Best Portfolio Tracker for Canada Investors

Track your TFSA, RRSP, and US holdings together with real-time CAD/USD conversion

Why tracking investments in Canada is different

Canadian investors juggle multiple account types that most portfolio trackers ignore. TFSAs, RRSPs, FHSAs, and non-registered accounts each have distinct tax treatment, and most Canadians spread these across several brokerages. Add in heavy exposure to US-listed equities and ETFs, and the CAD/USD exchange rate becomes one of the biggest hidden variables in portfolio performance.

The complexity multiplies for Canadians with cross-border ties. Snowbirds, expats, and dual citizens deal with US withholding tax differences between registered account types, deemed disposition rules when leaving Canada, and the real possibility that currency swings can erase or amplify equity gains. Standard Canadian brokerage platforms show your holdings in CAD but rarely surface the underlying FX impact on US-denominated positions.

FlashFi lets you track Canadian and US holdings side by side in their native currencies, with real-time exchange rate conversion so you can see exactly how CAD/USD movements affect your total portfolio. No account linking, no brokerage restrictions, and it works whether you hold assets in Canada, the US, or anywhere else.

Key challenges for Canada investors

CAD/USD currency drag on US investments

Canadian investors hold billions in US-listed equities and ETFs like VFV, XUU, and direct S&P 500 positions. When the Canadian dollar weakens, US holdings gain value in CAD terms, but a strengthening loonie quietly erodes returns. Most brokerage dashboards convert everything to CAD without showing the FX component separately, making it impossible to distinguish between actual investment performance and currency movement.

TFSA, RRSP, and non-registered fragmentation

A typical Canadian investor might hold a TFSA at Wealthsimple, an RRSP at their bank's brokerage, and a non-registered account at Questrade. Each platform only shows its own slice. Getting a unified view of total asset allocation, sector exposure, or net worth requires manual spreadsheet work that most people abandon within weeks.

US withholding tax in registered accounts

The Canada-US tax treaty exempts RRSPs from the 15% US dividend withholding tax, but TFSAs receive no such protection. This means holding US dividend payers like SCHD or VYM in a TFSA costs you 15% of every dividend payment with no recovery mechanism. Tracking which account holds what, and the actual after-tax yield, matters for optimizing asset location.

Cross-border complexity for Canadian expats

Canadians who move abroad face deemed disposition on departure, potential TFSA contribution complications as non-residents, and the challenge of tracking assets across multiple countries and currencies. Returning to Canada introduces re-entry considerations for cost basis. A portfolio tracker that handles multiple currencies natively is essential for anyone managing this cross-border reality.

How FlashFi helps Canada investors

CAD + USD Side by Side

View your Canadian and US holdings in their native currencies with real-time conversion. See your total portfolio in CAD, USD, or any other base currency without losing sight of the underlying FX exposure.

Track TFSA, RRSP, and Non-Registered Together

Create separate portfolios for each account type and see them individually or as a unified whole. One dashboard for everything, regardless of which brokerage holds the account.

No Account Linking Required

FlashFi uses manual entry, so it works with any Canadian brokerage, international platform, or self-directed account. No credential sharing, no broken bank feeds, no waiting for Plaid to support your institution.

Real-Time FX Impact

See exactly how much of your portfolio return comes from equity performance and how much from CAD/USD movement. Track currency impact on individual holdings or across your entire portfolio.

Frequently asked questions

Can I track my TFSA and RRSP in FlashFi?

Yes. You can create separate portfolios for your TFSA, RRSP, FHSA, and non-registered accounts. Each portfolio tracks its own holdings and performance, and the dashboard gives you a combined view across all of them.

Does FlashFi show my portfolio in CAD?

Yes. You can set CAD as your base display currency, and all holdings denominated in other currencies are converted using real-time exchange rates. You can switch your display currency at any time to see your portfolio in USD or any other supported currency.

How does FlashFi help with CAD/USD tracking?

FlashFi tracks each holding in its native currency and converts to your chosen display currency using live FX rates. This means you can see both the equity return and the currency return on your US-denominated positions, giving you a clear picture of how CAD/USD fluctuations affect your portfolio value.

Is FlashFi better than Wealthica for Canadian investors?

Wealthica is built for Canadians and uses account linking to pull data from Canadian brokerages. FlashFi takes a different approach with manual tracking that works globally, making it a better fit for Canadians who hold international accounts, live abroad, or prefer not to share brokerage credentials. If all your assets are at major Canadian institutions and you want automated syncing, Wealthica may suit you. If you need multi-currency tracking across borders, FlashFi is built for that.

Can Canadian expats use FlashFi?

Yes, FlashFi is designed specifically for people managing assets across multiple countries and currencies. Whether you are a Canadian living in the US, Europe, or Asia, you can track your Canadian registered accounts alongside international holdings in one place with accurate FX conversion.

By David Brougham