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How to buy US stocks in Canada

Here's everything you need to know about buying US stocks in Canada, plus the platforms with the cheapest brokerage fees when you trade US stocks.

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Interested in buying US stocks in Canada from companies like Facebook, Netflix or Tesla? Luckily, these days it’s inexpensive and easy to invest in US stocks from Canada once you know what to do. There are plenty of online trading platforms that give Canadians access to major international stock exchanges, including the New York Stock Exchange and NASDAQ in the US. Can Canadians buy US stocks? Yes, and here’s how to do.

How to buy US stocks in Canada in 4 steps

  1. Compare brokers with access to US stocks
  2. Open your account by providing your personal information
  3. Fund your account by transferring money from your bank account
  4. Search and select the stocks you want to invest in and start trading

Buying US stocks in Canada

A couple of decades ago, investing in global companies was fairly costly. Today, many trading platforms allow Canadian investors to buy and sell shares in Canada, the US and other international markets for less than $10 a trade in brokerage fees.

However, not all trading apps available in Canada offer access to US stocks. Some only offer Canadian shares or they may charge additional high fees for the service. Before signing up to a new account or a broker, it’s important to check which countries are on the books and what the associated fees are.

Online share trading platforms are one of the easiest ways to buy US-listed shares. By using a platform that offers US stocks you can deposit funds into your account and start buying and selling shares.

Each platform works in a different way, however the same general rules apply as with buying Canadian shares – with a few additional considerations. For example you’ll be charged a brokerage fee and a foreign exchange (FX) fee when you trade shares. Brokerage fees are sometimes higher on international accounts and there may additional costs such as an inactivity fee.

You can also invest in US stocks in Canada via exchange traded funds (ETFs) that hold US stocks. You can find out more about ETFs in our comprehensive guide.

Why invest in US stocks from Canada?

There are many reasons for Canadian investors to own stocks listed in the US. In the last decade, Wall Street’s S&P500 index has delivered annualized average returns of around 14.1%, while Canada’s equivalent the S&P/TSX index returned around 6.9% for the same period.

US stock markets also offer a greater diversity of companies than what is available in Canada. The NYSE and NASDAQ are the two largest stock exchanges in the world in terms of market capitalization, and also offer some of the most lucrative opportunities in the world. Many of the world’s biggest global growth companies, such as Facebook, Amazon, Apple, Netflix and Google (FAANG) are listed in the US.

How to invest in FAANG stocks

Aside from opportunities to profit, it’s important to have a diversified portfolio of stocks. This means investing in companies from a range of sectors as well as countries. If Canada’s economy slows down, stocks listed in another country can act as a buffer.

Which trading platforms allow you to buy US stocks in Canada?

There are a growing number of Canadian online share trading platforms that offer access to international stock exchanges.

Here are some of the platforms that allow trading US stocks from Canada:

Online stock trading platforms for trading US stocks in Canada

Not all brokers or trading platforms provide access to global stock exchanges, so if you want to buy and sell US shares, you’ll need to find one that offers the service for a cost effective brokerage fee.

Name Product Available asset types Stock Fee Option Fee Account Fee ETF Transaction Cost Feature Table description
Wealthsimple Trade
Wealthsimple Trade
Stocks, ETFs
$0
N/A
$0
Free
Get a $50 bonus when you open a Wealthsimple Trade account and deposit and trade at least $100.
Pay no commissions when you trade Canadian stocks and ETFs with Wealthsimple Trade.
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More Info
Scotia iTRADE
Scotia iTRADE
Bonds, Options, Mutual Funds, ETFs, GICs, International Equities
$4.99-$9.99
$9.99 + $1.25 contract ($4.99 + $1.25 contract if completed 150 trades or more a quarter)
$0
$9.99 ($4.99 if completed 150 trades or more a quarter)
Pay no annual account fees.
Buy, sell and trade ETFs, Equities, Options and more with competitive commissions.
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More Info
CIBC Investor's Edge
CIBC Investor's Edge
Stocks, Bonds, Options, Mutual Funds, ETFs
$4.95 - $6.95
$4.95 - $6.95 (+$1.25 per contract)
$0 if conditions met, otherwise $100/year
$6.95
$4.95 - $6.95 is applicable for online stock, ETF and option trades only. Pay $4.95 when you qualify as an Active Trader (trade 150+ times per quarter).
An intuitive and easy-to-use platform with access to a variety of tools that help you make smart decisions and trade with confidence.
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More Info
Interactive Brokers
Interactive Brokers
Stocks, Bonds, Options, ETFs, Currencies, Futures
Min. $1.00, Max. 0.5% of trade value
$1.50 min. per order
$0 (if monthly commissions are greater than or equal to US$10.00)
Min. $1.00, Max. 0.5% of trade value
Extensive trading capabilities and global investment tracking.
Access market data 24 hours a day, six days a week and invest in global stocks, options, futures, currencies, bonds and funds from one single account.
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More Info
Questrade
Questrade
Stocks, Bonds, Options, Mutual Funds, ETFs, GICs, International Equities, Precious Metals
$4.95-$9.95
$9.95 + $1 per contract
$0
Free
Get $50 in free trades when you fund your account with a minimum of $1,000.
Opt for self-directed investing and save on fees or get a pre-built portfolio and take some of the guesswork out.
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More Info
Qtrade Direct Investing
Qtrade Direct Investing
Stocks, Bonds, Options, Mutual Funds, ETFs, GICs
$6.95 - $8.75
$6.95 - $8.75 + $1.25 per contract
$0 if conditions met, otherwise $25/quarter
$0 - $8.75
Trade 100 select ETFs free of charge.
Qtrade Direct Investing offers low trading commissions and an easy-to-use platform with access to powerful tools and a wide selection of investment options. Trade 100 ETFs free of charge and thousands more for $8.75 or lower.
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Compare up to 4 providers

