Methodology
Our rating methodology is 100% based on the features a product offers, which means we compare each product 1:1 with similar products on the market.
For each product category, our financial experts created a list of essential features of that category. These include eligibility requirements, fees, special features, and any other factors that are important to consider when looking at that type of product.
These features are then compared against all other reviewed products that fall in the same category.
Using that comparison, we give each feature a score out of 5 stars that's relative to how the product does in comparison. Those scores are averaged together to get the final Genius Rating.
These features are re-evaluated each time the product is updated to ensure the rating remains accurate. We also do an annual validation of all products to make sure they're all looked at once a year at the very least.
Combine all the products in every category together, and you get
Why do we give out annual awards?
Methodology
Our rating methodology is 100% based on the features a product offers, which means we compare each product 1:1 with similar products on the market.
For each product category, our financial experts created a list of essential features of that category. These include eligibility requirements, fees, special features, and any other factors that are important to consider when looking at that type of product.
These features are then compared against all other reviewed products that fall in the same category.
Using that comparison, we give each feature a score out of 5 stars that's relative to how the product does in comparison. Those scores are averaged together to get the final Genius Rating.
These features are re-evaluated each time the product is updated to ensure the rating remains accurate. We also do an annual validation of all products to make sure they're all looked at once a year at the very least.
Combine all the products in every category together, and you get
Why do we give out annual awards?
At moneyGenius, our mission is to make money easy and fun for all Canadians – that means taking the guesswork out of choosing the right financial products for your lifestyle. We’ve researched hundreds of products across 36 uniquely analyzed categories to empower you to make your next financial decision with confidence.
Best bank accounts in Canada
Best Bank Accounts in Canada
Bank accounts are the foundation of all your transactions and liquid savings. To make sure your finances are in a good spot, it's a good idea to start with at least one bank account first.
Best savings account Canada: EQ Bank Personal Account
When it comes to finding the best high interest savings account, it can be easy to focus entirely on the interest rate. After all, that's how your hard-earned savings steadily grow, right?
The EQ Bank Personal Account stands out in 2026 with its exceptional 1% daily interest rate—and you can boost that to 2.75% with monthly direct deposits of $2,000 or more. You'll pay zero everyday banking fees, get reimbursed for any ATM charges, and gain access to EQ's full lineup of investment accounts including TFSAs and RSPs, making it a true all-in-one financial hub.
What makes this account special is the included prepaid Mastercard that earns 0.5% cash back on all purchases with no foreign transaction fees. Combined with reduced international transfer rates through their Wise partnership, you get a powerful hybrid account that rewards both your savings and spending while keeping costs at zero.
So if you're looking to take your savings to the next level, here's one of your best options.
If you’re looking for a simple place to stash some extra cash and earn a higher-than-average interest rate, EQ Bank Personal Account may be exactly what you’re looking for. It does have a few other features, including the ability to easily send International Money Transfers, but otherwise it’s mostly geared to earning you interest.
- High daily interest rate
- Easy access to all other EQ Bank products
- Less expensive international money transfers
- Zero everyday banking fees
- Free Interac e-Transfers, electronic funds transfers, and bill payments
- No minimum balance
- No welcome bonus
- Age of majority
- Canadian citizen
- Very high interest rate
- Includes a prepaid cash back Mastercard
- No ATM fees, plus reimbursement for any independent fees
See more best high interest savings accounts here.
Best chequing account Canada: Scotiabank Ultimate Package
As the home for most of your incoming and outgoing cash, your chequing account can have a huge impact on the rest of your finances.
And some of the most premium accounts can come with some major money-saving perks – like credit card annual fee waivers and exclusive rates and rebates for other accounts.
The Scotiabank Ultimate Package is the best account in Canada despite its high $30.95 monthly price tag (which you can waive if you keep $6,000 in the account).
You'll get a huge amount of premium perks, including the unique ability to earn Scene+ points on all your debit card purchases.
Learn more here:
The Scotiabank Ultimate Package is the chequing account that offers everything. From unlimited transactions, credit card fee waivers, a free safe deposit, rewards on debit purchases, increased interest rates on GICs and savings accounts, and more, this account includes everything you might need from a chequing account.
- Get a $100 GeniusCash boost
- Get up to $700 in welcome bonus cash
- Unlimited transactions
- Plenty of physical bank locations
- Save money on premium credit cards
- Exclusive rates and fee rebates for other accounts
- Earn rewards
- Minimum balance to waive fee
- High monthly fee
- Minimum balance is a wasted investment opportunity
- You may still be charged for non-Scotiabank ATM withdrawals
- You must be at least 16 years old
- A Canadian resident or you're here for work or study
- Opening this account in your own name
- Earn Scene+ points on debit transactions
- No monthly overdraft protection fee
- Unlimited free Scotia International Money Transfers
- Up to $150 annual fee waiver each year on select credit cards
Click for more chequing accounts in Canada.
Best mortgage products
Best Mortgage Products in Canada
As one of the biggest purchases in your life, getting the right mortgage product is essential to the stability of your family's future.
