Updated September 28, 2026 · BrokerCue Editorial Team
CapTrader vs Wealthsimple
What sets them apart
| Compare |  CapTrader |  Wealthsimple |
|---|---|---|
| Minimum deposit | $2,000 | CA$0 |
| Stock trade fee | $2 | CA$0 |
| Account fee | $0 | CA$0 |
| Markets | Stocks, ETFs, Forex, CFDs, Options, Futures, Crypto, Bonds, FundsCovers more | Stocks, ETFs, Options, Crypto, Futures |
| Options contract fee | €2 | CA$0 |
| Inactivity fee | $0 | Not confirmed |
| Margin rate | Not confirmed | 3.95% |
| Deposit and withdrawal fees | Free withdrawal, bank transfer deposits | Not confirmed |
| Platforms | Trader Workstation TWS, CapTrader Desktop, Trading App | Not confirmed |
| Account types | Not confirmed | Joint, Corporate |
| Interest on cash | Not confirmed | 1.25% |
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Key differences
- Wealthsimple scores higher overall: 9.4 vs 8.9.
- Markets: only CapTrader offers Forex, CFDs, Bonds.
- Support channels: only Wealthsimple offers Chat, Email, Phone.
- Features: only CapTrader offers Demo account.
- Features: only Wealthsimple offers Crypto.
- Pricing model: only CapTrader offers Low fees.
- Pricing model: only Wealthsimple offers Commission free.
Our verdict on each
CapTrader
CapTrader suits experienced traders who want stocks, forex, CFDs, options, futures, crypto, bonds and funds under one roof with no account or inactivity fee. The catch is the entry size: a minimum deposit of $2,000 puts it out of reach for a small first account.
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 | CapTrader | Wealthsimple |
|---|---|---|
| Cost | 8.7Account fee and inactivity fee of $0 and $0 set against a $2,000 entry and $2 a trade. | 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 | 9.2 | 9.2Managed portfolios charge 0.5% and start at CAD 1, with cash earning 1.25%. |
Side by side, item by item
| Markets | CapTrader | Wealthsimple |
|---|---|---|
| Stocks | Yes | Yes |
| ETFs | Yes | Yes |
| Forex | Yes | No |
| CFDs | Yes | No |
| Options | Yes | Yes |
| Futures | Yes | Yes |
| Crypto | Yes | Yes |
| Bonds | Yes | No |
| Funds | Yes | No |
How they place
| Ranking | CapTrader | Wealthsimple |
|---|---|---|
| Stock and ETF brokers | 17 of 490 | 53 of 490 |
| Options trading platforms | 3 of 103 | 17 of 103 |
| Futures trading platforms | 4 of 83 | 13 of 83 |
Where these facts come from
CapTrader
- captrader.com: 7 facts, checked September 26, 2026
- brokerchooser.com: 4 facts, checked September 26, 2026
Wealthsimple
- wealthsimple.com: 13 facts, checked September 26, 2026
- help.wealthsimple.com: 1 fact, checked September 26, 2026
Every fact side by side
| Fact | CapTrader | Wealthsimple |
|---|---|---|
| Features | Demo account, Mobile app, Fractional shares | Crypto, Fractional shares, Mobile app |
| Pricing model | Low fees | Commission free |
| Audience | Not confirmed | Beginners, Experienced |
| Legal entity | Not confirmed | Wealthsimple Technologies Inc. |
| Headquarters | Not confirmed | Canada |
| Support channels | Help centre | Chat, Email, Phone, Help centreCovers more |
Robo-advisors
| Fact | CapTrader | Wealthsimple |
|---|---|---|
| Management fee | Not confirmed | 0.5% |
| Minimum investment | Not confirmed | CA$1 |
| Portfolio types | Not confirmed | ETF, Cash, Crypto |
Where each stands against the rest
| Fact | CapTrader | Wealthsimple | Median |
|---|---|---|---|
| Inactivity fee | $0at the median | Not confirmed | $0 |
| Margin rate | Not confirmed | 3.95%lowest quarter | 8.79% |
| Interest on cash | Not confirmed | 1.25%lowest quarter | 3% |
Median across 36 listed brokers.
Pros and cons
CapTrader
Pros
- A single account covers stocks, etfs and forex, so instruments do not need splitting across brokers.
- Platform choice of Trader Workstation TWS, CapTrader Desktop and Trading App covers desktop terminals and mobile trading.
- Trading costs read plainly: $2 a stock trade and €2 an options contract.
Cons
- Minimum deposit of $2,000 ranks 197 of 213 on our data, against $0 at CFI and $5 at Vantage.
- Stock trade fee of $2 ranks 124 of 161, while eToro charges $0 a trade.
- Support runs on help centre only, with no phone or chat channel listed.
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
CapTrader
Who it suits
- Traders running a mixed book of stocks, etfs and forex rather than one narrow market.
- Anyone who dislikes dormant account charges, with an inactivity fee of $0.
- Desktop users who prefer the Trader Workstation TWS or CapTrader Desktop over a simple app.
Who should look elsewhere
- Small first-time accounts: CFI starts at $0 and Vantage at $5, well below CapTrader's $2,000.
- Cost-first stock buyers: eToro charges $0 a trade against CapTrader's $2.
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)
Questions about each
CapTrader
What is the minimum deposit?+
The minimum deposit is $2,000, which is the main hurdle for a first account. On our data that places CapTrader at 197 of 213. CFI takes $0 and Vantage $5, so a smaller start is easy elsewhere.
Are there account or inactivity fees?+
Neither applies. The account fee is $0 and the inactivity fee is $0, so leaving money untouched does not trigger a charge. CapTrader ranks 1 of 138 on account fee and 1 of 56 on inactivity fee.
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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