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Qtrade Direct Investing Review

Vincent Morin / Sep 13, 2024
Investments Qtrade Direct Investing Review
To the point In this Qtrade Direct Investing review, find out how to invest in the stock market with one of Canada's leading online brokerage platforms.

To invest in the stock market on your own, using stocks or exchange-traded funds (ETFs), you need an online brokerage account. There are several platforms to choose from: platforms from the big Canadian banks and independent platforms such as Qtrade Direct Investing. Whether you’re a new or experienced investor, Qtrade has the tools, features and support you need to reach your goals. In this review, we explore the services offered, the types of investments available, the pros and cons, and more.

What is Qtrade?

Qtrade Direct Investing (Qtrade) is an online brokerage platform that enables Canadian investors to invest in the stock market independently. It was founded in 2001 and is headquartered in Vancouver, Canada.

01-Qtrade

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 independent wealth management company Aviso Wealth, is a member of the Canadian Investor Protection Fund (CIPF) and regulated by the Canadian Investment Regulatory Organization (CIRO).

Qtrade services

As mentioned above, Qtrade offers two main services for Canadian investors:

  • Qtrade Trading Platform
  • Qtrade Guided Portfolios

Qtrade Trading Platform

The Qtrade trading platform is an online brokerage platform for self-directed 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.

02-Qtrade

Qtrade offers first-rate customer service and educational resources. In addition
offers tools to help you make the most of your investments, such as:

  • Portfolio Score
  • Portfolio Simulator
  • Portfolio Creator
  • Goal Planning

Finally, Qtrade offers a trial account so you can discover the platform, features and analysis tools.

Qtrade Guided Portfolios

Qtrade Guided Portfolios are professionally designed investment portfolios tailored to your financial goals. It’s an automated service that you don’t need to monitor or manage. In fact, experts regularly monitor and rebalance your portfolio to ensure that it always meets your needs. If you have any problems, you can always contact a customer service team.

Qtrade Account Types

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.

Trading Accounts

With non-registered accounts, you can trade stocks and ETFs using a cash account, but also invest with leverage using a margin account.

  • Cash (available in individual, joint or group accounts)
  • Margin account

Registered Accounts

With registered accounts, you can grow your investments tax-free.

  • First Home Savings Account (FHSA)
  • Tax-Free Savings Account (TFSA)
  • RRSPs (individual or joint accounts) and RRIFs
  • LIRAs and LIFs
  • Registered Education Savings Plan (RESP)

Investment choices on Qtrade

The Qtrade trading platform provides access to a wide selection of investments:

  • Canadian stocks (TSX, TSXV, CSE and Neo) and U.S. stocks (NYSE and NASDAQ)
  • Canadian and U.S. exchange-traded funds (ETFs) (100 commission-free ETFs)
  • Mutual Funds
  • Corporate and government bonds
  • New issues (IPO)
  • Guaranteed Investment Certificates (GICs)
  • Options (buying and selling)
  • Etc.

Fees for using the Qtrade trading platform

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.

Trading fees

  • Stocks: $8.75
  • ETFs: $8.75 (*100 commission-free ETFs)
  • Mutual funds: $8.75
  • Options: $8.75 (+ $1.25 per contract)

Reduced fees are offered to “Investor Plus” customers (more than 150 transactions per quarter or over $500,000 in assets).

Administration fees

  • Administration fee: $25 per quarter (*except for FHSA or conditions below)
  • Fees for accounts registered in U.S. dollars: US$15 per quarter (*except for FHSA)

Administration fees are waived if at least one of the following conditions is met:

  • Customer for less than a quarter
  • $25,000 or more in assets
  • 2 or more commission transactions in the previous quarter
  • 8 or more commission transactions in the last 12 months
  • $100 or more in programmed monthly contributions to your account
  • $50 or more in programmed monthly contributions to your account (ages 18 to 30)

Qtrade Customer Support

Qtrade offers quality customer support. In fact, Qtrade ranks first among online brokers when it comes to customer service.

05-Qtrade

Pros and cons of Qtrade

Pros:

  • Quality customer service
  • 100 commission-free ETFs
  • Wide variety of accounts
  • Trading accounts offered in Canadian or U.S. dollars

Cons:

  • Trading fees for equities and ETFs (excluding 100 commission-free ETFs)
  • Administration fee (waived under certain conditions)

How do I open a Qtrade investment account?

To open your account, you’ll need government identification, your social insurance number and information about your income and assets.

Then follow these steps:

  • Activate your account using the confirmation code you will receive by e-mail.
  • Select an account type and enter your personal information.
  • Confirm your identity.
  • Sign and submit your electronic application.
  • Wait for your application to be approved.

Bottom Line

In short, Qtrade is one of the best trading platforms in Canada. It enables Canadian investors to invest independently on the stock market in equities and ETFs, in addition to other investment choices. 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!

What is the Qtrade brokerage platform?

Qtrade is an online brokerage platform for independent stock market investing. It includes a trading platform for independent investors and professionally designed guided portfolios.

Who owns Qtrade?

Qtrade is a division of Aviso Wealth, one of Canada’s largest independent wealth management companies with over $95 billion in assets.

Is Qtrade a secure platform?

Yes, Qtrade is a secure online brokerage platform. It has been in existence for over 20 years and is headquartered in Vancouver, Canada. Qtrade is a member of FCPI and regulated by OCRI.

Is Qtrade available in Canada?

Yes, Qtrade is available in Canada. In fact, Qtrade is recognized as one of the best trading platforms in Canada.

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Vincent Morin
Vincent Morin
My name is Vincent and I've been a stay-at-home parent to two young boys since achieving financial independence in 2021 (FIRE). Previously, I worked for 12 years in financial technology for a major US investment bank (G-SIB). I'm passionate about personal finance, stock market investing, reading, writing, cycling and gardening. I'm also the founder of Retraite 101, a personal finance blog followed by over 20,000 people on social networks and quoted in several media, blogs and finance books. Despite early retirement, I continue to write about personal finance to share my passion with Quebecers and motivate them to take charge of their finances.

All posts by Vincent Morin

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