How to Choose the Right SRI Robo-Advisor

Socially responsible investing (SRI) robo-advisors are becoming popular in Canada and provide an easy way to grow your wealth while contributing to ethical values, such as sustainability and promoting social equity. Companies like Wealthsimple and Questwealth have also expanded their SRI offerings, giving Canadians several different options to invest their resources in ways that align with their values. This article will help you choose the most suitable SRI robo-advisor in 2025, outlining the main criteria and the best platforms that will suit the Canadian market to help you not only grow financially but also have a positive impact.    

What is a Socially Responsible Investing (SRI) Robo-Advisor?

An SRI robo-advisor is a robo-advisor that builds and manages investment portfolios based on environmental, social, and governance (ESG) principles. These platforms invest in businesses that focus on sustainability, diversity, or ethical business practices, usually in low-cost exchange-traded funds (ETFs). The SRI robo-advisors are attractive to Canadians because they are affordable and provide values such as climate action or social equity.

As opposed to traditional robo-advisors, SRI options do not invest in industries like fossil fuels or tobacco, but will be concentrated on clean energy or fair labor practices. These platforms are regulated by the Canadian Securities Administrators and are transparent and protect the investors. To learn more about robo-advisors in general, check out How to Pick the Best Robo-Advisor in Canada. Keywords like ethical robo-advisor or sustainable investing Canada often direct investors to these services, which are focused on a balance between returns and responsibility.

Key Considerations to Make When Selecting an SRI Robo-Advisor

To choose a proper SRI robo-advisor, one should consider a number of aspects. This is what should be prioritized.

• Fees

The long-term returns are affected by management fees and management expense ratios (MERs). Questwealth has one of the lowest fees, 0.25% on accounts below 100,000, and MERs of 0.21-0.35% on SRI portfolios. The fees charged by Wealthsimple are 0.5 percent on accounts below 100,000, and MERs are approximately 0.2 percent. Compare the overall expenses to make sure they are affordable.

• Investment Options

SRI portfolios usually contain ESG-based ETFs. SRI portfolios offered by Wealthsimple, described at Wealthsimple SRI Investing, focus on low-carbon companies and gender-diverse boards. SRI options offered by Questwealth include clean tech innovators. Make sure that the ESG requirements of the platform align with your principles. For a deeper dive into SRI-specific platforms, see Best SRI Robo-Advisors in Canada.  

• Minimum Investment

The majority of robo-advisors require a minimum to begin investing. Wealthsimple does not have a minimum, which makes it suitable for new investors, and Questwealth has a requirement of $1,000. Ensure that the platform is affordable and within your budget.

• User Experience

An easy-to-use app or website improves your investing experience. The user-friendly interface of Wealthsimple makes it easy to use, whereas the app of Questwealth is functional but less polished. Test platforms until you get one that is easy to navigate.

Best SRI Robo-Advisors in Canada 2025

The following is a comparison of the top SRI robo-advisors, according to 2025 data available through sources such as MoneySense. Find out more by checking our article on  Best Robo-Advisors in Canada.

Robo-Advisor Comparison

Robo-Advisor	Management Fee (for <$100k)	SRI MER (Estimated/Range)	Minimum Investment	Key Feature
Wealthsimple	0.5%	0.21–0.5% (Varies by ETF)	$0	Beginner-friendly app, Halal options, no minimum to open
Questwealth	0.25%	0.21–0.35%	$1,000	Lowest fees, active management, tax-loss harvesting
BMO SmartFolio	0.60% + $4/month*	Varies by underlying ETF	$1,000	Big bank reliability, integrated with BMO banking

• Wealthsimple

Wealthsimple has more than 38 billion dollars in assets under management. It has low-carbon and socially responsible ETF portfolios, with no minimum investment. It also provides Halal portfolios to Islamic investors. Accounts above $100,000 have fees of 0.4 percent and benefits such as tax-loss harvesting.

• Questwealth

Questwealth, Questrade’s robo advisor, is a low-cost (0.25% on accounts below 100,000). It has active SRI portfolios, with a balanced mix of passive ETFs with human management. It is affordable with a minimum of $1,000 and new customers can invest up to $10,000 free of charge in a year through Questwealth. 

• BMO SmartFolio

BMO SmartFolio, supported by the oldest bank in Canada, does not offer SRI, but standard ETFs. Its charges (0.7 percent on accounts below 100,000) are more expensive, but it provides a reputable brand and smooth integration to BMO customers. Find out more at BMO SmartFolio. 

The SRI Robo-Advisor: How to Get Started

Using an SRI robo-advisor is simple. You can follow these easy steps to begin:

• Evaluate Your Risk Tolerance: Answer the questions on the platform to determine your investment goals and level of comfort with market volatility and fluctuations.
• Select an Account Type: You will typically choose a TFSA or RRSP, or you can open a non-registered account. Wealthsimple also offers features called FHSAs for first-time home buyers.
• Choose an SRI Portfolio: Choose a portfolio that is ESG-oriented that matches with your interests and values.
• Fund Your Account: Deposit funds through bank transfer or auto-deposits.
• Monitor and Rebalance:  Robo-advisors such as Wealthsimple will automatically rebalance your account for you, but it is important to check on performance periodically. For tips on automating your investments, read Automate Your Retirement Savings in Canada.  

For more information, refer to the Government of Canada Financial Planning. 

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) 

1. What is an SRI robo-advisor?

An SRI robo-advisor develops a portfolio of ETFs, which focus on ESG factors, such as sustainability or ethical governance, with little or no human oversight.

2. Are robo-advisors SRI safe? 

Yes, SRI robo-advisor platforms such as Wealthsimple or Questwealth are regulated platforms that are backed by the Canadian Investor Protection Fund (CIPF). Look to the Canadian Securities Administrators  (CSA) for more information on the protection of investors in Canada. 

3. What fees do SRI robo-advisors have in Canada?

Robo-advisory fees can range from as low as 0.25% (Questwealth) to 0.7% (BMO Smartfolio), plus management expense ratios (MERs) of 0.2-0.35%. Always check for total fees, including all MERs.

4. Are SRI robo-advisors worth it?

SRI robo-advisors are perfect for making value-based investments without compromising diversification. The returns can vary, but due to low fees, they are cost-effective. For more on using robo-advisors for long-term goals, see Robo-Advisors for Retirement Savings.

Conclusion

The selection of the best SRI robo-advisor in Canada in 2025 is a trade-off between costs, ESG compatibility, and interface. Wealthsimple is the best option for beginners looking for an easy experience, Questwealth has the lowest fees, and BMO SmartFolio is the best choice for people who value bank-backed security. Begin by examining your values, financial and investing goals, and then explore the different platforms and see which suits your needs. For more investing-related information, check out Global Investor.