Wealthsimple Chequing Account: A free alternative to traditional chequing accounts (+ $25 cash back with this offer)

Wealthsimple is an investment management company founded in 2014 in Canada. It offers five different financial services: Wealthsimple managed investing, Wealthsimple Chequing, Wealthsimple Trade (formerly self-directed investing), Wealthsimple Crypto and Wealthsimple Tax.
Wealthsimple has since launched Wealthsimple Family to manage household finances.
Their recently enhanced Wealthsimple Chequing product offers a hybrid between a chequing account, a savings account and a prepaid Mastercard with rewards. Let’s explore its features in detail.

What is a Wealthsimple Chequing account?
The Wealthsimple chequing account is much more than just a bank account. It’s a comprehensive financial platform designed to simplify and optimize your money management. Whether you are managing your daily expenses, saving for short-term goals, or planning your long-term financial future, the Wealthsimple chequing account has everything you need.
For travellers, this account and its associated prepaid Mastercard represent an excellent option to avoid conversion fees on foreign currency expenses and to withdraw money from international ATMs at a lower cost.
Benefits of the Wealthsimple Chequing account
Traditional Chequing Account Features
With a Wealthsimple Chequing account, you can:
- Shop wherever Mastercard is accepted
- Receive direct deposits like your payroll
- Send and receive INTERAC e-transfers
- Pay your bills
- Pre-authorized debits (cell phone bills, for example)
- Automatically invest your paycheck
Plus, there’s no limit to the number of transactions you can make in a month. Deposits are insured by the Canada Deposit Insurance Corporation (CDIC) up to $1,000,000.
A High-Interest Savings Account
In addition to all the functions of a traditional chequing account, the Wealthsimple chequing account is also a high-interest savings account.
The interest rate offered in the Wealthsimple checking account varies between 1.25% and 2.25% annually. All clients receive a minimum of 1.25% interest, then may qualify for higher rates based on their assets under management across all their combined Wealthsimple accounts.
Here are the eligibility requirements for each Wealthsimple tier:
| Wealthsimple Level | Assets with Wealthsimple | Interest rate |
| Essential | Less than $100,000 | 1,25 % |
| Benefit | Between $100,000 and $499,999 | 1,75 % |
| Generation | More than $500,000 | 2,25 % |
These current rates are not promotional. They will remain as such until Wealthsimple decides to change them, in accordance with the recommendations and policy interest rate of the Bank of Canada.
Interest is calculated daily and deposited monthly (on the first day of the month) into your Wealthsimple Chequing account.
A Bonus for Direct Deposits
Since 2023, the interest rate is increased by 0.5% (up to a total rate of 2.25%) if you choose the Wealthsimple chequing account as the account for your direct deposits.
- Direct deposits can take many forms, such as a paycheck, pension, government income or others;
- To be eligible for the bonus, you must receive direct deposits totalling $2,000 over a 30-day period;
- The minimum amount can be reached in a single deposit or in several;
- This is not a limited-time promotion. The premium rate will remain in effect until Wealthsimple decides to withdraw it.
The offer is also valid for clients who already use the Wealthsimple chequing account to receive their direct deposits. Upon the next deposit, Wealthsimple will check if you have received more than $2,000 in the last 30 days and will automatically adjust the interest rate.

