Wealthsimple vs. WealthBar
Compare Wealthsimple and WealthBar for Canadian investors in 2026. See fees, features, safety, pros & cons, and which is best for you.
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 WealthBar
WealthBar was one of Canada's first robo-advisors, founded in 2014 and now part of CI Direct Investing. It offers managed ETF portfolios, financial planning, and access to private investment options. WealthBar is known for its personalized advice, hybrid human-robo model, and transparent fees. Regulated by CIRO, with CIPF insurance.
| Feature | Wealthsimple | WealthBar |
|---|---|---|
| Commission | $0 on stocks/ETFs | N/A (Robo-advisor only) |
| Options Fees | $0.75–$2 USD/contract | N/A |
| FX Fees | 1.5% (waived with USD account) | Included in ETF MERs (~0.13–0.25%) |
| Account Types | Personal, TFSA, RRSP, RESP, USD, more | Personal, TFSA, RRSP, RESP, LIRA, Joint, Corporate |
| Platforms | Mobile, Web | Web, Mobile |
| Fractional Shares | Yes (500+ stocks/ETFs) | No |
| Research Tools | Basic charts, watchlists | N/A (managed portfolios) |
| 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, email, chat |
| Unique Features | Robo-advisor, Cash account, Tax, Fractional shares | Financial planning, private pools, hybrid advice |
Pros & Cons
WS
Wealthsimple Pros
- Low fees (0.4–0.5%)
- Automated portfolios, hands-off investing
- Socially Responsible & Halal options
- No minimum investment
- Unified app for investing, saving, tax
WE WealthBar Pros
- Personalized financial planning for all clients
- Access to private investment pools
- Hybrid human-robo advice model
- Transparent, tiered fee structure (0.35–0.60%)
- Strong educational resources
WS
Wealthsimple Cons
- Limited portfolio customization
- No direct access to private pools (except Generation)
- Some advanced features require Premium/Generation
WE WealthBar Cons
- $1,000 minimum investment
- Fewer specialty portfolios (no Halal)
- Mobile app less polished than Wealthsimple
Who Should Choose Which?
Choose Wealthsimple if…
- You want the lowest minimums and easy onboarding
- You value a unified app for investing, saving, and tax
- You want SRI or Halal portfolios
- You prefer a simple, mobile-first experience
Choose WealthBar if…
- You want access to private investment pools
- You value personalized financial planning for all clients
- You prefer a hybrid human-robo approach
- You have at least $1,000 to invest
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