Interactive Brokers Canada vs Questrade
Which Is Better for Canadian Traders? · 2026 Edition
Last reviewed April 2026
Interactive Brokers Canada
The professional's platform: lowest costs, global reach, unmatched depth
out of 10
wins
Questrade
Canada's original low-cost broker with free ETF buys, multiple platforms
out of 10
Category Scorecard
Ease of Use
Beginner-friendliness and interface clarity
Interactive Brokers Canada
Questrade
Platform & Tools
Research tools, charting, and platform depth
Interactive Brokers Canada
Questrade
Costs & Fees
Trading commissions, FX fees, and account costs
Interactive Brokers Canada
Questrade
Account Types
Registered accounts and investment vehicles offered
Interactive Brokers Canada
Questrade
Customer Service
Support responsiveness, channels, and quality
Interactive Brokers Canada
Questrade
Key Takeaways
Drawn directly from the data fields we track on each platform, these are the differences most likely to change your decision between Interactive Brokers Canada and Questrade. Each card shows the raw numbers on both sides and what the gap means in practice.
Base margin rate
Interactive Brokers CanadaInteractive Brokers CanadaLowest in Canada; from Benchmark + 1.5% or less for larger balances
QuestradeHigher than most competitors; from Prime + 4.25%
At the starting tier, Interactive Brokers Canada's margin rate is 2.75 percentage points lower than Questrade's, a meaningful saving for investors who borrow to invest.
Stock and ETF commissions
QuestradeInteractive Brokers CanadaVery low per-share cost, typically $1.00 minimum per trade
QuestradeCommission-free on stocks and ETFs
Questrade charges no commission on Canadian and US stock and ETF buys and sells, while Interactive Brokers Canada applies a per-trade cost, which adds up quickly for investors who place frequent orders or dollar-cost average into small positions.
Crypto in the same account
Interactive Brokers CanadaInteractive Brokers CanadaCrypto trading available
QuestradeStocks, ETFs, options
Interactive Brokers Canada lets you hold Bitcoin, Ethereum, and other cryptocurrencies alongside your equities in one app, while Questrade keeps its focus on traditional securities.
Registered account coverage
QuestradeInteractive Brokers Canada4 of 6 main types
Questrade6 of 6 main types
Across the six main registered account types (TFSA, RRSP, RESP, FHSA, LIRA, RRIF), the lineups are different sizes, which matters if your household needs all of them under one login.
Common Ground
Before the differences, it helps to see where Interactive Brokers Canada and Questrade line up. These are the features you get on either platform, so your final choice should rest on the points above, not on anything in this list.
- Full tax-shelter lineup including TFSA, RRSP, and FHSA
- Fractional shares for dollar-based investing
- Dividend reinvestment plan (DRIP) on eligible holdings
- Margin accounts for qualified investors
- CIPF protection on eligible investment accounts
The Trading Experience
Interactive Brokers CanadaTrader Workstation (TWS) is one of the most powerful trading platforms available anywhere. The learning curve is steep but the depth of tools, order types, and market data is unmatched at this price point.
Customer Service
Support is knowledgeable but some users report slow response times and difficulty reaching live agents for complex issues.
QuestradeQuestrade Edge (desktop and web) plus a mobile app give investors flexibility across platforms. The interface is capable without being overwhelming.
Customer Service
Some users report long hold times and difficulty resolving account issues. Email and chat support are available but response times vary.
Features Side by Side
4/6Interactive Brokers Canada6/6Questraderegistered account typesA yellow row means the two platforms differ on that feature. The six main registered account types are TFSA, RRSP, RESP, FHSA, LIRA, and RRIF.
Commissions & Costs in Detail
Interactive Brokers CanadaTrading Commissions
Very low per-share cost, typically $1.00 minimum per trade
DRIP
Synthetic DRIP, no purchase discount
Account Protection
CIPF
QuestradeTrading Commissions
Commission-free on CAD and US stocks and ETFs; ECN fees may apply on US stock trades
DRIP
Synthetic DRIP, no purchase discount
Account Protection
CIPF
Pros & Cons
Interactive Brokers CanadaStrengths
- Lowest margin rates available in Canada
- Access to 150 global markets from a single account
- Professional-grade Trader Workstation with advanced order types
- Fractional shares available across many markets
- Broad registered account lineup including RRIF
Limitations
- Steep learning curve on the TWS platform
- Not commission-free for stocks and ETFs
- Complex interface is not suitable for beginners
QuestradeStrengths
- Free ETF purchases, a genuine cost advantage for buy-and-hold investors
- The most comprehensive registered account lineup, including RRIF and FHSA
- Multiple trading platforms for different experience levels
- Managed portfolios available via Questwealth
- Fractional shares available
Limitations
- ECN fees may apply on US stock trades
- Margin rates are higher than most competitors
- Customer service wait times can be lengthy
- Higher fees on mutual fund trades
Who Should Choose Which?
