Robo-Advisors with No Minimum Balance for Canadian Investors

Investing can feel daunting, especially for beginners with limited funds. Fortunately, robo-advisors in Canada have introduced no-minimum balance accounts, which are enabling all people to participate in wealth-building. These digital platforms provide low fees, diversified portfolios, and offer smart algorithms on platforms that manage your investments and have user-friendly interfaces. Whether you’re saving towards a home, retirement, or educating your child, Canadians can begin investing with as little as $1 with robo-advisor services such as Wealthsimple and RBC InvestEase. This guide discusses the top Canadian no-minimum-balance robo-advisors of 2025, their characteristics, fees, and how to get started, and will enable you to be in charge of your own financial future. To understand how robo-advisors stack up against human advisors, read Robo-Advisors vs. Traditional Advisors: Which Is Better?.

What Are Robo-Advisors?

Robo-advisors are investing platforms that automate the process of investing with portfolios based on your financial goals and risk tolerance. Unlike traditional advisors, they require less human intervention, meaning fewer charges and ease of access.  You answer a short questionnaire on your income, goals, and how much you are comfortable taking a risk, and the platform invests your money in diversified exchange-traded funds (ETFs).

Features like automatic rebalancing and dividend reinvestment will have your portfolio stay on track with what you are aiming to achieve without you having to work up a sweat. Robo-advisors are a game-changer that aims to give beginners a hands-off approach to growing wealth. MoneySense points to the fact that they are attractive to those who do not have the time or knowledge to look after investments themselves. 

Why Choose No Minimum Balance Robo-Advisors?

No minimum balance robo-advisors are the best options to be considered by Canadians who want to invest a small amount. Here’s why they stand out:

• Accessibility: You only need a low amount of money ($1) to start investing, and thus, they are ideal for young Canadians or those with limited savings.
• Low Fees: The management fee is between 0.4 to 0.5 percent, which is very low as compared to traditional advisors’ 2-3% annual fees. Ratehub.ca notes that low fees maximize long-term returns.
• Beginner-Friendly: Intuitive apps and learning materials ease the learning curve of novice investors.
• Flexibility: A lot of platforms do accept registered accounts such as TFSAs, RRSPs, and FHSAs, which have diverse goals like homeownership or retirement. For alternative low-risk options, explore Best GIC Rates in Canada for 2025 to complement your investment strategy.

These advantages make a no-minimum robo-advisor an intelligent option for customers who want to invest without going bankrupt. They come to your level, no matter how much you earn, and gradually lead you into a more prosperous financial future.

Top Robo-Advisors with No Minimum Balance in Canada 

There are a few robo-advisors in Canada that have a minimum balance of zero or low amounts, and these would be Wealthsimple and RBC InvestEase, leading the pack. We make a comparison of their distinct characteristics, charges, and accounts in the section below.

Wealthsimple: The Market Leader

Wealthsimple is the largest robo-advisor in Canada, which manages more than 50 billion dollars in assets on behalf of 3 million users. It is also well-known due to its easy-to-use application and the lack of any minimum balance, which is also convenient for beginners. Read Questrade vs. Wealthsimple for insights on which suits your investing style.

• Fees: 0.5 percent management fee on balances of less than $100,000 and 0.4 percent on balances of over $100,000. ETF management expense ratios (MERs) range from 0.1% to 0.2%.
• Types of Accounts: TFSA, RRSP, RESP, FHSA, RRIF, LIRA, non-registered, and corporate accounts.
• Features: Rebalancing, dividend reinvestment, tax-loss harvesting (on larger accounts), ethical funds (ethical accounts), and socially responsible investing (SRI) funds, such as Halal portfolios that are in compliance with Islamic principles. The Roundup function allows you to invest the change you have in daily life, such as purchases.
• Performance: Wealthsimple has had 5-year balanced portfolio returns of 4.7% in 2025, according to Million Dollar Journey. The history of past performance does not provide any assurance about future outcomes, but it is a valuable tool to benchmark.
• Recommended to: New investors and socially responsible investors who want low-cost pricing and a sleek interface.

The low cost of Wealthsimple, as well as its curtailment of minimum entry options and strong functionality, places it among the best choices among Canadian users for their investment journey. For tips on selecting the right platform, see How to Pick the Best Robo-Advisor in Canada.

RBC InvestEase: Big Bank Security

RBC InvestEase is a no-minimum-balance robo-advisor asset managed by the biggest financial institution in Canada, centred on ease and safety. It is also a great alternative to RBC clients who desire a smooth experience with their banking.