Whether that means the mortgage itself, using the right mortgage broker, or even taking out a home equity line of credit – it's important to make sure your home is taken care of financially.
Best mortgage: BMO Closed Variable Rate Mortgage
First thing's first, you want a good mortgage rate. But since this is one of the biggest purchases of your life, you'll also want to make sure you're with a reputable company that will be there to help every step of the way.
With a BMO Closed Variable Rate Mortgage, you can get competitive rates and have the option of adding a low interest line of credit.
- 5 year: 4.7%
If you’re looking for BMO mortgage rates, one of their variable rate offers may have caught your attention. The rate is decent, there's a valuable cash back promotion available, and you can get pre-approved for your BMO mortgage online in just a few minutes.
- Get your mortgage at a reputable company
- One of the longest rate guarantees on the market
- Convenient online pre-approval
- Neither the best or worst on the market
Best HELOC: TD Home Equity FlexLine
Looking to get some extra use out of all the money you have tied up in your home? A home equity line of credit (or HELOC) is a type of revolving credit that's secured against your home.
If you're looking for the option with the most flexibility and ease of access, then check out the TD Home Equity FlexLine.
While few opt for a home equity line of credit instead of getting a traditional mortgage when they have relatively little equity in their home, this option can be attractive to those who owe less on their home. With the ability to split your TD Home Equity FlexLine into a revolving portion and a term portion, you can take advantage of interest rates when they're low and flexible prepayment options at the same time. You could use the term portion to pay off your house, for example, and the revolving portion to pay down existing debt or do some renovating.
Learn more here:
While few opt for a home equity line of credit instead of getting a traditional mortgage when they have relatively little equity in their home, this option can be attractive to those who owe less on their home. With the ability to split your TD Home Equity FlexLine into a revolving portion and a term portion, you can take advantage of interest rates when they're low and flexible prepayment options at the same time. You could use the term portion to pay off your house, for example, and the revolving portion to pay down existing debt or do some renovating.
- Good credit and adequate income
- At least 20% equity in your home
Best Investing Products in Canada
Best Investing Products in Canada
When it comes to making the most of your money, figuring out the right investments for you can be the difference between a comfortable future and a stressful late retirement.
And even if you're looking to invest for the short term, finding the right balance between risk and return is essential – as well as finding the right products that won't overcharge or overwhelm you.
Best GIC in Canada: TD GICs
GICs are a low-risk way to earn a guaranteed amount of return – which is often agreed upon before you buy the product. While you may not get super high returns, you will know exactly what you'll make at the end of the term, with no worries about the fluctuations of the economy.
With TD GICs, you'll get one of the largest selections from a Canadian bank, with some rates offering a competitive advantage. This is especially true when you compare their GIC rates against the interest rates on their savings accounts.
TD GICs are an easy way to earn a modest guaranteed investment on some of your money. Like most banks in Canada, TD offers several types of Guaranteed Investment Certificates (GICs) to give their clients low-risk alternatives to more traditional stock market investing.
- Cashable GICs give you liquidity in your investments
- Offers market linked GICs for higher return potential
- Relatively low minimum investments on most GICs
- Can be part of a registered account
- Non-redeemable GICs tie up your money
- Special offer on 100-day term cashable GICs
- Unique TD International Student GIC option
Check out the best GIC rates here.
Best robo advisor in Canada: RBC InvestEase
A robo advisor is an easy way to make sure your money is in good hands, without needing to know too much about investing yourself.
With RBC InvestEase, you're getting the convenience and technological benefits of a robo advisor alongside the reliability of a well-established bank that fetches you excellent rates.
The RBC InvestEase platform is one of the most reliable robo advisors in Canada, provided by one of Canada’s biggest banks. Upon funding your account, the RBC InvestEase algorithm (and experts) maintain your investments for you. This makes the entire process simple, especially for new investors.
- Trusted industry name
- Big portion of transfer fee can be waived
- Low minimum to start investing
- Responsible investing portfolios
- NOMI Insights helps with goals
- The fees could be better
- Transferring to another institution incurs a hefty fee
- No mobile app
- Resident of Canada
- Age of majority
- A SIN starting with a number from 1 to 7
- Low minimum balance requirement
- Non-registered
- TFSA
- RRSP
- FHSA
Compare the best robo advisors here.
Best online broker Canada: Qtrade
If you're a seasoned investor who likes to know exactly where your money is going, an online stock broker is one of the easiest ways to take control.
Along with its competitive fees and a highly-rated, easy-to-use mobile app, Qtrade covers transfer fees from other online brokers and a suite of educational tools.
Looking to take your investments into your own hands? Qtrade Direct InvestingTM is a discount online broker that offers top-of-the-line portfolio analytics tools and a robust trading platform designed for new and experienced DIY investors. All Stocks, ETFs, and Mutual Funds are now commission-free.
