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10 best stock trading platforms and apps in Canada for 2024
Don't let being spoiled for choice stop you from investing. We've scoured 14+ brokers across the market to help you find the best trading app in Canada."
Choosing the right stock trading platform is crucial for any investor. The best stock trading platforms are quick and easy to use, have low or no fees and have all the features you need to trade with confidence. But the best platform for you will vary depending on factors such as what you want to trade, how often and whether you’re a beginner or experienced investor.
To help you compare your options, we’ve crunched the numbers to pick the 10 best stock trading platforms and apps in Canada.
Our selection of top picks is based on the same criteria as our annual Stock Trading Platform Awards. This is updated yearly to reflect changes in the market.
"Best for" picks are those we've evaluated to be best for specific product features or categories – you can read our full methodology here. If we show a "Promoted" pick, it's been chosen from among our commercial partners and is based on factors that include special features or offers, and the commission we receive.
This isn't an exhaustive list of all the trading platforms out there. What's best for you depends on your own investing strategy, budget and financial goals.
10 best stock trading platforms and apps in Canada for 2024
14+ online brokers reviewed and rated by our team of experts
Evaluated under our unbiased rating system covering eight categories
We're big on editorial independence. That means our content, reviews and ratings are fair, accurate and trustworthy. We don't let advertisers or partners sway our opinions. Our financial experts put in the hard work, spending hours researching and analyzing hundreds of products based on data-driven methodologies to find the best accounts and providers for you. Explore our editorial guidelines to see how we work.
1. Interactive Brokers – Best overall trading platform and app
Interactive Brokers promises to take your investing to the next level. It's well suited to those with plenty of experience trading online and lots of money to trade, offering access to 155 exchanges globally and 77 different order types—far more than other platform we looked at.
The more you trade, the cheaper your fees. Commissions range from a minimum of $1 to a maximum of 0.5% per trade. Margin trading is available for experienced traders. Rates run between 5.36% and 6.36%, which is pretty competitive for the Canadian market.
New investors might be daunted by the platform's extensive suite of analytical and educational tools, but there's a rich assortment of features for those willing to deep dive into investments.
Pros
Go with this platform if you're comfortable with investing and want access to many securities, order types and international markets.
Cons
Look elsewhere if you're a new investor looking for a simple trading platform.
Account Fee
$0
Account Types
RRSP, TFSA, Personal, Joint
Available Asset Types
Stocks, Bonds, Options, Index Funds, ETFs, Currencies, Futures
Moomoo is a new-to-Canada trading platform that offers access to both US and Canadian stocks, options and ETFs, all from one platform. Enjoy low trading fees, no monthly account fee and personalized customer support. Plus, access advanced charting tools, real-time market data and many tools and resources. Note that you can't trade securities like mutual funds, bonds and futures with Moomoo.
Pros
Go with this platform if you only want to trade stocks, ETFs and options.
Cons
Look elsewhere if you want to trade more complex securities like mutual funds, bonds and crypto.
Signup Offer
Enjoy 6% cash rebate plus $2,200 in trading perks
Account Fee
$0
Account Types
RRSP, TFSA, Personal
Available Asset Types
Stocks, Options, ETFs
ETF Transaction Cost
USD$0.0099/stock
Option Fee
US stocks and ETFs: USD$0.0099/stock (min. US$1.99 per trade)
Get 100 free trades when you open a CIBC Investor’s Edge account using promo code EDGE2425. Plus, get $200 or more cash back. Valid until March 31, 2025.
CIBC Investor's Edge is an online brokerage that lets you trade a variety of different investment types through its online trading platform. You'll be able to put your money into registered and non-registered accounts, depending on your preferences. The platform is user-friendly and provides a number of resources to help you get acquainted with using the platform. It also gives you access to plenty of research tools to help you make informed decisions about your investments.
Pros
Go with this platform if you are a beginner who wants the comfort of a well-established financial brand.
Cons
Look elsewhere if you want low fees.
Signup Offer
Get 100 free trades when you open a CIBC Investor’s Edge account using promo code EDGE2425. Plus, get $200 or more cash back. Valid until March 31, 2025.
