Updated September 29, 2026 · BrokerCue Editorial Team
BMO InvestorLine vs Robinhood
BMO InvestorLine vs Robinhood: the differences
| Compare |  BMO InvestorLine |  Robinhood |
|---|---|---|
| Stock trade fee | CA$0 | $0 |
| Account fee | CA$0 | $0 |
| Inactivity fee | CA$0 | $0 |
| Markets | Stocks, ETFs, Options, Bonds, Funds | Stocks, ETFs, Options, Futures, Crypto |
| Margin rate | 8.75% | 3.95%Lower |
| Options contract fee | CA$0.90 | $0 |
| Deposit and withdrawal fees | $0 EFT, $10 wire | $100 outgoing transfer |
| Minimum deposit | Not confirmed | $0 |
| Regulators | Not confirmed | Bank of Lithuania (LSC), LT BL, SIPC |
| Investor protection | Not confirmed | EU ICS up to EUR 20,000 |
| Currency conversion fee | 0.4% to 1.6% | Not confirmed |
| Platforms | Not confirmed | Robinhood app, Robinhood Legend |
| Account types | Not confirmed | IRA, Roth IRA, Joint |
| Maximum retail leverage | Not confirmed | 10X |
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Key differences
- Founded is lower at BMO InvestorLine: 1988 vs 2013.
- Margin rate is lower at Robinhood: 3.95% vs 8.75%.
- Markets: only BMO InvestorLine offers Bonds, Funds.
- Markets: only Robinhood offers Futures, Crypto.
- Features: only Robinhood offers Crypto, Fractional shares, Futures.
- Pricing model: only Robinhood 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.
Robinhood
Robinhood suits first-time investors and small, regular investors who want nothing charged for holding or trading. It is the cheapest way in on our data, with a minimum deposit of $0, no account fee and no inactivity charge, under the Bank of Lithuania and SIPC.
Score breakdown
| Area | BMO InvestorLine | Robinhood |
|---|---|---|
| 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 $0, the account fee is $0 and inactivity is $0. |
| Offer | 9.2 | 9.3Higher |
| Trust | 9.6Higher | 9.3 |
Availability and regulation
| Country | BMO InvestorLine | Robinhood |
|---|---|---|
| Lithuania | Not confirmed | Bank of Lithuania (LSC) MiCA CASP 254900GTP4UXQO1UMI36 LT_BL PSD_PI 306377915 |
| United States | Not confirmed | SIPC SIPC member 69916 |
Feature by feature
| Markets | BMO InvestorLine | Robinhood |
|---|---|---|
| Stocks | Yes | Yes |
| ETFs | Yes | Yes |
| Options | Yes | Yes |
| Futures | No | Yes |
| Crypto | No | Yes |
| Bonds | Yes | No |
| Funds | Yes | No |
Choosing between them
Pick BMO InvestorLine if trust matter most.
Pick Robinhood if cost and margin rate matter most.
Where they rank in our lists
| Ranking | BMO InvestorLine | Robinhood |
|---|---|---|
| Stock and ETF brokers | 43 of 490 | 13 of 490 |
| Options trading platforms | 13 of 103 | 1 of 103 |
| Margin trading brokers | 6 of 22 | 2 of 22 |
| Low-fee brokers | 6 of 11 | 1 of 11 |
Every fact side by side
| Fact | BMO InvestorLine | Robinhood |
|---|---|---|
| Features | Mobile app, Options | Crypto, Fractional shares, Options, Futures, Mobile appCovers more |
| Pricing model | Commission free | Commission free, Low feesCovers more |
| Audience | Not confirmed | Beginners, Day traders |
| Legal entity | Not confirmed | Robinhood Europe UAB |
| Headquarters | Not confirmed | Lithuania |
| Founded | 1988Lower | 2013 |
| Support channels | Phone, Chat | Not confirmed |
Where each stands against the rest
| Fact | BMO InvestorLine | Robinhood | 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 | 3.95%lowest quarter | 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.
Robinhood
Pros
- Nothing to pay to open or hold an account, with an account fee of $0 and an inactivity fee of $0
- Trading a share costs $0, so a small first order is not eaten by commission
- You can start with a deposit of $0, lower than most brands on our data
Cons
- Leverage is available at 10X, which magnifies losses as well as gains
- Outgoing transfers carry a charge of $100 outgoing transfer
- Margin borrowing is priced at a margin rate of 3.95%, so interest adds to your cost
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%.
Robinhood
Who it suits
- Beginners opening a first account with a small deposit
- Day-traders working in options, futures and crypto on mobile
- Retirement investors using an IRA, Roth IRA or joint account
Who should look elsewhere
- Vantage if a flat minimum deposit of $5 suits you better
- CFI if you want forex and CFDs alongside shares, since its markets cover stocks, etfs and forex
- eToro if social copy trading matters more than options and futures
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%.
Robinhood
What does it cost to trade shares on Robinhood?+
Trading a share costs $0, and an options contract costs $0. There is also an account fee of $0 and an inactivity fee of $0, so nothing is taken for simply holding the account open. Borrowing on margin is charged at a margin rate of 3.95%, which is the main running cost if you use leverage.
Is there a minimum deposit to open a Robinhood account?+
The minimum deposit is $0, so you can open an account and place a small first order without funding a large balance. It is worth comparing that with the deposits other brands ask for before you commit, since the figure varies widely across the market. Outgoing transfers are charged at $100 outgoing transfer, so factor that in if you plan to move money out early.
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