Wealthsimple vs. Questrade
Compare Wealthsimple and Questrade for Canadian investors in 2026. See fees, features, safety, pros & cons, and which is best for you.
About
About Wealthsimple
I use Wealthsimple for most of my investing — the $0 commissions, fractional shares, and the all-in-one app (investing + Cash + Tax) are what made me switch. It's beginner-friendly but has grown with me as I've gotten more confident. That said, it's not the most advanced platform out there.
About Questrade
Questrade is what I looked at before landing on Wealthsimple. It's been around since 1999 and is one of the larger independent brokerages in Canada. From what I found during my research, it has more advanced trading tools and better USD account options — the big trade-off is the $1,000 minimum and per-trade commissions. Note: fees and features may have changed since my research — always check questrade.com directly.
| Feature | Wealthsimple | Questrade |
|---|---|---|
| Commission | $0 on stocks/ETFs | $4.95–$9.95 per trade |
| Options Fees | $0.75–$2 USD/contract | $9.95 + $1/contract |
| FX Fees | 1.5% (waived with USD account) | ~1.5% (USD accounts available) |
| Account Types | Personal, TFSA, RRSP, RESP, USD, more | Personal, TFSA, RRSP, RESP, USD, more |
| Platforms | Mobile, Web | Web, Mobile, Desktop |
| Fractional Shares | Yes (500+ stocks/ETFs) | No |
| Research Tools | Basic charts, watchlists | Advanced research, screeners |
| Minimum Deposit | $0 | $1,000 |
| Safety | CIRO regulated, CIPF up to $1M | CIRO regulated, CIPF up to $1M |
| Support | Chat, email, phone (priority for Premium) | Phone, chat, email |
| Unique Features | Robo-advisor, Cash account, Tax, Fractional shares | Advanced trading, USD accounts |
Pros & Cons
WS
Wealthsimple Pros
- $0 commissions, no minimums
- Fractional shares
- Beginner-friendly app
- Unified ecosystem (robo, cash, tax)
- Great for new investors
QU Questrade Pros
- More advanced trading tools than Wealthsimple
- USD account options (good for frequent US trading)
- Wide range of account types
- Long-established Canadian brokerage
- Strong research tools
WS
Wealthsimple Cons
- Limited advanced trading tools
- 15-min delayed quotes (free tier)
- No direct USD RRSP/TFSA (as of 2026)
QU Questrade Cons
- $1,000 minimum deposit (based on my research — verify current terms)
- Commissions on stock/ETF trades
- No fractional shares (as far as I could find)
- Less beginner-friendly than Wealthsimple
Who Should Choose Which?
Choose Wealthsimple if…
- You want everything in one place — investing, a Cash account, and tax filing — with no minimums and $0 commissions. That's why I went with Wealthsimple.
- Also great if you want to start small with fractional shares or a robo-advisor.
Choose Questrade if…
- From my research, Questrade makes more sense if you're an active trader who needs advanced tools, USD accounts, and doesn't mind paying commissions per trade.
- If you're already comfortable with trading platforms and want more control, it's worth checking out at questrade.com.
Ready to Start Investing?
Open a Wealthsimple account today and get a $25 bonus when you fund your account using our referral code.
* Referral code: HODMTG