Questrade is one of Canada's most well-known online discount brokerages, offering access to a wide range of securities and account types. Besides stocks and ETFs, you can buy and sell options, mutual funds, forex, GICs, IPOs and international equity derivatives. Questrade doesn't charge an annual fee, and you don't pay any commissions for buying ETFs. Stock trading fees range from $4.95 to $9.95. Questrade offers multiple web platforms and mobile apps for beginner and advanced traders.
Pros
Go with this platform if you want low fees and the ability to trade a variety of securities.
Cons
Look elsewhere if you want no minimum deposit requirement.
What makes Qtrade Direct Investing stand out from the crowd is that there are no fees for trading over 100 Canadian ETFs. Plus, active traders and young investors get discounted fees. The platform also boasts access to a fairly wide range of investments and order types, and there's no minimum balance requirement. One downside is that you'll be charged a $25 quarterly account fee if you don't meet certain requirements.
Pros
Go with this platform if you want an app designed for beginner- to intermediate-level investors.
Cons
Look elsewhere if you trade frequently, as Qtrade's fees are higher than other discount brokers.
Signup Offer
Get 1% cashback or more, a $100 sign-up bonus & unlimited free trades until December 31, 2024. Use code SUMMERBONUS2024.
Get $25 when you open a Wealthsimple account and fund at least $150.
Wealthsimple is all about low fees. It does not charge any commissions on trades. And you can make as many trades as you like, free of charge. There are no annual fees or account minimums. It is one of the lowest-cost trading options available to Canadian investors. Wealthsimple stacks up favourably against the other platforms we looked at when it comes to educational resources and tools, with various savings calculators, articles and investor masterclass videos to teach you the basics.
If there is a catch, it's that you are limited in the types of securities you can trade, as Wealthsimple offers mostly stocks and ETFs. You can open a non-registered account, RRSP or TFSA. There is a mobile and web platform, and the application received some of the highest user ratings among platforms we looked at.
Pros
Go with this platform if you want to trade stocks without any commission fees.
Cons
Look elsewhere if you want to use leverage to trade or you want to trade more complex securities like options.
Signup Offer
Get $25 when you open a Wealthsimple account and fund at least $150.
Trade stocks, bonds, ETFs, mutual funds, GICs, IPO shares and more with RBC's robust online and mobile trading platforms. Not every platform offers a demo account for you to practice trading without using real money, but RBC Direct Investing does. Get real-time quotes for stocks and ETFs, and save on commissions when you make 150+ trades per quarter. View all your RBC banking and investment account balances on the same app.
Pros
Go with this platform if you want an easy-to-use platform run by a Big Five Canadian bank.
Cons
Look elsewhere if you want fee-free trades or a beginner-focused platform.
Scotia iTRADE commissions go down from $9.99 to $4.99 for active traders, young investors and high-balance traders. Get your feet wet with different kinds of trades using Scotia iTrade's practice account and $100,000 in fake funds. Fees run on the high side, but you have access to many useful features, including third-party data, real-time quotes, watchlists, alerts and performance benchmarking tools.
Pros
Go with this platform if you're an active trader, young investor or high-balance client who wants access to many asset types.
Cons
Look elsewhere if you want commission-free investing or fractional share trading.
National Bank Direct Brokerage stands out for charging no commissions on stock, ETF and options trades (although you'll pay $1.25 per options contract). Few Big Banks offer this type of pricing. Other perks include a highly rated mobile app and access to many securities and account types. NBDB offers automatic ETF portfolio rebalancing through InvestCube (requires a minimum $10,000 balance).
Pros
Go with this platform if you want commission-free trades on a platform backed by a major Canadian bank.
Cons
Look elsewhere if you want to avoid a $100 annual account fee without maintaining a minimum balance.
Account Fee
$0 if conditions met, otherwise $100/yr
Account Types
RRSP, RESP, RRIF, TFSA, Personal, Joint, Business
Available Asset Types
Stocks, Bonds, Options, Mutual Funds, ETFs, GICs
ETF Transaction Cost
$0
Option Fee
$0 commission + $1.25 per contract
Inactivity Fee
$0
Stock Trading Fee
$0
Account Fee
$100
FX Fee
Varies
Min. Deposit
$0
National Bank Direct Brokerage app store reviews
Google Play app reviews
4.5/5 stars based on 182 reviews
Apple App Store app reviews
4.7/5 stars based on 698 reviews
10. BMO InvestorLine – Best platform for an easy-to-use interface
Get up to $3,500 cash back (use BMO promo code, SDCASH).
