Qtrade is an online broker operating since 2001, offering mutual funds, stocks, ETFs and bonds, and its flagship app Qtrade Investor makes it easy for experienced traders and beginners alike. It charges nominal commissions and trading fees on most assets, but there are no fees when buying mutual funds.
Qtrade has a referral program in place to benefit its clients: by using the referral code BONUS150 along with our unique referral link, you'll receive up to a $150 sign-up bonus and your own referral code. There’s no limit to how many people you can refer. That said, Qtrade isn't Canada's best trading platform. That honour goes to Capital, our best-rated broker.
Alternatively, if you’re looking for the best way to invest in crypto in Canada, I recommend Kraken, my #1-ranked cryptocurrency exchange. Kraken has over 10 million satisfied users, offers the lowest trading fees in Canada by a mile, and is offering a $10 signup bonus (no referral code required) from now until April 26, 2024.
How To Use Your Qtrade Referral Code
Qtrade is currently offering a special welcome program for new users: if you sign up using our referral link, you will automatically qualify to receive up to $5,000 as a cash bonus on top of the regular $150 referral sign-up bonus.
Keep in mind the special offer is only available for new accounts with balances over $5,000. Based on your balance:
- Between $5,000-$14,000, you get a $100 bonus.
- Between $15,000-$49,999, you get a $150 bonus.
- For balances between $50,000-$99,999, you get a $250 bonus.
- Between $100,000-$249,000, you get a $500 bonus.
- Over $2,000,000, you get $5,000.
To use the promo code:
- Visit Qtrade’s website. Click on the Get Started button.
- Fill in some of your basic information.
- Select an account type and answer questions about your financial background.
- Fund your account and verify your identity. You can start trading immediately afterward.
What Is Qtrade?
Qtrade is a Canadian stockbroker and application founded in 2001 after the parent companies of Credential Securities Inc. and Qtrade Securities Inc. merged to form the bigger parent company, Aviso Wealth. While offering stocks, ETFs, bonds and mutual funds. Qtrade is mainly available in Canada and the US.
Qtrade Features
Some of Qtrade’s top features include:
- Low fees for trading stocks and ETFs.
- Low non-trading fees.
- Select ETFs that you can trade for free.
- No inactivity fees.
Qtrade Fees
The more you trade, the less you’ll have to pay in fees. When you sign up, you start in the Qtrade Investor tier, but if you trade over 150 stocks per quarter or have a balance of over $500,000 in your accounts, you’ll become a Qtrade Investor Plus, which gives you access to lower fees. For the full list of fees, here’s our full Qtrade review.
| Asset Class | Trading Fee |
| Mutual Funds | Free |
| US Stocks | $8.75 per trade OR $6.95 per trade if you trade over 150 stocks per quarter or have a balance of over $500,000. |
| Options | $8.75 + $1.25 per contract OR $6.95 + $1.25 per contract if you trade over 150 stocks per quarter or have a balance of over $500,000. |
| Inactivity Fees | No inactivity fees |
| Commissions | $6.60 per $2,000 traded on US Stocks |
| Financing rates | Range from Prime + 0.3% (for CAD) to Prime + 1.25% (for USD) |
| Commission on US government treasury bonds | $18.70 on $10,000 trade |
| Canada government bonds | $1 per every $1,000 of the face value of a bond with a minimum fee of $24.99 and a maximum fee of $250 |
How To Sign Up With Qtrade
#1 Visit Qtrade‘s website. Click on the Get Started button.
#2 Fill in some of your basic information, like your name, email, and phone number.
#3 Choose the type of account: cash, margin, TFSA, RRSP, or RESP.
#4 Answer some questions about your financial background.
#5 You can start funding your account. If you don’t have a photo ID, you can verify your identity later.
#6 To start trading, you have to verify your identity.
Qtrade’s Referral Program
Like Wealthsimple, Webull and other popular brokers, Qtrade offers a referral program. After creating your Qtrade account and funding your account, you will receive your own referral code, which you can use to refer friends. If your friends also sign up, they will qualify to receive up to $5,000 cash. Once you receive your referral code, you can:Â
- Share your code via text, email, or to your social media audience.
- Once a referee signs up, both of you will receive a $25.
- There’s no limit to how many people you can invite.
Is Qtrade Safe & Legit?
Regulated by the Investment Industry Regulatory Organization of Canada (IIROC). Qtrade has provided safe investment opportunities for the past 20 years because it is regulated by one of the world's top regulatory authorities.
It is regulated by the Investment Industry Regulatory Organization of Canada (IIROC).
In Summary
Qtrade is an online broker operating since 2001, offering mutual funds, stocks, ETFs and bonds, and its flagship app Qtrade Investor makes it easy for experienced traders and beginners alike. It charges nominal commissions and trading fees on most of its assets, but there are no fees when buying mutual funds.
Qtrade has a referral program in place to benefit its clients: by using the referral code BONUS150 along with our unique referral link, you'll receive up to a $150 sign-up bonus and your own referral code. There’s no limit to how many people you can refer.
