EQ Bank vs Tangerine: Which Is the Best Online Bank?

Updated May 8, 2026
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Marie-Ève Leclerc
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EQ Bank vs Tangerine: Which Is the Best Online Bank? - eq bank vs tangerine
To the point EQ Bank vs Tangerine: compare the main differences between these two online banks to make the best choice for your financial needs.

Online banks have revolutionized the Canadian banking landscape in recent years. Relying on 100% digital platforms, they offer competitive interest rates, lower fees and a simplified user experience. Two of the most popular banks in this category are EQ Bank and Tangerine. While they may look similar, their offerings differ greatly depending on your financial goals. In this article, we present an overview of each bank and their financial products, as well as a comparison chart: EQ Bank vs Tangerine.

What is EQ Bank?

EQ Bank is a division of Equitable Banking, a well-established Canadian financial institution. Its online platform aims to simplify savings management while maximizing returns.

EQ Bank: Bank Accounts and Other Financial Products

EQ Bank offers a wide variety of financial products: current account, joint account, savings accounts, EQ Bank Card, etc. In addition, all its deposit products are eligible for CDIC deposit insurance.

For more details, read our full review of the EQ Bank Card.

EQ Bank: Access to ATMs

Although EQ Bank does not issue debit cards, it does offer a prepaid credit card, the EQ Bank Card. You can transfer funds to it, then use it as a credit card and earn cash back on your purchases.

What’s more, with this card, you can withdraw money free of charge from any ATM in Canada, since EQ Bank reimburses the fees charged. This gives you great flexibility, despite the lack of an ATM network.

EQ Bank: Customer Service

Customer service is open daily from 8 a.m. to midnight (ET). They can be reached at 1-844-437-2265 (toll-free within North America) or 1-416-551-3449 (from outside North America).

In addition, EQ Bank offers a chat service, available online and via the mobile application.

What is Tangerine?

Tangerine is an online bank affiliated with Scotiabank and a member of the Canada Deposit Insurance Corporation (CDIC). It combines digital accessibility with a full range of financial products.

Tangerine: Bank Accounts and Other Financial Products

Tangerine offers a full range of financial products and services, including chequing accounts, savings accounts, credit cards, investments and loans.

Tangerine: Access to ATMs

Tangerine allows you to use the Scotiabank ATM network free of charge. You can make deposits, withdrawals or check your bank balance, just like at a traditional bank.

Tangerine : Customer Service

Tangerine’s daily banking customer service is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, at 1-888-826-4374 (or 416-758-3139 from outside Canada).

To reach a Tangerine mortgage specialist, call 1-888-826-4374, Monday to Friday, 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. ET.

For investment funds, please call 1-877-464-5678, Monday to Friday, 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. (Eastern Time).

Finally, for the Business line, dial 1-888-826-4374, Monday to Friday, 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. (ET).

Banque EQ vs Tangerine: Comparison Chart

Here’s a comparative overview of the main features and functions of EQ Bank vs Tangerine:

CaractéristiquesBanque EQTangerine
Compte-chèquesOui (compte hybride)Oui
Compte d’épargneOuiOui
Compte conjointOuiOui
Carte de créditNonOui (Remises & World Mastercard)
CPGOui (taux élevés)Oui
CELIOuiOui
CELIAPPOuiNon
REEROuiOui
Guichets automatiquesRemboursement de frais au CanadaAccès gratuit aux guichets automatiques de la Banque Scotia
Frais bancaires mensuelsAucunAucun
Solde minimum de compteAucunAucun
Frais des virements InteracAucunAucun
Application mobileSimple et efficaceTrès complète
Service à la clientèle7 jours sur 7, selon les heures d’ouverture7 jours sur 7, 24 heures sur 24
Autres produits financiers offertsHypothèques, Transferts internationauxHypothèques, portefeuilles d’investissement, marges de crédit, marges de crédit hypothécaire
Assurance SADCOuiOui

Banque EQ vs Tangerine: Chequing Accounts

EQ Bank does not offer a traditional chequing account, but rather a high-interest, no-fee hybrid account: the EQ Bank Personal Account. This account offers a number of free features, such as day-to-day transactions, Interac transfers and bill payments. A joint account is also available.

Tangerine offers a No-fee chequing account and debit card, cheques, free transfers and much more. They also offer a joint account.

EQ Bank Personal Account

Tangerine No-Fee Daily Chequing Account

EQ Bank vs Tangerine: Savings Accounts

In addition to personal and joint accounts, EQ Bank offers a high-interest account: the EQ Bank Notice Savings Account.

Tangerine offers a savings account with attractive promotional rates, but the rate is reduced after the offer ends.

EQ Bank Notice Savings Account

Tangerine Savings Account

EQ Bank vs Tangerine: Guaranteed Investment Certificates (GICs)

EQ Bank and Tangerine online bank offer guaranteed investments (GICs) at competitive yields. EQ Bank generally offers a better interest rate, but Tangerine offers regular promotions.

EQ Bank GIC Savings Account

EQ Bank vs Tangerine : Credit cards

Actuellement, la Banque EQ ne propose pas de carte de crédit. Cependant, elle offre une carte de crédit prépayée avec des remises en argent : la Carte Banque EQ.

Quant à Tangerine, elle propose deux options de cartes de crédit. Tout d’abord, la Carte Remises Tangerine Mastercard, sans frais annuels, qui offre des remises en argent sur certaines catégories. Ensuite, la Carte World Mastercard Remises Tangerine, qui comprend des avantages supplémentaires et des assurances voyages.

Bottom Line

In short, EQ Bank and Tangerine represent two of the most popular online banks in Canada.

If your priority is to maximize your savings, EQ Bank is an interesting option, especially with its high interest rates on its TFSA, FHSA and GIC accounts.

In contrast, Tangerine offers a complete package for your day-to-day operations: checking account, credit cards, investments, mortgages, lines of credit, and much more. In this way, it can serve as a fully digital main bank.

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Vincent Morin
Vincent Morin
Vincent achieved financial independence and took early retirement (FIRE) at the age of 35. After a career in financial technology with a major American investment bank, he founded Retraite101, a personal finance website that reaches over 350,000 unique visitors annually and has more than 40,000 social media followers. Passionate about finance, reading, cycling, hiking, and travel, he continues to write for several Quebec media outlets to inspire and motivate those who want to take control of their finances.
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