---
title: Wealthsimple vs Qtrade (2026) Review
description: Compare Wealthsimple and Qtrade for Canadian investors in 2026. See fees, features, safety, pros & cons, and which is best for you.
---

*Updated for 2026 • Qtrade vs Wealthsimple*

# Wealthsimple vs. Qtrade

Compare Wealthsimple and Qtrade for Canadian investors in 2026. See fees, features, safety, pros & cons, and which is best for you.

**Referral Code**: HODMTG — [Get $25 Bonus](https://www.wealthsimple.com/invite/HODMTG)

## About

### About Wealthsimple
I use Wealthsimple for the $0 commissions, fractional shares, and the integrated Cash account and tax tool — it keeps everything in one place, which I really appreciate. It's not the most advanced platform, but it fits my style.

### About Qtrade
Qtrade came up in my research as one of the most well-regarded Canadian brokerages for customer service. From what I could find, it offers $0 commissions on stocks/ETFs too, but with a $1,000 minimum and no fractional shares. The research tools and portfolio analytics seem much more in-depth. As always, check qtrade.ca for the most up-to-date info.

## Comparison Table

| Feature | Wealthsimple | Qtrade |
| :--- | :--- | :--- |
| **Commission** | $0 on stocks/ETFs | $0 on stocks/ETFs |
| **Options** | $0.75–$2 USD/contract | $8.75 + $1.25/contract |
| **FX Fees** | 1.5% (waived with USD account) | ~1.5% (USD accounts available) |
| **Min Deposit** | $0 | $1,000 |
| **Platforms** | Mobile, Web | Web, Mobile |
| **Fractional Shares** | Yes (500+ stocks/ETFs) | No |
| **Account Types** | Personal, TFSA, RRSP, RESP, USD, more | Personal, TFSA, RRSP, RESP, USD, more |
| **Research Tools** | Basic charts, watchlists | Advanced screeners, research, portfolio analytics |
| **Safety** | CIRO regulated, CIPF up to $1M | CIRO regulated, CIPF up to $1M |
| **Support** | Chat, email, phone (priority for Premium) | Phone, chat, email (award-winning) |
| **Unique Features** | Robo-advisor, Cash account, Tax, Fractional shares | Portfolio analytics, research tools, strong support |

## 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 2026)

### Qtrade Pros
- $0 commissions on stocks/ETFs (based on my research — verify at qtrade.ca)
- Award-winning customer service — consistently high ratings
- Advanced research & portfolio analytics
- USD accounts available for all account types
- Strong educational resources

### Qtrade Cons
- $1,000 minimum deposit (verify current terms at qtrade.ca)
- No fractional shares (as far as I could find)
- Options fees appear higher than Wealthsimple
- Platform feels less modern in my opinion

## Who Should Choose Which?

### Choose Wealthsimple if...
- You want everything in one place — investing, a Cash account, and tax filing — with no minimums and $0 commissions. That's the main reason I chose Wealthsimple.
- Also a great fit if you're newer to investing and want a clean, simple app.

### Choose Qtrade if...
- From my research, Qtrade is a great fit if you value customer service and portfolio analytics above all else — it consistently wins awards for that.
- Also worth considering if USD account access is important to you. Always confirm current fees on qtrade.ca.

## Ready to Start Investing?

Open a Wealthsimple account today and get a $25 bonus when you fund your account using our referral code.

[Open Wealthsimple Account](https://www.wealthsimple.com/invite/HODMTG)

**Referral Code**: `HODMTG`