Qtrade Review (2026): Is This Canada’s Best Online Brokerage?

Choosing the right online brokerage can have a long-term impact on your investing results. Fees, research tools, execution quality, and platform reliability all affect how much of your capital actually stays invested.

Qtrade is consistently ranked among the top Canadian brokerages — but does it truly deserve that reputation?

In this Qtrade review, we’ll examine its features, pricing, strengths, weaknesses, and how it compares to competitors so you can decide if it fits your investing strategy.

What Is Qtrade?

Qtrade is a Canadian online brokerage that allows investors to trade stocks, ETFs, options, mutual funds, and other securities. It is operated by Aviso Wealth, one of Canada’s largest independent wealth management firms.

Unlike beginner-focused trading apps, Qtrade is built for investors who want more control, research capabilities, and portfolio analytics without enterprise-level complexity.

Key Features of Qtrade

Professional Trading Platform

Qtrade offers a clean, fast, and intuitive interface designed for serious investors. You can:

• Place trades in stocks, ETFs, and options
• Monitor performance across multiple accounts
• View advanced charts and market data
• Track dividends and asset allocation

The platform prioritizes functionality over gimmicks.

Research and Screening Tools

Qtrade stands out for its built-in research capabilities:

• Stock and ETF screeners with multiple filters
• Analyst reports and company fundamentals
• Technical indicators and interactive charts
• Portfolio analysis and performance tracking

If you prefer making data-driven investment decisions, these tools are a major advantage.

Commission-Free ETF Purchases

Qtrade offers $0 commissions on ETF purchases from a large selection of popular providers.

This is ideal for:

• Index investors
• Dividend portfolio builders
• Long-term buy-and-hold strategies
• Dollar-cost averaging

While selling still incurs a fee, long-term investors can significantly reduce costs over time.

Supported Account Types

Qtrade supports all major Canadian accounts:

• TFSA
• RRSP
• FHSA
• RESP
• Cash and Margin Accounts
• Corporate and Business Accounts

This makes it suitable as a single platform for managing your entire investing portfolio.

Customer Support

Qtrade consistently receives high marks for:

• Phone support
• Secure online messaging
• Clear documentation and FAQs

For investors managing larger portfolios, responsive support is an important differentiator.

Qtrade Fees and Pricing

Trading Commissions

• Stocks and ETFs: $8.75 per trade (or $6.95 for active traders)
• ETF purchases: $0 for eligible ETFs
• Options: $8.75 + $1.25 per contract

Account Fees

• Quarterly account fee: Waived when you maintain the minimum balance or meet activity requirements
• No inactivity penalties for typical long-term investors

Qtrade is not the cheapest brokerage in Canada, but its pricing is reasonable for the level of tools and reliability it offers.

Pros and Cons of Qtrade

Pros

• Commission-free ETF purchases
• Advanced research and screening tools
• Professional, stable trading platform
• Supports all major account types
• Reliable customer service
• Well-established Canadian institution

Cons

• Higher commissions than ultra-discount brokers
• No zero-commission stock trading
• Not designed for high-frequency day traders

Qtrade vs Other Canadian Brokerages

Qtrade vs Questrade

Qtrade is stronger for investors who value research and portfolio analytics. Questrade is better if minimizing fees is your top priority.

Qtrade vs Wealthsimple Trade

Wealthsimple is ideal for beginners and casual investors. Qtrade is better for serious investors who want deeper analysis and more control.

Who Should Use Qtrade?

Qtrade is best suited for:

• Long-term investors building ETF or dividend portfolios
• Self-directed investors who rely on research and analysis
• TFSA, RRSP, and FHSA holders managing multiple accounts
• Investors who prioritize reliability and professional tools

Qtrade may not be ideal if:

• You trade very frequently and need the lowest possible commissions
• You want a mobile-first, ultra-simplified app
• You only make occasional micro-investments

Is Qtrade Safe and Legit?

Yes. Qtrade is a fully regulated Canadian brokerage backed by Aviso Wealth. Client assets are protected under the Canadian Investor Protection Fund (CIPF), and the platform uses industry-standard security protocols.

For Canadian investors, Qtrade is a legitimate and stable platform.

How to Open a Qtrade Account

1. Visit Qtrade’s website
2. Choose your account type (TFSA, RRSP, FHSA, etc.)
3. Complete identity verification
4. Fund your account
5. Start investing

Open your Qtrade account here: Start Investing with Qtrade

Final Verdict: Is Qtrade Worth It?

If your goal is long-term wealth building using a professional-grade platform, Qtrade is one of the strongest online brokerages in Canada.

It may not be the cheapest option, but it excels where it matters most: research tools, platform stability, account flexibility, and investor confidence.

For serious investors who treat their portfolio as a long-term asset rather than a hobby, Qtrade is absolutely worth considering.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Qtrade good for beginners?

Yes, especially for beginners who want to learn disciplined investing with proper research tools rather than oversimplified apps.

Does Qtrade offer free trades?

ETF purchases from select providers are commission-free. Stock and options trades carry standard commissions.

Can I trade U.S. stocks with Qtrade?

Yes. Qtrade supports U.S. and international securities across registered and non-registered accounts.

Is Qtrade better than Wealthsimple?

For investors who value research, tools, and account flexibility, yes. For ultra-low-cost casual investing, Wealthsimple may be simpler.