Discount brokerage Wealthsimple is best known for offering $0 commission trading and robo advisor services to Canadians. More recently, its Chequing Account has made headlines by combining the easy and fee-free access of a daily transaction account with the interest-earning power of a savings account.
But is Wealthsimple the right choice for you, either as an investing app or a bank account? To find out, let’s compare seven Wealthsimple alternatives to see how they stack up against this popular Canadian fintech.
4 investment alternatives to Wealthsimple
Summary: Compare Wealthsimple to alternative investing platforms
| Trading platform | Key features | Trading commission |
|---|---|---|
| Wealthsimple |
|
|
| Questrade |
|
|
| Interactive Brokers |
|
|
| CIBC Investor's Edge |
|
|
| Moomoo |
|
|
3 banking alternatives to Wealthsimple
1. EQ Bank Personal Account
EQ Bank Personal Account
Bonus Offer
Monthly Account Fee
Free Transactions
- Earn 2.75% interest
- Earn 0.5% cashback on spending
- Unlimited transactions and e-Transfers
- No ATM fees
- Open an account online in a matter of minutes
- Some features not available in Quebec
- Standard interest rate drops to 1%
- No physical branches
| Monthly Account Fee | $0 |
|---|---|
| Free Transactions | unlimited |
| Interac e-Transfer Fee | $0 |
| In-Network ATM Fee | $0 |
| NSF Fee | $0 |
| Foreign Transaction Fee | 0% |
| CDIC Deposit Insurance | $100,000 |
| Bonus Offer | Earn 2.75% |
2. Tangerine No Fee Daily Chequing Account
Tangerine No-Fee Daily Chequing Account
Bonus Offer
Monthly Account Fee
Free Transactions
- No monthly fee
- Unlimited daily transactions
- User-friendly online and mobile banking
- Free access to Scotiabank ABMs
- Only pays minimal interest on your balance
- 2.5% foreign transaction fee
- No branches for in-person service
| Monthly Account Fee | $0 |
|---|---|
| Free Transactions | unlimited |
| Interac e-Transfer Fee | $0 |
| In-Network ATM Fee | $0 |
| NSF Fee | $10 |
| Foreign Transaction Fee | 2.5% |
| CDIC Deposit Insurance | $100,000 |
| Bonus Offer | Earn $250 |
3. Simplii Financial No Fee Chequing Account
Simplii No Fee Chequing Account
Bonus Offer
Monthly Account Fee
Free Transactions
- Unlimited day-to-day transactions
- Fee-free access to CIBC's ATM network
- No fees for day-to-day banking
- Overdraft protection available if you want it
- Create an account online in a matter of minutes
- Only pays minimal interest on your balance
- Not available in Quebec
- No physical branches
| Monthly Account Fee | $0 |
|---|---|
| Free Transactions | unlimited |
| Interac e-Transfer Fee | $0 |
| In-Network ATM Fee | $0 |
| NSF Fee | $10 |
| CDIC Deposit Insurance | $100,000 |
| Bonus Offer | Earn $300 and a $50 Skip gift card |
Summary: Compare Wealthsimple to alternative banks
| Bank | Account | Key features |
|---|---|---|
| Wealthsimple | Chequing Account |
|
| EQ Bank | Personal Account |
|
| Tangerine | No Fee Daily Chequing Account |
|
| Simplii Financial | No Fee Chequing Account |
|
Is Wealthsimple a real bank?
No, Wealthsimple is not a bank.
If you’re using Wealthsimple for banking purposes, this fintech is registered with FINTRAC as a Money Services Business. It partners with members of the Canada Deposit Insurance Corporation (CDIC) to ensure that the money you deposit is protected by CDIC insurance.
From an investing point of view, Wealthsimple’s affiliated custodial broker, Wealthsimple Investments Inc., is a member of the Canadian Investment Regulatory Organization (CIRO) and offers Canadian Investor Protection Fund (CIPF) protection.
How to choose a Wealthsimple alternative for investments
Choosing the best stock trading platform or app is crucial to your investing success. Consider the following factors when comparing Wealthsimple alternatives.
