{"id":844643,"date":"2020-12-01T13:30:27","date_gmt":"2020-12-01T18:30:27","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.finder.com\/ca\/?p=844643"},"modified":"2025-08-29T16:31:41","modified_gmt":"2025-08-29T20:31:41","slug":"open-a-stock-trading-account","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.finder.com\/ca\/stock-trading\/open-a-stock-trading-account","title":{"rendered":"How to open trading accounts in Canada"},"content":{"rendered":"

Online trading platforms make it easier than ever to start buying and selling stocks yourself at a much lower cost than a traditional full-service broker. It\u2019s quick and easy to open trading accounts completely online, so let\u2019s walk through a step-by-step guide on how to open a brokerage account.<\/p>

How to open a brokerage account in Canada<\/h3>

The exact steps for opening a stock trading account vary between platforms. But while there may be some minor differences between brokers, the steps you need to follow will look something like those outlined below.<\/p>

  1. Compare trading platforms<\/a><\/li>
  2. Fill out an online application<\/a><\/li>
  3. Verify your identity and submit your application<\/a><\/li>
  4. Deposit money into your account<\/a><\/li>
  5. Start trading<\/a><\/li><\/ol>

    Let\u2019s take a closer look at each step in more detail.<\/p>

    Step 1: Compare trading platforms<\/h3>

    From trading platforms backed by the Big Five banks to a host of discount brokerages, there are plenty of options to compare when choosing a trading platform. Each broker offers its own fee structure, account types, trading options and platform features, so shop around to find one that\u2019s right for you.<\/p>

    If you\u2019re a new investor, key features to look for include:<\/p>