Wealthsimple and Questrade are Canada’s two most popular self-directed online brokerages. Both offer commission-free ETF purchases and far lower fees than any bank brokerage, but the right choice depends on how you invest — and the differences matter more than most people expect.
Quick answer: Wealthsimple wins for most Canadians — free trades on all Canadian and US stocks, the best mobile app in Canadian investing, and zero account minimums. Questrade wins if you trade large amounts of US stocks or ETFs (Norbert’s Gambit cuts currency costs near zero), need options or margin accounts, or want an RESP for your children.
Wealthsimple vs Questrade: Full Feature Comparison
| Feature | Wealthsimple Trade | Questrade |
|---|---|---|
| Canadian stock trades | $0 | $4.95–$9.95 |
| US stock trades | $0 | $4.95–$9.95 |
| ETF purchases | $0 | $0 |
| ETF sales | $0 | $4.95–$9.95 |
| Options trading | Not available | $9.95 + $1/contract |
| USD conversion fee | 1.5% (free with Premium) | ~1.5–2% (or ~$15 via Norbert’s Gambit) |
| Account minimum | $0 | $0 ($1,000 for margin) |
| TFSA | Yes | Yes |
| RRSP | Yes | Yes |
| FHSA | Yes | Yes |
| RESP | No | Yes |
| Margin accounts | No | Yes |
| Fractional shares | Yes | No |
| Crypto trading | Yes | No |
| Mobile app quality | ★★★★★ | ★★★☆☆ |
| Desktop/web platform | Basic web | IQ Edge (advanced) |
| Robo-advisor option | Yes (Wealthsimple Invest) | Yes (Questwealth) |
| Real-time quotes | With subscription | 15-min delay (real-time paid) |
| Tax slips | T5008, T3, T5 | T5008, T3, T5 |
| Regulated by | CIRO | CIRO |
| Investor protection | CIPF ($1M/category) | CIPF ($1M/category) |
True Cost Comparison: What You Actually Pay
The headline fees hide the real cost. Here’s what a typical investor pays annually on a $50,000 portfolio with 12 trades per year:
| Scenario | Wealthsimple (Free) | Wealthsimple Premium ($10/mo) | Questrade |
|---|---|---|---|
| Canadian ETFs only | $0 | $120/year | $0 (buy) + ~$60 (sell) = ~$60 |
| 50/50 CAD + USD ETFs | $375 FX fees | $120/year | ~$15 (Norbert’s Gambit x2) |
| Active trader (24 trades) | $0 | $120/year | ~$120–$240 |
| Verdict | Best for CAD-only | Best for frequent USD | Best for USD heavy investors |
The Norbert’s Gambit advantage: Questrade users who convert $10,000+ CAD to USD using Norbert’s Gambit pay roughly $15–$20 (two commissions) instead of $150–$200 in FX fees. This method takes 3–5 business days and requires some setup but saves significantly at scale.
Account Types: What Each Brokerage Offers
| Account Type | Wealthsimple | Questrade | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| TFSA | ✓ | ✓ | 2026 limit: $7,000 |
| RRSP | ✓ | ✓ | 18% of prior year earned income |
| FHSA | ✓ | ✓ | $8,000/year, $40,000 lifetime |
| RRIF | ✓ | ✓ | Mandatory conversion from RRSP |
| Spousal RRSP | ✓ | ✓ | Income-splitting tool |
| RESP | No | Yes | For children’s education savings |
| Non-registered | ✓ | ✓ | No annual contribution limit |
| Margin account | No | Yes | Requires $1,000 minimum |
| Corporate account | No | Yes | For incorporated professionals |
RESP is the decisive differentiator. If you’re saving for a child’s education and want the 20% Canada Education Savings Grant (CESG), Questrade is the only option between the two.
Platform & App Experience
Wealthsimple: Best Mobile App in Canada
Wealthsimple’s app is consistently rated the best investing experience in Canada. It’s clean, intuitive, and designed for investors who don’t want complexity.
