Is Ratehub a mortgage broker or just a rate comparison website?

Ratehub operates as both. Ratehub.ca started as a rate aggregator — a website that displays mortgage rates from multiple lenders side-by-side to help consumers compare. Over time, Ratehub expanded to also offer mortgage brokerage services through its in-house team. In 2022, Ratehub acquired Homewise, a mortgage fintech, which added a licensed mortgage brokerage to Ratehub''s capabilities. So today, Ratehub can serve you as: (1) a comparison tool to see rates from multiple lenders and banks, including rates that link to the lender directly, and (2) a full-service mortgage broker through its Homewise/Ratehub brokerage arm that can originate and place your mortgage with lenders. Many users come for the comparison tool and convert to the brokerage service.

Are the mortgage rates displayed on Ratehub accurate and current?

Ratehub displays rates from a combination of its own lender partners and direct lender submissions. The rates shown for monoline lenders like MCAP, RMG, and First National are typically accurate and current since these lenders submit directly. Bank rates on Ratehub may reflect posted or "best available" rates rather than truly negotiated rates — some big banks publish selective pricing. The rate comparison tool is most useful for identifying the range of rates available and which lenders are competitive that day. For the actual locked-in rate on your specific mortgage (with your down payment, property type, and credit profile), you need to go through the application and commitment process — displayed rates are indicative, not guaranteed without qualification.

What happened when Ratehub acquired Homewise?

Ratehub acquired Homewise in 2022. Homewise had been a standalone AI-first mortgage platform since 2019. After acquisition, Ratehub integrated Homewise''s technology and brokerage licensing into its platform. The resulting entity gives Ratehub both a rate comparison tool (Ratehub.ca) and a licensed mortgage brokerage (operating under the Ratehub brand in most provinces, retaining Homewise branding in some markets). This means users who use Ratehub''s "apply" or "get quote" buttons are now dealing with the combined Ratehub-Homewise brokerage, not being referred to an unaffiliated broker. The technology-first, fast application process from Homewise is embedded in the current Ratehub mortgage application experience.

Does Ratehub charge a fee to use its mortgage comparison tool?

No. Using Ratehub''s rate comparison tool is free to the consumer. Like nesto and most other mortgage brokers, Ratehub earns a finder''s fee from the lender when a mortgage funded through their brokerage closes. Ratehub also earns advertising revenue from lenders and financial institutions that display their products on the comparison site. When you use Ratehub simply to compare rates (without applying through their brokerage), Ratehub may earn a referral fee if you click through to a lender''s site and apply directly. There is no cost to you in any scenario through the comparison tool or the brokerage.

Is Ratehub good for mortgage renewals?

Yes — the comparison tool is particularly useful at renewal time. You can quickly see the current spread of rates across lenders for your renewal product (5-year fixed insured, variable, etc.) and compare them against your current lender''s renewal offer. If you apply through Ratehub''s brokerage, the renewal process is streamlined: no appraisal needed for a straight switch, potentially no new lawyer needed depending on lender, and the application is completed online. Ratehub''s rate alerts feature (email notifications when rates change) makes it a useful ongoing tool to monitor when to act, not just at application time.

Ratehub Mortgage Review Canada 2026: Rate Aggregator or Full Broker?

Item: Ratehub.ca
Rating: 4.0

Ratehub at a Glance

Feature	Detail
Type	Rate comparison site + licensed mortgage brokerage
Founded	2010 (Ratehub); Homewise acquired 2022
Rate comparison	✅ Live rates from 30+ lenders
Broker service	✅ Full brokerage (Ratehub + Homewise)
Cost to borrower	$0
Rate hold	Up to 120 days
Rate alert service	✅ Email alerts when rates change
Languages	English, French
Provinces served	All major provinces

What Ratehub Is — Two Distinct Functions

Function	What It Does	Best Used For
Rate aggregator / comparison tool	Displays current rates from banks, credit unions, monolines side-by-side without sign-up	Research phase; benchmarking your current lender’s offer; understanding the market
Licensed mortgage brokerage	Licensed advisors who originate, apply, and place your mortgage	Active purchase or renewal; competing with your bank’s offer

Many users use Ratehub’s comparison tool for research, then either apply through Ratehub’s brokerage or use the data to negotiate with their own bank.

