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C$1 /month
- Provider: Wealthsimple
Savings accounts in Canada are tracked across high-street banks, building societies and digital challengers, with all eligible deposits CDIC-insured up to C$100,000 per deposit category. Compare introductory bonus rate expiry dates carefully — many top-rate accounts revert to a lower standard rate after 12 months, and the switch requires action to retain the rate.
21 live savings accounts offers tracked across 17 Canadian providers, with rates from C$1 /month. Data current as of 23 October 2026 and updated daily from the Giraffy database.
21 live offers compared from 17 providers, from C$1 /month. Updated daily.
C$1 /month
2.75% AER
2.80% AER
2.85% AER
3.50% AER
3.50% AER
3.50% AER
3.50% AER
3.65% AER
3.65% AER
3.65% AER
3.75% AER
3.75% AER
3.80% AER
3.95% AER
3.95% AER
4% AER
4% AER
Wealthsimple Save is a savings accounts offer from Wealthsimple in Canada. Key details — Interest Rate: 4.00% p.a.; Account Type: HISA; Rate Conditions: No conditions; Balance Limits: No minimum.
4.50% AER
4.60% AER
C$20 /month
A savings account holds money you are not spending day to day and pays interest on the balance, while keeping the funds available when you need them. In Canada the standout options are high-interest savings accounts (HISAs) from digital banks, which pay far more than the negligible rates on Big Five branch savings accounts.
Unlike a GIC, a savings account is not locked — you can withdraw any time — making it the natural home for an emergency fund or short-term goal where you want both growth and access.
Digital banks and credit unions such as EQ Bank, Wealthsimple, Saven and Oaken compete hard on interest, often paying several times the branch-bank rate, sometimes with a promotional bonus for new money. Some accounts pay everyday high interest with no minimum balance or fees, while others reserve top rates for promotional periods. You can hold a savings account non-registered or inside a TFSA to shelter the interest from tax — valuable, since savings interest is fully taxable otherwise.
Interac e-Transfer and linked chequing accounts make moving money in and out quick, though some accounts limit free transactions.
Everyday access — withdraw any time, unlike a locked-in GIC.
Competitive interest — digital HISAs pay well above branch-bank rates.
No fees — leading accounts charge nothing and require no minimum balance.
Tax shelter — hold inside a TFSA to keep the interest tax-free.
Compare the ongoing rate rather than a short promotional teaser, and check whether the top rate needs a minimum balance or lapses after a few months. Confirm there are no monthly fees or transaction limits that would erode the return, and make sure the provider is a CDIC member or covered by provincial deposit insurance. Consider a TFSA wrapper if the interest would otherwise be taxed.
EQ Bank, Wealthsimple, Tangerine, Simplii Financial, Saven Financial and Oaken Financial are among the strongest for high-interest savings, generally beating RBC, TD and the other branch banks on rate. Credit unions like Saven (a division of FirstOntario) sometimes lead the market on headline rates. Many savers pair a digital HISA with their existing chequing account.
Savings accounts are free at the leading providers, so the figure that matters is the interest rate — currently roughly in the 2.75% to 20% range in the market, where the very top rates are limited-time promotional offers on new deposits and the sustainable everyday rates cluster lower. Watch for balance caps, promo expiry and any transaction fees on lower-tier accounts.
Savings deposits at CDIC member banks are insured up to C$100,000 per insured category, and separately within registered accounts like a TFSA. Credit-union deposits are covered by provincial insurance schemes, some more generous than CDIC. Banks are federally regulated by OSFI and the FCAC, while Quebec institutions such as Desjardins fall under the AMF.
Is the advertised rate permanent? — Often not; check whether it is an ongoing rate or a limited promotional offer on new money.
Is savings interest taxed? — Yes in a non-registered account; hold the account in a TFSA to keep the interest tax-free.
Savings account or GIC? — A savings account offers access and variable rates; a GIC locks a higher fixed rate for a set term.
The cheapest Savings Accounts in Canada is C$1 /month from Wealthsimple.
Giraffy tracks 21 savings accounts across 17 providers in Canada. The highest tracked rate on Giraffy is currently C$1 /month. Sort by highest rate and filter by account type (easy access vs. fixed) to find the best deal for your timeline.
Yes — CDIC insures eligible deposits up to C$100,000 per category, per institution. Always confirm your institution is OSFI-regulated before depositing. If your balance exceeds the protection limit, spread funds across multiple separately-licensed banks.
p.a. (per annum) is the standardised rate that accounts for how often interest is compounded over a year. It's the fairest number to compare across accounts — always compare like-for-like using p.a. rather than the gross or monthly rate.
Easy access accounts let you withdraw your money at any time — rates are variable and may change. Fixed-rate bonds or term deposits lock your money away for a set period (usually 1–5 years) at a guaranteed rate, which is typically higher. Choose fixed if you don't need the funds before the term ends.
Tax on savings interest varies by country and income level. Check your country's tax authority guidance or speak to a financial adviser if your interest income is significant.
Yes — and it can be a smart strategy. Spreading savings across banks maximises your deposit protection (C$100,000 under the CDIC per institution) and lets you earn the best rate at each bank. Just keep track of all accounts to avoid losing money to dormancy fees.
Most easy access accounts transfer funds to a linked checking account within one working day, and many process withdrawals the same day. Some accounts restrict the number of free withdrawals per month — check the terms before you open one if flexibility matters to you.