Qtrade Direct Investing, a division of Aviso Financial Inc., is a Canadian online broker that pairs $0 stock and ETF trades with research and portfolio analytics tools. This review covers its fees as of September 2026, its accounts and features, and the investors it suits. For the rest of the market, see the online broker comparison.
Qtrade at a glance
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Stocks and ETFs | $0 |
| Mutual funds | $0 (1% fee, $45 minimum, if sold or switched within 90 days; money market funds excluded) |
| Options | $0.75 per contract; $30 per assignment |
| ECN fees | Not passed on, except for repeated high-volume trading |
| DRIPs | Free |
| US-dollar registered accounts | US$15 per quarter per RRSP, RRIF or TFSA (not FHSA); waived with Investor Plus |
| Transfer out | $150 per account; $100 to close in the first year |
| Regulation | Aviso Financial Inc.; CIPF member |
Fees in practice
For a buy-and-hold ETF investor, Qtrade’s trading cost is $0 on every ETF, both buying and selling. The costs to watch are elsewhere:
- Options: 10 contracts cost $7.50 to open. Wealthsimple charges $0 per equity options contract and Questrade lists $0 per contract on all US equity options, although Questrade’s Canadian options cost $0.99 per contract; the options trading platforms comparison sets them side by side.
- US dollars in registered accounts: each US-dollar RRSP, RRIF or TFSA costs US$60 a year. Qtrade’s pricing page notes it may earn revenue on currency conversion but does not publish a percentage, so ask before converting a large amount. How to buy US stocks from Canada covers the alternatives, including Norbert’s Gambit.
- Leaving: $150 per account transferred out.
Accounts and investments
Qtrade offers TFSAs, RRSPs and spousal RRSPs, FHSAs, RESPs, RRIFs and locked-in accounts, plus cash and margin accounts; confirm the specific account you need on its site. You can trade Canadian and US stocks and ETFs, options, mutual funds and fixed income. Scheduled payments from LIFs, RRIFs and LRIFs are free.
Research and tools
Qtrade’s platform includes portfolio analytics, research and screening tools, and a trial account for trying the platform before funding. It also offers Investor Plus, a status for clients with at least $500,000 in assets at Qtrade or 150 or more trades in the previous quarter; it waives the US-dollar registered account fee, among other benefits. Investors who research individual holdings tend to value these tools most.
Pros and cons
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| $0 on stocks, ETFs and mutual funds | Options cost $0.75 per contract |
| Free DRIPs | US-dollar registered accounts carry a quarterly fee |
| ECN fees generally not passed on | Currency conversion rate not published |
| Research and portfolio analytics | $150 to transfer out |
Who Qtrade suits
Qtrade tends to suit dividend and ETF investors who want free DRIPs and $0 trades, investors who hold mutual funds, and those who research their holdings. Frequent options traders and investors who keep US dollars in several registered accounts may pay less elsewhere. Head-to-head comparisons: Qtrade vs Questrade and Qtrade vs Wealthsimple Trade.