How Rates Are Sourced on Ratehub

Rate Source Type	Accuracy	Notes
Monoline lenders (First National, MCAP, RMG, etc.)	High — submitted directly	These lenders price aggressively online
Online banks (EQ Bank mortgage)	High — direct	Transparent digital-first pricing
Big 5 banks (RBC, TD, BMO, Scotia, CIBC)	Medium — posted or “best available”	May not reflect actual negotiated rate; tends to be higher
Credit unions	Varies — selective submission	Not all credit unions submit; those listed are accurate
Other brokerages	Varies	Some brokers list their best available rate

Ratehub Mortgage Products

Product	Available
1–5 year fixed (closed)	✅
6, 7, 10-year fixed	✅
Variable rate (closed)	✅
Variable rate (open)	✅
HELOC	✅
Refinance	✅
Switch / transfer	✅
Rental property	✅ (select lenders)
Self-employed / stated income	✅ (limited)
Private / B-lender	⚠️ Limited
Construction / new build	⚠️ Limited

Rate Alert Feature

Ratehub offers a free rate alert service that sends email notifications when mortgage rates change in a category you care about. This is unique among Canadian mortgage platforms and useful for:

Buyers who are 60–120 days from closing and want to know the right moment to lock in
Homeowners approaching renewal (within 120–180 days) timing their switch
Variable rate holders monitoring fixed rate movement to decide if locking makes sense

To set up: Create a free Ratehub account → select alert preferences (rate type, province, amortization category).

Ratehub vs Nesto — Key Differences

Feature	Ratehub	nesto
Primary role	Rate aggregator + brokerage	Online brokerage (rates + origination)
Rate comparison tool (no sign-up)	✅ Yes	✅ Yes
Rate guarantee	❌ No formal guarantee	✅ $500 guarantee
Homewise technology (AI matching)	✅ Yes (acquired 2022)	❌ No
Rate alerts	✅ Yes	❌ No
Lender partners	30+ (comparison) + brokerage panel	75+ (brokerage)
Rate hold	120 days	150 days

Ratehub Pros and Cons

Pros	Cons
Best rate comparison tool in Canada — see 30+ lenders at once	Not all bank rates are truly competitive (posted vs negotiated)
Rate alert emails — unique feature for timing decisions	No formal rate guarantee like nesto’s $500
Full brokerage service (post-Homewise) for end-to-end mortgage	Can be confusing — comparison tool vs broker arm not always clearly distinguished
Free to use	Big bank rates may appear higher than what is actually negotiable at your branch
Useful educational content alongside rate data	Application process slightly less seamless than nesto’s purpose-built broker UX
Strong SEO presence; trustworthy brand in Canada

Who Should Use Ratehub

Great fit	Less ideal
Rate research before committing to any broker	Borrowers needing private / B-lender solutions
Mortgage renewal — benchmarking your bank’s offer	Complex self-employed income situations
Rate alert subscribers timing a rate lock	Borrowers wanting a single dedicated mortgage advisor relationship
First-time buyers in the early research phase
Anyone wanting to quickly survey the market

Ratehub vs direct lenders vs mortgage brokers

Option	Rate access	Personalized advice	Speed	Best for
Ratehub.ca (comparison)	30+ lenders simultaneously	Moderate	Fast research	Comparing options, getting market awareness
Direct bank (e.g., RBC, TD)	Bank’’s own products only	High (relationship manager)	Moderate	Existing customers, complex situations
Independent mortgage broker	50–100+ lenders	High	Moderate	Best rates, unusual situations, self-employed
Online lender (nesto, Homewise)	Own + partner lenders	Lower (chat/email)	Fast	Rate-focused buyers, straightforward deals

Frequently asked questions

Does Ratehub charge a fee? No. Ratehub’’s comparison tool is free to use. Revenue comes from lender referral fees when you proceed with a mortgage through their platform. This is standard in the mortgage comparison industry — be aware that featured listings may prioritize lenders who pay higher referral fees. Always verify the final rate offer directly with the lender.

Can Ratehub get me a better rate than my bank? Often yes. Ratehub aggregates rates from 30+ lenders including online lenders and mortgage investment corporations that frequently undercut major bank rates. The best strategy is to use Ratehub or a broker to establish a market benchmark, then ask your existing bank to match or beat it.

Is the Ratehub mortgage calculator accurate? The calculator provides a reasonable estimate based on inputs you provide. Actual mortgage payments depend on your exact rate (which varies by creditworthiness, property type, and down payment), amortization, and payment schedule. Treat calculator results as directional guidance, not guaranteed quotes.