Wealthsimple: The Best Investing Platform for Canadians
Why Wealthsimple is the Best Investing Platform for Canadians
Wealthsimple has revolutionized how Canadians invest. With zero-commission trading, fractional shares, and an intuitive mobile app, it's never been easier to start building wealth.
Whether you're investing for retirement, saving for a home, or just getting started—Wealthsimple removes the barriers and puts you in control of your financial future.
Get $25 Free to Start Investing
Open your commission-free Wealthsimple account and get $25 towards your first investment
Claim Your $25 BonusWhy Choose Wealthsimple?
Wealthsimple isn’t just another brokerage—it’s a platform built specifically for modern Canadian investors. Here’s what makes it stand out:
$0 Trading Commissions
Buy and sell stocks and ETFs without paying any trading fees. Keep more of your money working for you instead of paying commissions.
Start With Just $1
No minimum balance required. Fractional shares let you invest any amount—even $1—into your favourite stocks and ETFs.
All Account Types
TFSA, RRSP, FHSA, Personal, Joint, and more. Open any tax-advantaged account in minutes, all in one place.
Instant Deposits
Start investing right away with instant deposits up to $5,000. No waiting for bank transfers to clear.
Beautiful, Simple App
An intuitive mobile app that makes investing feel effortless. Track your portfolio, buy investments, and manage accounts with ease.
Canadian-Owned
A Canadian company built for Canadians. Your investments are protected by CIPF up to $1 million.
Ready to Start Building Wealth?
Join over 3 million Canadians who trust Wealthsimple with their investments
Open Your Free AccountHow Wealthsimple Compares
Traditional banks and brokerages charge hefty fees and have confusing interfaces. Wealthsimple is different.
| Feature | Wealthsimple | Big Banks | Questrade |
|---|---|---|---|
| Trading Fees | $0 | $9.95/trade | $4.95-$9.95 |
| Minimum Balance | $0 | Varies | $1,000 |
| Fractional Shares | Yes | No | No |
| Account Opening | 5 minutes | In-branch visit | 1-2 days |
| Mobile Experience | Excellent | Basic | Good |
| FHSA Available | Yes | Yes | Yes |
The choice is clear: Wealthsimple saves you money and time.
Fractional Shares: A Game-Changer
One of Wealthsimple’s most powerful features is fractional share investing. This means you don’t need to buy a full share of a stock or ETF—you can invest any dollar amount.
Example: Want to invest in XEQT but only have $50? No problem. With Wealthsimple, you can buy exactly $50 worth of XEQT, even though a full share costs around $30. This makes dollar-cost averaging and consistent investing incredibly easy.
Traditional brokerages require you to buy whole shares, which can leave cash sitting uninvested. With Wealthsimple, every dollar you put in goes to work immediately.
Account Types Available on Wealthsimple
Wealthsimple offers every account type a Canadian investor could need:
TFSA (Tax-Free Savings Account)
The most popular choice for Canadians. All investment gains, dividends, and withdrawals are completely tax-free. Perfect for any savings goal.
RRSP (Registered Retirement Savings Plan)
Reduce your taxable income today while saving for retirement. Contributions are tax-deductible, and your investments grow tax-deferred until withdrawal.
FHSA (First Home Savings Account)
New in 2023! The ultimate account for first-time home buyers. Contributions are tax-deductible AND withdrawals for a home purchase are tax-free.
Personal & Joint Accounts
Non-registered accounts for flexible investing. No contribution limits—invest as much as you want, whenever you want.
Open Any Account in Minutes
TFSA, RRSP, FHSA—get started with $25 free towards your first investment
Get Your $25 BonusWhat Can You Invest In?
Wealthsimple gives you access to thousands of investment options:
- Canadian Stocks - Shopify, Royal Bank, TD, Enbridge, and more
- US Stocks - Apple, Microsoft, Amazon, Tesla, Google, and thousands more
- ETFs - Low-cost index funds like XEQT, VEQT, VGRO, and others
- Crypto - Bitcoin, Ethereum, and other cryptocurrencies (optional)
For most investors, we recommend focusing on low-cost ETFs like XEQT—a single fund that gives you exposure to 12,000+ stocks worldwide. It’s the simplest path to building long-term wealth.
Our recommendation: If you're new to investing, start with XEQT. It's a globally diversified, all-in-one ETF with just 0.20% in fees. Combined with Wealthsimple's commission-free trading, it's the most cost-effective way to invest in Canada.
How to Get Started (5 Minutes)
-
Sign Up With Our Referral Link
Use this link to create your account and get $25 towards your first investment. It takes about 5 minutes. -
Verify Your Identity
Wealthsimple uses a quick photo ID verification process. Have your driver's license or passport ready. -
Choose Your Account Type
Select TFSA for tax-free growth (most popular), RRSP for retirement savings, or FHSA if you're saving for your first home. -
Fund Your Account
Link your bank account and transfer funds. Instant deposits let you invest up to $5,000 right away. -
Start Investing
Search for XEQT (or any other investment), enter your amount, and buy. Set up automatic deposits to invest consistently.
That's it—you're now an investor!
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Wealthsimple safe?
Yes. Wealthsimple is a regulated investment dealer and member of IIROC. Your investments are protected by CIPF (Canadian Investor Protection Fund) up to $1 million per account type. Your money is as safe as it would be at any major bank.
How does Wealthsimple make money if there are no fees?
Wealthsimple makes money through premium subscriptions (Wealthsimple Plus), currency exchange fees on US stocks, and interest on uninvested cash. Basic trading is completely free.
Are there any hidden fees?
No hidden fees for Canadian stocks and ETFs. For US stocks, there's a 1.5% currency exchange fee (which can be reduced or eliminated with Wealthsimple Plus). The ETFs themselves have small management fees (like XEQT's 0.20% MER), but these are standard across all platforms.
Can I transfer my existing investments to Wealthsimple?
Yes! Wealthsimple makes it easy to transfer accounts from other brokerages. They even cover transfer fees up to $150 for accounts over $5,000.
Is Wealthsimple Trade different from Wealthsimple Invest?
Yes. Wealthsimple Trade is their self-directed investing platform where you choose your own investments. Wealthsimple Invest is a robo-advisor that manages your portfolio for you (for a fee). For most people, we recommend Trade with a simple ETF like XEQT.
What's the $25 bonus?
When you sign up using a referral link and deposit at least $1, Wealthsimple credits $25 to your account. It's free money to get you started!
Why We Recommend Wealthsimple
At JustBuyXEQT.com, we believe in keeping investing simple and affordable. Wealthsimple aligns perfectly with this philosophy:
- Zero commissions mean you can invest small amounts regularly without fees eating your returns
- Fractional shares let you invest every dollar, not just buy whole shares
- A simple interface removes the intimidation factor for new investors
- All account types in one place makes managing your financial life easy
Combined with a low-cost, globally diversified ETF like XEQT, Wealthsimple gives you everything you need to build wealth over the long term.
Start Your Investing Journey Today
Open your commission-free Wealthsimple account and get $25 towards your first investment
Claim Your $25 BonusJoin millions of Canadians building wealth the simple way
Learn More
Ready to start investing? Here are some helpful resources:
- Start Here - Our complete guide to getting started with XEQT
- Why Wealthsimple is Best for XEQT - Detailed comparison with other platforms
- XEQT for Beginners - Everything you need to know about XEQT
- Compound Interest Calculator - See how your investments could grow
The hardest part of investing is getting started. Take that first step today.