Updated September 28, 2026 · BrokerCue Editorial Team
BMO InvestorLine vs Public
Where BMO InvestorLine and Public differ
| Compare |  BMO InvestorLine |  Public |
|---|---|---|
| Stock trade fee | CA$0 | $0 |
| Markets | Stocks, ETFs, Options, Bonds, Funds | Stocks, ETFs, Crypto, Options, Bonds |
| Margin rate | 8.75% | 4.2%Lower |
| Options contract fee | CA$0.90 | $0.060 to $0.18 |
| Minimum deposit | Not confirmed | $0 |
| Account fee | CA$0 | Not confirmed |
| Inactivity fee | CA$0 | Not confirmed |
| Regulators | Not confirmed | FINRA, SEC |
| Investor protection | Not confirmed | SIPC up to USD 500,000 |
| Currency conversion fee | 0.4% to 1.6% | Not confirmed |
| Deposit and withdrawal fees | $0 EFT, $10 wire | Not confirmed |
| Account types | Not confirmed | IRA, Roth IRA |
| Interest on cash | Not confirmed | 3.3% |
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Key differences
- Margin rate is lower at Public: 4.2% vs 8.75%.
- Markets: only BMO InvestorLine offers Funds.
- Markets: only Public offers Crypto.
- Support channels: only BMO InvestorLine offers Phone, Chat.
- Support channels: only Public offers Email, Help centre.
- Features: only Public offers Crypto, Fractional shares.
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.
Public
Public suits people building a retirement account who care most about what a trade costs and where the money sits. Stock trades are $0, the account opens from $0, and protection runs to SIPC up to USD 500,000 in the US.
Score breakdown
| Area | BMO InvestorLine | Public |
|---|---|---|
| Cost | 9.2Commission-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%. | 9.6HigherStock trades cost $0, options contracts run $0.06 to $0.18 and margin borrowing starts at 4.2%. |
| Offer | 9.2 | 9.2A ira and roth ira account covers stocks, etfs and crypto plus a mobile app and fractional shares. |
| Trust | 9.6Higher | 9.5 |
Side by side, item by item
| Markets | BMO InvestorLine | Public |
|---|---|---|
| Stocks | Yes | Yes |
| ETFs | Yes | Yes |
| Options | Yes | Yes |
| Crypto | No | Yes |
| Bonds | Yes | Yes |
| Funds | Yes | No |
Where they rank in our lists
| Ranking | BMO InvestorLine | Public |
|---|---|---|
| Stock and ETF brokers | 43 of 490 | 49 of 490 |
| Options trading platforms | 13 of 103 | 15 of 103 |
| Margin trading brokers | 6 of 22 | 7 of 22 |
Every fact side by side
| Fact | BMO InvestorLine | Public |
|---|---|---|
| Features | Mobile app, Options | Crypto, Fractional shares, Options, Mobile appCovers more |
| Pricing model | Commission free | Commission free |
| Legal entity | Not confirmed | Open to the Public Investing, Inc. |
| Founded | 1988 | Not confirmed |
| Support channels | Phone, Chat | Email, Help centre |
Where each stands against the rest
| Fact | BMO InvestorLine | Public | Median |
|---|---|---|---|
| Minimum deposit | Not confirmed | $0below the median | $10 |
| Account fee | CA$0below the median | Not confirmed | CA$60 |
| Currency conversion fee | 0.4% to 1.6%at the median | Not confirmed | 0.4 |
| Margin rate | 8.75%below the median | 4.2%lowest quarter | 8.79% |
| Interest on cash | Not confirmed | 3.3%above the median | 3% |
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.
Public
Pros
- Stock trades cost $0, so a regular monthly purchase is not eaten by commission.
- The account opens from $0, which is below the €4.64 typical minimum across the brokers on our data.
- Cash parked in the high-yield account earns 3.3% while it waits to be invested.
Cons
- Options contracts add a fee of $0.06 to $0.18 each, on top of the premium you pay for the option itself.
- Margin borrowing runs at 4.2%, so borrowed positions carry an interest charge that keeps accruing.
- Support runs on email and help centre only, so there is no phone line for questions about a transfer or a tax form.
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%.
Public
Who it suits
- You are saving for retirement in the US and want commission-free stock trades in one account
- You want to hold spare cash at a stated rate while you decide what to buy
- You are starting with small amounts and want fractional shares rather than whole shares
Who should look elsewhere
- You need forex, CFDs or futures, which CFI and eToro both list in stocks, etfs and forex and stocks, etfs and forex
- You want a UK ISA or SIPP wrapper, neither of which appears in ira and roth ira
- You want to talk to a broker on the phone, since support covers email and help centre
Current offers
Public
Current offer
Bonus
Transfer your portfolio. Earn an uncapped 1% match.: 1% match
Source, checked September 26, 2026
Country by country
| Country | BMO InvestorLine | Public |
|---|---|---|
| United States | No | Yes |
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%.
Public
Is Public really commission free for stock trades?+
Yes. A stock trade costs $0, so buying shares itself carries no charge. The costs sit elsewhere: options contracts cost $0.06 to $0.18 each, and margin borrowing runs at 4.2%. A simple monthly share purchase only pays the trade charge of $0.
What is the minimum deposit at Public?+
The minimum deposit is $0, so an account can be opened and funded from a very small amount. That is well under the €4.64 typical minimum across the brokers on our data, where the upper quartile sits at €87.70. No threshold has to be cleared before the first trade.
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