What is micro-investing?

Micro-investing is when you invest small amounts of money on a regular basis so that it adds up to a larger investment over time. Micro-investing apps have grown more and more popular among the next generation of investors. Learn how it works and your options for getting started in Canada.

What is micro-investing?

Micro-investing allows you to invest small amounts of money to contribute to building up a profitable fund. The premise is simple: If you make small, frequent contributions over time into an investment portfolio, you have the potential to earn more than if you’d saved it up as cash in a savings account.

Not every micro-investing platform works the same way. Some apps let you buy fractional shares, which are small portions of a full stock or ETF. This lets you invest with just a few dollars, making it easier to start building a portfolio gradually. Others work by investing spare change from everyday purchases when you link your bank account.

Which providers offer micro-investing?

The following Canadian brokerages allow you to engage in micro-investing, while also offering competitive fee structures and other helpful trading features.

Qtrade Direct Investing

9.1 Excellent Qtrade Direct Investing

9.1 Excellent

$0

$0

varies based on volume converted

$0

$80 Reward Finder Rewards: Join Finder then open a new Qtrade Direct Investing account through Finder as a new Qtrade client and fund it with a deposit that settles by the end of the promotion to receive an $80 digital Visa gift card. Ends 30 Nov 2026. T&Cs apply. Earn up to $5,000 in cashback (+$100 quick-pay bonus) when you open and fund a new Qtrade account. Valid until January 5, 2027. T&Cs apply.

Go to site View details Compare product selection Compare

loading

Why we like it Qtrade Direct Investing is an online Canadian brokerage that offers commission-free trading on stocks and ETFs. It doesn't support traditional micro-investing features, but you can still use that platform for small-scale investing by purchasing low-cost ETFs and stocks and taking advantage of the $0 commission to build your portfolio at your own pace. Pros & cons Pros $0 commission No minimum deposit required Free research and analysis tools Regulated by CIRO CIPF member (through its parent company, Aviso Financial) Cons No fractional-share trading No micro-investing automation

CIBC Investor's Edge

7.9 Great CIBC Investor's Edge

7.9 Great

$6.95

$0 if conditions are met, or $100

0.2%–1.6%

$0

Young investors 18 to 24 get free online Canadian and US stock and ETF trades and a $0 annual fee using CIBC Investor’s Edge and a chequing account with CIBC Smart Start. T&Cs apply.

Go to site View details Compare product selection Compare

loading

Why we like it CIBC Investor's Edge is the self-directed brokerage arm of one of Canada's Big Five banks, CIBC. While it doesn't offer traditional micro-investing features like fractional shares or automated roundup contributions, investors can use Canadian Depositary Receipts (CDRs) to gain exposure to high-value US or global stocks in Canadian dollars. CDRs represent a fraction of a foreign share and trade on Canadian exchanges, making it easier to invest smaller amounts without needing to buy full shares or handle currency conversion. Pros & cons Pros No minimum deposit required Discounted trading fees for active, young and student investors Backed by a major bank Regulated by CIRO CIPF member (through its parent company, CIBC Investor Services) Cons $6.95 commission fee is high for small investments $100 annual fee for accounts under $10,000 No traditional micro-investing options

Questrade

9.6 Excellent Questrade

9.6 Excellent

$0

$0

1.5%

$0

Get $50 cash back when you open a Questrade self-directed investing account through Finder. T&Cs apply.

Go to site View details Compare product selection Compare

loading

Why we like it Questrade is one of Canada's leading online discount brokerages, known for its low fees, wide range of investment options and user-friendly web and mobile platforms. It lets you start investing with small amounts through fractional share trading, allowing you to buy portions of eligible US stocks and ETFs for as little as $1 with no commission fees. Questrade also has a RoundUp program that automatically invests spare change from everyday purchases made on your linked Visa or Mastercard. Pros & cons Pros Fractional shares let you start small Automatically invest your spare change No commissions on stock/ETF trades Regulated by CIRO CIPF member Cons Fractional shares limited to US securities for now Not all assets are optimized for micro-investing

Interactive Brokers

9.4 Excellent Interactive Brokers

9.4 Excellent

Min $1.00, Max 0.5%

$0

0.08–0.2 bps trade value, min $1.00–$2.00 USD

$0

View details Compare product selection Compare

loading

Why we like it Interactive Brokers is a global brokerage that gives Canadian investors access to a wide range of assets, including stocks, ETFs, options and futures. For smaller-scale investing, Interactive Brokers offers fractional share trading, allowing you to buy portions of eligible US, Canadian or European securities with minimal capital. The platform also provides access to micro and mini futures contracts, which let traders participate in futures markets with smaller contract sizes and lower capital requirements. Pros & cons Pros Fractional US, Canadian and European securities available Set up recurring investments Free trading courses Regulated by CIRO CIPF member Cons Commission fee of 0.25–0.85 USD per futures contract Complex platform not suited for beginners

Moomoo

8.6 Great Moomoo

8.6 Great

$1.49/stock

$0

0%

$0

View details Compare product selection Compare

loading

Why we like it Moomoo Financial Canada is a low-cost trading platform that gives Canadians access to stocks and ETFs with no account minimums and competitive per-trade pricing. It only offers fractional shares to US residents and doesn't have a round-up feature, but you can use the platform for small-scale investing by starting with lower-priced stocks or ETFs. Its commission fee of $0.0149 per share (with a minimum $1.49 per trade) makes it feasible to invest smaller amounts. Pros & cons Pros No minimum deposit required No currency exchange fees No account maintenance fees Regulated by CIRO CIPF member Cons No traditional micro-investing options Only stocks, ETFs and options available

loading

Who is micro-investing best for?

