Is Simplii Financial unavailable in Quebec? Here are your alternatives

Simplii Financial offers a range of banking services in Canada, but unfortunately, isn't available in Quebec. Since Simplii Financial doesn’t operate in the province, you’ll need an alternative for everyday banking, money transfers, or international transactions.

Whether you’re searching for a solution for yourself or your business, we have you covered. We’ll be looking at alternatives, including Wise with transparent pricing, the mid-market exchange rate and more!

Alternatives to Simplii Financial in Quebec

Tangerine

Tangerine is a fully digital bank offering a no-fee chequing account, savings options, and investment products. Owned by Scotiabank, it provides customers with free access to over 3,500 Scotiabank ATMs across Canada and 44,000 worldwide through the Global ATM Alliance and interest rates as high as 3.55%¹.

Its chequing account includes unlimited daily transactions, free Interac e-Transfers, and mobile wallet compatibility with Apple Pay, Google Pay, and Samsung Pay, making it an easy, modern banking solution. However, as an online-only bank, there are no physical branches, so all customer support is handled online or over the phone.

Tangerine is best for Canadians who want a hassle-free, digital banking experience with no monthly fees, don’t require in-person banking and are comfortable managing their money online.

Rating on Trustpilot: 1.3 out of 5 stars out of 1,700 reviews

Wise

Wise is a great alternative to Simplii Financial for those in Quebec who need to send, receive, and convert money across borders. Registering for an account is free and there are no monthly or annual fees or minimum requirements.

Unlike most banks, Wise uses a low-fee, mid-market exchange model, ensuring fair and transparent conversions without hidden markups.

With a Wise multi-currency account, you can hold over 40 currencies, receive local bank details in 10+ currencies (including USD, EUR, and GBP), and convert between them at the real exchange rate. You can also spend globally with the Wise card in 150+ countries, which supports international ATM withdrawals (not available within Canada).

For those who frequently deal with USD and CAD, Wise allows you to receive US dollars domestic payments for free with local USD account details, making it easy to move money between the US and Canada without excessive bank fees. If you're receiving a USD wire transfer (SWIFT), there’s a fixed fee of 6.11 USD³. Similarly, receiving a CAD SWIFT payment costs 10 CAD³.

Rating on Trustpilot: 4.3 out of 5 stars out of 249,324 reviews

KOHO

KOHO is a digital banking service with three account tiers, including premium plans that offer extra perks like no foreign transaction fees and free international ATM withdrawals.

Accounts come with a prepaid Mastercard, allowing users to make purchases in Canada and abroad while taking advantage of built-in budgeting tools, cashback rewards, and interest on balances. Depending on the plan, KOHO users can earn up to 2% cashback on eligible purchases and up to 4% interest⁴ on their balance.

KOHO offers three account tiers:

1. The Essential plan has no monthly fee but includes a 1.5% foreign transaction fee⁵.
2. The Extra and Everything plans waive foreign transaction fees and offer one free international ATM withdrawal per month, after which a $2–$3 out-of-network fee applies.

For those looking to build or improve their credit, KOHO also offers credit-building services on its premium plans.

Rating on Trustpilot: 1.4 out of 5 stars and 380 reviews

Desjardins

Desjardins, Canada’s largest financial services cooperative, offers a full suite of banking products—including personal and business accounts, credit cards, loans, investments, and insurance. With over 661 service points, Desjardins has a strong presence in Quebec and Ontario but might not be the best option for those living in other provinces.

Desjardins’ Everyday Account provides four transaction plans for day-to-day-banking with monthly fees ranging from $3.95 to $21.95^8, depending on the number of included transactions. Fees can be waived by maintaining a minimum balance⁸. While in-network ATM transactions are free, Interac withdrawals cost $1.50⁹, and international ATM withdrawals range from $3.00 in the US to $5.00 elsewhere in the world⁹.

Rating on Trustpilot: 1.4 out of 5 stars out of 85 reviews

National Bank of Canada

The National Bank of Canada (NBC) is one of Canada’s Big Six banks, offering a full range of banking services, including chequing and savings accounts, credit cards, mortgages, loans, and wealth management. With its headquarters in Montreal, NBC has a strong presence in Quebec, making it a go-to alternative for Simplii Financial customers in the province.

For everyday banking, NBC provides multiple chequing account options with fees ranging from 3.95 CAD to 28.95 CAD per month ¹⁰, depending on the number of included transactions. Some accounts allow fees to be waived by maintaining a minimum balance.

The bank also offers Interac e-Transfers, though some accounts may charge a $1.25 fee per transaction¹¹. For international transfers, NBC provides two options: Mastercard and Interac international transfers (up to $10,000 per transaction) and SWIFT wire transfers with no maximum limit¹².

While NBC is a great option for Quebec residents, it has fewer branches outside the province, so customers elsewhere may find it less convenient.

Rating on Trustpilot: 1.4 out of 5 stars out of 100 reviews

Which Is the Best Simplii Alternative in Quebec?

While Simplii Financial isn’t available in Quebec, there are plenty of strong alternatives to suit different banking needs. Tangerine and Wise offer a digital-first approach with no monthly fees. KOHO is a great choice for those who want a prepaid Mastercard alongside budgeting tools, cashback rewards, and credit-building opportunities. Wise is ideal for international use, with a multi-currency account that allows you to hold and spend in 40+ currencies with mid-market exchange rates.

If you prefer a bank, Desjardins and the National Bank of Canada provide in-person service and a full range of financial products. Whatever your banking style, there’s an option that fits your needs.

Read on to learn more about Simplii: Simplii Global Money Transfer: A Detailed Review - Wise

Sources:

1. Tangerine
2. No-Fee Daily Chequing Account
3. Wise Fees & Pricing: Only Pay for What You Use
4. KOHO: Find the Perfect Plan for Your Online Bank Account
5. How much is the foreign exchange fee? | KOHO Help Center
6. Using ATMs with your KOHO card
7. Desjardins - Service fees
8. Desjardins - Account maintenance fees
9. Open a Chequing Account Online in 5 minutes | National Bank
10. Interac e-Transfer | National Bank
11. How do I send an international transfer? | National Bank