Updated September 28, 2026 · BrokerCue Editorial Team
CapTrader vs Qtrade Direct Investing
Where CapTrader and Qtrade Direct Investing differ
| Compare |  CapTrader |  Qtrade Direct Investing |
|---|---|---|
| Stock trade fee | $2 | CA$0 |
| Account fee | $0 | CA$0 |
| Markets | Stocks, ETFs, Forex, CFDs, Options, Futures, Crypto, Bonds, FundsCovers more | Stocks, ETFs, Options, Bonds, Funds |
| Options contract fee | €2 | CA$0 |
| Platforms | Trader Workstation TWS, CapTrader Desktop, Trading App | Web, Mobile |
| Minimum deposit | $2,000 | Not confirmed |
| Inactivity fee | $0 | Not confirmed |
| Regulators | Not confirmed | Canadian Investment Regulatory Organization (CIRO), Canadian Investor Protection Fund (CIPF) |
| Deposit and withdrawal fees | Free withdrawal, bank transfer deposits | Not confirmed |
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Key differences
- Qtrade Direct Investing scores higher overall: 9.4 vs 8.9.
- Markets: only CapTrader offers Forex, CFDs, Futures.
- Platforms: only CapTrader offers Trader Workstation TWS, CapTrader Desktop, Trading App.
- Platforms: only Qtrade Direct Investing offers Web, Mobile.
- Support channels: only Qtrade Direct Investing offers Email, Phone.
- Features: only CapTrader offers Fractional shares.
- Pricing model: only CapTrader offers Low fees.
- Pricing model: only Qtrade Direct Investing offers Commission free.
Our verdict on each
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.
Qtrade Direct Investing
Qtrade Direct Investing sits at the cheap end of the Canadian broker table, charging a stock trade fee of CAD 0 and an account fee of CAD 0. It suits self-directed investors who want a plain, commission-free account covering stocks, etfs and options.
Score breakdown
| Area | CapTrader | Qtrade Direct Investing |
|---|---|---|
| Cost | 8.7Account fee and inactivity fee of $0 and $0 set against a $2,000 entry and $2 a trade. | 9.5Higher |
| Offer | 9.2 | 9.3Higher |
| Trust | Not confirmed | 9.5 |
Feature by feature
| Markets | CapTrader | Qtrade Direct Investing |
|---|---|---|
| Stocks | Yes | Yes |
| ETFs | Yes | Yes |
| Forex | Yes | No |
| CFDs | Yes | No |
| Options | Yes | Yes |
| Futures | Yes | No |
| Crypto | Yes | No |
| Bonds | Yes | Yes |
| Funds | Yes | Yes |
Pick CapTrader if, pick Qtrade Direct Investing if
Pick CapTrader if markets matter most.
Pick Qtrade Direct Investing if cost matter most.
Where each is licensed and available
| Country | CapTrader | Qtrade Direct Investing |
|---|---|---|
| Canada | Not confirmed |
How they place
| Ranking | CapTrader | Qtrade Direct Investing |
|---|---|---|
| Stock and ETF brokers | 26 of 471 | 59 of 471 |
| Options trading platforms | 5 of 103 | 17 of 103 |
Every fact side by side
| Fact | CapTrader | Qtrade Direct Investing |
|---|---|---|
| Features | Demo account, Mobile app, Fractional sharesCovers more | Demo account, Mobile app |
| Pricing model | Low fees | Commission free |
| Audience | Not confirmed | Experienced, Beginners |
| Legal entity | Not confirmed | Aviso Financial Inc. |
| Headquarters | Not confirmed | Canada |
| Support channels | Help centre | Email, Phone, Help centreCovers more |
Where each stands against the rest
| Fact | CapTrader | Qtrade Direct Investing | Median |
|---|---|---|---|
| Minimum deposit | $2,000highest quarter | Not confirmed | $25 |
| Inactivity fee | $0at the median | Not confirmed | $0 |
Median across 134 listed brokers.
Pros and cons
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.
Qtrade Direct Investing
Pros
- A stock trade costs CAD 0 and an options contract costs CAD 0, so dealing adds nothing.
- The account fee is CAD 0, and the account runs on a commission free model.
- The listed regulators and protection body are Canadian Investment Regulatory Organization (CIRO) and Canadian Investor Protection Fund (CIPF), both Canadian.
Cons
- Support runs on email, phone and help centre, with no live chat in the list.
- The range is stocks, etfs and options, so forex, CFDs and crypto sit outside it.
- The firm is Canadian, based in Canada, so a UK or European holder trades under Canadian rules.
Who each suits
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.
Qtrade Direct Investing
Who it suits
- Self-directed investors who choose their own stocks, etfs and options.
- The listed audience is experienced and beginners, so a first investment and a long running one fit the same account.
- Canadian holders who plan to hold rather than trade often.
Who should look elsewhere
- Traders who want forex, CFDs or crypto: CFI lists stocks, etfs and forex.
- Readers who want a second commission-free share dealer: eToro also shows a stock trade fee of $0.
Country by country
| Country | CapTrader | Qtrade Direct Investing |
|---|---|---|
| Canada | No | Yes |
Questions about each
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.
Qtrade Direct Investing
What does Qtrade Direct Investing charge to buy a stock?+
A stock trade costs CAD 0 and the account fee is CAD 0, so dealing and holding carry no commission between them. For a buy and hold investor the fee is not what drives the outcome, market prices are. The account is therefore straightforward to cost before any money goes in.
Are there fees on options?+
An options contract costs CAD 0, and options sit inside the stocks, etfs and options list, so the contract price is the figure to check. Share dealing is separate and runs at CAD 0, while the account fee is CAD 0. Nothing further is listed for a direct investing account.
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