Updated September 29, 2026 · BrokerCue Editorial Team
Betterment vs Wealthsimple
What sets them apart
| Compare |  Betterment |  Wealthsimple |
|---|---|---|
| Management fee | 0.25%Lower | 0.5% |
| Minimum investment | $10 | CA$1 |
| Account types | IRA, Roth IRA | Joint, Corporate |
| Portfolio types | ETF, ESG, Cash, CryptoCovers more | ETF, Cash, Crypto |
| Regulators | U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) registered investment adviser, Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (FINRA) Betterment Securities broker dealer member, SIPC | Not confirmed |
| Investor protection | SIPC up to USD 500,000 | Not confirmed |
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Key differences
- Betterment scores higher overall: 9.6 vs 9.4.
- Management fee is lower at Betterment: 0.25% vs 0.5%.
- Account types: only Betterment offers IRA, Roth IRA.
- Account types: only Wealthsimple offers Joint, Corporate.
- Portfolio types: only Betterment offers ESG.
Our verdict on each
Betterment
Betterment suits US savers who want a robo-managed IRA with a flat, low management fee and SIPC cover. It charges a management fee of 0.25%, sits mid-table among robo-advisors on that fee, and offers only IRA and Roth IRA accounts, so UK and European readers may look elsewhere.
Wealthsimple
Wealthsimple serves Canadian beginners and experienced investors who want self-directed trading and managed portfolios in a single app. The minimum deposit is CAD 0, the stock trade fee is CAD 0 and the account fee is CAD 0, while the UK is not among its markets (stocks, etfs and options).
Score breakdown
| Area | Betterment | Wealthsimple |
|---|---|---|
| Cost | 9.3Management fee of 0.25% and no account fee, with a minimum investment of $10. | 9.6HigherMinimum deposit of CAD 0, stock trade fee of CAD 0, options contract fee of CAD 0 and account fee of CAD 0. |
| Offer | 9.7Higher | 9.2Managed portfolios charge 0.5% and start at CAD 1, with cash earning 1.25%. |
| Trust | 9.7 | Not confirmed |
Side by side, item by item
| Portfolio types | Betterment | Wealthsimple |
|---|---|---|
| ETF | Yes | Yes |
| ESG | Yes | No |
| Cash | Yes | Yes |
| Crypto | Yes | Yes |
| Account types | Betterment | Wealthsimple |
|---|---|---|
| IRA | Yes | No |
| Roth IRA | Yes | No |
| Joint | No | Yes |
| Corporate | No | Yes |
The bill, worked out
10,000 invested for a year
Betterment
25
0.25% of 10,000
Wealthsimple
50
0.5% of 10,000
Betterment comes out 25 lower in this example.
Worked out from the stated prices and rates; your own total depends on how you use it. Facts checked September 26, 2026.
Where these facts come from
Betterment
- betterment.com: 8 facts, checked September 26, 2026
- en.wikipedia.org: 1 fact, checked September 26, 2026
- sipc.org: 1 fact, checked September 26, 2026
Wealthsimple
- wealthsimple.com: 6 facts, checked September 26, 2026
- help.wealthsimple.com: 1 fact, checked September 26, 2026
How they place
| Ranking | Betterment | Wealthsimple |
|---|---|---|
| Stock and ETF brokers | 33 of 490 | 53 of 490 |
| Robo-advisors | 9 of 153 | 15 of 153 |
Every fact side by side
| Fact | Betterment | Wealthsimple |
|---|---|---|
| Legal entity | MTG LLC | Wealthsimple Technologies Inc. |
| Headquarters | United States | Canada |
| Founded | 2008 | Not confirmed |
| Support channels | Phone, Email, Chat, Help centre | Chat, Email, Phone, Help centre |
Brokers
| Fact | Betterment | Wealthsimple |
|---|---|---|
| Minimum deposit | $10 | CA$0 |
| Stock trade fee | Not confirmed | CA$0 |
| Account fee | $0 | CA$0 |
| Markets | Stocks, ETFs, Bonds | Stocks, ETFs, Options, Crypto, Futures |
| Features | Not confirmed | Crypto, Fractional shares, Mobile app |
| Pricing model | Not confirmed | Commission free |
| Audience | Not confirmed | Beginners, Experienced |
| Margin rate | Not confirmed | 3.95% |
| Options contract fee | Not confirmed | CA$0 |
| Deposit and withdrawal fees | No fees | Not confirmed |
| Interest on cash | 3.5%Higher | 1.25% |
Where each stands against the rest
| Fact | Betterment | Wealthsimple | Median |
|---|---|---|---|
| Management fee | 0.25%below the median | 0.5%above the median | 0.35% |
Median across 67 listed brokers.