- $0 commission on ETFs, mutual funds and more
- Fund your new account and get a $80 GeniusCash bonus
- No quarterly administration fee
- Earn up to $5,000 in cashback
- Excellent mobile app
- Educational tools
- Options Lab
- Get up to $5,000 cash when you open new accounts
- Some activities still carry fees
- $0 commission trades on mutual funds, equities, ETFs and more
- Trial account available
- Second-to-none portfolio analytics tools (including scoring against key ESG components)
- Pre-market and after-hours trading available for US markets
- $0 quarterly administration fee
- Cash
- TFSA
- RRSP
- Spousal RRSP
- LIRA
- RIF
- LIF
- RESP
- Margin
- FHSA
- LRSP
- Corporate
- Formal Trust
- Informal Trust
- Investment Club
- Estate
- Stocks
- ETFs
- Mutual Funds
- Bonds
- New Issues
- GICs
- Options
Learn more about online brokers here.
Best TFSA in Canada: BMO InvestorLine
A Tax-Free Savings Account (TFSA) can help you save a lot of money on taxes, without having to worry about a huge tax bill when you withdraw the money (as is the case with an RRSP).
Want the best option? BMO InvestorLine is an easy way to take advantage of tax-free savings while investing with a trustworthy big bank. You can grow money tax free while still enjoying plenty of flexibility for your investments.
If you’re experienced with managing your own investments or self-directed trading, the online brokerage may be just what you need. With advanced tools for experienced traders, and extra perks and benefits for people with lots of money to invest, this brokerage has won several awards over the years.
For the advanced trader, BMO InvestorLine offers a top-notch platform for managing your own investments. This online investing platform offers plenty of advanced tools along with extra perks and benefits for those who invest a lot.
- Advanced tools for active traders
- Exclusive “5 Star” membership for very active or very wealthy traders
- Flat fees and (relatively) straightforward pricing
- Live support by phone
- Welcome bonus worth up to $10,000*
- Higher than average fees
- No real tools or support for newbies
- Quarterly account minimum fee
- Lack of automated tools to help simplify things and save you time
- Advanced tools for active traders
- Online demos and tutorials for new traders
- BMO InvestorLine 5 Star Program
- Self-Directed TFSA accounts have no minimum account balance fees
- TFSA
- RRSP
- RESP
- RRIF
- Individual
- Joint
- Cash
- Margin
- LIRA
- LRSP
- RLSP
- LRIF
- LIF
- Non-personal
- FHSA
- Stocks
- ETFs
- Options
- Mutual Funds
- GICs
- Bonds
- CDRs
- IPOs
Best RRSP Canada: Desjardins RRSP
One of the best tools Canadians have to save for their retirement is an RRSP, which lets you defer all taxes until you withdraw (and your contributions are tax deductible to boot).
Want one of the best options? Check out a Desjardins RRSP, which gives you plenty of investment choices while even allowing you to convert your rewards points into RRSP contributions.
A Desjardins RRSP can be a smart choice for Desjardins clients trying to plan for their future. As with all Registered Retirement Savings Plans (RRSPs), this account offers a tax-free home for any retirement savings, with room and opportunity to add several types of investments – as long as it stays within the government-set annual contribution limits.
- Tax sheltered and tax deductible
- Easy and quick online setup process
- Ability to convert BONUSDOLLARS into RRSP investments
- Withdrawal creates a tax penalty
- Limited nation-wide presence for Dejardins
- Age of majority
- Canadian resident
- Under 71 years old
- Be a current Desjarins client
- Contribute to your RRSP with BONUSDOLLARS
- Market-linked
- Non-Cashable
- Cashable
- US Dollar
Best FHSA: Qtrade FHSA
First Home Savings Accounts (FHSAs) promise to make saving for your first home easier by letting you put away up to $40,000 tax free. And Qtrade FHSA promises to help you get there faster by letting you earn interest on your balance. This stable interest rate is ideal for home buyers who are thinking of purchasing a home in the short term.
Trading platform Qtrade now offers their own version of an FHSA, and from the get go, it’s clearly aimed at investors who prefer to keep a close eye on their money. It allows you to keep stocks, bonds, and other investment products in your FHSA, as well as cash.
- Robust self-directed trading and investing platform
- Keep a wide variety of investments in your FHSA account
- Available everywhere in Canada
- No interest rate gain
- Mainly aimed at self-directed investors
- First-time home buyer
- Canadian resident
- 18 years or older
See more of the best FHSAs here.
Best cryptocurrency exchange in Canada: Kraken
Cryptocurrency exchanges can be extremely overwhelming, but they're one of the only ways to explore the exciting (and risky) world of crypto.
One of the best places to buy crypto? Kraken is a leading cryptocurrency exchange that offers a platform for buying, selling, and trading over 300 cryptocurrencies. While popular currencies like Bitcoin and Ethereum are available, Kraken also features a diverse range of altcoins for exploration. With competitive fees and advanced tools for seasoned investors, Kraken provides a comprehensive solution for navigating the world of cryptocurrency.
Kraken is a cryptocurrency exchange where you can trade and invest in more than 350 cryptocurrencies. Plus it offers plenty of advanced features for serious investors.
- Plenty of cryptocurrencies to choose from
- Free wire transfers
- Tools for advanced traders
- Not the best option for new investors
See more crypto exchanges here.
