Qtrade review

What you can trade on Qtrade

• Stocks
• Bonds
• ETFs
• Mutual funds
• GICs
• Options
• IPOs (not all new issues are available through Qtrade)

Where Qtrade shines

Qtrade Direct Investing offers a great balance of user-friendly features and flexible trading options for investors with varying levels of experience. Optional help is available during the application process to guide you in selecting the right account, and photo capture technology makes it super easy to verify your identity.

Choose between a number of popular account types including TFSAs, RRSPs and RESPs. Trade with your own funds, or borrow funds and trade on the margin (not recommended for beginners). The platform supports market and limit orders, so you can buy at the current price or wait until stocks reach a more favourable price.

Where Qtrade falls short

Qtrade Direct Investing fees are less competitive than many other online discount brokerages. The platform doesn’t offer free stock trade deals, although you can trade 100+ ETFs for free. You’ll have to pay a $25 inactivity fee if you don’t maintain a balance of $25,000 or make at least 2+ qualifying trades per quarter (or 8+ per year). Plus, there’s a $15 quarterly fee for US dollar registered accounts.

Related: Compare online stock brokers in Canada

Qtrade’s fees

Minimum deposit	$0
Annual account fee	$0 if conditions met, otherwise $25/quarter
Stock, ETF and option contract trade fees	$6.95 - $8.75 + $1.25 per contract
Electronic funds transfer (EFT)	$0
Dishonoured items (NSF fee)	$40

Is Qtrade legit?

Yes. Qtrade Direct Investing is a member of the Investment Industry Regulatory Organization of Canada (IIROC) as Credential Qtrade Securities Inc. It’s also eligible for coverage under the Canadian Investor Protection Fund (CIPF) through its parent company, Aviso Wealth. Qtrade is headquartered in Vancouver, British Columbia.

Qtrade’s platform is easy to use

Here are some of the tools you can use to trade with on Qtrade Direct Investing:

• Access to TipRanks Analyst Ratings as well as Morningstar research and reports
• Portfolio score evaluates your portfolio and provides tips on how to improve it
• Portfolio simulator shows how your portfolio would be affected if you added/removed assets
• Charting tools
• Stock screener

Qtrade’s app

With the Qtrade Direct Investing mobile app, you can trade stocks, bonds, options, ETFs and mutual funds. View real-time stock quotes, see how your investments are performing, transfer funds between your bank and Qtrade, create watchlists more.

Qtrade’s desktop tools

Qtrade Direct Investing‘s desktop app offers real-time market data and screening tools to help you find investments that match your goals and risk tolerance. Create your own stock watchlists to track the performance of specific securities.

Get the latest investment news and insights with the Morning Briefing, and benefit from expert recommendations for growth, value and income stocks. Jump on opportunities to invest in the latest public offerings with the New Issues centre.

From the Get Quotes or Quotes and Market Info sections, you can view TipRanks-powered analyst consensus ratings from “strong buy” to “strong sell,” average analyst 12-month price targets, price target estimates and low to high ranges. You can also view individual analysts recommendations, price targets and news sources (where available).

Qtrade’s app store reviews

Google Play app reviews	2.9/5 stars based on 128 ratings
Apple App Store app reviews	2.8/5 stars based on 133 ratings

Qtrade’s customer support

You can contact Qtrade Direct Investing by phone, email or letter mail. Phone support is available Monday through Friday from 8:30AM to 8:00PM. You can also access lots of helpful how-to articles and FAQs online.

• Email
• Phone
• Mail

How to open an account with Qtrade

1. Select the Sign up now button below and select Open an account.
2. Enter your name, email and password, and select Create Login. Enter the validation code sent to your email.
3. Select your account type and indicate whether you want to trade in both USD and CAD. Enter your personal, employment and financial information.
4. Review and agree to the terms, conditions and disclosures.
5. Fund your account via EFT (this can be skipped and done later).
6. Use your phone to upload a copy of your ID and take a selfie to verify your ID. Approval can take anywhere from 30 seconds to 10 minutes.
7. Digitally sign the required documents to complete your application.
8. Wait for your application to be reviewed. This could take 1-3 business days.

Eligibility and required information

• Be at least the age of majority in your province or territory
• Valid phone number and residential and email address
• Mobile phone with front/rear camera and a stable Wi-Fi connection (or data) for mobile ID verification
• Bank account to fund your Qtrade account
• Copy of valid government-issued ID (i.e. driver’s licence or passport)
• Social Insurance Number (SIN)
• Copy of investment e-statements

Sign up now

How safe is Qtrade?

Qtrade Direct Investing follows industry-standard best practices to protect customers’ money and data. This includes using 256-bit encryption, 2-factor authentication, firewalls, round-the-clock surveillance, timed logoff and digital site safety certificates issued by trusted third-party companies. The company also restricts employees’ access to customer data.

The Qtrade Internet Security Guarantee states that you’ll be fully reimbursed for any account losses due to unauthorized online brokerage activity, provided you’ve met your responsibilities.

Compare Qtrade with other platforms

Online brokerage services are offered through Qtrade Direct Investing, a division of Credential Qtrade Securities Inc. Qtrade, Qtrade Direct Investing, and Write your own future are trade names and/or trademarks of Aviso Wealth Inc.