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6 Best Buy-and-Forget Canadian ETFs to Hold

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What if you could build a diversified investment portfolio without spending hours researching individual stocks, checking market news, or deciding what to buy every month?

That’s the idea behind buy-and-forget ETFs.

For Canadian investors, all-in-one ETFs make long-term investing much easier. Instead of buying dozens of individual stocks, you can purchase a single ETF that holds thousands of companies across Canada, the United States, and international markets.

Some even include bonds to help reduce portfolio volatility.

Whether you’re investing through a TFSA, RRSP, or FHSA, here are six of the best Canadian ETFs worth considering for a long-term, buy-and-hold strategy in 2026.

Read – Moomoo Canada Review 2026: Fees, Features, Pros & Cons

What Is a Buy-and-Forget ETF?

A buy-and-forget ETF is an investment fund designed for people who want to invest regularly and hold their investments for years.

Rather than constantly buying and selling stocks, you invest in a diversified fund that manages its underlying holdings and automatically rebalances when needed.

For example, instead of purchasing shares of Apple, Microsoft, Amazon, Royal Bank, and hundreds of other companies separately, you can buy one ETF that already gives you exposure to many of them.

The biggest advantages include:

6 Best Buy-and-Forget Canadian ETFs

Here are six popular options from two of Canada’s largest ETF providers, Vanguard and BlackRock’s iShares.

ETFStock/Bond MixApprox. MER
XEQT100% / 0%0.19%
VEQT100% / 0%0.22%
XGRO80% / 20%0.19%
VGRO80% / 20%0.22%
XBAL60% / 40%0.18%
VBAL60% / 40%0.22%

MER means Management Expense Ratio. Fees are approximate published figures and should be checked against the latest fund documents before investing.

1. XEQT – iShares Core Equity ETF Portfolio

Best for: Long-term investors comfortable with stock market risk.

XEQT is one of the most popular all-equity ETFs in Canada. It gives investors exposure to global stock markets through a single investment.

The fund targets 100% equities, with exposure to Canadian, US, developed international, and emerging markets.

Some of its underlying investments provide exposure to major companies such as Apple, Microsoft, Nvidia, and Royal Bank.

Key numbers:

Why consider XEQT?

You get thousands of underlying stock holdings without having to manage individual positions. The fund also automatically rebalances its portfolio.

However, remember that XEQT has no bond allocation. During a major stock market correction, your investment can fall significantly.

2. VEQT – Vanguard All-Equity ETF Portfolio

Best for: Investors who want a globally diversified stock portfolio.

VEQT is Vanguard’s answer to XEQT.

Both ETFs follow a similar idea: invest in global equities and hold them for the long term.

VEQT provides exposure to four major markets:

As of May 2026, its underlying allocation was approximately 45.2% US, 29.8% Canada, 17.9% developed international markets, and 7.1% emerging markets.

Key numbers:

Why consider VEQT?

It offers a straightforward way to invest in thousands of companies worldwide. Vanguard also handles the portfolio’s rebalancing.

XEQT vs. VEQT: Both are excellent candidates for long-term investing. Their allocations, fees, and distribution schedules differ slightly. You generally don’t need to own both because they have considerable overlap.

3. XGRO – iShares Core Growth ETF Portfolio

Best for: Investors who want growth with some protection from bonds.

Not everyone is comfortable investing 100% of their money in stocks.

That’s where XGRO comes in.

XGRO follows an approximately 80/20 allocation, meaning 80% of the portfolio is invested in equities and 20% in fixed-income investments such as bonds.

The stock portion provides long-term growth potential, while bonds help balance the portfolio.

Key numbers:

Why consider XGRO?

It offers a middle ground between an aggressive all-stock portfolio and a more conservative investment.

You still get significant exposure to the stock market, but the bond allocation can help reduce some volatility.

4. VGRO – Vanguard Growth ETF Portfolio

Best for: Investors looking for a simple 80/20 portfolio.

