Fortunly's Guide
Advertiser Disclosure

Best Investment Apps in Canada

Written By
G. Dautovic
Updated
December 01,2024
Some or all of the products/services listed on this page are from our affiliate partners from which we receive commissions. This, however, does not influence the evaluations in our reviews. Learn more by reading our Advertiser Disclosure.

If you're looking for a bit of help managing your finances, you're in luck. There are a number of great apps available that can make it easy to keep track of your money and make the most of your investments.

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Best Investment Apps in Canada for December 2024

Moka Logo

Moka

4 stars Our Rating

Fortunly's Rating: Our editorial team determines the rating based on a set of evaluation criteria developed for each product and service category.

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Fees: $15/month
Account type: Automated
Security: 256-bit SSL/TSL encryption, funds ensured through custodian Fidelity Canada Clearing
Available on: iOS, Android
Customer support: Live chat, email, help center, social media
KEY FACTS
REVIEW
PROS & CONS
  • Automatic round-up investing system
  • Fully managed diversified portfolios
  • Personalized financial advice with Moka 360
Wealthsimple Invest Logo

Wealthsimple Invest

4.5 stars Our Rating

Fortunly's Rating: Our editorial team determines the rating based on a set of evaluation criteria developed for each product and service category.

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Fees: 0.4-0.5% management fee
Account type: Automated
Security: 256-bit SSL/TLS encryption, two-step verification, cloud backup, CIPF coverage up to $1m
Available on: Web, iOS, Android
Customer support: Live chat, email, phone
KEY FACTS
REVIEW
PROS & CONS
  • Automatic rebalancing, contributions, and dividend reinvestment
  • Tax-loss harvesting
  • One-click trades
Wealthica Logo

Wealthica

4 stars Our Rating

Fortunly's Rating: Our editorial team determines the rating based on a set of evaluation criteria developed for each product and service category.

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Fees: $0, paid add-ons
Account type: Portfolio-tracking
Security: 256-bit SSL/TSL encryption, 2FA, PIPEDA and GDPR compliance
Available on: Web, iOS, Android
Customer support: Live chat, email
KEY FACTS
REVIEW
PROS & CONS
  • Real-time net worth, asset, and liability tracking
  • Excellent features for those investing in cryptocurrencies
  • Bonus features through Wealthica “power-ups”
Passiv Logo

Passiv

4.5 stars Our Rating

Fortunly's Rating: Our editorial team determines the rating based on a set of evaluation criteria developed for each product and service category.

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Fees: Free Community User plan, $99 per year Elite Member premium membership
Account type: Portfolio-tracking
Security: Secure delegated account access through OAuth, industry-standard SSL encryption
Available on: Web platform only
Customer support: Email only
KEY FACTS
REVIEW
PROS & CONS
  • Multi-account portfolios
  • Goal tracking
  • Account cash management
Quick Breakdown

Top Investment Apps in Canada - Our Picks for 2024:

  • Moka - Best for reinvesting spare change

  • Wealthsimple Invest -  Best for robo-advisor investing

  • Wealthica - Best for comprehensive portfolio tracking

  • Passiv - Best for portfolio rebalancing

Evaluation Criteria

How We Evaluate Canadian Investing Apps

There are a lot of apps out there, so it can be hard to know which one is right for you by just skimming over their website. Below are the things we look for when assessing each investing app.

Price & Fees

Some apps may be free to use, while others may charge a monthly or annual subscription fee.

You may also have to deal with per-trade fees, which can add up if you're an active investor, or minimum deposits for investing. In this roundup, we compare the costs and fees of each app so you can get a better idea of how much it will cost you.

App Features

You need to ensure that the app you choose offers the investment options you're looking for. As we’ll explain in more detail later, investing apps come in many forms, and depending on what you’re looking for, you’ll want to check out certain specific products. 

For example, some apps allow direct investments, while others make automated investments for you.

Some will allow you to create different account types (like RRSP, TFSA, or RESP) for direct investments, while others will simply help manage and track your existing portfolio or create a new one.

Availability & Ease of Use

Some trading apps are more user-friendly than others. If you're not comfortable using an application, or it makes the act of trading and monitoring your investments too complicated, it's best to look for alternatives.

By the same token, you’ll want to ensure that your app of choice is available on your operating system. In our roundup, we review the overall usability of each app and mention which operating systems it supports.

Security, Insurance & Regulation

When you're dealing with money, security and insurance are essential. We reviewed each app’s security options, such as two-factor authentication, biometrics, and encryption protocols.  

Not all apps allow for direct investments, but if they do, you need to know whether they have means of insuring user funds. As part of our reviews, we also look into the fund insurance of select products and determine whether and how the funds are insured.

Another factor we looked into is regulatory compliance. Any app that allows users to invest directly through it should be regulated by the Investment Industry Regulatory Organization of Canada (IIROC).

Customer Service

If you have any problems with the app, you'll want to be able to get help from customer support promptly. In our reviews, we look at the availability of the customer service team (24/7 or on a specified timetable) and take note of the methods you can use to contact the customer support team (email, phone, live chat, etc.)

A Short Guide to Investment Apps

Before you can decide which app to go for, you should first have a better understanding of what investment applications are for and how they work. To keep things simple, we can split apps that help investors into three broad categories: automated investment apps, self-directed investment apps, and portfolio trackers.

Automated Investment Apps

The simplest type of app and one most well-suited for beginner investors, these are sometimes also called robo-advisors. These apps help investors by considering their individual investment goals and risk tolerance and using automated algorithms to help make the best investments.

They can sometimes be mixed with the services of live financial advisors. Still, the main point is that all (or most) investment processes, including tax-loss harvesting, are handled for the user automatically. One example on our list would be Wealthsimple Invest.

Self-Directed Investment Apps

If you’re a more advanced investor and would like to find a stock investment app that offers a more hands-on experience, this category of apps is perfect for you.

This approach provides unmatched flexibility but also comes with more risks, as you’ll be solely responsible for everything from investment planning and research to rebalancing and tax-loss harvesting.

Portfolio Trackers

This last category is very different from the previous two. While both automated and self-directed investment apps primarily focus on the actual investment process, portfolio trackers are more interested in investment, risk, and portfolio management. 

The best feature of these apps is the ability to put all your different account types (bank, investment, trading) into one easily digestible feed that essentially shows you your net worth and gives you an overall picture of your financial health and assets.

FAQ

What is an investment app?

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This type of app helps people invest or manage and follow the performance of their investments. These apps can also provide tips on investing and allow users to set up alerts to track changes on the market.

Do investing apps really work?

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Yes, absolutely. That said, there are many options on the market, so it’s essential to do your research and have a clear idea of what you need before settling on one. Consider what you want to achieve with your investments, how much risk you’re willing to take on, and what fees you’re comfortable paying.