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Brokerage & Platform Comparison Engine

Zero affiliate kickbacks. Zero sponsored rankings. Compare Canadian and U.S. discount brokerages based strictly on your trading strategy, currency needs, account containers, and fee sensitivity.

The Unbiased Standard: $0 in Brokerage Kickbacks

Unlike commercial comparison websites (NerdWallet, Ratehub, Bankrate), Basic Investor receives $0 in affiliate referral commissions or promotional fees from any financial institution. Rankings are calculated algorithmically based on your inputs. Fees as of October 2026 � verify with the provider before opening an account.

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Canadian vs. U.S. Discount Brokerage Selection Guide

Choosing the right self-directed discount brokerage is the foundation of fee-minimized DIY investing. When comparing platforms, look beyond advertising headlines and evaluate the complete fee schedule:

Platform Stock & ETF Trades FX Currency Conversion Supported Registered Accounts
Wealthsimple Trade $0 commission on all trades 1.5% FX fee (waived on USD accounts with $100k+ balance or $10/mo) TFSA, RRSP, FHSA, Non-Registered, Crypto
Questrade $0 to buy ETFs; $4.95 - $9.95 to sell 1.99% bank spread (Free dual-currency USD accounts; supports Norbert's Gambit) TFSA, RRSP, FHSA, RESP, Margin, Corporate CCPC
Interactive Brokers (IBKR) ~$0.005/share (lowest margin rates) Institutional spot rate (~$2 flat fee; lowest in the world) TFSA, RRSP, FHSA, Margin, Corporate, IRA, 401(k)
Big Bank Brokerages (TD, RBC, BMO) $6.95 to $9.99 per trade 1.75% - 2.0% spread (supports Norbert's Gambit) Full registered account suite, RRIF, LIF, IPP
Educational information and comparison only. Basic Investor does not sell investments, execute trades, or operate as a securities broker-dealer. Information is curated quarterly from published fee schedules and may change without notice.