Best mutual funds in Canada: BMO Mutual Funds
Mutual funds are a popular way to invest that essentially pools money together with other investors to buy larger investments. This is all closely monitored by a fund manager (which often makes a decent profit).
One of your best options is with BMO Mutual Funds, thanks to their large variety when it comes to funds, account types, and more.
Mutual funds are a diversified investment in which a pool of money from multiple investors is collected and professionally managed. This is often seen as a decent way to diversify your portfolio, though you should keep an eye on any hidden fees. Most banks have an investing arm that offers mutual funds, including BMO.
- Available for all registered account types
- Continuous Savings Plan option
- Reasonable mix of fund types and portfolio options
- $500 minimum investment (or $50/month)
- Higher MERs than some alternatives
- Set up regular contributions to your investment accounts
- Get $100 for saving regularly
- RRSP
- RESP
- RRIF
- TFSA
- RDSP
- Security
- Income
- Growth
- Equity Growth
- Group RRSP
- BMO ETF
- BMO Ascent
- BMO Retirement
- BMO Target Education
- BMO SelectTrust
- BMO Sustainable
- BMO Managed
Learn more about mutual funds here.
Best ETF in Canada: Scotiabank ETFs
Exchange Traded Funds (ETFs) are sort of like mutual funds, except they're traded on the stock market. They essentially bundle multiple securities together, so you're buying a diversified investment in one purchase.
If you're looking for the best option in Canada, going with Scotiabank ETFs can give you a lot of flexibility with reasonable fees. This is especially helpful if you prefer to do all your investing on one platform, since Scotiabank offers several types of investments.
Scotiabank offers a small collection of Exchange Traded Funds (ETFs) – bundles of securities that are listed on exchanges, which are traded just like regular stocks. Scotiabank has over 120 ETFs available, and you can use them to diversify your investment portfolio.
- Competitive ETF management fees
- Simple investing through Scotia iTRADE
- Investment education resources and tools
- Access to personalized advice
- Scotia iTRADE fees
- Free investing education resource library
- Access to Scotiabank investment specialists
- Fixed Income
- Canadian Equity
- U.S. Equity
- International Equity
- Index Tracker
Best loans
Best Loans in Canada
Need to take out a loan in Canada? Make sure you're getting the right rates and the right service. Otherwise you could be stuck with astronomical fees and a lot of unanswered questions.
Best personal loans in Canada: Fairstone Personal Loans
One of the best options for personal loans in Canada is Fairstone Personal Loans. They're a Canadian lender and offer secured and unsecured personal loans to people who cannot normally obtain them from more traditional lenders.
You may qualify for a loan amount anywhere from $500 to $60,000 with Fairstone Personal Loans.
Fairstone Financial is a Canadian lender and offers secured and unsecured personal loans to people who cannot normally obtain them from more traditional lenders. They’ve been around since 1923 and have over 240 branches in Canada.
- Fast approval and fast cash in hand
- Interest rates ever so slightly lower than their most immediate competitors
- Interest rates are still exceptionally high
- You must be a homeowner to get a secured personal loan
- Extra fees for a secured personal loan
- Customer reviews are not…stellar
- Canadian citizen
- Employed
- Age of majority
- They offer various types of insurance you can purchase
Best line of credit in Canada: BMO Personal Line Of Credit
Lines of credit can be an interesting alternative that sometimes provide lower rates than other loans (and usually much lower rates than credit cards).
A BMO Personal Line Of Credit in particular can get you up to $25,000, with multiple ways to access your money. It also offers optional insurance to protect you in case of emergencies, includingBalance Protection (with life insurance and critical illness insurance), Payment Protection (with disability and job loss insurance), and more.
A personal line of credit can come in handy for a wide range of reasons. With lower interest rates than other options like credit cards, a personal line of credit gives you some financial flexibility at a relatively low cost of borrowing.
- Branch access
- Balance and payment protection
- Low maximum credit limit
- No ATM or debit card access
- Canadian citizen
- Employed
- Age of majority
- Balance Protection (life insurance and critical illness insurance) available
- Payment Protection (disability and job loss insurance) available
Learn more about lines of credit here.
Best Insurance Products in Canada
Best Insurance Products in Canada
Getting the appropriate insurance coverage for you is an important step in your financial journey.
It's about finding the right types of coverage for the right rates, while also sticking with a company you trust to help you out when the going gets tough.
Best home insurance company in Canada: TD Home Insurance
As one of the biggest purchases in life, having home insurance is obviously extremely important. Not to mention mortgage lenders often make it mandatory, so you more than likely don't even have a choice in the matter.
If you're looking for a reliable solution, check out TD Home Insurance. You'll get full coverage with an easy online system, backed by a bank you know and trust.
As you can probably guess, TD Insurance is the insurance subsidiary of TD Bank. They’re an all-purpose insurance company selling home and auto insurance, as well as life and health insurance. As one of the largest home insurance companies in Canada, owned by one of the largest banks in Canada, they’re a safe and secure choice for insuring your home.
