Investing / Online brokers / Qtrade Direct Investing
Qtrade Direct Investing
Research tools and a large cash-back offer · #2 of 14 online brokers
Up to $5,000 cash back — 5% back on $1,000–$10,000, then $550 to $5,000 by deposit tier, plus $100 if you fund $25,000+ in your first 30 days. Ends Jan 5, 2027
- Yearly cost · Growing
- $0
- Stock & ETF trade
- $0
- Currency conversion
- Not published
- Offer on $25k
- $650
$25,000 · 24 trades a year
Online stocks, ETFs and mutual funds
USD accounts; registered USD accounts US$15/quarter
Up to $5,000 cash back
Our verdict
Qtrade Direct Investing scores 88/100, #2 of the 14 online brokers we compare. Best for: research tools and a large cash-back offer.
- $0 online stock, ETF and mutual fund trades
- Options at $0.75 a contract with no base fee
- Up to $5,000 cash back for new clients until Jan 5, 2027
What a year of investing costs
Estimated yearly cost
$0$25,000 · 24 trades a year in a TFSA| Commissions 24 × $0.00 | $0.00 |
|---|---|
| Account fees No admin fee on CAD accounts | $0.00 |
| Yearly cost | $0.00 |
| Starter$5,000 · 12 trades a year | $0 |
|---|---|
| Growing$25,000 · 24 trades a year | $0 |
| Active$100,000 · 120 trades a year | $0 |
Canadian-listed trades of $1,000. Currency conversion, options and ECN fees are extra. Try your own numbers.
Welcome offer
Up to $5,000 cash back
5% back on $1,000–$10,000, then $550 to $5,000 by deposit tier, plus $100 if you fund $25,000+ in your first 30 days.
- Open a new Qtrade account with code OFFER2026 by Jan 5, 2027
- Fund it by Feb 5, 2027 (add $25,000+ within 30 days for the $100 sign-up bonus)
- Keep net new deposits in place until Feb 5, 2028
- Sign-up bonus paid around March 5, 2027; cash back around March 5, 2028
| Transfer $10,000 | $500 |
|---|---|
| Transfer $25,000 | $650 |
| Transfer $50,000 | $700 |
| Transfer $100,000 | $800 |
Offer ends Jan 5, 2027. Cash back paid around March 2028. Code: OFFER2026. Official terms
Fees & features
| Stocks & ETFs | $0Online stocks, ETFs and mutual funds |
|---|---|
| Options | $0.75 per contract, no base commission |
| Currency conversion | Not published as a single rate |
| US dollar accounts | USD accounts; registered USD accounts US$15/quarter |
| Account fees | No admin fee on CAD accounts |
| Minimum | $0 |
| Fractional shares · DRIP | Whole shares only listed · Dividend reinvestment |
| Platforms | Web and mobile, with in-depth research tools |
| Accounts | TFSARRSPFHSARESPNon-registeredMarginRRIFLIRA |
| Transfers | No transfer-fee reimbursement listedTransfer out: $150 |
| Protection | CIPFCIRO member · Aviso Financial Inc. (Qtrade Direct Investing) |
Pros & cons
Pros
- $0 commissions on stocks, ETFs and mutual funds
- Cheap options: $0.75 a contract, no base commission
- Eight account types
- Strong research and portfolio tools
Cons
- Registered USD accounts cost US$15 a quarter
- $150 to transfer out
- FX spread not published
Qtrade FAQ
How much does Qtrade Direct Investing charge per trade?
$0 per online stock or ETF trade. Online stocks, ETFs and mutual funds. Options: $0.75 per contract, no base commission.
Does Qtrade Direct Investing have account fees?
No admin fee on CAD accounts. Transferring out costs $150.
Is Qtrade Direct Investing good for buying US stocks?
USD accounts; registered USD accounts US$15/quarter. Currency conversion: Not published as a single rate.
Which accounts does Qtrade Direct Investing offer?
TFSA, RRSP, FHSA, RESP, Non-registered, Margin, RRIF, LIRA.
What is the Qtrade welcome offer?
Up to $5,000 cash back: 5% back on $1,000–$10,000, then $550 to $5,000 by deposit tier, plus $100 if you fund $25,000+ in your first 30 days. Use code OFFER2026. Offer ends Jan 5, 2027.
Is Qtrade safe?
Aviso Financial Inc. (Qtrade Direct Investing) is a CIRO member; accounts are protected by CIPF up to $1 million per account category if the firm fails. That protection does not cover market losses.
Alternatives
Source: Qtrade official fee schedule · offer terms · Checked Oct 16, 2026.
WalletReturn is independent. We may earn a commission when you open an account through some links; that never changes our scores or our numbers. Fees and offers change — confirm them with the provider before you open an account. This is general information, not investment advice. Investments are not guaranteed; CIPF protection covers missing client property if a member firm fails, not market losses.