VGRO is one of Canada’s best-known all-in-one ETFs.

Similar to XGRO, it maintains approximately 80% stocks and 20% bonds.

Its underlying investments cover the US, Canada, developed international markets, and emerging markets.

Key numbers:

Why consider VGRO?

It provides a diversified portfolio without requiring you to purchase separate stock and bond ETFs.

VGRO is worth comparing with XGRO, although both funds have similar investment objectives.

5. XBAL – iShares Core Balanced ETF Portfolio

Best for: Investors who prefer a more balanced investment approach.

If watching your portfolio drop during a stock market crash makes you uncomfortable, XBAL may be worth researching.

The ETF targets 60% equities and 40% fixed income.

That means a larger portion of your investment is allocated to bonds compared with XEQT, VEQT, XGRO, or VGRO.

Key numbers:

Why consider XBAL?

It offers exposure to global markets while maintaining a meaningful bond allocation.

It may be suitable for investors who want long-term growth but prefer a less aggressive portfolio.

6. VBAL – Vanguard Balanced ETF Portfolio

Best for: Long-term investors looking for a balanced stock and bond portfolio.

VBAL is Vanguard’s alternative to XBAL.

It follows a similar 60/40 investment strategy, combining equities and fixed-income investments in one ETF.

You get exposure to thousands of stocks and bonds through a single ticker.

Key numbers:

Why consider VBAL?

It is a convenient option for investors who want a diversified portfolio without taking on the full risk of a 100% stock ETF.

Which Canadian ETF Should You Choose?

There isn’t one perfect ETF for everyone. Your investment timeline and ability to handle market losses matter more than choosing the most popular ticker.

Here’s a simple way to narrow down your options:

Investor TypeETFs to Research
Aggressive, long-term investorXEQT or VEQT
Growth-focused investorXGRO or VGRO
Balanced investorXBAL or VBAL

If you’re investing for retirement decades away and can tolerate large market declines, an all-equity ETF may be worth considering.

If you prefer some stability, an 80/20 or 60/40 portfolio may be more comfortable.

One important tip: Pick one asset allocation that suits your risk tolerance. Buying XEQT, VEQT, XGRO, and VGRO together doesn’t automatically give you better diversification. You may simply be buying many of the same companies multiple times.

How Much Could $10,000 Grow in a Buy-and-Hold ETF?

Let’s look at a simple example.

Suppose you invest $10,000 in a diversified ETF and leave it invested for 20 years.

Assuming an average annual return of 7%, with distributions reinvested:

This is an illustration, not a prediction. Actual ETF returns fluctuate, and there is no guarantee of a 7% annual return.

The biggest advantage of long-term investing is allowing compounding to work over time.

Where Can Canadians Buy These ETFs?

You can purchase these ETFs through Canadian investment platforms and discount brokerages.

Some platforms worth researching include:

Most of these platforms provide access to ETFs listed on the Toronto Stock Exchange (TSX).

You can also consider holding eligible ETFs in a TFSA, RRSP, or FHSA, depending on your investment goals and account eligibility.

Final Thoughts: Are Buy-and-Forget ETFs Worth It?

For investors who don’t want to spend their time picking individual stocks, all-in-one ETFs can make investing much simpler.

Instead of trying to predict which company will outperform next year, you can invest in a diversified portfolio, contribute regularly, reinvest distributions, and give your money time to grow.

My biggest takeaway: Don’t choose an ETF just because it has delivered the highest recent return.

Understand its stock and bond allocation, compare its fees, and choose an investment you can comfortably hold during both good and bad markets.

A simple portfolio that you can stick with for 10, 20, or 30 years may be more useful than constantly switching between investments.

Disclaimer: This article is for educational and informational purposes only and is not financial advice. ETFs carry investment risks, and you may lose money. Always research a fund’s latest factsheet, fees, holdings, and investment objectives before investing.

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