BMO InvestorLine is not the cheapest, nor the most feature-heavy platform. You'll pay $9.95 per trade and an annual fee if you don't meet minimum balance requirements ($15,000 or $25,000 depending on your account). You can trade stocks, options, ETFs, mutual funds, GICs and bonds. There's no minimum account balance required. BMO InvestorLine offers in-house investment research, but you can also access analysis from providers like Morningstar and S&P Global Ratings.
Pros
Go with this platform if you want to take advantage of a cash-back welcome offer.
Cons
Look elsewhere if you want avoid account maintenance fees or else maintain a minimum balance.
Signup Offer
Get up to $3,500 cash back (use BMO promo code, SDCASH).
Account Fee
$0 if conditions met, otherwise $50 - $100 per year
Methodology: How we choose the best stock trading accounts
Finder’s investments experts reviewed 14+ brokers available on the market to narrow down the best brokerage accounts and stock trading apps for trading and investing.
We analyzed each platform based on 100+ key metrics we collected directly from brokers and assessed each provider’s performance based on eight different categories, weighing each metric based on the expertise and insights of Finder’s investment experts. We then scored and ranked each provider depending on how it performed in each category.
See how we weigh the overall rating
Investment options
Trading platforms & tech
Trading costs
Fees
Customer support
Mobile app rating & security
Features & amenities
Account types & minimums
20%
20%
20%
15%
10%
5%
5%
5%
We update our best picks as products change, disappear or emerge in the market. We also regularly review and revise our selections to ensure our best provider lists reflect the most competitive available.
What is the best stock trading app in Canada for mobile?
Out of the apps we reviewed, the highest rated stock trading app for iOS on the Apple App Store is the RBC Mobile app, which gives you access to RBC Direct Investing. When it comes to the highest rated stock trading apps for Android, IBKR Mobile is the winner.
Here is a summary of stock trading app ratings in Canada for iPhones and Androids:
Google Play Store
Apple App Store
Interactive Brokers
IBKR GlobalTrader 3.7 – ★★★★★
580 reviews
IBKR Mobile 4.7 – ★★★★★
43,140+ reviews
IBKR GlobalTrader 2.5 – ★★★★★
21 reviews
IBKR Mobile 4.5 – ★★★★★
3,960+ reviews
Moomoo
4.5 – ★★★★★
30,880+ reviews
4.6 – ★★★★★
950+ reviews
CIBC Investor’s Edge
3.4 – ★★★★★
5,120+ reviews
3.7 – ★★★★★
6,480+ reviews
Questrade
QuestMobile 3.4 – ★★★★★
1,370+ reviews
Questrade Edge Mobile 2.0 – ★★★★★
340+ reviews
QuestMobile 3.5 – ★★★★★
1,270+ reviews
Questrade Edge Mobile 2.5 – ★★★★★
400+ reviews
Qtrade
3.1 – ★★★★★
150+ reviews
3.0 – ★★★★★
160+ reviews
Wealthsimple
3.9 – ★★★★★
78,860+ reviews
4.6 – ★★★★★
125,050 reviews
RBC Mobile
2.4 – ★★★★★
43,400+ reviews
4.8 – ★★★★★
208,990+ reviews
Scotia iTRADE
3.5 – ★★★★★
3,460+ reviews
4.2 – ★★★★★
10,260+ reviews
National Bank Direct Brokerage
4.5 – ★★★★★
180+ reviews
4.7 – ★★★★★
690+ reviews
BMO InvestorLine
3.4 – ★★★★★
1,060+ reviews
4.4 – ★★★★★
2,970+ reviews
What is the best free stock trading app in Canada?
Based on our top picks, the best free stock trading apps that don’t charge a trading fee and come with a $0 account fee are Wealthsimple and Moomoo.
Most stock trading apps are free to download and also free to sign up for an account. But there are fees you need to be aware of when you trade.
