Answer one or two questions and we'll point you to the broker that fits your priorities — based on fees, account types, and platform features from our latest comparison.
Question 1
What matters most to you?
Question 2
What do you trade most?
Question 2
What kind of advanced trading do you need most?
Question 2
Do you need an RDSP or other specialized accounts?
Question 2
What kind of support matters most?
Question 3
Which bank do you primarily use?
Best for beginners
Wealthsimple
Fastest signup in Canada (under 10 minutes), the cleanest mobile app, fractional shares, and integrated banking and crypto in one account. $0 commissions on stocks, ETFs, and options. The default starting point for first-time investors.
$0 commissions on Canadian stocks and ETFs, plus the only independent that supports USD in every registered account (TFSA, RRSP, FHSA, RESP, Spousal, Corporate). The best balance of low cost and account flexibility.
Access to 150+ global markets, the lowest margin rates in Canada (around 3.83%), institutional-grade trading tools, and the cheapest currency conversion of any broker. The platform of choice for serious traders.
If you trade US stocks, FX is the hidden cost most brokers hide behind a 1.5–2% spread. IBKR charges roughly 0.03% — the lowest in Canada. On a $10,000 conversion, that's around $200 saved versus a typical broker.
Serious options trading needs more than cheap commissions — you need full options chains with Greeks, multi-leg order entry, volatility analytics, and a fast execution engine. IBKR is the only Canadian broker that delivers all four. Per-contract pricing is competitive (around $0.65–$1.00) and the platform is built for active traders.
Wealthsimple is the only Canadian broker with $0 per-contract options fees — confirmed as of January 2026. Every other broker in Canada charges between $0.65 and $2.50 per contract. If your priority is cost over advanced platform features, Wealthsimple is the cheapest option by a wide margin. For multi-leg strategies and Greeks, see the "powerful tools" branch instead.
IBKR's margin rates are the lowest in Canada — around 5.4% on USD balances and tier-based on CAD starting near 3.83% on the highest tier. Questrade and most Big-5 banks charge 8–11%. On a $100,000 margin balance, the difference is several thousand dollars in interest savings per year. The platform is also built for active leverage with real-time risk tools.
IBKR is the only Canadian broker with direct access to 150+ exchanges across 33+ countries. If you want to trade German equities, Hong Kong listings, or London-quoted ETFs without ADR markups, IBKR is realistically your only option in Canada. Native currency holdings and institutional-grade order routing across markets.
IBKR offers the deepest extended-hours trading session of any Canadian broker (4 AM to 8 PM ET on US markets) and full access to US OTC markets. If you trade earnings announcements, follow Asian-market news cycles, or hold OTC positions, IBKR has the broadest access available to Canadian retail investors.
Questrade has built a strong reputation for direct phone and chat support staffed by people who actually know the platform — without the "let me transfer you to a banking specialist" loops you get with Big-5 brokerages. Combined with $0 commissions and full registered account flexibility, it's the top pick if you value being able to talk to a real broker specialist quickly.
Qtrade is consistently ranked at or near the top for research depth and portfolio analytics — the platform's tools go further than most competitors for investors who like to screen, analyze fundamentals, and review portfolio composition in detail. $0 commissions on Canadian-listed stocks and ETFs, with a research suite that rivals Big-5 banks.
$0 commissions on stocks and ETFs combined with the full registered account suite that the independent brokers don't offer. A strong alternative to a Big-5 brokerage if you don't already bank with one.
Single login with your TD banking, full registered account suite including RDSP and LIF, and the strongest research platform among the Big-5 brokerages. $9.99 per trade — the trade-off for the convenience and account coverage.
Single login with RBC banking, the full registered account suite, and integrated tools across RBC's wealth ecosystem. $9.95 per trade. The default choice for existing RBC clients who want everything in one place.
Single login with BMO banking, full registered account suite, and a long-running track record with strong client service. $9.95 per trade. The right call if you already bank with BMO.
Single login with CIBC banking, full registered account suite, and access to CIBC's CDR program for fractional ownership of US stocks in CAD. $6.95 per trade — the cheapest of the Big-5 brokerages.
Single login with Scotiabank, full registered account suite, and integration with Scotia Wealth services. $9.99 per trade. Best fit if you already bank with Scotia and value keeping your accounts together.
