Financial Product Reviews

Quicken (Deluxe) is a type of subscription-based budgeting software available for desktops or mobile devices via apps or a web browser. This product has been around for decades and remains a popular option for Canadians trying to manage their finances.

Sonnet Insurance is an online-only insurance company that offers lower insurance rates than many of its competitors. It does this by having no physical presence, passing those savings on to its customers. This could be great if you’ve just bought a house and are primarily concerned about premiums, but if you’re looking for a more personal touch, Sonnet probably isn’t the company for you.

Sonnet Car Insurance is a fully online insurance provider offering home and auto coverage, backed by Definity Financial Corporation. Their biggest draw is competitive rates on car insurance, made possible by their online model that passes savings directly to customers. Sonnet promises an auto insurance quote in just 5 minutes after answering a few easy questions.

If you want to cut through all the fluff, StudioTax is Canadian tax software that offers a simple look combined with support for complex tax situations.

TurboTax is one of Canada’s most popular tax preparation apps. It’s been around for years, is backed with some solid guarantees, is simple to use, and really takes a lot of the pain out of doing your taxes.

Wealthsimple Tax (formerly SimpleTax) is free Canadian tax software that aims to make filing your taxes easy. There’s no downloading necessary – you can go through the process right in your internet browser with step-by-step instructions and auto-fill features. And with maximum refund and accuracy guarantees in place – it’s worth giving it a shot. You’ll even be able to transfer prior year data, an option only available on a handful of other tax software.

Rakuten Canada has long been one of Canada's favourite cash back sites, thanks to its wide range of over 750 retail partners and legit cash back opportunities. Over the last 10 years, it’s paid out more than $100 million to Canadians, which shows how popular Rakuten Canada really is.

MogoMoney (which is what the Mogo loans service is called) offers flexible unsecured loans that are quick and easy to get. A part of the interesting product line offered by Mogo Financial, you can get pre-approved in as little as 3 minutes. Plus by making an account, you'll get free access to your credit score.

Wealthsimple managed investing is a robo advising investment platform from one of Canada's favourite online brokerages, Wealthsimple. It offers a hands-off investment experience with no paperwork and no account minimums – a huge draw for anyone who's new to the world of investing or simply trying to make smart choices with minimal funds.

If you’re new to investing and don’t want to pay excessive trading fees, take a look at Questrade, a popular online broker that allows users to buy and sell ETFs at no charge. When you’re still learning about investing, saving on commissions can help you familiarize yourself with the process and build confidence.