Canada’s two biggest modern investing platforms are stepping into 2026 with ambition.

Wealthsimple, the scale powerhouse with 3M+ users and strong brand affinity among younger investors.
Questrade, the veteran disruptor with deep trading DNA that’s also about to enter banking on the back of their recently approved license.

Over the last few weeks, both companies held major product showcases:

Wealthsimple: Upgraded Active Trader experience + an upcoming AI research dashboard: natural-language stock screening, market-driver summaries, pattern detection.
Questrade: Questrade Pro, a new advanced browser platform with 1-second candles, pro-grade charting, and built-in AI analysis.
👉 Takeaway: Wealthsimple is leaning into research intelligence; Questrade is leaning into pro-level execution.

Wealthsimple: $0 stock/ETF commissions, $0 options commissions (first in Canada), Tight-spread CAD↔USD conversions with integrated Norbert’s Gambit.
Questrade: Newly launched $0 commissions for stock/ETF trades, Options priced as low as $0/contract (volume-rebated, not universally free).
👉 Takeaway: Wealthsimple is attacking on fees. Questrade is catching up on equities pricing.

Wealthsimple: Roadmap for secured puts, spreads, iron condors/butterflies.
Questrade: First in Canada to allow cash-secured puts inside registered accounts.
👉 Takeaway: Wealthsimple is building a broad options strategy suite; Questrade secured a tax advantage with registered account option access.

Wealthsimple: ‘Direct Indexing’ with automated tax-loss harvesting, Automatic rebalancing built into managed portfolios, “Mutual Fund Exchange” to migrate legacy MF holdings into low-fee alternatives.
Questrade: ‘Custom Indexing’ for personalized ETF-style tracking, Dedicated rebalancing tool integrated with DRIP & recurring buys.
👉 Takeaway: Wealthsimple is ahead today on tax optimization + automation. Questrade is positioning for hyper-personalization.

Wealthsimple: ‘Summit Portfolio’ with private equity + private credit, 24/7 gold trading from $1, redeemable as minted coins.
Questrade: 2026 rollout of private equity, private credit & pre-IPO access, Quest Metals: fractional gold from $5, stored at the Royal Canadian Mint.
👉 Takeaway: Both are expanding beyond public markets and financial assets.

Wealthsimple: New advisor-led wealth management tier (from $100k AUM), ‘Retirement Accelerator’: low-interest loans to front-load RRSP contributions.
Questrade: No new wealth-management layer announced; continues to offer Questwealth managed portfolios.
👉 Takeaway: Wealthsimple is building a full-stack wealth OS. Questrade is doubling down on self-directed + pro tools.

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