Choose Interactive Brokers Canada if:
- 1You want more advanced research tools, charting, and order capabilities
- 2You want stocks, ETFs, and crypto all in a single account
- 3You value institutional-grade pricing: low margin rates and competitive costs that reward active trading volume
- 4Active traders, margin investors, and anyone who needs global market access and professional tools at the lowest possible cost
Choose Questrade if:
- 1You're new to investing and want the most intuitive, welcoming interface (ease of use: 7.5 vs 5.5)
- 2You want professionally managed portfolio options alongside self-directed trading
- 3You're saving for a child's education through an RESP
- 4You need the broadest possible registered account lineup
- 5ETF investors and hybrid investors who want both self-directed and managed accounts with the most complete account type coverage in Canada
Common Questions
The questions Canadian investors ask most often when comparing Interactive Brokers Canada and Questrade, answered from the data points tracked on each platform.
Which platform is cheaper for trading: Interactive Brokers Canada or Questrade?
Interactive Brokers Canada rates higher on our cost and fees category (9.5/10 vs 8.0/10 for Questrade). Interactive Brokers Canada's commission structure: Very low per-share cost, typically $1.00 minimum per trade. Questrade's commission structure: Commission-free on CAD and US stocks and ETFs; ECN fees may apply on US stock trades.
Can I buy crypto on Interactive Brokers Canada or Questrade?
Interactive Brokers Canada offers crypto trading alongside stocks and ETFs in the same account. Questrade focuses on traditional securities, so Canadians who want crypto under the same login would pick Interactive Brokers Canada.
Can I open a First Home Savings Account (FHSA) on both platforms?
Yes. Both Interactive Brokers Canada and Questrade support the FHSA, which combines RRSP-style tax deductibility with TFSA-style tax-free withdrawals for a first home purchase.
Can I buy fractional shares on Interactive Brokers Canada and Questrade?
Yes. Both Interactive Brokers Canada and Questrade support fractional shares, so any dollar amount can be invested across stocks and ETFs without needing to buy a full unit.
Which platform is easier for a first-time investor?
Questrade scores higher on our ease-of-use rating (7.5/10 vs 5.5/10), meaning beginners tend to find its interface and onboarding more approachable. ETF investors and hybrid investors who want both self-directed and managed accounts with the most complete account type coverage in Canada
What are the margin rates at Interactive Brokers Canada and Questrade?
Interactive Brokers Canada: Lowest in Canada; from Benchmark + 1.5% or less for larger balances. Questrade: Higher than most competitors; from Prime + 4.25%. That works out to roughly a 2.75 percentage point gap at the starting tier, with Interactive Brokers Canada on the lower side.
Does Interactive Brokers Canada or Questrade charge commissions on stock and ETF trades?
Questrade offers commission-free trading on Canadian and US stocks and ETFs. Interactive Brokers Canada applies a per-trade commission: Very low per-share cost, typically $1.00 minimum per trade.
Is my money protected at Interactive Brokers Canada and Questrade?
Interactive Brokers Canada: CIPF. Questrade: CIPF. CIPF (Canadian Investor Protection Fund) covers eligible investment accounts up to $1 million per account category if the member firm becomes insolvent. It does not cover losses from market movements.
Overall Verdict
3 categories won
2 categories won
Interactive Brokers Canada and Questrade are both strong platforms that serve meaningfully different investors. Interactive Brokers Canada leads on 3 of 5 categories, with its clearest advantages in cost efficiency and platform depth.
Interactive Brokers Canada earns our higher overall rating (8.7 vs 8.2), reflecting its stronger combination across the key dimensions Canadian investors care about. That said, Questrade holds a real edge for investors who prioritise a beginner-friendlier interface.
On leverage specifically, the starting-tier margin rates show a 2.75 percentage point gap, with Interactive Brokers Canada on the lower side. That is a concrete, ongoing cost difference for investors who carry a margin balance, and it often swings the decision for active traders.
On account lineup: Interactive Brokers Canada supports 4 of the six main registered account types and Questrade supports 6. If you need the broader coverage, that points toward Questrade.