XEQT and VEQT are the two most popular "one-ticket" all-equity ETFs in Canada, and the debate between them is a national pastime among DIY investors. The truth: both are excellent, and the differences are smaller than the internet would have you believe.
What they have in common
Both are 100% equity, globally diversified portfolios that automatically rebalance across thousands of companies in Canada, the US, and international markets. Buy one, contribute regularly, and you own the world's stock market in a single holding. No rebalancing, no fund-picking.
The differences that actually exist
| XEQT | VEQT | |
|---|---|---|
| Provider | iShares (BlackRock) | Vanguard |
| MER (approx.) | ~0.20% | ~0.24% |
| Canadian weighting | Slightly lower | Slightly higher |
| Holdings | Fewer underlying ETFs | More underlying holdings |
| Strategy | Identical: global all-equity | Identical: global all-equity |
Verify current figures
How to actually choose
- ›Want the lowest fee? XEQT's MER is marginally lower.
- ›Want a bit more home-country exposure? VEQT leans slightly more Canadian.
- ›Can't decide? Flip a coin. Seriously — the long-run difference is within the noise of daily market moves.
What matters far more than XEQT-versus-VEQT is that you (1) keep fees low — see why in our piece on mutual fund MERs— (2) contribute consistently, and (3) don't tinker. The investors who underperform aren't the ones who picked the "wrong" all-equity ETF; they're the ones who kept switching.
Where to buy them
Both trade commission-free at Wealthsimple, and fractional shares mean you can put your entire contribution to work with no leftover cash. Open a TFSA or RRSP, buy your pick, and automate it.
