Updated: April 2025  |  bremo.io financial guides

Best All-in-One ETFs Canada 2025 — VGRO, XGRO, VEQT Compared

All-in-one ETFs (also called asset allocation ETFs) are single funds that hold a globally diversified portfolio of stocks and bonds in your chosen ratio. They're the simplest, most effective investing tool available to most Canadians — one purchase gives you instant global diversification with automatic rebalancing.

What Makes Them "All-in-One"?

Each all-in-one ETF holds a collection of other ETFs covering global equity markets and bond markets. When you buy VGRO, for example, you're actually holding proportionate shares of Vanguard's Canadian, US, international, and bond ETFs — all managed as a single fund that rebalances itself to maintain the target allocation.

VGRO vs. XGRO

VGRO (Vanguard) and XGRO (iShares) are nearly identical 80/20 growth ETFs. Both hold approximately 80% global equities and 20% bonds, are globally diversified, and have very similar MERs (VGRO: 0.24%, XGRO: 0.20%). The small MER difference is negligible for most investors. Choose either — the performance difference over time will be minimal.

Full Comparison: All Major All-in-One ETFs

100% Equity Options

• VEQT (Vanguard): 100% global equity. MER 0.24%. For highest risk tolerance and 20+ year horizon.
• XEQT (iShares): 100% global equity. MER 0.20%. Near-identical to VEQT.

80/20 Growth Options

• VGRO (Vanguard): 80% equity, 20% bonds. MER 0.24%.
• XGRO (iShares): 80% equity, 20% bonds. MER 0.20%.

60/40 Balanced Options

• VBAL (Vanguard): 60% equity, 40% bonds. MER 0.24%.
• XBAL (iShares): 60% equity, 40% bonds. MER 0.20%.

40/60 Conservative Options

• VCNS (Vanguard): 40% equity, 60% bonds. MER 0.24%.
• XCNS (iShares): 40% equity, 60% bonds. MER 0.20%.

Which One Should You Choose?

Choose based on your timeline and ability to handle volatility:

• 20+ years, comfortable with major drops: VEQT or XEQT (100% equity)
• 10–20 years, moderate risk tolerance: VGRO or XGRO (80/20)
• 5–10 years, balanced approach: VBAL or XBAL (60/40)
• Under 5 years or near retirement: VCNS or XCNS (40/60), or consider GICs instead

All-in-One ETF Inside TFSA: The Optimal Setup

Buy VGRO or XGRO inside your TFSA with monthly automatic contributions. This single combination — the right ETF in the right account — is an investment portfolio that most professional advisors would struggle to meaningfully improve upon at any fee level.