Do you want to manage your own investment portfolio? If so, you might benefit from comparing Qtrade Direct InvestingTM and Questrade. These are two of Canada’s most reputable and affordable trading platforms. It’s easy to sign up for an account and you can start executing trades as soon as you load money into your wallet.
Learn which trading platform might be the best choice for your unique set of financial needs. Once you decide on a platform, and sign up today to get started.
Which one is better?
There isn’t a wrong or right platform when it comes to trading, although many Canadians contemplate between Questrade and Qtrade. Below is an overview of which is better for what purpose.
Choose Questrade if you are interested in international equities or precious metals and intend to trade actively and frequently
Choose Qtrade if you plan to invest in various exchange traded funds (ETFs) and mutual funds
Qtrade vs Questrade: Quick comparison
Both Qtrade and Questrade were launched in Canada over 20 years ago, and both have head offices located in the country.
Qtrade and Questrade are both well-known self-directed trading platforms in Canada. They offer streamlined technology that lets you manage a number of different investment types at one time. This means you’ll have full control over all of the trades you make. (You won’t get specialized advice from a financial advisor, but if that’s what you’re looking for, both providers offer a robo-advice platform. To read about each platform’s robo-advisors, read our review of Virtual Wealth vs Questwealth Portfolios here.)
You’ll typically pay a much lower commission to make trades with this type of platform when compared to a dedicated advisor. You’ll just need to rebalance your investments manually when they fall out of line with your risk profile, which requires a certain level of expertise.
Qtrade vs Questrade: Fees
Questrade and Qtrade are on par in terms of the commissions they charge to execute trades. That said, Qtrade is a little bit cheaper for regular traders while Questrade is cheaper for active traders.
Commission type
Qtrade
Questrade
Quarterly fee
$25 (waived if you hold $25,000 or make 2 trades per quarter)
$0
Stocks
Between $6.95 and $8.75
Between $4.95 and $9.95
Exchange traded funds (ETFs)
Between $6.95 and $8.75 (or pick from 100+ free ETFs)
Between $4.95 and $9.95 (but free to buy)
Options
Between $6.95 and $8.75 (+$1.25 per contract)
$9.95 plus $1 per contract
Mutual funds
Free
$9.95
International equities
Not available
1% of trade value with a minimum of $195
Precious metals
Not available
Varies
Bonds, IPOs and GICs
Varies
Varies
Dividend reinvestment plan (DRIP) fees
$0 (for both Canada and US)
Usually $0, unless the balance is below $5,000 where a $20 fee per quarter will apply
Forex spread fees
Varies
Varies (15% higher than Qtrade, roughly)
Institutional account transfer fees
Reimburse up to $150 to transfer from another broker account
Reimburse up to $150 to transfer from another broker account
Qtrade vs Questrade: Account types
You can open a couple of different registered and cash accounts with both Qtrade and Questrade. Cash accounts will allow you to hold more flexible investments that you can withdraw from at any time without penalty. Keep in mind that your gains may be subject to taxes.
Registered accounts, like RRSPs, TFSAs and RESPs, allow you to earn investment income tax-free. The drawback is contribution and withdrawal limitations apply as they are regulated by the government. It’s up to you to decide which type of account is the best match for your savings goals. Most Canadians prefer to open an RRSP and TFSA first. Once they’ve maxed out the contributions, they open a cash account and continue to save. However, everyone’s financial needs are unique.
Questrade and Qtrade offer US dollar account options in addition to Canadian dollar options. They are available in registered accounts and cash accounts. If you’d like a corporate account for your business, Questrade and Qtrade have account options for that as well.
Qtrade vs Questrade: Research options
Both Qtrade and Questrade offer a wealth of educational resources for clients. These include finance blogs, webinars and special courses to help you get familiar with the building blocks of self-directed investing. Both sites also have extensive FAQ sections to answer some of the most commonly asked questions about their services.
Once you start trading, you can also take advantage of a number of different research tools with each service. The tools offered are similar and include up-to-the-minute news and market data. They also include more advanced options like specialized watchlists and screening tools.
Can I access my account through a mobile app?
Yes. Both Qtrade and Questrade offer a mobile app for easy access to your investments. Qtrade updated their mobile app in mid-2024, improving user interface and adding features such as biometric sign-in, advanced account view, options trading, portfolio allocation and more. The Questrade mobile app has received a high number of negative reviews from customers and is considered fairly unreliable, with customers noting that the app is glitchy and difficult to access at times. They also complain that charting and research tools aren’t as developed as they are on the Questrade desktop interface.
Qtrade vs Questrade: How is my money protected?
Both Qtrade and Questrade are regulated by the Investment Industry Regulatory Organization of Canada (IIROC). They are also both members of the Canadian Investor Protection Fund (CIPF), which insures a portion of any money you have invested in the unlikely case that either company becomes insolvent.
You can also take advantage of a number of safety features with both services. For example, Questrade uses facial recognition software and instant alerts if there’s any suspicious activity on your account. Qtrade encrypts all of your personal and financial information and adheres to strict regulatory standards for all of its services.
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Bottom line
Qtrade and Questrade share a number of the same features. They are both popular choices for Canadians that are interested in self-directed investing. Questrade is generally favourable to active, frequent traders. In addition, individuals interested in international equities and precious metals tend to choose Questrade. On the other hand, Qtrade is better suited for frequent ETFs and mutual funds trades. If you’re ready to open an account with either Questrade or Qtrade, you can easily complete an application online.
Frequently asked questions
Your money is invested in the same way with both trading platforms. You'll need to create an account and load funds into your wallet to get started. You can usually do this by using a bank-to-bank transfer or some other form of payment. From there, you can easily buy and sell investments using the online trading platform.
It depends on which trading platform you go for. You'll need at least $2,000 to get started with Qtrade while Questrade requires at least $1,000.
If you want to use Qtrade or Questrade but you don't want to manage your own investments, you can look at putting your money with the robo-advisor on offer for each platform. These services will make automated investments on your behalf using specialized algorithms.
Yes, you definitely can. It's easy to readjust your portfolio if your risk tolerance or personal situation changes. You can also move your investments around manually if you're willing to pay the commissions for buying and selling (which can add up if you make trades more regularly).
It depends. If your holdings are in a registered account like a TFSA, RRSP or RESP, then you won't have to pay tax on any interest you earn. If not, you'll have to declare the interest you make when you file your taxes.
Disclaimer: This information should not be interpreted as an endorsement of futures, stocks, ETFs, 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 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.
Online brokerage services are offered through Qtrade Direct Investing, a division of Credential Qtrade Securities Inc. Qtrade, Qtrade Direct Investing, and Write your own future are trade names and/or trademarks of Aviso Wealth Inc.
Veronica Ott was a writer at Finder. She's written for numerous finance and business websites including Loans Canada, Borrowell and Fresh Start Finance. She previously worked as a professional chartered accountant in the private equity and advertising industries. See full bio
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