The most common fee is the broker’s commission. While some brokers charge $0 commissions on certain assets, many charge a flat fee per trade. And even if an app does advertise fee-free trading, this will typically only apply to a limited selection of assets (such as Canadian stocks and ETFs).
There are other fees to be aware of too. Many (but not all) brokers charge a monthly fee if your account balance doesn’t exceed a minimum limit, while fees and currency conversion costs may apply if you trade foreign stocks and ETFs.
That’s why even if a broker says it offers “$0 commissions” or “no fees”, it’s always important to check the fine print. Compare a range of apps to find the best free stock trading app for you.
Find the stock trading platform that matches your investing needs and style
"I opened a self directed investing account with Questrade after researching RESP trading accounts. Wealthsimple has an option for a robo account but I wanted to build my own portfolio. I love the interface on desktop and the app is good after you get the hang of it. ETF trades are free which is what I was looking for. The CESG match is automatically deposited into the trading account which is great. You do need to make an initial deposit of $1,000 when opening the account which might not be ideal for everyone."
The best trading app for you might not be the same as the best choice for someone else. Whether you’re a beginner or an experienced investor, you will have your own unique requirements from a trading app. That’s why it’s important to consider the following factors when comparing your options.
Brokerage fees
Some brokers don’t charge any commissions on Canadian stock and ETF trades, but others charge a flat fee of typically $5–$10 per trade. Others charge a fee based on the number of stocks you buy, for example $0.01 per share, so work out how much it’ll cost you to invest.
Other fees
There are a few other fees that may apply, so check the fine print for any:
Subscription fees to access features such as market news, real-time data and expert analysis
Inactivity fees if you don’t make any trades for a specified period of time
Minimum balance fees if your account balance is less than a specified minimum
Currency conversion fees if you trade on foreign markets
Ease of use
The best stock trading apps are easy to use right from the moment you sign up. A user-friendly interface is particularly important if you’re a novice investor, so search for an app that offers a simple and intuitive experience. Reading reviews from other users is a great way to work out whether an app is easy to use straight away.
Market access
Do you only want to trade Canadian stocks and ETFs or do you want to invest in US, European, Asian and emerging markets? If you want to trade international stocks, be aware that not all brokers provide access to foreign stock exchanges. Check the list of exchanges you can access and what fees apply to overseas trade.
Tradable assets
Check which securities you can trade from each broker’s app, such as:
Stocks
ETFs
Options
Bonds
Futures
Mutual funds
Forex
Cryptocurrencies
Research and analysis
Find out what sort of research and analysis you can access through the app. For example, you may be able to access in-depth market analysis from the broker’s in-house team or a third-party service, plus be kept up to date with the latest market news.
Minimum investment amount
Check whether the broker has a minimum account balance requirement. Some providers don’t have any minimum limits, but others will charge a monthly fee if your balance is less than a specified amount.
Customer support
If you ever have a problem with a trade or a question about your account, how can you get in touch with your broker’s customer support team? Check the contact methods available and the hours during which the support team is available. An online help center with answers to a range of FAQs is also a useful resource.
Other features
Put together a list of any other key features you want in a trading app, such as:
Advanced charting tools and technical indicators
Stock screeners that allow you to narrow down your potential investments
Automated investing with a robo-advisor
Social trading that allows you to see and copy other people’s trades
Educational resources to help you learn about trading and how to use all of the app’s features
Other platforms
If you’ll also be placing trades through your broker’s web-based or desktop platform, check out whether those platforms are user-friendly and offer all the key features you need. If there’s a free demo account available, use it to put a platform through its paces with virtual rather than real money.
Is it regulated?
Make sure you only consider brokers that are regulated by the Investment Industry Regulatory Organization of Canada (IIROC), and that the funds you deposit will be covered under the Canadian Investor Protection Fund (CIPF).
All of our picks for the best trading app are regulated by IIROC and CIPF, meaning if they go under, your money will be protected up to specified amounts. Some providers also offer 2-factor authentication and high-level encryption of data to keep your account safe.
User reviews
Head to the app store for your smartphone and read reviews from other users. You can also explore customer feedback in places like the Better Business Bureau and Reddit to find out what investors really think about the platform and what issues they run into. Are they happy with the app? Are there any major problems repeatedly mentioned in reviews? Is there a common theme about how the app could be improved?
