Updated September 28, 2026 · BrokerCue Editorial Team
BMO InvestorLine vs LYNX
BMO InvestorLine vs LYNX: the differences
| Compare |  BMO InvestorLine |  LYNX |
|---|---|---|
| Stock trade fee | CA$0 | $5 |
| Account fee | CA$0 | €0 |
| Inactivity fee | CA$0 | €5 |
| Markets | Stocks, ETFs, Options, Bonds, Funds | Stocks, ETFs, Forex, Options, Futures, Bonds, FundsCovers more |
| Margin rate | 8.75% | 7.1%Lower |
| Deposit and withdrawal fees | $0 EFT, $10 wire | One withdrawal per month free |
| Minimum deposit | Not confirmed | $0 |
| Currency conversion fee | 0.4% to 1.6% | Not confirmed |
| Options contract fee | CA$0.90 | Not confirmed |
| Platforms | Not confirmed | LYNX+, Trader Workstation, Trading App |
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Key differences
- BMO InvestorLine scores higher overall: 9.4 vs 9.3.
- Margin rate is lower at LYNX: 7.1% vs 8.75%.
- Markets: only LYNX offers Forex, Futures.
- Features: only BMO InvestorLine offers Options.
- Features: only LYNX offers Fractional shares, Demo account.
- Pricing model: only BMO InvestorLine offers Commission free.
- Pricing model: only LYNX 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.
LYNX
LYNX suits experienced traders who want a long list of markets behind the same account. The account fee is €0 and the minimum deposit is $0, so holding costs nothing, while a stock trade fee of $5 makes dealing the cost centre.
Score breakdown
| Area | BMO InvestorLine | LYNX |
|---|---|---|
| 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%. | 9.0Costly to trade: stock trade fees rank 139 of 161 and the inactivity fee 34 of 56, against an account fee of €0. |
| Offer | 9.2 | 9.6Higher |
| Trust | 9.6 | Not confirmed |
Positions in our rankings
| Ranking | BMO InvestorLine | LYNX |
|---|---|---|
| Stock and ETF brokers | 43 of 490 | 65 of 490 |
| Options trading platforms | 13 of 103 | 20 of 103 |
| Margin trading brokers | 6 of 22 | 10 of 22 |
What each covers
| Markets | BMO InvestorLine | LYNX |
|---|---|---|
| Stocks | Yes | Yes |
| ETFs | Yes | Yes |
| Forex | No | Yes |
| Options | Yes | Yes |
| Futures | No | Yes |
| Bonds | Yes | Yes |
| Funds | Yes | Yes |
Where these facts come from
BMO InvestorLine
- finder.com: 5 facts, checked September 26, 2026
- newsroom.bmo.com: 3 facts, checked September 26, 2026
- hellosafe.ca: 2 facts, checked September 26, 2026
- stockwatch.com: 1 fact, checked September 26, 2026
- wowa.ca: 1 fact, checked September 26, 2026
LYNX
- brokerchooser.com: 5 facts, checked September 26, 2026
- lynxbroker.com: 2 facts, checked September 26, 2026
- tradingfinder.com: 2 facts, checked September 26, 2026
- mygermanfinances.de: 1 fact, checked September 26, 2026
- traderfrancophone.fr: 1 fact, checked September 26, 2026
Every fact side by side
| Fact | BMO InvestorLine | LYNX |
|---|---|---|
| Features | Mobile app, Options | Fractional shares, Demo account, Mobile app |
| Pricing model | Commission free | Low fees |
| Audience | Not confirmed | Experienced |
| Founded | 1988 | Not confirmed |
| Support channels | Phone, Chat | Not confirmed |
Where each stands against the rest
| Fact | BMO InvestorLine | LYNX | Median |
|---|---|---|---|
| Minimum deposit | Not confirmed | $0below the median | $10 |
| Currency conversion fee | 0.4% to 1.6%at the median | Not confirmed | 0.4 |
| Margin rate | 8.75%below the median | 7.1%below the median | 8.79% |
| Options contract fee | CA$0.90at the median | Not confirmed | CA$0.90 |
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.
LYNX
Pros
- Nothing to pay for the account itself: fees run €0 and the minimum deposit is $0.
- The same account covers stocks, etfs and forex, putting shares, funds, bonds and derivatives under one roof.
- Platform choice runs from the LYNX+ terminal to the Trader Workstation and a mobile app, and a demo account with fractional shares comes with it.
Cons
- A stock trade fee of $5 applies to every deal, so frequent dealing raises the bill quickly.
- An inactivity fee of €5 applies, so money left untouched still carries a charge.
- A margin rate of 7.1% means a small deposit can control a much larger position.
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%.
LYNX
Who it suits
- Experienced traders: the audience listed is experienced, and the account is priced as a low fee model.
- Anyone who wants stocks, etfs and forex sitting in the same login.
- Traders who want to practise first, with a demo account and fractional shares alongside a mobile app.
Who should look elsewhere
- eToro for occasional share buying: its stock trade fee is $0 against $5 at LYNX, so small repeated deals cost more here.
- Vantage for anyone who must start with a deposit: the minimum deposit there is $5 while LYNX opens at $0.
- CFI for CFD and crypto trading, since its markets run to stocks, etfs and forex while LYNX runs to stocks, etfs and forex.
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%.
LYNX
What does LYNX charge to open and hold an account?+
Opening and holding are free: the account fee is €0 and the minimum deposit is $0. Costs appear only when you trade, through a stock trade fee of $5. The account is priced overall as a low fee model rather than a subscription service.
What does a stock trade cost on LYNX?+
A stock trade costs $5 with no account fee on top, and the same account also carries forex, options, futures, bonds and funds. On share dealing alone LYNX sits near the back of the brands compared, at 139 of 161.