Updated September 28, 2026 · BrokerCue Editorial Team
Vanguard vs Wealthsimple
Where Vanguard and Wealthsimple differ
| Compare |  Vanguard |  Wealthsimple |
|---|---|---|
| Minimum deposit | $0 | CA$0 |
| Stock trade fee | $0 | CA$0 |
| Account fee | $20 | CA$0 |
| Markets | Stocks, ETFs, Options, Bonds, Funds | Stocks, ETFs, Options, Crypto, Futures |
| Options contract fee | $1 | CA$0 |
| Account types | IRA, Roth IRA, Joint | Joint, Corporate |
| Margin rate | Not confirmed | 3.95% |
| Interest on cash | Not confirmed | 1.25% |
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Key differences
- Wealthsimple scores higher overall: 9.4 vs 9.1.
- Markets: only Vanguard offers Bonds, Funds.
- Markets: only Wealthsimple offers Crypto, Futures.
- Account types: only Vanguard offers IRA, Roth IRA.
- Account types: only Wealthsimple offers Corporate.
- Audience: only Wealthsimple offers Experienced.
Our verdict on each
Vanguard
Vanguard suits beginner US investors who want straightforward retirement investing without a trading bill, with stock trades at $0 and a minimum deposit of $0. The catch is an account fee of $20, plus $1 for every options contract traded.
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 | Vanguard | Wealthsimple |
|---|---|---|
| Cost | 8.9Stock trades cost $0 and the minimum deposit is $0, but the account itself carries an account fee of $20. | 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 | 9.5Higher | 9.2Managed portfolios charge 0.5% and start at CAD 1, with cash earning 1.25%. |
Side by side, item by item
| Markets | Vanguard | Wealthsimple |
|---|---|---|
| Stocks | Yes | Yes |
| ETFs | Yes | Yes |
| Options | Yes | Yes |
| Futures | No | Yes |
| Crypto | No | Yes |
| Bonds | Yes | No |
| Funds | Yes | No |
| Account types | Vanguard | Wealthsimple |
|---|---|---|
| IRA | Yes | No |
| Roth IRA | Yes | No |
| Joint | Yes | Yes |
| Corporate | No | Yes |
Which one suits you
Pick Vanguard if offer matter most.
Pick Wealthsimple if cost matter most.
Where these facts come from
Vanguard
- investor.vanguard.com: 7 facts, checked September 26, 2026
- investguiding.com: 2 facts, checked September 26, 2026
- vanguard.com: 1 fact, checked September 26, 2026
Wealthsimple
- wealthsimple.com: 13 facts, checked September 26, 2026
- help.wealthsimple.com: 1 fact, checked September 26, 2026
How they place
| Ranking | Vanguard | Wealthsimple |
|---|---|---|
| Stock and ETF brokers | 128 of 471 | 62 of 471 |
| Options trading platforms | 46 of 103 | 18 of 103 |
| Brokers for beginners | 34 of 88 | 21 of 88 |
| Robo-advisors | 46 of 151 | 16 of 151 |
Every fact side by side
| Fact | Vanguard | Wealthsimple |
|---|---|---|
| Features | Not confirmed | Crypto, Fractional shares, Mobile app |
| Pricing model | Commission free | Commission free |
| Audience | Beginners | Beginners, ExperiencedCovers more |
| Legal entity | The Vanguard Group, Inc. | Wealthsimple Technologies Inc. |
| Headquarters | United States | Canada |
| Support channels | Not confirmed | Chat, Email, Phone, Help centre |
Robo-advisors
| Fact | Vanguard | Wealthsimple |
|---|---|---|
| Management fee | Not confirmed | 0.5% |
| Minimum investment | Not confirmed | CA$1 |
| Portfolio types | ETF | ETF, Cash, CryptoCovers more |
Where each stands against the rest
| Fact | Vanguard | Wealthsimple | Median |
|---|---|---|---|
| Margin rate | Not confirmed | 3.95%lowest quarter | 8.75% |
| Interest on cash | Not confirmed | 1.25%lowest quarter | 3% |
Median across 43 listed brokers.
Pros and cons
Vanguard
Pros
- Stock trades cost $0 and the account opens at $0, so entry costs nothing
- stocks, etfs and options covers the range most long term investors need in one place
- Account types include ira, roth ira and joint, which suits retirement saving
Cons
- An account fee of $20 applies to the account whatever the trade volume
- Options cost $1 per contract against $0 for stock trades
- Forex, crypto and CFDs are not among its stocks, etfs and options
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
Vanguard
Who it suits
- Beginners building a retirement pot in the US
- Investors holding funds and ETFs alongside individual stocks
- Anyone who accepts an account fee to keep trading costs low
Who should look elsewhere
- Day traders who want no account fee, since eToro charges $0
- Traders wanting forex, crypto or CFDs alongside shares, which CFI lists in stocks, etfs and forex
- Anyone put off by an opening balance, since Vantage requires $5 where Vanguard asks $0
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
Vanguard
What does it cost to buy shares at Vanguard?+
Buying shares costs $0, and the account opens at a minimum deposit of $0. The running cost is an account fee of $20 rather than a charge on each trade, so frequent trading does not add commission.
Is there an account fee?+
There is. The account fee is $20, and it is the main ongoing cost here. Investors who expect to hold rather than trade repeatedly can absorb it, while active traders would feel it more on smaller balances.
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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