Best ETF Trading Platform in Canada for 2026
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For Canadians buying US-listed ETFs, currency conversion is one of the first platform costs worth checking. Our pick is moomoo: it charges $0 in separate CAD/USD currency exchange fees. The app also brings together an ETF Screener, Morningstar ETF ratings and Moomoo AI, giving you one place to build a shortlist and investigate the market context around it.
This guide compares five ETF trading platforms in Canada using their published fees, account lineups and ETF-specific tools. Pricing and features were checked on official provider pages on August 5, 2026.
Compare the costs and features that affect how you buy ETFs, not just the advertised commission.
Best ETF trading platforms in Canada: quick picks
Best for Canadians researching and buying US-listed ETFs: moomoo
Best for automated CA-listed ETF contributions: Wealthsimple
Best for ETF investors who need a broad account lineup: Questrade
Best for advanced and global ETF investing: Interactive Brokers Canada
Best for bank-integrated ETF research: National Bank Direct Brokerage
The labels describe distinct use cases rather than a numerical ranking. Start with the row that matches the ETF market, account and investing routine you expect to use.
ETF platform comparison
Platform | Canadian and US-listed ETF trades | CAD/USD conversion | ETF account highlights | Features for ETFs | Best fit |
moomoo | Canadian: CA$0.0149/share, CA$1.49 minimum; | $0 separate currency exchange fee | ETF Screener, Morningstar ETF ratings, Moomoo AI and paper trading | Canadians researching or buying US-listed ETFs | |
Wealthsimple | $0 commission | 1.5% when a CAD account trades a US-listed security; USD accounts have separate conversion terms and may cost $10/month on the Core tier | Broad registered-account selection | Fractional units on eligible ETFs, recurring investments and dividend reinvestment | Automated contributions to a simple ETF portfolio |
Questrade | $0 commission for online Canadian and US-listed stock and ETF trades; limited ECN or regulatory fees can apply | 1.5% when Questrade converts CAD and USD | Broad selection including FHSA and RESP | ETF screening in Edge Desktop with customizable and saved filters | Investors managing several account types |
Interactive Brokers Canada | Canadian tiered pricing starts at CA$0.008/share with a CA$1 minimum; US pricing has separate published rates | Spot FX starts at 0.20 basis point with a US$2 minimum; automatic conversion has different pricing | TFSA, RRSP and non-registered choices | Fractional ETF trading, recurring investments and Investment Themes | Advanced investors seeking broader market access |
National Bank Direct Brokerage | $0 commission on online Canadian and US stock and ETF trades | Conversion rate and other currency charges apply | Bank-owned platform with registered accounts | ETF Centre, Morningstar research and security-comparison tools | Investors who want research within a bank-owned platform |
Disclaimer: Competitors' fees/function obtained from their official websites as of August 4, 2026, we do not guarantee that the foregoing material is accurate, current, or complete. All logos and trademarks referenced are for identification purposes only and remain the property of their respective owners.
The table does not include an ETF's management expense ratio (MER). The fund deducts that cost internally regardless of which brokerage holds it.
Why moomoo is our pick for ETF investors
The case for moomoo starts with US-listed ETFs. Canadians often have to convert CAD before buying them, and repeated deposits or rebalancing can make a percentage-based conversion charge noticeable. Moomoo charges no separate currency exchange fee.
Research begins in the ETF Screener, where you can filter the market and save a screening strategy. Open a fund page to inspect its holdings, sector and regional exposure, then use its Morningstar rating as one independent reference point. A rating is a useful comparison input; it is not a forecast of future returns.
Moomoo AI helps with the next question: what is happening around the market, sector or fund you are examining? It combines moomoo market data with news, community discussions and broader online information, then answers questions in plain language. Use it to collect context faster, and verify important details in the fund issuer's documents before investing.
Moomoo currently offers individual cash and margin accounts, plus TFSA, RRSP and spousal RRSP accounts. If you need an FHSA, RESP or another account not on that list, eliminate the platform before comparing its research features.
Ready to open or move an account? Check the live welcome rewards for new clients and transfer rewards for eligible account transfers. Offers, qualification rules and reward delivery terms change, so read the campaign page before registering or funding.
How the other ETF platforms compare
Wealthsimple:
Wealthsimple keeps the self-directed ETF workflow simple. It covers Canadian and US-listed ETFs and supports a broad range of registered accounts.
Its strongest feature for a new ETF investor is automation. You can buy fractional units of eligible ETFs from $1, schedule recurring purchases weekly, bi-weekly or monthly, and turn on dividend reinvestment for supported holdings. That setup suits a fixed-contribution plan that does not require frequent manual orders.
The limitation appears when your plan moves beyond eligible fractional investments or Canadian-dollar funding. Fractional positions cannot be transferred in kind to another institution and may need to be sold first. US-listed ETFs also introduce the conversion terms shown in the table. See our full moomoo vs Wealthsimple comparison for a closer look.
