Wealthsimple vs Netcoins: Which Canadian Crypto Exchange Is Better? (2026)

Who writes this: Every review on this site is written by Max Hamburger (pseudonym / sudo anon), an independent Canadian cryptocurrency researcher actively tracking and evaluating platforms since 2018.
How we test: We sign up for real accounts, deposit Canadian dollars ($CAD) via Interac e-Transfer, execute real trades to calculate true spread markups, and test withdrawal times to cold hardware wallets.
Affiliate disclosure: Some links are affiliate links. If you sign up through one, we may earn a commission at no cost to you. This never influences our ratings or fee math. Full disclosure.
Pricing accuracy: Fee schedules and spreads are manually verified against live Canadian order books. Check the verification date on each review for the last confirmed check. Editorial policy.

Comparing Wealthsimple and Netcoins — fees, regulation, supported coins, and which is better for Canadian crypto investors.

On this page

Both Wealthsimple and Netcoins are popular options for Canadians looking to buy and sell cryptocurrency. Here's how they compare on the metrics that matter most.

Direct Fee Comparison

Feature Wealthsimple Netcoins
Trading Spread ~1.50% - 2.00% (Core) / 0.50% (Generation) ~1.25% - 1.50%
Deposit (Interac) $0 $0
Crypto Withdrawal Network fee Network fee
Regulation Canadian Investment Regulatory Organization (CIRO) / CSA British Columbia Securities Commission (BCSC) / CSA Restricted Dealer
Best For Unified investing with stocks, ETFs, TFSA, RRSP, and crypto in one app Zero-fee CAD withdrawals and Netcoins Visa Bitcoin cashback card
Signup Bonus $25 CAD → $10 CAD →

Who Should Pick Wealthsimple?

Wealthsimple is best for unified investing with stocks, etfs, tfsa, rrsp, and crypto in one app. It's headquartered in Toronto, ON and has been operating since 2014.

Who Should Pick Netcoins?

Netcoins is best for zero-fee cad withdrawals and netcoins visa bitcoin cashback card. It's headquartered in Vancouver, BC and has been operating since 2014.

Final Recommendation

  • Choose Wealthsimple if you prioritize unified investing with stocks, etfs, tfsa, rrsp, and crypto in one app.
  • Choose Netcoins if you prioritize zero-fee cad withdrawals and netcoins visa bitcoin cashback card.

Looking for a different matchup?

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Frequently Asked Questions

Which has lower fees, Wealthsimple or Netcoins?

Wealthsimple charges a spread of ~1.50% - 2.00% (Core) / 0.50% (Generation). Netcoins charges ~1.25% - 1.50%. Compare the total cost including deposit and withdrawal fees for your specific purchase size.

Are Wealthsimple and Netcoins regulated in Canada?

Yes. Wealthsimple is Canadian Investment Regulatory Organization (CIRO) / CSA. Netcoins is British Columbia Securities Commission (BCSC) / CSA Restricted Dealer. Both are registered MSBs with FINTRAC.

Can I deposit Canadian dollars on both platforms?

Yes. Both Wealthsimple and Netcoins support free Interac e-Transfer deposits. Wealthsimple deposit fee: $0. Netcoins deposit fee: $0.

Which platform supports more cryptocurrencies?

Wealthsimple offers multiple cryptocurrencies. Netcoins offers multiple cryptocurrencies.