Wealthsimple vs CI Direct Investing (2026): Robo-Advisor Fee Structures Compared

Wealthsimple’s managed investing and CI Direct Investing charge their management fees in different ways: Wealthsimple applies one rate to your whole balance based on your tier, while CI Direct charges each layer of your balance at its own rate (0.60% on the first $150,000, 0.40% on the next $350,000). This match-up looks at what that means at different balances, and at the portfolios, advice and accounts each offers. The wider field is in the robo-advisor comparison, and self-directed alternatives in the online broker comparison.

Management fees at different balances

Management fee only; fund MERs apply on top. The Wealthsimple column assumes the account is your whole Wealthsimple balance.

The CI Direct figures add up each layer: at $200,000, 0.60% of $150,000 plus 0.40% of $50,000. Wealthsimple’s Generation rate falls as assets grow, from 0.4% at $500,000 to 0.2% at $10,000,000, and Wealthsimple does not publish the steps in between, so the table shows the 0.4% figure as a ceiling. The robo-advisor fee comparison adds the other providers.

Portfolios

CI Direct Investing offers ETF portfolios from safety to aggressive, private investment portfolios and impact portfolios, and publishes the MER of each. Wealthsimple offers Classic, Summit and Income portfolios; its Summit portfolios add a private-markets allocation. Both therefore offer some private-market exposure inside a managed account, and either suits an investor who wants a simple ETF portfolio.

Accounts and advice

Both offer TFSAs, RRSPs, RESPs and non-registered accounts; confirm FHSA, RRIF and other account types with each. CI Direct Investing says its management fee includes access to advice from a Certified Financial Planner professional. Wealthsimple offers financial planning and advice through its advisors, with the level of service depending on your tier. Ask each what is included at your balance.

Which fits

The deciding factors here are balance size and portfolio type. Below Wealthsimple’s Premium threshold, compare 0.5% against CI Direct’s 0.60% first layer; at larger balances, work out CI Direct’s layered total for your exact amount, as in the table above. An investor set on CI’s impact or private investment portfolios specifically will lean to CI Direct Investing, while one who also wants chequing, self-directed trading and crypto from the same company will lean to Wealthsimple.

If the lowest management fee is the priority, Wealthsimple vs Questwealth and the Questwealth Portfolios review cover that option.