Questrade Review 2026: Free ETF Buys, USD-Registered Accounts, Real Fees
TL;DR
Questrade is the long-running ETF-investor favourite in Canada. Since early 2025 it has been fully commission-free on stocks and ETFs, and its USD-side registered accounts and full account suite (RESP, LIRA, corporate) make it ideal for serious long-term portfolios. The dated interface is the main trade-off.
What Questrade is
Questrade is one of Canada's longest-operating discount brokerages, founded in 1999. It holds CIRO membership and CIPF coverage, and supports the broadest set of registered accounts of any app-first Canadian broker.
Fees at a glance
| Equity commission | $0 |
| ETF buy | $0 |
| ETF sell | $0 |
| Options | $0.99/contract |
| FX margin | ~1.5–2.0% on auto-conversion (Norbert's Gambit available) |
| Account minimum | None |
| USD registered | Yes (TFSA / RRSP / FHSA) |
| Investor protection | CIPF up to $1M |
The DCA advantage: free ETF buys
For an investor making monthly $500 ETF purchases into a TFSA or RRSP, there is no commission drag at all anymore — the real cost lever is FX on USD-listed holdings, where Norbert's Gambit via Questrade can save meaningfully versus a standard 1.5% conversion.
USD registered accounts
Questrade was the first Canadian broker to offer USD-side registered accounts at scale. If you hold US-listed dividend stocks (or US-listed ETFs like VTI), USD payouts stay in USD instead of being auto-converted at 1.5% on each dividend. This saves roughly $15 per year per $1,000 of US-dollar dividends.
Pros
- Commission-free Canadian and US stocks and ETFs (since early 2025)
- USD-side TFSA and RRSP avoid forced FX on US-dollar dividends
- Full RESP, LIRA, and corporate account support
Cons
- ECN fees can apply on some order types despite $0 commissions
- Older interface than newer app-first competitors
Who it's best for
- Long-term ETF investors using monthly DCA into a TFSA or RRSP.
- Investors holding US-listed dividend stocks who want USD-side registered accounts.
- Families needing RESP, or self-employed Canadians needing a corporate investment account.
Who should look elsewhere
- Investors who want the slickest mobile-first experience — compare with Wealthsimple Trade.
- High-volume active traders — IBKR is cheaper at scale.
Sources
Not investment advice. Brokers change pricing — verify on the official site. We do not accept referral commissions. Last reviewed: July 3, 2026.
Editorial disclaimer
This article is published by LoonieLabs for general information only. It is not financial, tax, legal, accounting, or immigration advice and must not be relied on as such. Rules, dollar figures, interest rates, and program eligibility change — always verify with the Canada Revenue Agency, IRCC, or a qualified professional before acting. Spotted an error? See our corrections policy. Last reviewed: April 18, 2026.
Frequently Asked Questions
Written and reviewed by Shrey Patel — Founder & Editor-in-Chief
Winnipeg, MB · Figures cross-checked against official banking & credit sources · Last reviewed April 18, 2026 · LinkedIn
Founder of LoonieLabs · based in Winnipeg, MB · writes and reviews every page on the site I oversee every figure on this page personally — verified against primary sources (CRA, IRCC, Statistics Canada, the Bank of Canada, or the originating provincial ministry). LoonieLabs has no affiliate relationships with any bank, credit card, or immigration consultant featured on this site. Spotted a mistake? Tell us.
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