★ BEST INVESTING TOOLS COMPARISON ★
VOL. XCIV, NO. 247
Tool details checked August 23, 2026
Tool Comparison
Vanguard Brokerage vs Wealthsimple
Pick Vanguard Brokerage if
Vanguard Brokerage
Transaction-priced · Fees vary by offer and jurisdiction · Web · Mobile
Pick Wealthsimple if
Wealthsimple
Transaction-priced · Fees vary by offer and jurisdiction · Web · Mobile
- You care about options, something Vanguard Brokerage doesn't offer
Skip both if: Neither one clicks with how you research; there are strong third options.
See alternativesOutbound links may include affiliate or sponsor codes.
Our take
The bottom line
Vanguard Brokerage and Wealthsimple cover a lot of the same ground (4 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
Vanguard Brokerage
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Wealthsimple
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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 | 4 | 5 |
Regions | North America | North America |
| Try it | Visit Vanguard Brokerage | Visit Wealthsimple |
Where each one shines
What Vanguard Brokerage and Wealthsimple each do best.ShowHide
Where each one shines
What Vanguard Brokerage and Wealthsimple each do best.What Vanguard Brokerage does best
- Individual, joint, IRA, custodial, education, trust, estate, and eligible organization accounts.
- Vanguard and third-party mutual funds, ETFs, stocks, options, Treasuries, bonds, and brokered CDs.
- Dollar-based Vanguard ETF investing from $1 and recurring investment workflows.
- Choice of Vanguard Cash Deposit or VMFXX as the brokerage settlement option.
- Web and mobile portfolio administration, statements, tax forms, beneficiaries, and 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 Vanguard Brokerage and Wealthsimple, side by side.ShowHide
Every detail we compared
Every tracked attribute for Vanguard Brokerage and Wealthsimple, side by side.| Attribute | ||
|---|---|---|
| Coverage & fit | ||
Asset types | StocksETFsOptionsBondsMutual Funds | StocksETFsOptionsCommodities |
Experience | BeginnerIntermediateAdvanced | BeginnerIntermediateAdvanced |
Regions | North America | North America |
Coverage details | Identifiers: Ticker and CUSIP | Countries: CAIdentifiers: Ticker |
| Access & integrations | ||
Export formats | CSVPDF | CSVPDF |
| Plans & trust | ||
Vendor & support | Vanguard Marketing CorporationCountry: United StatesSupport: Phone | 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 Vanguard Brokerage and Wealthsimple?
Vanguard Brokerage leans toward brokerage, portfolio, and watchlist, while Wealthsimple puts more weight on brokerage, portfolio, and watchlist. They overlap in 4 categories, so for most people it comes down to workflow preference and price.
How much do Vanguard Brokerage 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.
Should I choose Vanguard Brokerage or Wealthsimple?
It depends on what you're after. Pick Vanguard Brokerage if you prefer its overall approach; go with Wealthsimple if you'd rather have options. And if you only need the basics both share, let price decide.
What asset classes do Vanguard Brokerage and Wealthsimple cover?
Both cover stocks, ETFs, and options. Vanguard Brokerage also handles bonds and mutual funds. Wealthsimple adds commodities on top.
Can I export data from Vanguard Brokerage and Wealthsimple?
Yes, both export to spreadsheets (CSV), which is handy if you like running your own numbers.
Can I track my portfolio with Vanguard Brokerage 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.