Open an account

Qtrade Direct Investing

Why choose Qtrade Direct Investing?

Take control of your financial future

Qtrade Direct Investing is a Canadian online brokerage that offers $0 commission trading on eligible Canadian and U.S. stocks, ETFs and mutual funds, professional-grade research tools and award-winning customer support, and was ranked #1 in platform and fees by The Globe and Mail in 2026. Qtrade is also the preferred direct investing partner for credit unions coast-to-coast.

Open an account

Why choose Qtrade Direct Investing? 

Confidence of knowledge

We’ve designed our tools and resources with you in mind. As a Qtrader, you get access to:

Confidence in the click

Experience our award-winning platform - online or through our convenient mobile app. Enjoy the ability to manage your investments anywhere, anytime so you can take advantage of moving markets in real time.

Confidence in the relationship

We’re here to help you every step of the way – whether you need help, transferring funds, or sorting out any issue, our has your back and can provide fast, expert assistance.

Aviso

Backed by strength.

Qtrade is owned by Aviso, a leading provider of wealth and investment services for the Canadian financial industry and is the preferred direct investing partner for credit unions coast-to-coast.

Open an account



Frequently Asked Questions

  • Qtrade Direct Investing is built around giving you the knowledge you need to invest with confidence. When you open an account, you gain access to:

    • Real-time quotes on Canadian and U.S. markets
    • Advanced research tools, including Morningstar analyst ratings and Morningstar Library content
    • The Qtrade Options Lab, powered by Trading Central to help you identify options trading opportunities, explore strategies, and build confidence in options trading.
    • Portfolio Score™, Qtrade's analytics tool that evaluates your portfolio across six dimensions: Downside Protection, Diversification, Fees, Income, Performance and ESG
    • Portfolio Creator, a Wealthscope-powered tool that searches a database of over 24.7 million portfolio combinations to match your investment objectives
    • Portfolio Simulator, which lets you compare your current holdings against hypothetical scenarios before you commit
    • Market news and commentary from trusted sources like Dow Jones
    • A full library of educational articles covering everything from basics to advanced strategies
    • Stock, ETF and mutual fund screeners with customizable sliders for metrics like P/E ratio, market cap and management expense ratio

    Whether you are just starting out or managing a complex, multi-asset portfolio, these tools give you a clearer picture of where you stand and where you could go.

  • Yes. Qtrade Direct Investing is available on both desktop and mobile apps for iOS and Android. The platforms are built for different moments in your investing day:

    • Desktop: Where you do the deep work. Research, portfolio analytics, account management and educational tools all live here.
    • Mobile app (iOS and Android): Quick access to quotes, trades, watchlists, advanced charting and fund transfers.

    You can take advantage of moving markets in real time, wherever you are, without sacrificing the depth of information available on desktop.

  • As of October 2025, Qtrade Direct Investing offers $0 commission trading on all Canadian and U.S. stocks, mutual funds and ETFs for all clients, with no caps, no activity thresholds and no promotional conditions. This is a full structural change, not a limited-time offer.

    The Globe and Mail's 2026 Brokerage Rankings placed Qtrade Direct Investing at #1 among all Canadian online brokerages for fee competitiveness.

  • Qtrade Direct Investing has earned consistent recognition from independent, third-party evaluators:

    The Globe & Mail

    • 13 top-place wins for Best Online Brokerage — 2023 (tied for top grade "A"), 2022, 2021, 2020, 2018, 2016, 2014, 2011, 2010, 2009, 2008, 2007, 2006, 2005
    • Ranked #1 in fees and platform in 2026

    MoneySense

    • Three first-place wins for Best Online Brokerage — 2020, 2018, 2017

    Surviscor

    • Eight first-place wins for Best Online Brokerage Desktop Experience — 2025, 2024, 2023, 2022, 2021, 2019, 2018, 2017, 2016
    • Three first-place wins for Best Independent Broker — 2018, 2017, 2016
    • First-place win for Best Overall Brokerage Experience (inaugural) — 2020
    • First-place win for fees and pricing — 2026

    Other top rankings

    • Motley Fool — best overall & best for beginners (2024, 2022), best mobile app (2026)
    • MoneyGenius — best online broker, 2025
    • Million Dollar Journey — best Canadian online broker, 2022 – 2026
    • Benzinga — best online broker (2025), best customer service (2026)

    These rankings come from independent evaluators — Qtrade cannot influence or opt out of reviews.