- It’s easy to get an online quote
- There’s a discount for using the web
- You may be eligible for lower rates if you belong to a group
- Their bundle includes free advice
- There’s one combined coverage amount
- TD Insurance doesn’t offer in-person support
- Review scores are not very good
- Canadian citizen
- Age of majority
- Free advice from lawyers and contractors available for customers with bundled plans
- Protection for family-related situations, such as cyberbullying and parents living in nursing homes
Check out more home insurance.
Best car insurance company in Canada: TD Auto Insurance
Since car insurance is mandatory in Canada, every single car owner is looking for a good rate on their insurance coverage.
TD Auto Insurance ranks as our best car insurance, as it offers membership discounts for more than 750 groups. Plus, the TD MyAdvantage program rewards safe drivers with up to 25% off premiums.
TD auto insurance is one of several types of insurance coverage offered by TD Insurance. With a comprehensive array of options available to drivers in most of Canada, TDs car insurance has something to offer for pretty much everyone.
- Comprehensive offering
- Reasonable rates
- Claims Free Reward
- Save with TD MyAdvantage
- Disappearing deductible
- Backed by a big bank
- Not the lowest rates you’ll find
- Doesn’t cover ridesharing or delivery work
- Canadian citizen
- Age of majority
- Save an average of 30% when you're claims-free
- Convenient TD Insurance app
- TD MyAdvantage driving program rewards safe drivers
- Save 5% on car insurance when you buy online
Find out more about car insurance here.
Best life insurance in Canada: Sun Life Go Life Insurance
If you have any financial dependents, it's important that you protect them with life insurance. This will help make a potentially difficult time a little bit more manageable.
If you're looking for a good option, check out Sun Life Go Life Insurance. It offers quick online quotes, temporary insurance coverage for up to 90 days, and 30 day cancellation refunds in case you change your mind. Offering Guaranteed Life, Simplified Life, and Term Life insurance options, there's a variety of coverage types and levels that should cover most people's needs.
- 10 years
- 20 years
If you're looking for simple and relatively inexpensive life insurance coverage, Sun Life Go is worth a look. It offers quick online quotes, temporary insurance coverage for up to 90 days, and 30 day cancellation refunds in case you change your mind.
- Near-instantaneous quotes
- A variety of coverage types and terms
- Temporary insurance for up to 90 days
- Cancel within 30 days for a full refund
- Coverage isn't as flexible as some competitors
- Not as many coverage options as others offer
- Coverage amounts are limited
- Canadian citizen
- Age of majority
- Cancel within 30 days for a full refund
- Temporary insurance that provides immediate coverage for up to 90 days
- Coverage up to $1,000,000
- 10 years
- 20 years
Learn more about life insurance here.
Best travel insurance in Canada: TD Travel Insurance
Getting the right travel insurance coverage can be exactly the peace of mind you need to truly relax on your vacation.
Your best travel insurance option is TD Travel Insurance, a big bank name that offers quality and reliability for its four straightforward plan options. It also includes 24/7 emergency assistance.
Learn more about this product here:
TD travel insurance is a convenient option for Canadians who are already customers of the big bank, letting you get insurance coverage from a familiar name. You have 4 options when it comes to what type of plan you can get: single trip, multi-trip all-inclusive, multi-trip medical, or trip cancellation and interruption coverage. Each plan offers your basics to keep you covered on your next trip.
- Backed by a big bank you trust
- 4 straightforward plans available
- Some unusual coverage included
- 24/7 emergency assistance
- Trip cancellation and interruption is at extra cost
- Might not have the cheapest premiums
- Canadian resident
Check out more best travel insurance.
Best pet insurance in Canada: Sonnet Pet Insurance
If you love a furry companion, the possibility of getting pet insurance has likely crossed your mind. Though not necessarily an "essential" insurance, it can be a huge difference if your best friend gets sick or injured.
Sonnet Pet Insurance is the top rated option we've reviewed so far, giving you low rates and comprehensive coverage, all from an easy-to-use online insurance company.
If you have a furry companion, you already know how important they are to you. It can be hard to think about what could happen if disaster struck – could you afford to pay the medical bills? Would you have to make a hard choice, because you can’t afford to spend thousands on your pet?
- Hits all the basic coverages
- A handful of extra coverages available
- Offered decently low quotes
- Easy and quick quote process
- No coverage for prescription food
- Sonnet has a history of increasing insurance rates
- Everything is done online
- Not the cheapest company we looked at
- Canadian citizen
- Age of majority
Find the best pet insurance here.
Best tenant insurance: Sonnet Tenant Insurance
If you're renting your home, it's important to get tenant insurance. This is usually a relatively cheap coverage that can help cover your personal belongings and liability (which isn't included in your landlord's coverage).
Sonnet Tenant Insurance comes to the top of the list in this category as well, thanks to its competitive rates. It's also extremely easy to get covered, which can be done completely online.
Since your landlord insurance doesn't cover any tenant belongings, tenant insurance is required in order to keep your rental safe, including everything inside of it. Sonnet Tenant Insurance is a well-rounded and reasonably priced insurance product from an online-only company, offering tenants peace of mind.
- Canadian citizen
- Age of majority
Learn more about tenant insurance here.
