Updated September 28, 2026 · BrokerCue Editorial Team
BMO InvestorLine vs CapTrader
What sets them apart
| Compare |  BMO InvestorLine |  CapTrader |
|---|---|---|
| Stock trade fee | CA$0 | $2 |
| Account fee | CA$0 | $0 |
| Inactivity fee | CA$0 | $0 |
| Markets | Stocks, ETFs, Options, Bonds, Funds | Stocks, ETFs, Forex, CFDs, Options, Futures, Crypto, Bonds, FundsCovers more |
| Options contract fee | CA$0.90 | €2 |
| Deposit and withdrawal fees | $0 EFT, $10 wire | Free withdrawal, bank transfer deposits |
| Minimum deposit | Not confirmed | $2,000 |
| Currency conversion fee | 0.4% to 1.6% | Not confirmed |
| Margin rate | 8.75% | Not confirmed |
| Platforms | Not confirmed | Trader Workstation TWS, CapTrader Desktop, Trading App |
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Key differences
- BMO InvestorLine scores higher overall: 9.4 vs 8.9.
- Markets: only CapTrader offers Forex, CFDs, Futures.
- Support channels: only BMO InvestorLine offers Phone, Chat.
- Support channels: only CapTrader offers Help centre.
- Features: only BMO InvestorLine offers Options.
- Features: only CapTrader offers Demo account, Fractional shares.
- Pricing model: only BMO InvestorLine offers Commission free.
- Pricing model: only CapTrader offers Low fees.
Our verdict on each
BMO InvestorLine
BMO InvestorLine suits Canadian investors who want a bank-backed broker without account or inactivity charges, trading stocks and ETFs commission free. What sets it apart is the pairing of a CAD 0 stock trade fee with a CAD 0 account fee, though currency conversion and options add cost.
CapTrader
CapTrader suits experienced traders who want stocks, forex, CFDs, options, futures, crypto, bonds and funds under one roof with no account or inactivity fee. The catch is the entry size: a minimum deposit of $2,000 puts it out of reach for a small first account.
Score breakdown
| Area | BMO InvestorLine | CapTrader |
|---|---|---|
| Cost | 9.2HigherCommission-free stock and ETF trades, no account fee and no inactivity fee, with options and margin priced separately at CAD 0.90 and 8.75%. | 8.7Account fee and inactivity fee of $0 and $0 set against a $2,000 entry and $2 a trade. |
| Offer | 9.2 | 9.2 |
| Trust | 9.6 | Not confirmed |
Which one suits you
Pick BMO InvestorLine if cost matter most.
Pick CapTrader if markets matter most.
How they place
| Ranking | BMO InvestorLine | CapTrader |
|---|---|---|
| Stock and ETF brokers | 43 of 490 | 17 of 490 |
| Options trading platforms | 13 of 103 | 3 of 103 |
Every fact side by side
| Fact | BMO InvestorLine | CapTrader |
|---|---|---|
| Features | Mobile app, Options | Demo account, Mobile app, Fractional shares |
| Pricing model | Commission free | Low fees |
| Founded | 1988 | Not confirmed |
| Support channels | Phone, Chat | Help centre |
Where each stands against the rest
| Fact | BMO InvestorLine | CapTrader | Median |
|---|---|---|---|
| Minimum deposit | Not confirmed | $2,000highest quarter | $10 |
| Currency conversion fee | 0.4% to 1.6%at the median | Not confirmed | 0.4 |
| Margin rate | 8.75%below the median | Not confirmed | 8.79% |
Median across 99 listed brokers.
Pros and cons
BMO InvestorLine
Pros
- Stock and ETF trades cost CAD 0 and the account fee is CAD 0, so holding a portfolio costs nothing.
- The inactivity fee is CAD 0, so an untouched account is not charged.
- Support runs on phone and chat, giving a phone line and live chat.
Cons
- Margin borrowing is priced at 8.75%, so a leveraged position carries a borrowing cost.
- Options contracts carry a fee of CAD 0.90 each.
- Currency conversion is the hidden cost, at 0.4% to 1.6%, and deposits and withdrawals run $0 EFT, $10 wire.
CapTrader
Pros
- A single account covers stocks, etfs and forex, so instruments do not need splitting across brokers.
- Platform choice of Trader Workstation TWS, CapTrader Desktop and Trading App covers desktop terminals and mobile trading.
- Trading costs read plainly: $2 a stock trade and €2 an options contract.
Cons
- Minimum deposit of $2,000 ranks 197 of 213 on our data, against $0 at CFI and $5 at Vantage.
- Stock trade fee of $2 ranks 124 of 161, while eToro charges $0 a trade.
- Support runs on help centre only, with no phone or chat channel listed.
Who each suits
BMO InvestorLine
Who it suits
- Investors who want a long term stock, ETF, bond and fund portfolio without a standing account charge.
- Traders who mainly trade Canadian equities and want phone and chat support for questions.
- Anyone already inside a bank relationship who values a long operating history.
Who should look elsewhere
- Day traders who live in currencies other than the Canadian dollar and would feel the 0.4% to 1.6% on every conversion.
- Options buyers who place frequent contracts and would pay CAD 0.90 each time.
- Leveraged traders, because margin costs 8.75%.
CapTrader
Who it suits
- Traders running a mixed book of stocks, etfs and forex rather than one narrow market.
- Anyone who dislikes dormant account charges, with an inactivity fee of $0.
- Desktop users who prefer the Trader Workstation TWS or CapTrader Desktop over a simple app.
Who should look elsewhere
- Small first-time accounts: CFI starts at $0 and Vantage at $5, well below CapTrader's $2,000.
- Cost-first stock buyers: eToro charges $0 a trade against CapTrader's $2.
Questions about each
BMO InvestorLine
How much does it cost to open and hold a BMO InvestorLine account?+
The account fee is CAD 0 and the inactivity fee is CAD 0, so there is no standing or dormant charge on the account. Stock and ETF trades themselves cost CAD 0. The costs that do appear are on currency conversion, options and margin.
What does it cost to trade a stock or an ETF?+
Stock and ETF trades are commission free, priced at CAD 0. The platform is listed as a commission-free model. Costs appear elsewhere: currency conversion at 0.4% to 1.6%, options at CAD 0.90 per contract, and margin at 8.75%.
CapTrader
What is the minimum deposit?+
The minimum deposit is $2,000, which is the main hurdle for a first account. On our data that places CapTrader at 197 of 213. CFI takes $0 and Vantage $5, so a smaller start is easy elsewhere.
Are there account or inactivity fees?+
Neither applies. The account fee is $0 and the inactivity fee is $0, so leaving money untouched does not trigger a charge. CapTrader ranks 1 of 138 on account fee and 1 of 56 on inactivity fee.
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