Questrade Review

July 6, 2026

Questrade Review: A Comprehensive Guide to Canada’s Leading Online Brokerage

Questrade is one of the leading online brokerage platforms in Canada, offering a broad range of investment services, including stock and ETF trading, forex, options, and more. Founded in 1999 and headquartered in Toronto, Ontario, Questrade has built a reputation for its low-cost structure, robust trading tools, and strong customer service. The platform is ideal for both beginner and experienced investors seeking to access Canadian and U.S. markets.

This in-depth review will cover Questrade’s key features, fees, investment options, customer support, security, and much more to help you decide if it’s the right choice for your investing needs.

Questrade Overview

Founded: 1999
Headquarters: Toronto, Ontario, Canada
Regulation: Questrade is a member of the Investment Industry Regulatory Organization of Canada (IIROC) and is also a member of the Canadian Investor Protection Fund (CIPF), ensuring that investors’ accounts are protected up to $1 million.
Trading Platforms: Web-based platform, mobile app (iOS and Android), Questrade IQ Edge (advanced platform for active traders).
Account Types: Self-Directed Accounts, Managed Portfolios, Registered Accounts (RRSP, TFSA, RESP, etc.), and Corporate Accounts.
Fees: Low commission rates for stock, ETF, and options trades, with no account maintenance fees.

Key Features of Questrade

1. Low-Cost Trading

One of Questrade’s biggest advantages is its low-cost trading model. This makes it highly attractive to cost-conscious investors.

Stock and ETF Trades: Questrade charges just $4.95 to $9.95 per trade for buying and selling stocks and ETFs. The fee depends on the volume of the trade, with the lower range available for smaller trades and higher for larger ones.
ETF Purchases: One of Questrade’s standout features is that it offers free ETF purchases. This is a huge benefit for long-term investors, as it enables them to build diversified portfolios without worrying about transaction costs eating into their returns. However, there are still fees when selling ETFs.
Options Trading: For options traders, Questrade charges $9.95 per trade plus $1 per contract, which is competitive compared to other brokerages.

This pricing structure, especially with free ETF purchases, makes Questrade one of the most cost-effective brokerage options in Canada, particularly for investors who are looking to trade frequently or in smaller amounts.

2. Wide Range of Investment Options

Questrade offers a comprehensive range of investment products, allowing users to diversify their portfolios easily. Here are some of the key investment options available:

Stocks: Investors can trade stocks from Canadian and U.S. markets, including TSX (Toronto Stock Exchange) and NYSE (New York Stock Exchange).
ETFs: A wide selection of ETFs from both Canada and the U.S., including equity, bond, sector, and international ETFs. Investors can take advantage of free ETF purchases to build a diversified portfolio without paying trading commissions.
Options: Questrade allows investors to trade stock and ETF options, providing various strategies like covered calls, protective puts, and spreads.
Forex: Questrade also offers a Forex trading platform for traders who wish to access the global currency markets.
Bonds: Investors can purchase government, municipal, and corporate bonds through Questrade, although the platform doesn’t offer as extensive bond offerings as some competitors.
Managed Portfolios: For those who prefer a hands-off approach, Questrade offers managed portfolios. These are professionally managed portfolios that can be customized based on your risk tolerance and financial goals.
Precious Metals: Questrade also offers access to precious metals like gold and silver through gold and silver ETFs or physical gold bullion.

With such a broad range of assets, Questrade offers flexibility for all types of investors, from beginners looking to build a simple portfolio to active traders seeking a diverse range of trading opportunities.

3. Advanced Trading Tools and Platforms

Questrade provides a variety of platforms, including a basic web-based interface, a mobile app, and more advanced options for active traders:

Questrade Trading Platform: The web platform is intuitive, user-friendly, and suitable for most investors. It provides access to real-time data, charts, and account management tools.
IQ Edge: For advanced traders, Questrade offers IQ Edge, a powerful desktop trading platform with advanced charting, technical analysis tools, and streaming data. IQ Edge is particularly beneficial for those who need more control over their trades and seek in-depth market analysis.
Mobile App: Questrade’s mobile app offers a streamlined experience for investors who want to trade on the go. It allows users to manage their portfolio, place trades, and monitor their positions in real-time.

