Updated September 28, 2026 · BrokerCue Editorial Team
Fidelity vs Qtrade Direct Investing
Fidelity vs Qtrade Direct Investing: the differences
| Compare |  Fidelity |  Qtrade Direct Investing |
|---|---|---|
| Stock trade fee | $0 | CA$0 |
| Account fee | $0 | CA$0 |
| Markets | Stocks, ETFs, Options, Bonds, Funds, Futures, ForexCovers more | Stocks, ETFs, Options, Bonds, Funds |
| Regulators | SEC, FINRA, SIPC | Canadian Investment Regulatory Organization (CIRO), Canadian Investor Protection Fund (CIPF) |
| Options contract fee | $0.65 | CA$0 |
| Minimum deposit | $0 | Not confirmed |
| Inactivity fee | $0 | Not confirmed |
| Investor protection | SIPC up to USD 500,000 | Not confirmed |
| Margin rate | 12.375% | Not confirmed |
| Platforms | Not confirmed | Web, Mobile |
| Account types | IRA, Roth IRA, Joint | Not confirmed |
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Key differences
- Fidelity scores higher overall: 9.5 vs 9.4.
- Regulators: only Fidelity offers SEC, FINRA, SIPC.
- Regulators: only Qtrade Direct Investing offers Canadian Investment Regulatory Organization (CIRO), Canadian Investor Protection Fund (CIPF).
- Markets: only Fidelity offers Futures, Forex.
- Support channels: only Fidelity offers Community.
- Support channels: only Qtrade Direct Investing offers Email, Help centre.
- Features: only Fidelity offers Fractional shares, Crypto, Options.
Our verdict on each
Fidelity
Fidelity is a US brokerage that suits investors who want to hold and trade without a standing charge: its minimum deposit, account fee and inactivity fee all sit at $0, $0 and $0. Stock dealing is commission-free, with SIPC protection recorded as SIPC up to USD 500,000.
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 | Fidelity | Qtrade Direct Investing |
|---|---|---|
| Cost | 9.1Site ranks it 1 of 138 on account fee and 1 of 161 on stock trade fee. | 9.5Higher |
| Offer | 9.5Higher | 9.3 |
| Trust | 9.8Higher | 9.5 |
Choosing between them
Pick Fidelity if trust and markets matter most.
Pick Qtrade Direct Investing if cost matter most.
What each covers
| Markets | Fidelity | Qtrade Direct Investing |
|---|---|---|
| Stocks | Yes | Yes |
| ETFs | Yes | Yes |
| Forex | Yes | No |
| Options | Yes | Yes |
| Futures | Yes | No |
| Bonds | Yes | Yes |
| Funds | Yes | Yes |
Where these facts come from
Fidelity
- brokerage-review.com: 6 facts, checked September 26, 2026
- editorialge.com: 5 facts, checked September 26, 2026
- en.wikipedia.org: 4 facts, checked September 26, 2026
- fidelity.com: 1 fact, checked September 26, 2026
- sipc.org: 1 fact, checked September 26, 2026
Qtrade Direct Investing
- qtrade.ca: 11 facts, checked September 26, 2026
- ciro.ca: 1 fact, checked September 26, 2026
How they place
| Ranking | Fidelity | Qtrade Direct Investing |
|---|---|---|
| Stock and ETF brokers | 46 of 471 | 59 of 471 |
| Options trading platforms | 10 of 103 | 17 of 103 |
| Brokers for beginners | 12 of 88 | 19 of 88 |
Every fact side by side
| Fact | Fidelity | Qtrade Direct Investing |
|---|---|---|
| Features | Fractional shares, Demo account, Mobile app, Crypto, Options, FuturesCovers more | Demo account, Mobile app |
| Pricing model | Commission free | Commission free |
| Audience | Beginners, Experienced | Experienced, Beginners |
| Legal entity | FIDELITY BROKERAGE SERVICES LLC | Aviso Financial Inc. |
| Headquarters | United States | Canada |
| Founded | 1946 | Not confirmed |
| Support channels | Phone, Community | Email, Phone, Help centre |
Robo-advisors
| Fact | Fidelity | Qtrade Direct Investing |
|---|---|---|
| Portfolio types | ETF, ESG, Crypto | Not confirmed |
Where each stands against the rest
| Fact | Fidelity | Qtrade Direct Investing | Median |
|---|---|---|---|
| Minimum deposit | $0below the median | Not confirmed | $25 |
| Inactivity fee | $0at the median | Not confirmed | $0 |
| Margin rate | 12.375%highest quarter | Not confirmed | 8.75% |
Median across 134 listed brokers.
Pros and cons
Fidelity
Pros
- Costs sit at the floor: stock trade fee $0, account fee $0, inactivity fee $0 and minimum deposit $0
- The client entity is listed on the SIPC register as SIPC member 23292, with protection recorded at SIPC up to USD 500,000
- Account types cover retirement and shared holdings: ira, roth ira and joint
Cons
- Support runs on phone and community only, so that list carries no chat or email channel
- Options contracts cost $0.65 each, the main charge where stock dealing is free
- Margin borrowing is priced at 12.375%, a cost on top of the free equity dealing
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
Fidelity
Who it suits
- Retirement savers, since ira, roth ira and joint are all listed as account types
- Buyers investing small amounts, as fractional shares sit in fractional shares, demo account and mobile app
- Traders who want stocks, bonds, funds, options, futures and forex in one place, as stocks, etfs and options shows
Who should look elsewhere
- Traders who want CFDs, since stocks, etfs and options leaves them out and CFI lists stocks, etfs and forex
- Anyone who prefers a required opening deposit, since $0 sets none where Vantage asks $5
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 | Fidelity | Qtrade Direct Investing |
|---|---|---|
| Canada | No | Yes |
| United States | Yes | No |
Questions about each
Fidelity
What does it cost to trade stocks at Fidelity?+
Stock dealing is commission-free, with a stock trade fee of $0. The account fee is $0 and the minimum deposit is $0, so there is no standing charge to hold the account. Options contracts are the exception, at $0.65 each.
Is there an inactivity fee if I stop trading?+
The inactivity fee is $0, so an idle account is not charged for sitting still. On the site it ranks 1 of 56 brands measured for that fee. With the account fee at $0, a dormant account carries no listed running cost.
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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