Qtrade Direct Investing™ is an award-winning online investment brokerage that provides investors with an easy-to-use trading platform that can be accessed virtually via desktop, laptop, or mobile device. In addition to offering the ultimate in convenience, Qtrade also offers a low-fee alternative to traditional investment brokers thanks to its low commission structure.
The platform offers several account types for investors to choose from to accommodate various investment needs. Plus, it provides a number of handy research tools that help investors make more informed decisions about investing.
Qtrade has a long track record of providing high-quality investing tools, so it’s one of the more well-known and commonly-used online trading platforms among Canadian investors. And because of its long-standing reputation and association with the Investment Industry Regulatory Organization of Canada (IIROC), it’s a safe place to trade.
Let’s take a closer look at Qtrade to help you determine whether or not this is the right platform for you to trade on.
Qtrade is offering almost $500 in commission-free trades to new clients when they open and fund an account with at least $10,000 by October 31, 2022 (funds must be held until November 30, 2023), conditions apply.
To start trading on Qtrade, you’ll need to follow the following steps:
There is also a trial account that you can open and test for 30 days for free. That way you can test the waters before paying for the service.
Qtrade offers an enhanced service through their Qtrade Investor Plus program. Clients that hold at least $500,000 in their account or make at least 150 trades every quarter will automatically gain access to the Investor Plus program. With this service, you’ll be charged lower fees compared to the standard Investor account and you’ll gain access to a number of investment tools.
Qtrade Direct Investing offers a number of non-registered and registered investment accounts that you can trade with, including the following:
Qtrade Direct Investing comes with a wide variety of features. Before you decide to trade with this platform, it’s always a good idea to get familiar with its many features and options.
| Investor | Investor Plus | |
| Equities | $8.75 | $6.95 |
| Options | $8.75 + $1.25 per contract | $6.95 + $1.25 per contract |
| ETFs | – Free for selected ETFs – $8.75 for all other ETFs | – Free for selected ETFs – $6.95 for all other ETFs |
| Mutual funds | Free | Free |
| Fixed income and Exchange-traded debentures | $1 per $1,000 | $1 per $1,000 |
There are a few account fees that Qtrade charges that you should beware of, listed below are the fees that the average trader should consider, but for a full list please visit the Qtrade site.
There are many reasons why Qtrade Direct Investing should be on your shortlist of online trading platforms:
Qtrade Direct Investing is ideal for investors who are looking to have a direct hand in managing their investments through a convenient online trading platform that offers educational tools, excellent customer service, and many investment options to choose from. Beginner and experienced investors alike will find this platform easy to use that will help them to achieve their investment goals.
| Fees | – Stocks and ETFs – $8.75/trade or $6.95/trade for active traders – Options – $8.75 + $1.25 |
| Account Maintenance Fee | Account balances below $25,000 will incur a $25 fee each quarter (waived if criteria met) |
| Minimum balance | $0 |
| Account types | – RSP (RRSP) – TFSA – LIRA / LRSP – RESP – RIF (RRIF) – LIF |
| Investment types | – Stocks – ETFs – Mutual funds – Bonds – Options – GICs – New issues |
| Currencies supported | CAD and USD |
| Perks | – 100+ commission-free ETFs – Real-time quotes – Customized reports – Watchlists – Market news – Portfolio analysis |
Trading with Qtrade is very secure, it has many of the security features that you would find at a traditional big bank. It’s a member of the Canadian Investor Protection Fund (CIPF) and the Investment Industry Regulatory Organization of Canada (IIROC), so your funds are safe when held with Qtrade. Further, there are several safeguards put in place to keep your personal information protected from hackers.
Qtrade Direct Investing is a great option for traders looking for a range of investment services and accounts and a robust online trading platform. With all the educational and trading tools available, as well as the market watches and timers, Qtrade makes trading very efficient.
That said, the platform does not offer futures, forex trading, or crypto assets, which is something traders may want to keep in mind before choosing this particular trading platform.
Online brokerage services are offered through Qtrade Direct Investing, a division of Credential Qtrade Securities Inc. Qtrade and Qtrade Direct Investing are trade names and trademarks of Aviso Wealth.
Lisa has been working as a personal finance writer for more than a decade, creating unique content that helps to educate Canadian consumers in the realms of real estate, mortgages, investing and financial health. For years, she held her real estate license in Toronto, Ontario before giving it up to pursue writing within this realm and related niches. Lisa is very serious about smart money management and helping others do the same.
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