  • You do not need to navigate investing decisions alone. Qtrade Direct Investing's team has your back every step of the way — whether you need help transferring funds, placing a trade or resolving an account issue. Support is available through multiple channels:

    • Live Chat: Available Monday to Friday, 7:00 am to 2:00 pm PST
    • Phone: Toll-free at 1.877.787.2330, or local at 604.605.4199 (Monday to Friday, 8:30 am to 8:00 pm ET)
    • Telephone trading: Available for clients who prefer to place orders by phone
    • Secure Message Centre: For general, technical or trading inquiries
    • Email: DirectInvesting@qtrade.ca
    • Guided walkthroughs ("Guide Me"): Step-by-step in-platform assistance
    • Interactive chatbot and FAQ: Available any time
    • Dedicated relationship management: Available for clients with complex needs

    Qtrade's goal is to answer 80% of phone calls within 120 seconds. Account applications take only a few minutes and can typically be opened in one day.

  • Qtrade supports 10 account types, including:

    • Cash accounts
    • Margin accounts
    • RRSP (Registered Retirement Savings Plan)
    • TFSA (Tax-Free Savings Account)
    • FHSA (First Home Savings Account)
    • RRIF (Registered Retirement Income Fund)
    • RESP (Registered Education Savings Plan)
    • Non-registered investment accounts

    Each account type is accessible through the same desktop and mobile platforms, with the ability to manage multiple accounts from a single login.

  • Qtrade Direct Investing uses 256-bit encryption and two-factor authentication (2FA) to protect your account. Qtrade also provides a 100% reimbursement guarantee for losses due to unauthorized activity*, giving you added peace of mind as you invest.

    Our dealer, Aviso Financial Inc. is a Member of the Canadian Investor Protection Fund (CIPF), which offers coverage for eligible client assets. You can learn more about the coverage details on the CIPF website. 

*This guarantee only applies to Qtrade Direct Investing account. It does not cover situations in which you: (i) fail to follow your customer responsibilities as noted above; or (ii) authorize account activity, including: (1) the activities of any person to whom you have given, or with whom you have shared, your customer username and passwords, and (2) the activities of any person, including an investment advisor or professional (its employees and agents), to whom you have granted authority of any type over your account (such as power of attorney, trading or money movement authorization or an investment management relationship).

The guarantee does not cover any tax consequences, your legal fees and expenses, or any consequential, lost opportunity or non-monetary damages. The guarantee will not apply in any situation in which you do not report unauthorized activity promptly to Qtrade Direct Investing.

You must work with us in any investigation, and we may ask that you take additional steps including, but not limited to, filing a police report, completing a notarized affidavit regarding the unauthorized transactions, cooperating and answering questions from Qtrade Direct Investing and law enforcement authorities, and, if necessary, allowing access to the computer or other access device that is suspected of being compromised.

Qtrade Direct Investing will determine the type and amount of reimbursement, including whether to replace the securities in your account that were taken, and may seek restitution for reimbursements made under this guarantee from the person(s) or entity that committed the unauthorized activity. We may not provide reimbursement if you are reimbursed, or eligible for reimbursement or other coverage, by others for the unauthorized transactions; for example, by your insurance company.

Qtrade Direct Investing may ask that you assign to us certain rights you may have regarding your loss and to sign a release form as a condition of reimbursement. You may not assign your rights under the guarantee to any other individual or party.

Aviso Wealth Inc. ('Aviso') is a wholly owned subsidiary of Aviso Wealth LP, which in turn is owned 50% by Desjardins Financial Holding Inc. and 50% by a limited partnership owned by the five Provincial Credit Union Centrals and The CUMIS Group Limited. The following entities are subsidiaries of Aviso: Aviso Financial Inc. (including divisions Aviso Wealth, Qtrade Direct Investing, Qtrade Guided Portfolios, Aviso Correspondent Partners), Aviso Insurance Inc., Credential Insurance Services Inc. and Northwest & Ethical Investments L.P.