Best condo insurance: TD Condo Insurance
Similar to tenant insurance, condo insurance is important to protect what isn't covered by the condo association's coverage – which includes your belongings, upgrades you've made, and personal liability.
The best option we've reviewed so far is TD Condo Insurance, which includes options for the majority of coverage types, as well as additional options to lower your premiums.
Condos have unique insurance considerations that aren't always taken into account by a more generalized home insurance policy. TD Condo Insurance has taken these unique qualities and created an insurance product that combines the best of its home insurance features with the specific needs of condominium living. It's specially designed to cover what the condo corporation's building insurance doesn't – things like personal liability, loss assessment, and more. And it covers this gap very, very well.
- Several opportunities for discounts
- Highly customizable protection
- Flexible claims option
- Highly rated mobile app
- Customer service concerns
- Canadian citizen
- Age of majority
- Family coverage for things like nursing homes
- Eco-efficient rebuild coverage
- Ability to increase coverage for high-value items
See more condo insurance companies.
Best health insurance in Canada: PolicyMe Dental And Health Insurance
Not everything is covered by government health care, which means you'll need some extra coverage if you want to be insured for things like prescription drugs, vision, out-of-province care, and more.
Your best option in Canada? PolicyMe Dental And Health Insurance. This product is available across Canada and has optimal coverage flexibility, making it likely that you'll find a plan that's suited to your needs.
PolicyMe offers an extensive selection of health and dental plans to suit your needs. You can choose from 7 different plans to fit your lifestyle and preferences.
- Plenty of different plans
- No medicals required
- Lack of long term disability plans
- No travel insurance plans
- Must have a valid provincial health card
- Age of majority in your province or territory
- 7 different plans to choose from
Read more about health insurance here.
Best home insurance for landlords: Square One Landlord Insurance
Own a rental property? You'll want to get some landlord insurance. This can help protect the building, as well as protect your income in case of disaster.
The best rated landlord insurance company is Square One, which can include nearly every type of coverage we look for in our reviews.
If you own a rental property, you know how important it is to get the right insurance to protect investment. You need more types of coverage than regular home insurance, and valuable figuring out exactly what you need can be complicated. Square One landlord insurance can be a great place to start, with a comprehensive selection of coverages available.
- Canadian citizen
- Age of majority
- Rental portal for landlords to keep track of tenants' policies
- Legal advice helpline
Check out more about landlord insurance.
Best personal finance products
Best Personal Finance Products in Canada
Getting the right personal finance software can completely change your game, whether it's a budget app, free tax software, or a free credit score tool.
Best credit score software: Credit Karma Credit Monitoring
Your credit score is an important measure of your financial responsibility that's used by lenders, credit card companies, and even landlords. The first step in making sure it's in good shape is knowing where you stand.
Enter: credit score services.
The best in Canada is Credit Karma Credit Monitoring, which is a free way to get frequent updates on your score. Where most products show you changes to your score every month, Credit Karma can provide weekly updates to keep you on track. You'll also get personalized credit education and recommendations.
The best time to check your credit score is always now, and with Credit Karma, the price is right at $0. This free credit score service gives you access to your credit score and report, provides weekly updates, and even sends alerts whenever there are notable changes to your file. Credit Karma pulls data from TransUnion and Equifax, giving you a reliable snapshot of where you stand. Plus, you’ll also get access to identity monitoring for extra peace of mind.
- Free to use
- No need to provide your SIN
- Helpful articles and educational info
- Annoying product recommendations
- Limited customer service options
- Canadian citizen
- Age of majority
- Receive notifications if notable changes occur
- Retrieves info from both major credit bureaus
- Identity monitoring available
Find more credit score services.
Best tax software in Canada: H&R Block
Everyone needs to do their taxes, but did you know there's free tax software available out there?
The best option is one of the most recognized names in the industry: H&R Block. You have both free and paid options for filing taxes, plus a very thorough and specific filing option for self-employed individuals.
As one of the most recognized names in the tax industry, H&R Block provides one of the best tax software products in Canada on top of its in-branch services. With accuracy guarantees, one-on-one attention available from tax professionals at physical offices or online, and options for each price bracket (including free!), H&R Block seems to have thought of everything.
- Well-established and trusted industry name
- In-person, online, and drop-off filing options
- Clear, step-by-step instructions
- Ability to save your progress and return later.
- Access to seasoned tax professionals
- Free and paid services available
- Specific package designed for self-employed individuals
- Limited free support
- Free version is quite basic
- File online or in-person
- Accuracy guarantee
- Self-employed tax package
Best grocery delivery service: Instacart Canada
Since the beginning of the pandemic, grocery delivery services have exploded in popularity. Giving you a way to order your groceries without having to leave your house, there are several popular delivery options that work across the country.
The best option? Instacart Canada. The service works across most of the country, offers low minimum orders, competitive fees, and your groceries can be at your doorstep in as little as an hour.
Instacart Canada is known specifically as a grocery delivery service, but it actually partners with a wide range of retailers to deliver all sorts of products, such as pet supplies, alcohol, high-end makeup, office supplies, and more. If you need it, odds are that Instacart Canada can deliver it.