What you can trade
Check the list of supported assets and markets for each trading platform. Some users only want to invest in Canadian and US stocks and ETFs, but others might want to trade on markets all around the world, plus invest in options, bonds, futures, crypto and more.
Self-directed vs managed investing
Wealthsimple offers self-directed investing as well as managed portfolios curated to suit different risk levels and investment goals. All Canadian online brokers provide self-directed investing, but access to managed portfolios of investments through a robo advisor is less widely available. Make sure you know how you want to invest before choosing a platform.
Ease of use
The best Wealthsimple alternatives must be easy to use, especially if you’re a new investor. Does the broker offer a mobile app, an online trading platform and a desktop app? Which of these do you plan to use to place most of your trades, and does it have a user-friendly interface that’s easy to navigate?
Commissions and fees
Some Wealthsimple alternatives offer commission-free stock trading, but others charge a fee every time you place a trade. This could be a flat fee per trade, calculated on a per-share basis or charged as a percentage of the trade amount.
You’ll also need to check the fine print for details of any other fees that apply, such as:
- Quarterly or annual account maintenance fees
- Fees for real-time market data
- News or analysis subscriptions
- Currency conversion fees if you trade in foreign markets
Research and analysis tools
The research and analysis tools you need in a stock trading platform may vary depending on your investing experience and whether you’re an active trader or not. Some features you may want to look for when comparing Wealthsimple alternatives include:
- Stock screeners to help you choose investments
- Market analysis and stock recommendations
- Advanced charting tools and technical indicators
- Educational resources to help you learn more about investing and how to use the trading platform
Customer support
If you ever have a problem with your account, how can you contact the broker’s customer support team? Are they available during hours that are convenient for you?
Regulation
Make sure you choose a broker that is regulated by the Canadian Investment Regulatory Organization (CIRO). Also check whether the broker is a member of the Canadian Investor Protection Fund (CIPF) for added peace of mind.
How to choose a Wealthsimple alternative for banking
Want to see how Wealthsimple and its competitors stack up against each other? Consider the following factors when comparing your options.
Supported transactions
Check how many transactions you can perform each month without incurring any extra fees. Does the account support the type of banking you do, like sending e-Transfers, making ATM withdrawals and paying bills without racking up extra charges?
Monthly fee and other charges
The Wealthsimple Chequing Account has no monthly fee, so look for a Wealthsimple alternative that similarly does not charge any account maintenance fees. If you’re considering an account that does have a monthly fee, what benefits does it offer to justify this extra cost?
You’ll also need to check whether there are any other fees you need to worry about, such as:
- NSF fees
- Foreign transaction fees
- Replacement chequebook fees
Interest rates
Traditional chequing accounts don’t pay interest on your balance, but the Wealthsimple Chequing Account does. Check whether the bank account you’re considering pays interest. Do you need to meet any terms and conditions, like meeting a minimum balance requirement or setting up a direct deposit, to qualify for the maximum advertised rate? And does that rate only apply for a limited promotional period, or is it ongoing?
Card for spending and cashback
Does the account come with a linked debit card or a prepaid card? What payment network does the card use? Does it pay cashback on your spending, and if so, at what rate?
Online and mobile banking
The best Wealthsimple alternatives will need to have user-friendly online and mobile banking portals that make it quick and easy for you to manage your money. Watch online tutorials to get a feel for how easy to use each bank’s online banking platform is, and read reviews on the App Store and Google Play to learn more about other users’ mobile banking experiences.
Account protection
Wealthsimple’s Chequing Account offers up to $1 million in CDIC coverage for eligible deposits. Check how much CDIC insurance protection Wealthsimple alternatives can offer for your funds.
Customer support
With a digital bank, you can’t just pop into your nearest branch to access face-to-face customer service. That’s why it’s important to check how you can contact each bank’s customer support team and during what hours. It’s also a good idea to check customer reviews on independent sites like Trustpilot to find out whether other users have received high quality support.
Bottom line
Wealthsimple is well worth checking out if you’re looking for an investing app or hybrid account in Canada, but it’s far from the only option available. Once you know what key features you need in a trading platform or bank account, compare companies like Wealthsimple before deciding where to manage your money.
Frequently asked questions about Wealthsimple alternatives
Sources
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