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Questrade is a Canadian online broker that lets you invest on your own in stocks, ETFs, options and several other investment products. In this Questrade review, we assess its accounts, fees, platforms, and main advantages and disadvantages for self-directed investors.
Questrade has been around since 1999 and administers more than $75 billion in assets, according to the data it publishes (Investor Economics, spring 2024). The company is a registered securities dealer, a member of the Canadian Investment Regulatory Organization (CIRO) and of the Canadian Investor Protection Fund (CIPF).
Our review focuses mainly on self-directed investing. We’re looking at Questrade as a brokerage platform, rather than at its portfolio management services.
Questrade is a Canadian online brokerage founded in 1999. It lets investors choose their own investments and manage their accounts online.
Questrade offers, among others, TFSA, RRSP, FHSA, RESP, cash and margin accounts. Investors can also hold US dollars directly in their eligible accounts.
Founded in 1999, the company has close to three decades of presence in the Canadian market and more than $75 billion in assets under administration, according to its own figures. It also presents itself as one of the largest independent online brokerages in Canada.
Questrade isn’t aimed only at active traders. Its offering also suits investors who regularly buy ETFs or stocks to build a long-term portfolio.
Questrade also offers Questwealth Portfolios, a managed portfolio service that lets you invest without picking each investment yourself. However, since this article focuses mainly on self-directed brokerage, we concentrate on that side of things in our review.
Questrade offers several self-directed investment accounts for different financial goals. The main ones are:
Questrade also offers several other account types, including certain retirement accounts, joint accounts and corporate accounts.
Opening an account is free. Questrade doesn’t charge inactivity fees either. TFSA, RRSP, FHSA, RESP and RRIF accounts also carry no account-holding fees.
To better understand the differences between the main registered accounts, see our guide RRSP vs TFSA vs FHSA.
Questrade lets you invest in a fairly wide range of investment products. Self-directed investors can buy stocks, ETFs, options, mutual funds, bonds, GICs and precious metals.
Questrade also offers access to certain international markets as well as Forex and CFDs through Questrade Global. These products are geared more toward experienced investors, though.
Fractional shares are now available on eligible US stocks and ETFs. They can be purchased from as little as $1, commission-free, in eligible self-directed accounts.
For the long-term investor, though, stocks and ETFs remain the most important part of the platform.
Questrade now charges $0 commission for buying and selling eligible Canadian and US stocks and ETFs. However, $0 commission doesn’t necessarily mean $0 in fees.
Here are the main fees to know:
*Starting September 28, 2026. Before that date, fees for US index options vary based on monthly volume.
See Questrade’s trading fee schedule for the full list of fees and commissions.
Converting between Canadian and US dollars currently costs 1.5% at Questrade. This cost can add up if you regularly convert large amounts.
However, the stock journaling feature lets you avoid high exchange fees. It’s free and unlimited with a Questrade Plus subscription.
Questrade also lets you hold US dollars directly in your accounts. That way, you can buy US securities without a forced conversion when you already hold enough US dollars.
That’s an element worth considering before comparing brokerage commissions alone.
Questrade doesn’t charge any account opening or inactivity fee.
Transferring an account to another institution costs $150 per account. Conversely, Questrade can reimburse up to $150 per account for certain transfer fees charged by another institution, subject to its conditions.
See Questrade’s administrative fee schedule for the applicable fees.
Questrade Pro is Questrade‘s advanced brokerage platform. It runs in a browser and is mainly geared toward active investors looking for more sophisticated tools.
The platform includes advanced charting, analysis tools, a performance dashboard, a technical pattern detection tool and advanced options functions.
Questrade Pro is available free of charge to Questrade clients. Some advanced features and data may still involve extra fees, though.
For most investors who simply buy ETFs or stocks for the long term, Questrade is enough.
Questrade Plus is an optional subscription that adds perks to brokerage accounts. You don’t need to subscribe to it to benefit from $0 commissions on stocks, ETFs and US stock options.
Here are the main differences:
*Questrade Plus is offered free of charge until September 30, 2026.
The 1% match on RRSP contributions is particularly attractive for some investors. It applies to new eligible net contributions, up to the CRA’s annual limit.
That said, Questrade Plus isn’t necessary for a passive investor who makes a few ETF transactions per year. Its value grows mainly for active investors, or those who can take advantage of its perks.
Questrade Inc. is a registered securities dealer and a member of CIRO and CIPF:
Questrade’s regulatory standing and size are therefore reassuring for an investor who wants a broker independent from the big banks.
Questrade is particularly appealing for investors who want to control their own investments and access a wide range of products.
The French-language experience remains something to watch. Questrade states that its website, platforms and services are still being translated. That said, opening several popular accounts and bilingual support are already available in French.
If you’re looking for a very simple platform to buy a few ETFs each month, some competing solutions may also be worth a look. To compare the main Canadian platforms, see our guide on the best brokerage platforms.
Questrade and Wealthsimple both offer commission-free self-directed investing on several stocks and ETFs. The right choice depends more on your needs than on transaction price alone.
Questrade stands out for the breadth of its accounts, its advanced trading tools, its dual-currency accounts and its features for active investors. Wealthsimple leans more toward an all-in-one experience and a simplified interface.
If you’re torn between the two, our detailed comparison Questrade vs Wealthsimple covers the main differences between both platforms.
Questrade remains an appealing online broker for self-directed Canadian investors. Its move to $0 commission on stock and ETF purchases and sales considerably strengthens its value proposition.
Its main strength, though, is flexibility. You can use registered or non-registered accounts, hold US dollars, buy fractional shares and access advanced trading tools.
Questrade Pro also strengthens the offering for active investors. On the other hand, its many features may be overkill for someone who simply wants to buy a few ETFs for the long term.
Lastly, the French-language experience remains incomplete. That’s a drawback for some Quebec investors, even though Questrade is currently continuing to translate its services.
Overall, Questrade is an excellent option for self-directed investors looking for flexibility and advanced tools. That said, investors who value simplicity above all might prefer another platform.
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