Updated September 28, 2026 · BrokerCue Editorial Team
Lime Financial vs Wealthsimple
What sets them apart
| Compare |  Lime Financial |  Wealthsimple |
|---|---|---|
| Minimum deposit | $30,000 | CA$0 |
| Stock trade fee | $0 | CA$0 |
| Markets | Stocks, ETFs, Options, Futures | Stocks, ETFs, Options, Crypto, FuturesCovers more |
| Margin rate | 12.5% | 3.95%Lower |
| Account types | IRA, Roth IRA, Joint, CorporateCovers more | Joint, Corporate |
| Account fee | Not confirmed | CA$0 |
| Regulators | FINRA, NFA | Not confirmed |
| Investor protection | SIPC up to USD 500,000 | Not confirmed |
| Options contract fee | Not confirmed | CA$0 |
| Platforms | Lime Trader, Lime Trader Web, Lime Trader Mobile, Lime Direct, Sterling, CQG, TakeProfit | Not confirmed |
| Interest on cash | Not confirmed | 1.25% |
We earn a commission when you sign up through links on this site. Partner status can affect where a brand appears in our rankings.
Key differences
- Wealthsimple scores higher overall: 9.4 vs 9.1.
- Margin rate is lower at Wealthsimple: 3.95% vs 12.5%.
- Markets: only Wealthsimple offers Crypto.
- Account types: only Lime Financial offers IRA, Roth IRA.
- Support channels: only Wealthsimple offers Chat.
- Features: only Lime Financial offers Options, Futures, Demo account.
- Features: only Wealthsimple offers Crypto, Fractional shares.
- Audience: only Lime Financial offers Day traders.
- Audience: only Wealthsimple offers Beginners.
Our verdict on each
Lime Financial
Lime Financial suits experienced traders and active day traders who want options and futures on a commission-free basis. Stock trades cost $0 and the account is regulated by FINRA and NFA with SIPC protection, but the account starts at $30,000, so the entry point is the trade-off.
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 | Lime Financial | Wealthsimple |
|---|---|---|
| Cost | 8.5Stock trades cost $0 and the model is commission-free, but opening requires $30,000, well past the €4.64 site median. | 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 | 9.6Higher | 9.2Managed portfolios charge 0.5% and start at CAD 1, with cash earning 1.25%. |
| Trust | 9.4 | Not confirmed |
Availability and regulation
| Country | Lime Financial | Wealthsimple |
|---|---|---|
| United States | FINRA 11826 | Not confirmed |
Where they rank in our lists
| Ranking | Lime Financial | Wealthsimple |
|---|---|---|
| Stock and ETF brokers | 109 of 490 | 53 of 490 |
| Options trading platforms | 41 of 103 | 17 of 103 |
| Futures trading platforms | 28 of 83 | 13 of 83 |
| Margin trading brokers | 14 of 22 | 8 of 22 |
What each covers
| Markets | Lime Financial | Wealthsimple |
|---|---|---|
| Stocks | Yes | Yes |
| ETFs | Yes | Yes |
| Options | Yes | Yes |
| Futures | Yes | Yes |
| Crypto | No | Yes |
| Account types | Lime Financial | Wealthsimple |
|---|---|---|
| IRA | Yes | No |
| Roth IRA | Yes | No |
| Joint | Yes | Yes |
| Corporate | Yes | Yes |
Also worth a look
Nexo has margin rate at 1.9%, against 12.5% for Lime Financial and 3.95% for Wealthsimple.
Nexo reviewEvery fact side by side
| Fact | Lime Financial | Wealthsimple |
|---|---|---|
| Features | Options, Futures, Demo account, Mobile app | Crypto, Fractional shares, Mobile app |
| Pricing model | Commission free | Commission free |
| Audience | Experienced, Day traders | Beginners, Experienced |
| Legal entity | Lime Trading Corp. | Wealthsimple Technologies Inc. |
| Headquarters | United States | Canada |
| Founded | 2000 | Not confirmed |
| Support channels | Email, Phone, Help centre | Chat, Email, Phone, Help centreCovers more |
Robo-advisors
| Fact | Lime Financial | 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 | Lime Financial | Wealthsimple | Median |
|---|---|---|---|
| Account fee | Not confirmed | CA$0below the median | CA$60 |
| Margin rate | 12.5%highest quarter | 3.95%lowest quarter | 8.79% |
| Options contract fee | Not confirmed | CA$0below the median | CA$0.90 |
| Interest on cash | Not confirmed | 1.25%lowest quarter | 3% |
Median across 34 listed brokers.
Pros and cons
Lime Financial
Pros
- Stock trades cost $0 on a commission-free model, so no per-trade charge
- Options and futures are available alongside stocks, etfs and options
- Regulated by FINRA and NFA, with investor protection of SIPC up to USD 500,000
Cons
- The minimum deposit of $30,000 puts Lime Financial beyond most starter accounts, ranking 210 of 213 on this measure
- Support runs on email, phone and help centre with no live chat 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
Lime Financial
Who it suits
- Experienced traders who want commission-free options and futures
- Day traders working across Lime Trader, Lime Trader Web and Lime Trader Mobile
- US accounts holders wanting SIPC protection
Who should look elsewhere
- Beginners building a first portfolio, who should look at CFI with a $0 entry point
- Small savers, who should compare Vantage at $5
- Readers wanting forex, CFDs or crypto, which sit outside stocks, etfs and options
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)
Country by country
| Country | Lime Financial | Wealthsimple |
|---|---|---|
| United States | Yes | No |
Questions about each
Lime Financial
What does it cost to trade stocks at Lime Financial?+
Stock trades cost $0, and the account runs on a commission-free model. There is no per-trade charge for equities. The catch is the entry requirement: a minimum deposit of $30,000 to open the account.
How much do I need to open an account?+
The minimum deposit is $30,000. That is a high bar for a first account, ranking 210 of 213 brands on this comparison. Readers with a smaller starting balance would be better served elsewhere.
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.
Other options to compare
Other matchups
- Lime Financial vs Nexo
- Lime Financial vs Angel One
- Lime Financial vs Interactive Brokers
- Lime Financial vs Fidelity
- Lime Financial vs Public
- Lime Financial vs JPMorgan Chase
- Lime Financial vs LYNX
- Lime Financial vs Mirae Asset Securities
- Lime Financial vs quantfury
- Lime Financial vs SogoTrade
- Wealthsimple vs eToro
- Lime Financial vs Robinhood
- Wealthsimple vs Empower Personal Dashboard
- Wealthsimple vs CapTrader
- Wealthsimple vs Lightyear