From commission-free beginner apps to professional-grade global brokerages. Find the right platform for your investing style and goals.
Buy and sell stocks, ETFs, and more on your own. Full control over your portfolio.
Why we like it: The easiest way to start investing in Canada. Commission-free Canadian stocks, beautiful mobile app, fractional shares from $1, and auto-invest to automate your strategy. The Premium plan ($10/mo) removes USD conversion fees.
Why we like it: Canada's original low-cost broker. Free ETF purchases make it the go-to for passive index investors using a buy-and-hold strategy. More advanced tools and charting than Wealthsimple. Supports Norbert's Gambit for cheap USD conversion.
Why we like it: The power user's platform. Best-in-class FX conversion rates ($2 flat vs 1.5% at others — saves hundreds on US stock purchases), access to 150+ global markets, lowest margin rates. Steeper learning curve but unmatched for serious investors.
Why we like it: The first big bank to go commission-free on all stock and ETF trades — Canadian AND US. Backed by a Schedule I bank. A serious competitor to Wealthsimple and Questrade with the trust factor of a major institution.
Automated portfolio management. Answer a few questions, deposit money, and let the algorithm handle the rest.
Why we like it: Canada's most popular robo-advisor. Automatic rebalancing, tax-loss harvesting, and socially responsible investing options. Same beautiful app as Wealthsimple Trade. Ideal for investors who want professional management without the advisor fees.
Why we like it: Half the management fee of Wealthsimple Managed. Five portfolio options from conservative to aggressive. Automatic rebalancing. A strong choice if you want the lowest-cost robo option and are comfortable with Questrade's interface.
| Platform | Type | CDN Trades | US Trades | Min. Deposit | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Wealthsimple Trade | Self-directed | $0 | 1.5% FX | $1 | Beginners |
| Questrade | Self-directed | $4.95+ | $4.95+ | $1,000 | ETF investors |
| Interactive Brokers | Self-directed | $1+ | $1+ | $0 | Advanced / US stocks |
| National Bank Direct | Self-directed | $0 | $0 | $0 | Free + big bank |
| Wealthsimple Managed | Robo-advisor | 0.5% annual fee | $1 | Hands-off | |
| Questwealth | Robo-advisor | 0.25% annual fee | $1,000 | Low-cost robo | |
Fees and features as of March 2026. ETF MERs (0.1-0.25%) apply in addition to platform fees. Always verify current pricing directly with each platform.
Start with Wealthsimple. The $1 minimum, fractional shares, and auto-invest remove every barrier. You can always move to a more advanced platform later — transferring is free.
Interactive Brokers saves you the most on currency conversion — a flat $2 vs 1.5% at Wealthsimple. On a $10,000 USD purchase, that's $2 vs $150. It adds up fast.
Questrade's free ETF purchases are perfect for a simple XEQT/VEQT strategy. Buy once a month, pay nothing. Or use National Bank Direct for completely free trades on everything.
A robo-advisor handles everything. Questwealth at 0.25% is the cheapest. Wealthsimple Managed at 0.5% has the better app. Both beat the 1-2% fees of traditional mutual funds.
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