Our expert says
"The best trading platforms are the ones that offer a combination of low fees, numerous investment options, a modern trading platform and plentiful resources that help you learn and grow as a trader. But at the end of the day, personal preference matters too."
Before you download a stock trading app and sign up for an account, make sure you’re aware of the benefits and drawbacks of trading through an app:
Pros
User-friendly. The best stock trading apps in Canada provide a streamlined user experience, making it simple to start building your investment portfolio.
Convenient. Stock trading apps make Canadian and global markets more accessible than ever before. You can buy and sell stocks with just a few taps, and make adjustments to your portfolio on the go.
Feature-packed. The best stock trading apps let you do more than just buy and sell stocks. They make it easy to track the performance of your portfolio, stay up to date with the latest market news and research potential investment opportunities.
Low minimum investment. With many brokers supporting fractional share trading, you don’t necessarily need a big savings balance to start trading.
Cons
You need to understand the risks involved. The best stock trading apps make it quick and easy to invest in the stock market, so you need to take care not to fall into the trap of buying and selling on impulse. Make sure you research any potential investment carefully and understand the risks involved before you trade.
Lack of advanced features. If you’re an experienced investor searching for advanced charting and technical analysis tools, you may prefer to trade using a desktop or web-based platform.
Limited choice on some apps. Some trading apps only provide access to a limited range of tradable assets.
Bottom line
There are many things to consider when choosing a stock trading platform or app to buy and sell stocks and other securities. The right trading platform for you will match your needs, so if on-the-go trading is your number 1 concern, you’ll probably end up choosing a different app to someone who wants to focus on commodity trading.
The key thing to remember is to do your research and compare a range of trading platforms first. Start with our range of trading platform reviews to get an idea of what’s available in Canada and the key features you need to consider.
Frequently asked questions
There are over 15 apps you can choose from to buy stocks in Canada. Some are operated by major banks, while others are run by online brokers. Make sure you compare a range of stock trading apps to find one that suits your needs.
Interactive Brokers is one of our top picks for the best stock trading platform in Canada. But it may not be right for every investor. Consider your priorities and investment style.
Do you need a beginner-friendly platform? Wealthsimple is a favourite with new investors who want to keep things uncomplicated. Do you trade frequently? National Bank Direct Brokerage can help you keep costs down with commission-free stock and ETF trades. If you want to practice trading before committing real money, RBC Direct Investing and Scotia iTRADE offer demo accounts with fake funds.
We think Wealthsimple and CIBC Investor's Edge are among the best stock trading platforms for beginners. If you're searching for a beginner-friendly trading app, look for one with a clean user interface, no account minimums, no (or waivable) account fees and educational resources to help boost your trading knowledge.
You can download stock trading apps from the relevant app store for your smartphone's operating system. If you're on Apple's iOS, you'll need to head to the App Store. If you're an Android user, you'll find the apps you need at Google Play.
Disclaimer: This information should not be interpreted as an endorsement of futures, stocks, ETFs, options or any specific provider, service or offering. It should not be relied upon as investment advice or construed as providing recommendations of any kind. Futures, stocks, ETFs and options trading involves substantial risk of loss and therefore are not appropriate for all investors. Trading forex on leverage comes with a higher risk of losing money rapidly. Past performance is not an indication of future results. Consider your own circumstances, and obtain your own advice, before making any trades.
Tim Falk is a freelance writer for Finder. Over the course of his 15-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
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finder.com is an independent comparison platform and information service that aims to provide you with the tools you need to make better decisions. While we are independent, the offers that appear on this site are from companies from which finder.com receives compensation. We may receive compensation from our partners for placement of their products or services. We may also receive compensation if you click on certain links posted on our site. While compensation arrangements may affect the order, position or placement of product information, it doesn't influence our assessment of those products. Please don't interpret the order in which products appear on our Site as any endorsement or recommendation from us. finder.com compares a wide range of products, providers and services but we don't provide information on all available products, providers or services. Please appreciate that there may be other options available to you than the products, providers or services covered by our service.
We update our data regularly, but information can change between updates. Confirm details with the provider you're interested in before making a decision.
