Online brokerage
Qtrade Direct Investing Review: CIRO-Registered, Fees & Platforms
By ForexCanada Editorial Team · Updated
Canada check
- Canadian status
- CIRO-registered
- Canadian entity
- Aviso Financial Inc.
- CIPF coverage
- Yes (eligible accounts, within CIPF limits)
- OBSI complaints
- Yes — free, independent dispute resolution
- Accepts Canadians
- Accepts Canadian residents
- Licences abroad
- —
- Founded
- 2001
- Headquarters
- Vancouver, BC
- Ownership
- Aviso Financial (owned by Canadian credit unions and Desjardins)
Our take on Qtrade Direct Investing
Qtrade is a Vancouver-based brokerage owned by Aviso Financial, which is in turn owned by Canadian credit unions and Desjardins. It has consistently scored at or near the top of Canadian broker rankings for service and research, and its move to $0 stock and ETF commissions made it one of the best-value full-featured brokerages in the country. You get a proper research centre, portfolio analytics, a full set of registered accounts and USD accounts. It does not offer forex or CFD trading.
Verdict
One of the best all-round Canadian brokerages for self-directed investors, particularly those who value research and phone support.
What we like
- +$0 stock and ETF commissions
- +Strong research and portfolio tools
- +Highly rated customer service
- +USD accounts available
Watch out for
- −No forex or CFDs
- −Mobile app less polished than app-first rivals
- −Fewer advanced tools for very active traders
How Qtrade Direct Investing scores
Canadian protection carries 40% of the weight, so an unregistered firm can't outrank a registered one on price alone. See the full methodology.
Accounts, markets & platforms
- Platforms
- Proprietary web, Mobile app
- Markets
- Stocks · ETFs · Options · Bonds · Mutual funds
- Pricing
- $0 stock and ETF commissions (2026); options about $0.75/contract
- Minimum deposit
- $0
- CAD / USD accounts
- ✓ CAD | ✓ USD
- Registered accounts
- TFSA, RRSP, FHSA, RESP, RRIF, LIRA, Spousal RRSP
- Demo account
- Not advertised
- French service
- Yes
Figures are taken from the broker's own disclosures at our last review (2026-09) and change often — always confirm on the broker's website. Spot an error? Tell us.
Verify Qtrade Direct Investing yourself
- Look for the firm on CIRO's list of dealers it regulates.
- Search the legal entity name in the CSA National Registration Search and check it is registered in your province.
- Confirm CIPF membership in the CIPF member directory.
- Search the CSA investor alerts for the brand name and any look-alike websites.
- Make sure the account agreement you sign names the same legal entity — not an offshore affiliate.
Qtrade Direct Investing: frequently asked questions
Is Qtrade Direct Investing regulated in Canada?
Yes. Canadian clients are served by Aviso Financial Inc., a registered investment dealer and member of the Canadian Investment Regulatory Organization (CIRO). You can confirm this on CIRO's list of dealers it regulates and in the CSA National Registration Search.
Is my money protected with Qtrade Direct Investing?
Eligible accounts at CIRO dealer members are covered by the Canadian Investor Protection Fund (CIPF) if the firm becomes insolvent — generally up to $1 million per account category. CIPF does not cover trading losses.
What is the minimum deposit at Qtrade Direct Investing?
$0. Minimums change, so confirm on the broker's website before funding.
Can I open a TFSA or RRSP with Qtrade Direct Investing?
Yes. Qtrade Direct Investing offers TFSA, RRSP, FHSA, RESP, RRIF, LIRA, Spousal RRSP accounts. Note that leveraged forex and CFDs can't be held in registered accounts.
Canadian trader reviews
Reviews are submitted by readers and moderated by our editors for relevance and abuse. They are opinions, not verified facts, and never affect our score.
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