- Wide availability
- Same day or advance delivery options available
- Premium membership option
- Low $10 minimum order
- Earn loyalty points with your favourite stores
- Referral bonus and impressive promos for your first order
- Still not available everywhere
- You don’t get to select your own meat or produce
- Instacart Canada prices are higher than in-store
- Have items delivered in as little as 1 hour
- $10 referral offer
- Earn loyalty points with your favourite stores
Learn more about grocery services here.
Best cash back sites: GeniusCash
Cash back sites give you cash back just for using their links to shop for products, apply for credit cards, and other similar activities.
One of the best options is GeniusCash, which can get you up to $250 in cash back just for getting a new credit card or personal finance product.
GeniusCash is a cash back program that rewards users for subscribing to many of the products and services they use on a regular basis. Plus, its new GeniusCash mobile app makes it easier than ever to bank real cash and level up your rewards.
- New industry-leading mobile app
- Up to $250 cash back
- Flexible payout options
- Bi-weekly payouts
- Cash back bonuses are harder to get
- Only a limited amount of offers available
- No cash bonus on sign up
- Age of majority
- Eligible to receive select Canadian credit cards
- Up to $250 in bonus cash back
- Easy to use mobile app for even more deals and exclusive offers
- Payments are made directly to you via PayPal or Interac e-Transfer
- Referral bonuses available via the GeniusCash app
Learn more about cash back sites here.
Best budget app: Spendee Premium Budget App
Do you know where your money is going? Using a budgeting app can make the whole process much easier.
Though Spendee Premium Budget App is a paid program, its low fee is made up for by having many of the features you're looking for in a budget program, like bank syncing, personal support, and automatic categorization.
Looking for a convenient way to manage and categorize your finances? The Spendee Premium Budget App that first launched in 2013 can be a great choice. While there are cheaper versions of Spendee with fewer features, Spendee Premium syncs with your bank account, allows you to share "wallets" with family members, and reminds you of upcoming payment due dates, among other things.
- Connects to your crypto wallet
- International availability
- Security
- Discount on Yearly Subscription
- Tiered Services
- Bugs and problems with new updates
- Works with multiple currency types
- Can create "shared wallets" for finances shared with family members, roommates, etc.
- Offers crypto wallet tracking
Best online payment service: Plastiq
Online payment services in Canada are third-party services that you can use to pay bills like your utilities or rent. These services can make the bill-paying process easy, convenient, and even rewarding.
Plastiq is an incredibly easy to use service that allows you to pay nearly any type of bill with your credit card, enabling you to earn credit card rewards on bill payments.
With the right credit card, you could be earning hundreds of dollars of rewards every year, just for paying one of your most essential expenses.
Have you ever wanted to pay a bill using a credit card to maximize on some sweet rewards, but find yourself unable to do it directly? Some examples of bills that usually don't have credit card support are income taxes, mortgages, and some utility bills, among others.
- Easy to use
- Wide variety of accepted payees
- Easy to set up recurring payments
- Many Canadian payees are not in their system
- Only accepts debit and credit cards as a payment method
- No welcome bonus or rewards program
- Canadian citizen
- You have to enter the 3-digit number from the back of your credit card the first time you use it to make a payment
- You can set up optional 2 factor authentication
- You can set a PIN for account recovery in case you ever get locked out
Learn more about payment services here.
Best international money transfer: OFX
If you need to send money internationally with any degree of frequency, you know how expensive it can be. It's a tough pill to swallow to pay high fees just to get your money from one place to another.
OFX is the best option available, as it lets you send money in over 50 currencies to 170+ countries around the world. In some cases, your recipient can even receive their money on the same day.
If you transfer more than $10,000, OFX won't charge you any fees, but lesser amounts will incur a $15 CAD fee. Otherwise, there are no other fees when using this transfer service.
- Flat fee of $15
- None, but government limits may apply for regulated currencies
With OFX you can send money in over 50 currencies to more than 170 countries around the world. Depending on the currency, your recipient could see it that same day.
- Plenty of currencies available
- Very fast transfers
- No fees for transfers over $10,000
- High fees for small amounts transferred
- Fewer options to transfer money from
Send money in over 50 currencies to 170 countries
- No fees for transfers above $10,000
- Flat fee of $15
- USD: Same day or next day
- EUR: 1-2 business days
- GBP: Same day or next day
- INR: 2 business days
- HKD: 1-2 business days
- None, but government limits may apply for regulated currencies
See more international money transfer options here.
Best VPN in Canada: NordVPN
Using a VPN is beneficial for many reasons, including protecting your online privacy. But one of the main perks people love is the ability to bypass region restrictions for streaming services like Netflix.
The best VPN we've reviewed is NordVPN, which offers extremely low prices on an impressive number of estimated servers.
Protect your privacy with NordVPN. This VPN works with almost any device, allows 10 devices to be connected at once, and costs as little as US$3.19 per month when you sign-up for a 2 year plan..
