About

About Wealthsimple

Wealthsimple is Canada's leading fintech for commission-free investing, robo-advisor portfolios, and digital banking. It's known for its beginner-friendly app, $0 commissions, fractional shares, and seamless integration of investing, saving, and tax tools. Regulated by CIRO, with CIPF insurance up to $1M.

About Scotia iTRADE

Scotia iTRADE is the online brokerage arm of Scotiabank, one of Canada's Big Five banks. It offers a wide range of account types, advanced research tools, and access to branch support. Regulated by CIRO, with CIPF insurance.

Feature Comparison

Feature Wealthsimple Scotia iTRADE
Commissions$0 on stocks/ETFs$9.99 per trade
Options Fees$0.75–$2 USD/contract$9.99 + $1.25/contract
FX Fees1.5% (waived with USD account)~1.5% (USD accounts available)
Account TypesPersonal, TFSA, RRSP, RESP, USD, morePersonal, TFSA, RRSP, RESP, USD, more
PlatformsMobile, WebWeb, Mobile, Advanced desktop
Fractional SharesYes (500+ stocks/ETFs)No
Research ToolsBasic charts, watchlistsAdvanced research, screeners, analytics
Minimum Deposit$0$0
SafetyCIRO regulated, CIPF up to $1MCIRO regulated, CIPF up to $1M
SupportChat, email, phone (priority for Premium)Phone, chat, email, branch support
Unique FeaturesRobo-advisor, Cash account, Tax, Fractional sharesBank integration, advanced research tools
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Pros & Cons

Wealthsimple Pros

  • $0 commissions, no minimums
  • Fractional shares
  • Beginner-friendly app
  • Unified ecosystem (robo, cash, tax)
  • Great for new investors

Wealthsimple Cons

  • Limited advanced trading tools
  • 15-min delayed quotes (free tier)
  • No direct USD RRSP/TFSA (as of 2025)

Scotia iTRADE Pros

  • Bank integration
  • Wide range of account types
  • Advanced research tools
  • Branch support

Scotia iTRADE Cons

  • $9.99 commission per trade
  • No fractional shares
  • Platform less modern than Wealthsimple
  • Options fees higher than Wealthsimple

Who Should Choose Which?

Choose Wealthsimple if…

  • You want a simple, mobile-first experience, $0 commissions, fractional shares, and easy access to robo-advisor and cash accounts.
  • Great for beginners and hands-off investors.

Choose Scotia iTRADE if…

  • You want bank integration, advanced research tools, and branch support, and are comfortable with $9.99 commissions. Best for those who value traditional banking and research.
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