How do I compare trading platforms to buy US stocks in Canada?

Make sure that you take the following features and questions into consideration when comparing the benefits of US share trading sites:

  • How much is the brokerage fee? Compare the fee each company charges every time you place a trade on US stocks. Be aware that this will be different to broker fees for TSX-listed stocks.
  • What’s the exchange rate? Exchange rates vary from platform to platform and this will partly be used to offset low broker fees. Check what these are first.
  • Will you need to pay a monthly fee? Some platforms require you to pay a monthly fee in order to keep your account running or to access certain features.
  • How is market data displayed? Check how up-to-date the market data offered by each platform is — being able to make trades based on current information is critical.
  • How many international markets can you access? Some platforms offer access to a few key international markets while others let you to buy and sell shares on a much larger number of exchanges.
  • How easy is the platform to use? Is it fast, simple and convenient to execute a trade and monitor market performance?
  • What trading options are available? Is the platform just online or can you also place trades over the phone? Are flexible options like limit orders available to let you take advantage of market fluctuations?
  • Are education and research resources available? Trading shares is complex, so does the platform offer the necessary tools to increase your investment knowledge?
  • Is customer support available if you need it? How can it be accessed and when?

What are the pros and cons of buying American stocks in Canada?

Pros

  • Access to different investment opportunities. Trading via US stock exchanges allows you the freedom to take advantage of investment opportunities that are not available in Canada.
  • Increasingly more affordable. As a growing number of online share trading platforms compete for market share, brokerage fees are becoming more affordable.
  • Diversify your portfolio. If all your investments depend on the performance of one national economy – i.e. Canada’s – is your portfolio really as diverse as you think? Buying international shares protects you against having all your eggs in one basket.

Cons

  • Brokerage fees. You’ll need to contend with potentially higher brokerage fees whenever you place a trade on an international share market.
  • Exchange rates. The CAD-USD rate fluctuates frequently which might negatively impact your investment.
  • Additional fees. International trading accounts are sometimes subject to fees that Canada-only platforms are not, such as inactivity fees and exchange fees.

What are some of the risks of buying US stocks in Canada?

One of the key risks to be aware of when buying American stocks in Canada is that you may not have the same level of knowledge and expertise as you have when trading TSX stocks. Investing in an area, industry or country which you know little about is always risky, so it always pays to make sure you know what you’re getting yourself into.

Another factor worth considering is the tax implications of international trading. You don’t want to make any mistakes when declaring your income and capital gains. Familiarize yourself with the tax treatment of your investments as soon as possible to avoid fining yourself on the wrong side of the Canada Revenue Agency (CRA).

Finally, unlike trading Canadian-listed stocks, you’ll be on the hook for exchange fees. Plus, many brokerages also charge a currency conversion fee on top of that. Make sure to factor the exchange rate into your investments when trading US stocks from Canada.

Bottom line

Investing in US stocks from Canada is a solid way to diversify your portfolio and gain exposure to US players across multiple industries. Plus, it’s easier than ever before to buy and sell US-listed assets through popular platforms. Before you get started though, you’ll first want to consider the tax implications, foreign exchange rates, and any fees you may incur for trading internationally. As with trading any assets, there is potential for gains as well as losses, so make sure you research the stock and industry before you buy in.

Frequently asked questions on how to buy US stocks in Canada

Disclaimer: This information should not be interpreted as an endorsement of futures, stocks, ETFs, CFDs, options or any specific provider, service or offering. It should not be relied upon as investment advice or construed as providing recommendations of any kind. Futures, stocks, ETFs and options trading involves substantial risk of loss and therefore are not appropriate for all investors. Trading CFDs and forex on leverage comes with a higher risk of losing money rapidly. Past performance is not an indication of future results. Consider your own circumstances, and obtain your own advice, before making any trades.

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