Trusted investment platforms are the online discount brokers you login to and use to buy-and-sell ETFs, stocks and fixed income (like bonds) investments. These platforms can also offer robo-advisor services to manage your portfolio for you. They must be licensed and regulated by the Canadian Securities Administrators, and should have strong cyber security features to protect your information and assets.

Trusted investment platforms in Canada top two online brokerages are Questrade and CIBC Investor’s Edge. Both have great customer service and a full suite of investing tools, but CIBC’s platform is the best overall in terms of user experience and price. They also have a mobile app with advanced charting that’s really nice to use.

Another good option is Scotia iTRADE, the brokerage arm of Scotiabank. They have a solid offering of stocks, ETFs, GICs, mutual funds and options. The fee structure is similar to TD Direct Investing, but the lack of free ETF trades and various account fees makes it harder to rank higher on our list.

Trusted Crypto Exchanges in Canada: Security, Fees & Features Compared

National Bank Direct Brokerage shook things up in 2021 by becoming the first of Canada’s “Big Bank” brokerages to offer commission-free ETF trades, which they continued to expand upon with other smart moves. They still have some fees, including an account fee and currency exchange if you buy US stocks or ETFs, but it’s a good choice for DIY investors who prefer the safety and convenience of a big Canadian bank.

RBC Direct Investing is another solid option, with easy transfers from RBC bank accounts and no fees on most foreign shares. They also offer a generous 10 commission-free trades for newcomers to Canada with their StartRight program.