Compare Canadian Investment Platforms

Canadian online stock brokerage firms offer self-directed investors a way to control their own investing portfolio with registered and non-registered accounts. They offer a wide variety of investments (stocks, ETFs, bonds, mutual funds and more), low fees, and accessible trading platforms. URL

The best Canadian online brokers will have a balance of competitive fees, user-friendly platforms and robust research tools. They’ll also offer a range of deposit and withdrawal options and will be members of the Canadian Investor Protection Fund (CIPF).

How to Compare Canadian Investment Platforms Effectively

Qtrade, Questrade and Wealthsimple are neck-and-neck in our latest ranking of Canada’s best DIY investment platforms. They each offer a competitive set of features that make them appealing to both new and experienced investors alike.

CI Direct Investing, which was formed in 2009 when CI Financial took over Virtual Brokers, is another good choice for those who want to be able to trade international stocks and ETFs at no extra cost. The firm is also one of the few to accept Canadian expats living overseas, which can be a big benefit for some.

National Bank Direct Brokerage (NBDB) shook up the industry in 2021 by becoming the first of the “Big Four” to eliminate commissions for trading ETFs and Canadian stocks. While their mobile app and web platform aren’t as polished as the top contenders, their commitment to adding value and keeping fees among the lowest in Canada is why we gave them a place on this list.