Pros and cons
Betterment
Pros
- A management fee of 0.25% sits below the robo-advisor median of 0.35%
- An account fee of $0 and a deposit and withdrawal charge listed as No fees
- Covered by SIPC protection of SIPC up to USD 500,000
Cons
- Account types run only to ira and roth ira, so there is no taxable or ISA-style account for UK and European readers
- A management fee of 0.25% still ranks 18 of 49 brands, so cheaper robo-advisors exist
- Markets cover only stocks, etfs and bonds, with no forex, options or crypto trading
Wealthsimple
Pros
- Stock trade fee of CAD 0 on a commission-free model across self-directed accounts
- Minimum deposit of CAD 0, so an account opens with a small sum
- Managed portfolios charge a management fee of 0.5% and start at CAD 1
Cons
- The UK and Europe are not among its markets (stocks, etfs and options), so a reader there would need a different broker
- Managed portfolios carry a management fee of 0.5% on top of CAD 0 self-directed trades
- Margin is available at a margin rate of 3.95%, which amplifies losses on a levered position
Who each suits
Betterment
Who it suits
- US savers who want a robo-managed IRA or Roth IRA
- People starting small, with a minimum investment of $10
- Investors who want automated portfolios of etf, esg and cash
Who should look elsewhere
- UK and European readers, since account types cover only ira and roth ira
- Active traders wanting forex, options or crypto beyond the stocks, etfs and bonds it lists
- Anyone seeking a management fee of 0% as at eToro
Wealthsimple
Who it suits
- Canadian beginners putting money away in a managed portfolio
- Canadian investors buying fractional shares in a mobile app
- Experienced traders wanting stocks, ETFs, options, crypto and futures in a single account
Who should look elsewhere
- UK or EU readers, who should look at CFI, eToro or Vantage instead
- Traders who want a forex and CFD range, since stocks, etfs and options omits both
- Anyone seeking an ISA, SIPP or similar tax-sheltered wrapper, since neither is among its account types (joint and corporate)
Current offers
Betterment
Current offer
Bonus
Invest and earn up to $2,000: up to $2,000
Terms apply; new customers only; open any individual investing account and make a deposit
Source, checked September 26, 2026
Bonus
0.75% APY boost on Cash Reserve: 0.75% APY boost, 4.25% variable APY on balances up to $1M
New clients with a qualifying deposit; guaranteed through February 15; base variable APY 3.50% as of 9/21/2026; $10 min deposit for base APY
Source, checked September 26, 2026
Discount code
Discounted mortgage rate through Rate partnership: up to 0.75% off
Via partnership with Rate; terms apply
Source, checked September 26, 2026
Country by country
| Country | Betterment | Wealthsimple |
|---|---|---|
| United States | Yes | No |
Questions about each
Betterment
How much does Betterment charge to manage my money?+
The annual management fee is 0.25%, taken as a percentage of the portfolio. That sits below the robo-advisor median of 0.35%, and Betterment ranks 18 of 49 brands on this measure. There is no separate account charge, listed as $0.
Is my money protected if Betterment fails?+
Stated protection is SIPC up to USD 500,000, and Betterment appears on the SIPC member register as SIPC member 51906. The cover applies to cash in the brokerage account if the broker-dealer fails, and the legal entity named is MTG LLC. Portfolio market values are not protected by the scheme.
Wealthsimple
What does it cost to trade stocks at Wealthsimple?+
The stock trade fee is CAD 0 and the account fee is CAD 0. Options contracts carry a fee of CAD 0. Cash earns interest of 1.25%. Managed portfolios are the part that still charges, at a management fee of 0.5%.
Is there a minimum deposit or account fee?+
The minimum deposit is CAD 0 and the account fee is CAD 0, so opening an account costs nothing. Managed portfolios ask for a minimum investment of CAD 1. Brands across the site typically ask €4.64 to start.
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