Strengths:
- One-screen portfolio view showing total value, daily change, and allocation
- Instant buys — no waiting for quotes to refresh
- Fractional shares let you invest any dollar amount
- Built-in crypto trading (Bitcoin, Ethereum, and 60+ coins) in the same app
- Round-up feature: automatically invest spare change
- Wealthsimple Cash (HISA) and Wealthsimple Tax all in one ecosystem
Weaknesses:
- No real-time quotes without a subscription
- Limited charting tools — not suited for technical analysis
- No desktop trading platform (web-only)
Questrade: Best Platform for Active Investors
Questrade’s IQ Edge desktop platform has significantly more functionality for investors who want advanced order types, detailed charting, and portfolio analytics.
Strengths:
- IQ Edge platform: real-time data, technical charts, options chains
- Margin accounts for leveraged investing
- Better for options and complex order types
- Free ETF purchases — ideal for passive investors
- Norbert’s Gambit support (you can journal shares between accounts)
- RESP accounts for education savings
Weaknesses:
- Mobile app is functional but significantly behind Wealthsimple
- $4.95–$9.95 commissions on stock and ETF sales
- Currency conversion is expensive without using Norbert’s Gambit
- Interface has more learning curve
Robo-Advisor Comparison: Wealthsimple Invest vs Questwealth
If you’d rather not pick your own stocks or ETFs, both platforms offer managed portfolios:
| Feature | Wealthsimple Invest | Questwealth |
|---|---|---|
| Annual management fee | 0.40–0.50% | 0.20–0.25% |
| Underlying ETF MER | ~0.10–0.25% | ~0.10–0.25% |
| Minimum investment | $1 | $1,000 |
| Tax-loss harvesting | Yes (at $100K+) | No |
| Halal investing | Yes | No |
| Socially responsible | Yes | Yes |
| Portfolio options | 5 risk levels | 5 risk levels |
| Best for | Small accounts, ethical investing | Larger accounts (lower fees) |
Total cost example on $50,000: Wealthsimple Invest costs ~$225/year (0.45%); Questwealth costs ~$112/year (0.225%). At $100,000, the difference is ~$225/year.
Currency Conversion: The Hidden Cost Most Investors Miss
Buying US stocks or ETFs involves converting CAD to USD. The cost varies enormously by method:
| Method | Cost to Convert $10,000 CAD to USD |
|---|---|
| Wealthsimple (Free tier) | $150 (1.5% fee) |
| Wealthsimple Premium | $0 ($10/month subscription) |
| Questrade (auto-convert) | ~$150–$200 (~1.5–2%) |
| Questrade (Norbert’s Gambit) | ~$15 (two commissions ~$9.95 each) |
| Interactive Brokers | ~$2 (lowest cost for large amounts) |
When Wealthsimple Premium ($10/month) makes sense: If you’re converting more than $700/month in USD, Premium pays for itself vs the 1.5% FX fee.
When Norbert’s Gambit (Questrade) makes sense: Converting $5,000+ at once. The process takes 3–5 days but saves 1–1.5% in FX fees.
Wealthsimple Pros and Cons
Pros:
- Commission-free on all Canadian and US stocks
- Best investing app in Canada — intuitive for beginners
- Fractional shares — invest any amount, even $5
- All-in-one ecosystem (investing, crypto, cash, tax)
- FHSA, TFSA, RRSP, Spousal RRSP, RRIF all available
- No account minimums
Cons:
- No RESP account
- No margin or options trading
- 1.5% USD conversion fee on Free tier (significant for US investors)
- No IQ Edge-style advanced platform
- No real-time quotes without subscription
Questrade Pros and Cons
Pros:
- Free ETF purchases — ideal for passive investors
- RESP accounts — critical for families with children
- Norbert’s Gambit support — cheapest USD conversion method
- Options and margin trading for advanced investors
- IQ Edge desktop platform for active traders
- Reimburses transfer fees up to $150 for new accounts
Cons:
- $4.95–$9.95 commission on all stock trades and ETF sales
- Mobile app significantly worse than Wealthsimple
- Currency conversion without Norbert’s Gambit is expensive (~2%)
- Norbert’s Gambit takes 3–5 business days to complete
- No crypto trading
- More complex to get started
How to Open an Account
Wealthsimple
- Download the Wealthsimple app (iOS or Android) or go to wealthsimple.com
- Tap “Get Started” and select “Invest” (or Cash, Crypto, etc.)