Micro-investing is a suitable option if you’re looking for a cheap, convenient way to start building an investment portfolio. However, because micro-investing requires a long time frame in order to build up significant wealth, it’s well suited for younger investors.

Keep an eye on costs that can eat into what you’re saving or getting back in returns. Double-check fees with the performance of the app’s chosen investment portfolio. For example, if you’re investing only $5 per month, the total fees are $2.50 a month and the returns are less than 1% a month, you’re likely better off sticking to a savings account.

Fees for micro-investing

Common fees your micro-investment app may charge include:

• Commission/trading fees. Brokers typically charge a commission or trading fee each time you buy or sell a security, ranging from $1–$6.95.
• Subscription or management fees. Some apps charge ongoing annual fees of $100 to keep your account open.
• Clearing fees. A small charge of $2 may be passed on to investors to cover the cost of settling and finalizing a trade through a clearing house.
• Inactivity fees. If you don’t trade for a certain period or don’t meet activity thresholds, you may be charged $25 per quarter.
• Currency conversion fees. When buying foreign securities, some platforms charge 1.5%–1.6% to convert your Canadian dollars.
• Withdrawal fees. Most investment platforms allow you to withdraw your funds by bank transfer for free, but you may have to pay $25–$50 for wire transfers.
• Regulatory fees. Third parties like exchanges, clearing houses or regulatory bodies may charge regulatory fees that vary greatly depending on variables like the share count and price.

Benefits of micro-investing

Many micro-investing platforms offer a quick and simple way to link your bank account, acting like an electronic piggy bank for your spare change.

• It’s convenient. Micro-investing requires minimal input on your part. In some cases, the entire process is automated and you can start building an investment balance without realizing it. In other cases, you can access investments you otherwise wouldn’t have been able to afford.
• Establish a savings habit. Micro-investing can help create positive saving habits that last a lifetime. It’s an effective way for Canadians who have never invested their money before to make a start.
• Minimal investment required. You don’t need a huge bank balance to take advantage of a micro-investing platform. Start by investing your small change, and watch your balance grow over time.
• No need for investment expertise. The money in your investment fund can be balanced in a diversified ETF portfolio based on your financial goals and your appetite for risk.

What are the risks of micro-investing?

Like any other investment option, there’s no guarantee that the investment portfolio you choose through your micro-investing platform will perform as you hope, and you could end up losing money. The investment portfolio recommended for you is chosen based on your risk tolerance, so depending on your financial goals, you have the option to minimize your risk exposure.

• Potential fees. You may need to pay an account management fee that’s either a flat fee or calculated based on a percentage of your account balance, while brokerage and ETF management fees may also apply when you purchase ETFs through your account.
• Easy to forget. Because the investing takes place in the background, you might not remember it’s there. While this can be a good thing for investors who tend to “overmanage” their savings, make sure to regularly review the performance of your investments to ensure they are meeting your expectations.
• Market risk. The value of the stocks, ETFs or other assets you invest in can fluctuate due to market conditions, economic growth or global events.

Alternatives to micro-investing

If you’re not ready to break into investments or need quick, on-demand access to your money, check out these similar options offered by banks to boost your savings. Examples include:

• Scotiabank’s Bank the Rest program. Your purchases are rounded up to the nearest dollar, and the difference is transferred to a designated bank account.
• TD’s Simply Save program. Arrange to have a small, pre-determined amount transferred to your savings account every time you make a debit purchase or an ATM withdrawal.
• RBC’s NOMI Find & Save program. This program uses artificial intelligence to analyze your spending habits and automatically move small amounts of money into a savings account when it predicts you can afford it.
• KOHO’s RoundUps program. Every purchase you make with your KOHO card will be automatically rounded up to the nearest $1, $2, $5 or $10, depending on the amount you choose.

Bottom line

It doesn’t always take a large amount of money to invest for the future. Through micro-investing features like roundups and fractional shares, you can begin investing without altering your lifestyle and access the investments you want easily and affordably.

Each platform invests a little differently, so compare your options to find the right fit for your budget and spending habits. And if you’re not sure what’s available, check out our guide to the world of investments.

Frequently asked questions about micro-investing

• Can anyone open a micro-investing account?

  No. Like the majority of bank and brokerage accounts, micro-investing with a Canadian-based company requires government-issued ID to open and is often limited to Canadian citizens.

• Can I use micro-investing for my retirement?

  Yes. Several micro-investing platforms like Wealthsimple offer retirement account options so that your roundups or fractional shares can grow over time inside an RRSP account.

• How often do micro-investing round-ups get invested?

  It depends on the platform. Some invest your spare change daily, weekly or monthly, while others wait until your roundups reach a minimum threshold, usually around $5–$10.

• Do micro-investing platforms work with TFSA or RRSP accounts?

  Most micro-investing platforms support registered accounts like TFSAs and RRSPs, including all the platforms mentioned in this article.

Written by

Rebecca Low

Writer

Add to Preferred Sources

Rebecca Low is a writer for Finder. She has contributed to a range of digital publications, including Wise, income.ca and Indeed, writing on topics like personal finance, career development, and travel. See full bio

Co-written by

Tim Falk

Writer

Tim Falk is a freelance writer for Finder. Over the course of his 20-year writing career, he has reported on a wide range of personal finance topics. Whether you're investing in stocks and ETFs, comparing savings accounts or choosing a credit card, Tim wants to make it easier for you to understand. When he’s not staring at his computer, you can usually find him exploring the great outdoors. See full bio

Tim's expertise

Tim has written 595 Finder guides across topics including:

• Banking
• Personal Loans
• Car Loans
• Stock Trading
• Cryptocurrency