• Fees: 0.5% flat management fee on all balances plus MERs of 0.11 to 0.3 percent. No fee waivers on bigger accounts, unlike Wealthsimple.
• Types of accounts: TFSA, RRSP, FHSA, and non-registered. Surprisingly, it does not have RESP and RRIF. It is more limited in versatility than Wealthsimple, with fewer options to choose from.
• Features: Available in Standard and Responsible Investing portfolios, available in globally diversified ETFs. There is automatic portfolio rebalancing and on-call advisors by phone or electronic mail. RBC’s Responsible Investing ETFs are focused on environmental impact, social, and governance (ESG).
• Performance: The performance of the RBC InvestEase balanced portfolio is competitive and depends on the risk level. Visit their website for detailed performance data.
• Ideal for RBC clients and investors who value the security of big banks more than a range of account options.

RBC InvestEase is perfect when an investor appreciates the security of a large bank and does not require specialized accounts such as RESPs. MoneySense commends it as easy to use for new investors.

Comparison Table  

Feature	Wealthsimple	RBC InvestEase
Minimum Balance	$0 (to open and start investing)	$0 to open account ($100 to start investing)
Management Fee	0.5% (<$100K), 0.4% (>$100K)	0.5% (flat)
MER	Standard: 0.12%-0.15%; SRI: 0.21%-0.23%	Standard: 0.11%-0.14%; Responsible Investing: 0.18%-0.23%
Account Types	TFSA, RRSP, RESP, FHSA, RRIF, LIRA, etc.	TFSA, RRSP, FHSA, non-registered
SRI Options	Yes (SRI, Halal)	Yes (Responsible Investing)
Unique Features	Tax-loss harvesting, Roundup	Big-bank backing, advisor access

How to Get Started with a Robo-Advisor

One can begin with a no-minimum-balance robo-advisor without prior investing experience. This is what you can do step-by-step:

1. Select a Platform: You can select a robo-advisor such as Wealthsimple or RBC InvestEase according to the choices of your preference needs. Look at fees, account type, and features such as SRI options. 

2. Create an Online Account: Type in the website of the platform (e.g., Wealthsimple or RBC InvestEase) and create an account. Personal information will be required, such as your name, address, and Social Insurance Number.

3. Fill out the Questionnaire: Respond to questions regarding your financial objectives, income, and risk tolerance. This assists the platform in customizing a portfolio to your needs.

4. Finance Your Account: Down payment can be as low as $1 (or $100 in case of RBC InvestEase). Install automatic put-up deposits regularly to invest and enjoy dollar-cost averaging.

5. Monitor Progress: In the platform, you can use an app or dashboard to monitor the performance of your portfolio. Rebalancing and reinvesting are usually automated on most robo-advisors.

To learn more about robo advisors, see Ratehub.ca’s robo-advisor guide.

Are Robo-Advisors Safe?

Canadian investors prioritise safety. Wealthsimple and RBC InvestEase are members of the Canadian Investor Protection Fund (CIPF)  and regulated by the Investment Industry Regulatory Organization of Canada (IIROC).

Both platforms employ bank-level encryption on your data. Nonetheless, investments are associated with market risks, and guarantees on returns are not given. The risks can also be reduced by means of diversified ETF portfolios and rebalancing.

Before investing, it is prudent to check the history of performance and the level of risks you are willing to take. Savvy New Canadians highlights the safety of the CIPF-covered sites.

FAQs – Robo-Advisors in Canada (2025)

1. Are robo-advisors secure in Canada?

Yes, they are registered and insured by IIROC and CIPF.

2. Is it possible to invest in a robo-advisor through a TFSA?

Indeed, the majority of robo-advisors in Canada accept TFSA, RRSP, RESP, and others.

3. What are the expected returns on robo-advisors?

The returns are spread across risk levels and are usually between 4 to 8 percent annually.

4. So, are robo-advisors a good idea to invest in retirement?

Yes. They come with automatic rebalancing and tax efficiency, so they are excellent long-term instruments.

Conclusion

Wealthsimple and RBC InvestEase are robo-advisors with minimum balances that are transforming Canadian Investing 2025. They have low charges, diversified investments, and easy-to-use websites that democratize wealth-building by making it open to all, including students and retirees. Wealthsimple is different because of its wide variety of account options and SRI characteristics, whereas RBC InvestEase is attractive to individuals who want to invest large sums of money and bank reliability. Begin with small steps, select an appropriate platform to achieve your objectives, and allow automation to take most of the workload.

Start with Wealthsimple or RBC InvestEase, or explore other financial advice platforms. For personalized advice, consider seeking help from a Financial Consultant.