- Complete identity verification (SIN, government ID, 5–10 minutes)
- Link your bank account for deposits
- Choose account type: TFSA, RRSP, FHSA, or personal
- Start investing — minimum deposit is $1
Questrade
- Go to questrade.com and click “Open an account”
- Select account type (TFSA, RRSP, FHSA, RESP, margin, etc.)
- Complete identity verification (SIN, government ID)
- Fund your account (minimum $1,000 for margin; no minimum for registered accounts)
- Download IQ Edge or use the web platform
- Questrade reimburses transfer-in fees up to $150 — note this when transferring from another brokerage
Switching Brokerages: How Account Transfers Work
If you already have investments at a bank or another brokerage and want to switch, you can transfer your holdings directly without selling — this is called an in-kind transfer using the ATON (Automated Transfer of Account to New Organization) system.
| Transfer Detail | What to Expect |
|---|---|
| Time to complete | 5–10 business days (Canadian equities), up to 15 days (US equities) |
| Transfer-out fee | Usually $50–$150 (charged by the outgoing institution) |
| Questrade reimbursement | Up to $150 for transfers of $25,000+ |
| Wealthsimple reimbursement | Contact support — available for larger transfers |
| What transfers in-kind | Stocks, ETFs, mutual funds held at both brokerages |
| What may not transfer | Mutual funds not available at the new brokerage (may be sold) |
Tip: If your mutual funds don’t transfer in-kind, the outgoing brokerage will sell them and transfer cash. This may trigger a capital gain in a non-registered account.
Which Is Better for Each Investor Type?
| Investor Type | Recommended | Reason |
|---|---|---|
| Complete beginner | Wealthsimple | Best app, simplest experience, $0 minimums |
| TFSA or RRSP investor (Canadian ETFs) | Wealthsimple | Commission-free, excellent interface |
| RESP saver (kids’ education) | Questrade | Wealthsimple doesn’t offer RESP |
| US ETF investor — small amounts | Wealthsimple Premium | $10/mo beats 1.5% FX fee on regular investing |
| US ETF investor — large amounts | Questrade | Norbert’s Gambit = dramatically lower FX costs |
| Options or margin trader | Questrade | Wealthsimple doesn’t offer these |
| Passive robo-advisor investor | Questwealth | Lower management fee at larger balances |
| Active trader | Questrade | IQ Edge platform, advanced order types |
| Crypto + investing | Wealthsimple | Built-in crypto in same app |
Bottom Line: Which Should You Choose?
Choose Wealthsimple if you’re a beginner or intermediate investor, want commission-free trading on Canadian and US stocks, and value a clean app experience. The Free tier is ideal for CAD-only investing; Premium ($10/month) makes sense if you buy US stocks regularly.
Choose Questrade if you’re saving for a child’s RESP, want options or margin trading, or trade large enough USD amounts that Norbert’s Gambit’s ~$15 cost beats Wealthsimple’s 1.5% FX fee. Questrade’s free ETF purchases also make it excellent for disciplined buy-and-hold investors who rarely sell.
Both are safe. Both are regulated by CIRO and CIPF-protected up to $1 million per account category. Both are far cheaper than any Canadian bank brokerage, which typically charges $9.99 per trade.
For related guides, see our best online brokerages in Canada, how to start investing in Canada, and TFSA vs RRSP guide.
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