- High grade encryption
- NordVPN app is widely available
- 24/7 customer support
- 3 months for free and a money-back guarantee
- Smart ad-blocking included
- Useful add-ons available
- 2 year commitment to get the best price
- Monthly price is higher than average
- Threat Protection feature blocks ads
- Works with an impressive range of platforms and devices
- 30-day money-back gurantee
Best news subscription: National Post
With a news subscription, you can access real-time coverage of current events, politics, business, culture, and more. Whether it's breaking news or detailed reports, a subscription ensures you're always in the know.
Stay informed with a subscription to National Post, one of Canada's few newspapers that has a national rather than a regional or local focus. With a strong eye to news, politics, and business, it gets to the heart of issues that matter to Canadians. Digital access to the Financial Post is also included with your subscription.
As you can guess from the name, the National Post is one of Canada's few newspapers that has a national rather than a regional or local focus. With a strong eye to news, politics, and business – and a lighter touch on topics like food and lifestyle – the National Post might not be of great interest for many Canadians.
- Quality Canadian journalism
- Unlimited online access
- Strong focus on news and business (almost to a fault)
- Fees skyrocket if you add a print subscription
- Website is awkward and difficult to navigate
- Digital access only
- Online access to the New York Times Crossword
See more news subscriptions here.
Best online will service: Epilogue Wills
Epilogue Wills makes creating a will simple, all from the comfort of your home. With an online will, you can easily plan for the future and ensure your wishes are clearly documented.
Epilogue Wills provides a user-friendly platform that guides you through the process, offering customizable options to suit your needs. It's a fast, secure, and affordable way to protect your loved ones and give you peace of mind without the need for complex legal jargon or expensive services. Create your will today with Epilogue Wills and take control of your legacy.
Your Will may be one of the most important documents you'll ever create in your life – but it's also one of the hardest. Epilogue Wills makes it easy by offering a fast and low-cost method to create your Will entirely online.
- Get a $40 GeniusCash bonus when you create your Will
- More affordable than traditional methods
- Saves time and is easy to use
- Created by experts in the industry
- Create a social media Will
- First Will platform to let you name a professional trust company as executor
- Not appropriate for those with complicated finances
- Information centre isn't all that helpful
- Unavailable in certain provinces
- Age of majority
- Canadian resident (except in Quebec or territories)
- Convenient and legally binding service
- Update for free whenever you like
- Option to create Incapacity Documents alongside your Will
- Partnership with RBC
See more online will services here.
Best password manager: NordPass
A password manager like NordPass helps you securely store and manage your passwords in one convenient place. With an increasing number of accounts (and things to sign up for!), remembering strong, unique passwords for each site can be a challenge.
NordPass makes it easy by securely saving and auto-filling your passwords when needed, so you don’t have to worry about forgetting or reusing passwords. It also provides added security features, like encryption and two-factor authentication, to protect sensitive information.
NordPass is an excellent password manager. You can choose from a free version with basic features, or pay US$2.79 for a family account with premium features.
- Offers Secure Notes for securing things like WiFi passwords and alarm system codes
- Securely store your credit cards for online shopping
See more of the best password managers here.
Best streaming service in Canada: Amazon Prime Video
With so many streaming services available to Canadians, it can be hard to know which ones you should subscribe to – and which ones you can pause until a must-see release comes along. Amazon Prime Video gives you access to fast shipping and some of the best shows TV has to offer.
Available all across Canada once you activate your Prime subscription, gives you access to TV shows and movies that can be streamed in HD quality, some with multi-language subtitles and audio. You’ll have access to Amazon exclusives and originals that won’t be found anywhere else, as well as live news and sports events.
See more of the best streaming services here.
Did you know? Amazon Prime Video is included with your Amazon Prime membership, giving you access to a massive streaming library of more than 22,000 shows and movies, plus award-winning Amazon Originals you won’t find anywhere else. From hits like The Summer I Turned Pretty and The Map That Leads To You to live sports and 24/7 Global News coverage, there’s no shortage of entertainment. Students can also enjoy Prime membership at a discounted rate, making it one of the more affordable streaming options in Canada.
- Exclusive access to Amazon originals
- Live news and sports events
- One of many Amazon Prime perks
- Extra fee to avoid ads
- Costly add-on channels
- Automatic renewal
- Be 18 years or older
- Included with Amazon Prime subscription
- Multi-language subtitles
- Access to Amazon originals
FAQ
How do you calculate the Genius Ratings for the Money Awards?
The Genius Ratings are calculated using a feature-based ranking system. For each category of products we review, we create a list of essential features to look for. Each product is then fleshed out based on those features, and compared against similar products on the market. From there, we rank each feature out of 5 and average them all out to get the final Genius Rating.
What's the best ETF in Canada?
The best ETF company in Canada is Scotiabank. As one of the big banks, Scotiabank offers plenty of flexibility in terms of types, terms, and return for their ETF products.
What's the best VPN in Canada?
The best VPN in Canada is NordVPN, which offers extremely competitive prices combined with a large selection of servers for worldwide fast coverage.
What's the best savings account in Canada?
The best savings account in Canada is the EQ Personal Account. Far from being only a savings account, this product also offers a cash back prepaid card on all your daily spending. And that's on top of the high 2.75% interest rate.











