To invest in the stock market independently, using company shares or exchange-traded funds (ETFs), you need an online brokerage account. Several platforms exist: the platforms of major Canadian banks and independent platforms like Qtrade Direct Investing.
Whether you are a beginner, intermediate, or expert investor, Qtrade has the tools, features, and support you need to achieve your goals. In this evaluation, we explore the services offered, the types of investments available, the advantages and disadvantages, and more.
Qtrade Direct Investing (Qtrade) is an online brokerage platform that allows Canadian investors to invest in the stock market independently. It was founded in 2001 and its headquarters is located in Vancouver, Canada.
Qtrade offers a trading platform for self-directed investors and professionally designed guided portfolios tailored to your financial goals. In this review, we focus primarily on the online brokerage platform, which has consistently ranked #1 among online investment platforms in Canada since its launch.
The Qtrade platform is available on desktop and mobile device, and enables trading in stocks, exchange-traded funds (ETFs), options, bonds, mutual funds, guaranteed investment certificates (GICs), and much more.
Qtrade, a division of the independent wealth management company Aviso Wealth, is a member of the Canadian Investor Protection Fund (CIPF) and regulated by the Investment Industry Regulatory Organization of Canada (IIROC).
From November 28, 2024 to March 31, 2025, Qtrade is offering a special deal for new customers.
By using the promotional code CASHBONUS2025 when opening your account, you can receive a sign-up bonus of $150 by depositing at least $1,000 within 30 days of opening. This offer also includes commission-free trades until April 30, 2025.
If you deposit more, the bonuses increase: a deposit of $5,000 to $24,999 entitles you to a bonus of $250, while a deposit of $25,000 or more allows you to receive a bonus equivalent to 1% of your investment, up to a maximum of $2,000.
To benefit from this offer, you must:
As mentioned above, Qtrade offers two main services for Canadian investors:
The Qtrade trading platform is an online brokerage platform for independent investors. It allows you to trade a wide variety of financial products, from stocks to bonds, in several types of Canadian and U.S. dollar accounts.
Qtrade offers first-rate customer service and educational resources. In addition to offering tools to help you make the most of your investments, such as :
More recently, two new features have been launched on Qtrade Direct Investing :
Finally, Qtrade offers a trial account so you can discover the platform, features and analysis tools.
The Qtrade Guided Portfolios are investment portfolios designed by professionals and tailored to your financial goals. It is an automated service that you do not need to monitor or manage. Experts perform regular monitoring and rebalancing of your portfolio to ensure it always meets your needs. In case of any issues, you can always contact a customer service team.
A wide variety of investment accounts are available at Qtrade: non-registered and registered accounts. To start trading, there is no minimum deposit required. And all major trading accounts are available in Canadian or U.S. dollars.
With non-registered accounts, you can trade stocks and ETFs using a cash account, but also invest with leverage using a margin account.
With registered accounts, you can grow your investments tax-free.
The Qtrade trading platform provides access to a wide selection of investments:
Qtrade is not a no-free trading platform, but it does have some of the lowest fees in Canada. For example, it offers over 100 commission-free ETFs. What’s more, although Qtrade charges an administration fee, this is waived if you meet certain conditions.
Reduced fees are offered to young investors and “Investor Plus” clients (more than 150 transactions per quarter or over $500,000 in assets).
Administration fees are waived if at least one of the following conditions is met:
Qtrade offers quality customer service. Indeed, it has ranked first among online brokers for customer service.
Pros:
Cons:
To open your account, you’ll need government identification, your social insurance number and information about your income and assets.
Then follow these steps:
In summary, Qtrade is one of the best trading platforms in Canada. It allows Canadian investors to independently invest in stocks and ETFs, among other investment options. Qtrade is a secure platform, a member of the Canadian Investor Protection Fund (CIPF) and regulated by the Investment Industry Regulatory Organization of Canada (IIROC). Open your Qtrade account today and start investing!
Qtrade is an online brokerage platform that allows for self-directed stock market investing. It notably offers a trading platform for self-directed investors and professionally designed managed portfolios.
Qtrade is a division of Aviso Wealth, one of the largest independent wealth management companies in Canada, with over $95 billion in assets.
Yes, Qtrade is a secure online brokerage platform. It has been in existence for over 20 years and its headquarters are located in Vancouver, Canada. Qtrade is a member of the CIPF and regulated by the IIROC.
Yes, Qtrade is available in Canada. In fact, Qtrade is recognized as one of the best trading platforms in Canada.
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