The variety of platforms makes Questrade a versatile option, catering to both beginner investors and advanced traders looking for sophisticated trading features.

4. Registered Accounts (RRSP, TFSA, RESP)

Questrade offers a range of registered accounts to help Canadian investors take advantage of tax-sheltered investment opportunities:

RRSP (Registered Retirement Savings Plan): A tax-deferred account that allows investors to save for retirement while deferring taxes on investment income until withdrawal.
TFSA (Tax-Free Savings Account): A flexible account that allows Canadians to contribute and withdraw funds tax-free. The investment income generated within the TFSA is not taxed.
RESP (Registered Education Savings Plan): A government-sponsored account that helps families save for their children’s post-secondary education.
Corporate Accounts: Questrade also offers corporate accounts, making it easier for businesses to manage investments.

These account types help Canadian investors save on taxes while building wealth for retirement, education, or other long-term goals.

5. Fractional Shares

Questrade allows users to buy fractional shares in U.S. stocks. This feature is beneficial for investors who want to invest in high-priced stocks like Tesla or Amazon without needing to purchase a full share.

Fractional shares allow investors to diversify their portfolios by investing in top companies with smaller amounts of capital. This feature is available for U.S. stocks listed on major exchanges such as the NYSE and NASDAQ.

6. Customer Support

Questrade offers a variety of support options for customers:

Phone Support: Questrade’s support team is available by phone to assist with account inquiries, technical issues, and general support. Support is available during regular business hours, and Questrade’s customer service is often praised for being helpful and professional.
Live Chat: For quicker responses, users can reach out through the live chat feature available on the website.
Email Support: Email support is also available for non-urgent inquiries.
Help Center: Questrade’s online help center contains a wealth of information, including articles, tutorials, and FAQs covering everything from account setup to advanced trading features.

7. Security

Questrade prioritizes the security of its users’ data and investments. The platform uses bank-level encryption to protect personal and financial information. Additionally, Questrade is a member of the Canadian Investor Protection Fund (CIPF), providing coverage of up to $1 million in the event of the firm’s insolvency.

Questrade also offers two-factor authentication (2FA), adding an additional layer of security to user accounts.

Pros of Questrade

Low-Cost Trading: Questrade offers some of the lowest fees for stock and ETF trading in Canada, particularly with free ETF purchases.
Wide Range of Investment Options: Questrade offers access to a diverse set of asset classes, including stocks, ETFs, options, Forex, and managed portfolios.
Advanced Trading Tools: With platforms like IQ Edge, Questrade caters to active traders who need advanced features such as charting and real-time data.
Fractional Shares: The ability to buy fractional shares of U.S. stocks makes it easier for investors to diversify their portfolios.
Robust Security: Questrade takes security seriously, with bank-level encryption, two-factor authentication, and CIPF protection.
Registered Accounts: Questrade offers a wide range of tax-advantaged accounts such as RRSPs, TFSAs, and RESPs.

Cons of Questrade

High Fees for Selling ETFs: While ETF purchases are free, there are fees when selling ETFs, which may discourage some investors who frequently trade ETFs.
No Mutual Funds: Unlike some brokerages, Questrade does not offer mutual funds. While this isn’t a dealbreaker for most investors, it may be a disadvantage for those who prefer mutual funds over ETFs.
Limited Research Tools: While Questrade offers solid trading tools, it lacks the advanced research tools and educational resources available on some other platforms.

Conclusion: Is Questrade the Right Brokerage for You?

Questrade stands out as one of the most popular and cost-effective online brokerages in Canada. With its low commission structure, extensive range of investment options, and advanced trading platforms, it’s a great option for both beginners and experienced investors. The ability to buy fractional shares and access tax-sheltered accounts like RRSPs and TFSAs adds further appeal.

If you’re a beginner investor looking for low-cost trades and the ability to build a diversified portfolio, Questrade’s free ETF purchases and wide range of account types make it an attractive option. More active traders will appreciate the robust features offered by the IQ Edge platform, while long-term investors will find value in the fractional share trading.

Overall, Questrade offers excellent value, making it a great choice for Canadians looking to build wealth efficiently while accessing a wide array of investment tools.