Wealthsimple account and get $25 towards your first ETF purchase
Claim Your $25 BonusQuick Comparison: All 7 ETFs at a Glance
| ETF | Category | MER | Yield | Best For | Our Take |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| XEQT | All-in-one equity | 0.20% | ~2% | Core holding for everyone | Buy this first |
| XGRO | Balanced growth | 0.20% | ~2.5% | Lower-risk alternative to XEQT | Great if you want bonds included |
| VFV | US equity (S&P 500) | 0.09% | ~1.3% | Extra US market exposure | Only if you want a US tilt |
| VDY | Canadian dividends | 0.22% | ~4-5% | Passive dividend income | Best dividend ETF on Wealthsimple |
| ZAG | Canadian bonds | 0.09% | ~3.5% | Reducing volatility | Add as you approach retirement |
| XRE | Canadian REITs | 0.61% | ~4.5% | Real estate exposure | Niche—keep it small |
| CASH.TO | Cash/savings | 0.00% | ~4-5% | Emergency fund / short-term cash | Not an investment—a savings tool |
Sample Portfolios You Can Build on Wealthsimple
Model Portfolios
The Simplest Portfolio (Best for Most People)
- 100% XEQT — Done. This is genuinely all you need.
The Cautious Grower
- 100% XGRO — Same simplicity as XEQT with a built-in bond cushion.
The Custom Conservative
- 80% XEQT — Core growth engine
- 15% ZAG — Bond stability
- 5% CASH.TO — Emergency cash buffer
The Income Builder
- 70% XEQT — Global growth
- 20% VDY — Canadian dividend income
- 10% CASH.TO — Cash reserves
The Diversified Tilter
- 70% XEQT — Core holdings
- 10% VFV — US growth tilt
- 10% VDY — Dividend income
- 5% XRE — Real estate
- 5% CASH.TO — Cash buffer
Every ETF in these portfolios trades commission-free on Wealthsimple, which means rebalancing and regular contributions cost you nothing.
How to Buy These ETFs on Wealthsimple
Step-by-Step Guide (5 Minutes)
-
Open Your Wealthsimple Account
Sign up here to get a $25 bonus towards your first purchase. Takes about 5 minutes. -
Choose Your Account Type
TFSA (tax-free growth—most popular), RRSP (retirement), FHSA (first home), or Personal (flexible). -
Fund Your Account
Link your bank and transfer money. Start with whatever you're comfortable with—even $1 works with fractional shares. -
Search for Your ETF
Type the ticker (e.g., "XEQT") in the search bar. Tap on it to see details. -
Buy and Set Up Auto-Deposits
Place your order. Then set up recurring deposits and automatic buys so your portfolio grows on autopilot.
For a more detailed walkthrough, check out our complete Wealthsimple guide or read about why Wealthsimple is the best platform to buy XEQT.
Start Investing on Wealthsimple Today
Open your commission-free account, get a $25 bonus, and buy your first ETF in minutes
Claim Your $25 BonusJoin thousands of Canadians building wealth the simple way
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the best single ETF to buy on Wealthsimple?
XEQT. It gives you instant global diversification across 9,000+ stocks for just 0.20% per year. For long-term investors (5+ years), it’s the only ETF you need. Read our full XEQT guide to learn more.
Are ETFs free to buy on Wealthsimple?
Yes. Wealthsimple charges $0 commissions on all Canadian-listed ETF trades. You can buy and sell XEQT, XGRO, VFV, VDY, ZAG, XRE, CASH.TO, and thousands of other ETFs without paying any trading fees.
Should I buy XEQT or XGRO on Wealthsimple?
If you have a 10+ year time horizon and can handle market volatility, go with XEQT (100% equity). If you want less volatility and don’t mind slightly lower long-term returns, choose XGRO (80% equity / 20% bonds). Read our detailed XGRO vs XEQT comparison.
Can I set up automatic ETF purchases on Wealthsimple?
Yes. Wealthsimple lets you set up recurring deposits and automatic purchases. You can schedule weekly, biweekly, or monthly buys of any ETF—including XEQT. This is the best way to invest consistently without thinking about it.
How much money do I need to start buying ETFs on Wealthsimple?
As little as $1. Wealthsimple supports fractional shares, so you don’t need to buy a full share of any ETF. There are no account minimums and no commissions.
Is Wealthsimple safe for investing?
Yes. Wealthsimple is regulated by the Canadian Investment Regulatory Organization (CIRO, formerly IIROC) and is a member of the Canadian Investor Protection Fund (CIPF), which protects accounts up to $1 million. Read our full Wealthsimple review for details.
What account type should I use to buy ETFs on Wealthsimple?
For most Canadians, start with a TFSA (Tax-Free Savings Account). All growth and withdrawals are completely tax-free. If you’re saving for retirement, an RRSP offers upfront tax deductions. Buying your first home? The FHSA gives you both. Learn more in our account types guide.
Disclosure: This page contains referral links. If you sign up through our link and meet the bonus requirements, both you and the referrer receive $25. This helps support JustBuyXEQT.com at no extra cost to you. We only recommend Wealthsimple because we genuinely believe it’s the best platform for Canadian ETF investors. Our ETF recommendations are based on independent analysis—we are not compensated by any ETF providers.