Every broker on this page offers a mobile app for trading, and the broker’s app shapes how easy investing is. This page compares Canadian investing and stock trading apps on the things that matter in the app itself: what trades cost, which products you can trade, the market data you get, and features such as recurring purchases and USD accounts. For a full comparison of brokers on fees and account types, see the online broker comparison; for hands-off investing, see the robo-advisor comparison.
Investing apps at a glance
| App | Stock and ETF trades | What you can trade | Worth knowing |
|---|---|---|---|
| Wealthsimple | $0 | Stocks, ETFs, options, crypto; margin and managed portfolios in the same account family | 1.5% conversion on US trades from a CAD account |
| Questrade | $0 | Stocks, ETFs, options, bonds, GICs, mutual funds | Free real-time quotes; USD can be held in registered accounts |
| Interactive Brokers | $0.01/share on Canadian stocks ($1.00 min) | Stocks, ETFs, options, futures and many international markets | Currency conversion at 0.20 basis points (US$2.00 min) |
| National Bank Direct Brokerage | $0 | Stocks, ETFs, options, fixed income | $100 annual fee unless waived |
| Qtrade | $0 | Stocks, ETFs, options, mutual funds, fixed income | Options $0.75 per contract |
| BMO InvestorLine | $0 | Stocks, ETFs, options | Commission-free since September 14, 2026 |
| RBC Direct Investing GoSmart | 50 free trades a year, then $9.95 | Stocks and ETFs, plus free trades on select ETFs | Aimed at new investors in TFSAs, FHSAs and RRSPs |
| Moomoo | CA$0.0149/share (CA$1.49 min) | Stocks, ETFs, US options | No currency exchange fee; Level 2 US quotes |
| Webull | $0 | Stocks, ETFs, US options, crypto | Extended and overnight trading; paper trading |
What to look for in an investing app
Costs you will actually pay
With $0 commissions common, check the costs that remain: currency conversion on US trades, per-contract options fees, and any annual account fee. Commission-free platforms and their hidden costs goes through each of these.
Market data
Real-time quotes are free at most Canadian brokers now, but deeper data often is not. Questrade, for example, includes free snap quotes and Level 1 streaming data, charges $9.95 a month for expanded US streaming data (included in its $19.99-a-month Questrade Plus plan) and US$44.95 a month for Level 2 order-book data. Paid data matters mostly to short-term traders.
Recurring purchases and small amounts
For regular investing, look for automatic recurring deposits and purchases, and whether the app lets you buy fractions of a share on the securities you want. These make it practical to invest a fixed amount each payday.
Options, margin and crypto
Not every app offers everything. Wealthsimple offers options at $0 per contract, margin and crypto; Questrade offers options, margin and precious metals; Interactive Brokers adds futures and international markets. The options trading platforms comparison and the margin account guide go further.
US dollars
If you buy US stocks, check whether the app can hold US dollars, including inside a TFSA or RRSP, and what it charges to convert. How to buy US stocks from Canada compares the routes.
Which app fits which investor
| Investor | Features that matter | Apps to compare |
|---|---|---|
| First-time investor | $0 trades, no minimum, recurring purchases, simple interface | Wealthsimple, RBC GoSmart, Qtrade |
| Monthly ETF buyer | $0 trades on ETFs, automatic deposits, DRIP | Wealthsimple, Questrade, Qtrade, National Bank Direct Brokerage |
| Active trader | Real-time streaming data, advanced orders, charting, low options fees | Questrade, Interactive Brokers, Moomoo, Webull |
| Frequent US-stock buyer | USD accounts, low conversion cost | Interactive Brokers, Questrade (with Norbert’s Gambit) |
| Banks with one of the Big Five | Instant transfers from chequing | BMO InvestorLine, RBC Direct Investing; see Wealthsimple vs the Big 5 banks |
Day traders should also read day trading in Canada on how the CRA taxes frequent trading, since the app choice matters less than whether gains are treated as business income.
Opening an account in an app
- Download the broker’s app or apply on its website.
- Enter your personal details, including your SIN and employment information.
- Verify your identity, usually with photo ID.
- Choose the account type (TFSA, RRSP, FHSA or non-registered).
- Fund it by bank transfer, or transfer an existing account in from another institution.
Approval can take minutes at app-first brokers and a few business days elsewhere, particularly for margin and options approval.
Sources
The figures and rules on this page come from these sources. How we check facts.
- BMO: BMO: Commission-Free Stock and ETF Trades with BMO InvestorLine - Sep 9, 2026
- interactivebrokers.ca: Commissions Stocks | Interactive Brokers Canada Inc.
- interactivebrokers.ca: Commissions Spot Currencies | Interactive Brokers Canada Inc.
- questrade.com: Trading Fees & Commissions | Questrade Pricing | Questrade: Tilt finance in your favour
- RBC: Commissions, Fees and Rates - RBC Direct Investing
- wealthsimple.com: Compare Generation, Premium, and Core Plans & Fees | Wealthsimple