Best brokerage signup bonuses

Enjoy perks like free trades and cash rewards when you open a stock trading account with these online brokers.

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Stacie Hurst

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Want to start buying and selling stocks? You could score free trades, low fees or other rewards by signing up for an account with a stock broker that offers a special bonus for first-time clients. We’ve done the research and put together a list of the best brokerage account bonuses in Canada—and other promotional offers you may want to check out.

3 best brokerage signup bonuses

Best overall signup bonus

Wealthsimple

Finder rating: 3.8 / 5 ★★★★★

Get $25 when you open a Wealthsimple account and fund at least $150.

Wealthsimple is a self-directed brokerage that lets you trade stocks and exchange-traded funds (ETFs) with zero commissions, zero account fees and no minimum balance. You can sign up for an account within minutes and start buying and selling stocks on Wealthsimple's user-friendly online platform or its highly-rated mobile app.

  • Free stock and ETF trades
  • Zero account fees and no minimum balance
  • Offers fractional stock trading
  • Trade around 40 cryptocurrencies with Wealthsimple Crypto (free to signup)
  • With Wealthsimple Plus ($10/month), you can get USD accounts, waived foreign-exchange fees on trades, unlimited price-change alerts and instant deposits of up to $5,000.
  • Limited to stocks and ETFs. Does not support options, bonds or OTC Market trades.
  • Unless you subscribe to Wealthsimple Plus, instant deposits are limited to $1,500 maximum.

Best signup bonus for getting free trades

Questrade

Finder rating: 3.9 / 5 ★★★★★

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Questrade offers both self-directed and professionally-managed investment portfolios. Established in 1999, this online investment platform and mobile app lets you invest in stocks, bonds, ETFs, GICs, forex, mutual funds, precious metals and more. ETF trades are free, and there are no account fees.

  • Wide range of securities and many account types
  • Free ETF trades
  • No account maintenance fees
  • Supports options trading
  • Access to OTC Markets stocks
  • Requires a minimum upfront investment of $1,000
  • Does not support fractional trading

Runner-up for getting free trades

Qtrade Direct Investing

Finder rating: 3.6 / 5 ★★★★★

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Get 1% cashback or more, a $100 sign-up bonus & unlimited free trades until December 31, 2024. Use code SUMMERBONUS2024.

Another established online Canadian brokerage on our list, Qtrade lets you buy and sell Canadian and US stocks, ETFs, mutual funds, bonds and GICs. Take advantage of Qtrade's solid market research and screening tools to find good investment opportunities. The quarterly account fee is waived if you hold a minimum balance of $25,000, and there are discounted fees for active traders.

  • No minimum deposit to open an account
  • Mutual funds are free to trade
  • Around 100 ETFs are free to trade (fees apply for other ETFs)
  • Lower fees for active traders
  • Supports options trading
  • Quarterly account fee of $25 if you don't hold a balance of $25,000+
  • Does not support trading commodities or cryptocurrency
  • No access to foreign markets

Compare all signup bonuses

Here’s a list of signup bonuses and promotional deals offered by popular Canadian stock brokers including the ones above. Before creating an account, read the terms carefully to make sure you meet any eligibility requirements (for example, you may need to make a minimum deposit to qualify for a bonus).

ProviderHighest signup bonusRequirementsLowest signup bonusRequirementsLearn more
AvaTrade$250Deposit $20,001+ USD (contact broker for larger deposits)$50Minimum deposit is $300Read more
BMO InvestorLine adviceDirectN/AN/AN/AN/ARead more
CIBC Investor’s Edge100 free tradesMust be between 18 and 24 years oldN/AN/ARead more
Interactive BrokersRead more
National Bank Direct BrokerageWaived $100 annual fee (ongoing benefit)Must be an eligible professional or newcomer to CanadaN/AN/ARead more
Qtrade$100 signup bonus + 1% cashback or moreGet 1% cashback or more, plus a $100 sign-up bonus. New clients also get unlimited free trades until December 31, 2024. Use code SUMMERBONUS2024 .N/AN/ARead more
Questrade5 free tradesN/AN/ARead more
Scotia iTRADE10 free tradesDeposit at least $1,000. Must be a newcomer to Canada.N/AN/ARead more
WealthsimpleGet $25 when you open a Wealthsimple account and fund at least $150.Deposit $150N/AN/ARead more

Online stock trading

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.

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Associate editor

Stacie Hurst is an editor at Finder, specializing in loans, banking, investing and money transfers. She has a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology and Writing, and she has completed FP Canada Institute's Financial Management Course. Before working in the publishing industry, Stacie completed one year of law school in the United States. When not working, she can usually be found watching K-dramas or playing games with her friends and family. See full bio

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