Tool Comparison
Qtrade Direct Investing vs Wealthsimple
Pick Qtrade Direct Investing if
Qtrade Direct Investing
Transaction-priced · Fees vary by offer and jurisdiction · Web · Mobile
Pick Wealthsimple if
Wealthsimple
Transaction-priced · Fees vary by offer and jurisdiction · Web · Mobile
Skip both if: These two cover the same ground; it really comes down to price and which interface you enjoy using.
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Our take
The bottom line
Qtrade Direct Investing and Wealthsimple cover a lot of the same ground (5 shared categories, including brokerage, portfolio, and watchlist), so for the basics you won't go far wrong with either. On paper they're closely matched, so let pricing, platform fit, and the details below break the tie.
What readers say
Qtrade Direct Investing
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Wealthsimple
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What Qtrade Direct Investing does best
- $0 online equity, ETF and mutual-fund commissions.
- Options at $0 base plus $0.75 per contract.
- CAD and USD cash and margin accounts plus major Canadian registered accounts.
- Portfolio analytics, research, watchlists and web/mobile trading.
- Canadian tax slips and a Trading Disposition Summary based on activity.
What Wealthsimple does best
- Canadian and U.S. listed stocks and ETFs with $0 stated online commission.
- Supported stock and ETF fractional market orders from $1.
- TFSA, FHSA, RRSP, spousal RRSP, RRIF, LIRA, LIF, RESP and non-registered trading accounts.
- CAD and optional USD accounts with separate currency-conversion rules.
- Listed equity and ETF options with $0 standard contract fees, subject to specialized charges.
Side by side
Pricing comparison
See for yourself
Side by side
Price, platforms, data, and market coverage.ShowHide
Side by side
| Attribute | ||
|---|---|---|
| Pricing & plans | ||
Starting price | Transaction-priced · Fees vary by offer and jurisdiction | Transaction-priced · Fees vary by offer and jurisdiction |
Free tier | No | No |
Free trial | — | — |
| Platforms & access | ||
Web app | Yes | Yes |
Mobile app | Yes | Yes |
API access | No | No |
| Audience & fit | ||
Experience level | Beginner, Intermediate, Advanced | Beginner, Intermediate, Advanced |
Best for | — | — |
Categories covered | 5 | 5 |
Regions | North America | North America |
| Try it | Visit Qtrade Direct Investing | Visit Wealthsimple |
Standout features
The best features of Qtrade Direct Investing and Wealthsimple.ShowHide
Standout features
What Qtrade Direct Investing does best
- $0 online equity, ETF and mutual-fund commissions.
- Options at $0 base plus $0.75 per contract.
- CAD and USD cash and margin accounts plus major Canadian registered accounts.
- Portfolio analytics, research, watchlists and web/mobile trading.
- Canadian tax slips and a Trading Disposition Summary based on activity.
What Wealthsimple does best
- Canadian and U.S. listed stocks and ETFs with $0 stated online commission.
- Supported stock and ETF fractional market orders from $1.
- TFSA, FHSA, RRSP, spousal RRSP, RRIF, LIRA, LIF, RESP and non-registered trading accounts.
- CAD and optional USD accounts with separate currency-conversion rules.
- Listed equity and ETF options with $0 standard contract fees, subject to specialized charges.
All details
Every attribute we track for Qtrade Direct Investing and Wealthsimple.ShowHide
All details
| Attribute | ||
|---|---|---|
| Coverage & fit | ||
Asset types | StocksETFsOptionsMutual FundsBonds | StocksETFsOptionsCommodities |
Experience | BeginnerIntermediateAdvanced | BeginnerIntermediateAdvanced |
Regions | North America | North America |
Coverage details | Countries: CAIdentifiers: Ticker and CUSIP | Countries: CAIdentifiers: Ticker |
| Access & integrations | ||
Export formats | CSVPDF | CSVPDF |
| Plans & trust | ||
Vendor & support | Aviso Financial Inc.Country: CanadaSupport: Phone and Email | Wealthsimple Investments Inc.Country: CanadaSupport: Chat, Phone, and Email |
Green tags are exclusive to that tool in this comparison.
Pricing
Plans, billing, free trials, and monthly prices.ShowHide
Pricing
| Tier | ||
|---|---|---|
| Free plan | — | Free“Core self-directed brokerage” |
Questions we keep getting
What's the difference between Qtrade Direct Investing and Wealthsimple?
Qtrade Direct Investing leans toward brokerage, portfolio, and watchlist, while Wealthsimple puts more weight on brokerage, portfolio, and watchlist. They overlap in 5 categories, so for most people it comes down to workflow preference and price.
How much do Qtrade Direct Investing and Wealthsimple cost?
Neither has a free plan; you'll need a paid subscription for the full feature set of either. Check each tool's current plan details before buying.
What asset classes do Qtrade Direct Investing and Wealthsimple cover?
Both cover stocks, ETFs, and options. Qtrade Direct Investing also handles mutual funds and bonds. Wealthsimple adds commodities on top.
Can I export data from Qtrade Direct Investing and Wealthsimple?
Yes, both export to spreadsheets (CSV), which is handy if you like running your own numbers.
Can I track my portfolio with Qtrade Direct Investing or Wealthsimple?
Yes, both do portfolio tracking: holdings, performance, and allocation in one place.
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Curation & Accuracy
This directory blends AI‑assisted discovery with human curation. Entries are reviewed, edited, and organized with the goal of expanding coverage and sharpening quality over time. Your feedback helps steer improvements (because no single human can capture everything all at once).
Details change. Pricing, features, and availability may be incomplete or out of date. Treat listings as a starting point and verify on the provider’s site before making decisions. If you spot an error or a gap, send a quick note and I’ll adjust.