Wealthsimple Chequing Account for Travellers
When travelling outside Canada, the prepaid Mastercard offers valuable benefits.
Carte Mastercard prépayée Wealthsimple
Avec la Carte Mastercard prépayée de Wealthsimple, vous accédez à votre argent disponible sur votre compte-chèques Wealthsimple.
Avec cette offre de bienvenue, vous pouvez obtenir 25 $ de remise en argent en tant que nouveau client chez Wealthsimple. Pour cela, il vous suffit d’ouvrir un compte, puis d’y déposer au moins 1 $ dans les 30 jours.
Vous pouvez investir votre argent dans un compte d’investissement ou une cryptomonnaie de votre choix. Aussi, vous bénéficiez d’intérêts sur le solde de votre compte Wealthsimple chèques! Les clients Wealthsimple Génération peuvent obtenir un taux d’intérêt allant jusqu’à 2,25 %.
De plus, il n’y a aucuns frais sur vos opérations à l’étranger pour tout achat effectué dans une devise autre que le dollar canadien et aucuns frais annuels.
Free ATM Withdrawals
The Wealthsimple Prepaid Mastercard does not charge any fees for ATM withdrawals worldwide. Fees will be charged by the ATM provider (usually around $3 CAD), but Wealthsimple automatically reimburses them, with no maximum amount and no limit on the number of reimbursements, for clients who have a chequing account.
Unlike the Visa Wise prepaid card, there is no monthly limit on free withdrawals. ATM withdrawal limits are set at the equivalent of CAD $3,000 per day and CAD $10,000 per week.
The prepaid Mastercard is accepted worldwide, anywhere Mastercard is accepted. However, restrictions apply in certain countries. You will not be able to use the card in these destinations for either withdrawals or transactions. The full list of excluded countries can be found here.
For these locations, the Wise card is a good alternative for ATM withdrawals. Since both Wise and the Wealthsimple Chequing account are free cards, I signed up for both. In addition, I carry both cards in my travel wallet (in addition to my Scotiabank Passport Visa Infinite + Card) in case I lose one or one of my accounts is blocked. The perfect trio for travel!
How to Open a Wealthsimple Chequing Account
The features of the Wealthsimple chequing account are available in the mobile app and on the Wealthsimple website.
All account types with Wealthsimple are now unified in the same application with a single username and password. To open an account, you must be a Canadian resident, have reached the age of majority in your province and have a valid Canadian telephone number.
The process is fairly straightforward, and once you’ve created your Wealthsimple login and verified your e-mail address, you can open your first account. Verification of your phone number will also be required.


- Once your chequing account is open, you will have access to a virtual card to use with a virtual wallet (Apple Pay, Google Pay, Samsung Pay) and for online purchases.
- To receive a physical card, you must request one from the app or website. You will receive it by mail within 10 to 14 business days.

Conclusion
In summary, the Wealthsimple chequing account offers a complete and convenient financial solution, with a chequing account, a high-interest savings account, and a prepaid Mastercard.
It is a modern and fee-free option, ideal for all-in-one financial management, whether you travel or are looking to simplify your finances!
Wealthsimple Chequing Account Frequently Asked Questions
What is the Wealthsimple Chequing account?
The Wealthsimple Chequing account is an all-in-one financial platform that combines the features of a chequing account, a prepaid Mastercard, a high-interest savings account, and an investment solution. The mobile app aims to simplify everyday money management.
What fees are associated with the Wealthsimple Chequing account?
The Wealthsimple Chequing account does not charge monthly account fees, annual fees for the prepaid Mastercard, or fees for ATM withdrawals. However, potential charges apply for additional services such as instant transfers to external accounts.
Will the prepaid Mastercard affect my credit score?
No, prepaid Mastercard cards are Mastercard Debit cards. Card membership won’t « hit » your credit report, and spending won’t be reported to the credit bureaus either.
Does the Wealthsimple Chequing account charge conversion fees for foreign currency transactions?
No, the Wealthsimple Chequing account does not charge the usual 2.5% fee for foreign currency transactions. The amount will be converted into Canadian dollars at the Mastercard rate of the day.
Can I withdraw cash with my prepaid Mastercard?
Yes, you can use your prepaid Mastercard to withdraw cash at ATMs anywhere Mastercard is accepted. These transactions are free of charge on the Wealthsimple side, but the ATMs charge their own fees.
Can I make Interac transfers to other people?
Yes, the Wealthsimple Chequing account offers Interac e-Transfers and instant transfers to other Wealthsimple Chequing accounts. Registration is required.
Can I open a joint account?
Clients can open joint chequing accounts through the Wealthsimple mobile app, with a limit of up to 8 joint accounts per person.
How does the automatic savings option work?
The Roundup feature was discontinued as of April 11, 2025
Is the Wealthsimple Chequing account safe?
Yes, data security is a priority for Wealthsimple. Your personal and financial information is encrypted and protected according to the same security standards as all Canadian banks.
Is the Wealthsimple Chequing account available in all countries?
To open a Wealthsimple Chequing account, you must be a resident of Canada. You can use the Mastercard in most countries, except for the exceptions listed here.
Terms and conditions apply. For the most up-to-date product details, please visit Wealthsimple.com.
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