★ BEST INVESTING TOOLS COMPARISON ★
VOL. XCIV, NO. 247
Tool details checked July 17, 2026
Tool Comparison
RBC Direct Investing vs Wealthsimple
Pick RBC Direct Investing if
RBC 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
RBC 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
RBC Direct Investing
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Wealthsimple
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Key differences at a glance
- Asset coverage
- RBC Direct InvestingAdds mutual funds and bonds
See for yourself
How they stack up
The side-by-side table: pricing, platforms, data, and coverage at a glance.ShowHide
How they stack up
The side-by-side table: pricing, platforms, data, and coverage at a glance.| 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 RBC Direct Investing | Visit Wealthsimple |
Where each one shines
What RBC Direct Investing and Wealthsimple each do best.ShowHide
Where each one shines
What RBC Direct Investing and Wealthsimple each do best.What RBC Direct Investing does best
- Canadian and U.S. stocks and ETFs with standard and active pricing.
- More than 50 selected ETFs eligible for conditional $0 online commissions.
- Options, mutual funds, bonds, GICs and international trading access.
- CAD and USD non-registered and major Canadian registered accounts.
- Instant eligible RBC transfers plus external account transfers.
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.
Every detail we compared
Every tracked attribute for RBC Direct Investing and Wealthsimple, side by side.ShowHide
Every detail we compared
Every tracked attribute for RBC Direct Investing and Wealthsimple, side by side.| Attribute | ||
|---|---|---|
| Coverage & fit | ||
Asset types | StocksETFsOptionsMutual FundsBonds | StocksETFsOptions |
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 | RBC Direct Investing 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.
What you'll actually pay
Plans, billing, trials, and per-month pricing for both tools.ShowHide
What you'll actually pay
Plans, billing, trials, and per-month pricing for both tools.| Tier | ||
|---|---|---|
| Free plan | — | Free“Core self-directed brokerage” |
| Entry paid plan | — | CAD 10/mo“Core USD accounts” |
Questions we keep getting
What's the difference between RBC Direct Investing and Wealthsimple?
RBC 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 RBC 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 RBC Direct Investing and Wealthsimple cover?
Both cover stocks, ETFs, and options. RBC Direct Investing also handles mutual funds and bonds.
Can I export data from RBC 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 RBC 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.