What are the total fees for Wealthsimple Managed vs Questwealth in 2026?

Total cost = management fee + underlying ETF MERs. Wealthsimple Managed charges 0.40% management fee (under $100K) or 0.40% on Core; the underlying ETFs add roughly 0.10–0.20%, giving an all-in cost of about 0.50–0.60%. Questwealth charges 0.20–0.25% management fee plus ETF MERs of about 0.15–0.25%, for an all-in cost of roughly 0.35–0.50%. At $50,000, Questwealth saves you approximately $75–$100/year. At $250,000, the difference grows to $375–$500/year in your favour with Questwealth. Wealthsimple Generation (2M+) drops to 0.20% and becomes competitive again.

Which robo-advisor has better ETF selection — Wealthsimple or Questwealth?

Both use diversified all-in-one-style portfolios, but their approach differs. Wealthsimple builds portfolios using individual iShares, Vanguard, and BMO ETFs curated by their investment team. Questwealth uses primarily Questrade-branded ETFs and low-cost third-party funds. Wealthsimple offers more distinct portfolio options: Core (6 risk levels), Halal (Islamic finance screen), and SRI (socially responsible). Questwealth offers SRI portfolios as well, with an above-average number of ESG-screened options. For most investors, both provide adequate diversification. Wealthsimple's Halal portfolio is unique in Canada among robo-advisors.

Can I open an RESP at Wealthsimple Managed or Questwealth?

Both offer RESPs, but Questwealth has a stronger RESP offering. Questwealth provides target-date RESP portfolios that automatically shift from aggressive to conservative as your child approaches 18 — a feature that is genuinely useful for RESP subscribers who want hands-off management. Wealthsimple also offers RESPs but uses the same standard risk-level portfolio approach without automatic age-based glide path. For families prioritizing RESP management, Questwealth (or Justwealth, which specializes in RESPs) is typically the better choice. CESG and CLB grants are processed through both platforms.

Is Wealthsimple Managed or Questwealth better for beginners?

Wealthsimple wins for beginner experience. The app is extremely polished, the onboarding is guided and intuitive, customer support is accessible, and the brand is widely recognized in Canada. Questwealth is less slick but perfectly functional. For beginners depositing under $10,000, Wealthsimple's slightly higher fee is worth the better user experience. For beginners with $25,000–$50,000+ who are comfortable with a slightly less refined interface, Questwealth's lower fee becomes more meaningful and the switch may be worthwhile. Both have automatic rebalancing and dividend reinvestment.

What is the minimum investment for Wealthsimple Managed vs Questwealth?

Wealthsimple Managed has no minimum investment — you can open an account and deposit any amount. Questwealth requires a minimum of $1,000 to open an account. For investors just starting out with small contributions, Wealthsimple is the only option. For investors with at least $1,000 ready to deploy, both are accessible.

Wealthsimple vs Questwealth 2026: Canada's Two Largest Robo-Advisors Compared

Quick Comparison Summary

Feature	Wealthsimple Managed	Questwealth
Management fee	0.40–0.50% (Core)	0.20–0.25%
Underlying ETF MERs	~0.10–0.20%	~0.15–0.25%
All-in estimated cost	~0.50–0.60%	~0.35–0.50%
Minimum investment	$0	$1,000
Account types	TFSA, RRSP, FHSA, RESP, personal, joint, corporate	TFSA, RRSP, FHSA, RESP, personal, joint, corporate
SRI / ESG portfolios	Yes (SRI + Halal)	Yes (SRI)
Halal portfolio	✅ Yes	❌ No
RESP target-date glide path	❌ No	✅ Yes
Pure ETF auto-rebalancing	✅ Yes	✅ Yes
Dividend reinvestment	✅ Yes	✅ Yes
Human advisor access	✅ Yes (Generation tier)	✅ Yes ($250K+)
App quality	⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐	⭐⭐⭐⭐
Parent company	Wealthsimple (independent)	Questrade Financial Group

Fee Comparison at Different Portfolio Sizes

Portfolio Size	Wealthsimple Annual Cost	Questwealth Annual Cost	Annual Savings with Questwealth
$10,000	~$55	~$40	~$15
$25,000	~$138	~$100	~$38
$50,000	~$275	~$200	~$75
$100,000	~$550	~$400	~$150
$250,000	~$1,375	~$1,000	~$375
$500,000	~$2,750	~$2,000	~$750

Estimates based on management fee + average ETF MER. Actual costs vary by portfolio selection. Wealthsimple Generation (2M+) is 0.20% management fee and not shown.

ETF Portfolio Breakdown

Wealthsimple Core Portfolios

Risk Level	Equity %	Fixed Income %	Typical ETFs Used
Conservative	30%	70%	iShares XGRO / XCNS-type blend
Balanced	50%	50%	iShares, Vanguard, BMO mix
Growth	70%	30%	VCN, XUU, XEF, ZAG-type mix
Aggressive	90%	10%	Global equity tilt
All Equity	100%	0%	Broad market equities only

Questwealth Portfolios

Portfolio	Equity %	Fixed Income %	ETF Approach
Income	20%	80%	QFF + QFI Questrade ETFs + third party
Conservative	40%	60%	Balanced blend
Balanced	60%	40%	Standard diversified
Growth	80%	20%	Equity-tilted
Aggressive Growth	100%	0%	All equity; global diversification

Account Types Available

Account Type	Wealthsimple Managed	Questwealth
TFSA	✅	✅
RRSP	✅	✅
FHSA	✅	✅
RESP	✅	✅
RRIF	✅	✅
LIRA	✅	✅
Personal non-registered	✅	✅
Joint non-registered	✅	✅
Corporate	✅	✅

RESP Comparison

Feature	Wealthsimple Managed	Questwealth
RESP account available	✅ Yes	✅ Yes
Target-date glide path (age-based)	❌ No	✅ Yes
Shared family RESP	✅ Yes	✅ Yes
CESG grant processing	✅ Yes	✅ Yes
CLB (Canada Learning Bond)	✅ Yes	✅ Yes
ACES grant (AB)	✅ Yes	✅ Yes

SRI / Responsible Investing

Feature	Wealthsimple	Questwealth
ESG / SRI portfolios	✅ Yes (dedicated SRI portfolios)	✅ Yes (SRI portfolios)
Halal (Shariah-compliant)	✅ Yes — unique to Wealthsimple in Canada	❌ No
ESG ETF MER premium	+0.10–0.15% above core	+0.05–0.15% above core

Who Should Choose Each Robo-Advisor

Choose Wealthsimple Managed If…	Choose Questwealth If…
You’re a beginner who wants a polished app	You have $25,000+ and want to minimize fees
You want a Halal-compliant portfolio	You want a target-date RESP glide path
You have under $1,000 to start	You’re already a Questrade brokerage client
You value brand trust and easy UX	You’re comfortable with a slightly simpler interface
You want Wealthsimple Cash + Tax bundled	You want maximum cost efficiency
You plan to upgrade to Generation at $2M+	You don’t need the Wealthsimple ecosystem

The Verdict

At small balances (under $25,000), Wealthsimple’s better user experience and no minimum make it the practical choice — the fee difference is minimal in dollar terms. At $50,000+, Questwealth’s lower total cost becomes meaningful; a $75–$375 annual savings compounds significantly over decades. If you’re a Questrade self-directed client already, Questwealth is especially seamless since it integrates within the same platform.

Bottom line: Wealthsimple for beginners and ecosystem users. Questwealth for cost-focused investors with $25,000+.