Questrade:
Questrade is a long-established self-directed brokerage with an account lineup that covers needs such as FHSA and RESP alongside the usual TFSA, RRSP and non-registered choices.
For ETF research, Questrade Edge Desktop includes a screener that can search Canadian or US markets, narrow the universe to ETFs and save customized filters. This is useful when you want to repeat the same screen instead of rebuilding it each time.
New investors should note where those tools live. Questrade's ETF screener documentation points to Edge Desktop, so someone who expects to research entirely on a phone should confirm that the mobile workflow has the functions they need. Some specialized US order routes can also carry third-party fees. Our moomoo vs Questrade comparison covers the broader platform differences.
Interactive Brokers Canada:
Interactive Brokers Canada is designed for investors who want access to more markets and a deeper trading platform. It is a stronger fit for a multi-market portfolio than for someone who only wants to make an occasional Canadian ETF purchase.
Eligible US, Canadian and European stocks or ETFs can be bought in fractional amounts, while Recurring Investments can run daily, weekly or monthly. Investment Themes provides another route into ETF discovery by connecting a theme with related companies, funds and market exposures.
That breadth brings more decisions. Account permissions, market-data choices and order settings create a steeper setup process than a lightweight ETF app. Beginners should expect to spend time learning the interface before placing a first live order.
National Bank Direct Brokerage:
National Bank Direct Brokerage combines self-directed investing with the familiarity of a bank-owned platform. It may appeal to investors who prefer to keep banking and brokerage relationships closer together.
The ETF Centre lets users search by ticker, keyword or personalized criteria and inspect a fund's composition on one page. Morningstar research and comparison tools add depth for investors who want more than a quote and order ticket.
An annual administration fee can apply when the account does not meet an exemption. Review the current asset, age and offer-based waiver conditions before opening a small account; otherwise, an annual charge can outweigh the benefit of occasional $0 ETF trades.
How to open a moomoo account and buy your first ETF
Step 1: Register with moomoo
Start on the moomoo Canada welcome page and create your login. During the application, choose an account that matches how you plan to invest. Moomoo Canada currently offers individual cash, margin, TFSA, RRSP and spousal RRSP accounts.
Step 2: Complete the application
Follow the identity and tax-information prompts in the app. You will need a Canadian residential address, mobile number, email address and Social Insurance Number; age and residency requirements vary by account type. Have your identification ready so you can complete verification without leaving the application.
Step 3: Fund the account
Deposit Canadian or US dollars from an account in your name. If you fund in CAD and plan to buy a US-listed ETF, convert the amount you want to invest before placing the order. Moomoo charges no separate currency exchange fee, while the displayed Moomoo Preferred Rate includes a variable spread. Review the rate before confirming.
Step 4: Find an ETF
If you already know the ticker, enter it in the search bar and confirm the exchange and currency. If you are still comparing funds, go to Markets> ETFs > ETF Screener. You can filter the available market and save a screening strategy for later use.
Open a fund page to inspect its holdings, sector exposure and Morningstar rating. Check the MER and investment objective in the ETF issuer's current documents. Moomoo AI can help summarize the market or sector context, but the fund documents remain the primary source for what the ETF owns and how it operates.
Step 5: Choose the order
Tap Trade, enter the number of units and choose an order type. A market order prioritizes execution at the best available price. A limit order lets you set the highest price you are willing to pay.
Before submitting, check the ticker, exchange, currency, quantity and estimated charges shown in the order preview. If the order screen is unfamiliar, practise the same flow first in moomoo's paper-trading environment. Simulated fills can differ from live execution.
Step 6: Confirm the purchase
After the order fills, open your positions to confirm the number of ETF units and average fill price. Keep the trade confirmation for your records, and review future distributions or corporate actions in the account rather than assuming every ETF handles them the same way.
CIPF protects eligible missing property if a member firm becomes insolvent, subject to its policy and limits. It does not cover a decline in an ETF's market value. Moomoo Financial Canada Inc. is a CIRO-regulated investment dealer and CIPF member; see its security page for details.
Summary
For Canadians researching or buying US-listed ETFs, moomoo is our preferred platform. Its $0 separate CAD/USD currency exchange fee addresses a recurring friction point, while the ETF Screener, Morningstar ratings and Moomoo AI support the research process before an order reaches the market. Paper trading gives first-time users a place to learn the order ticket.
Check the account lineup against your needs, review the displayed exchange rate, then read the current welcome or transfer promotion terms before opening or moving an account.
Frequency Asked Questions
Do I need a broker to buy ETFs in Canada?
You generally need a brokerage account to buy an ETF listed on an exchange such as the TSX or NYSE. The broker provides access to the exchange and holds the ETF units in your account.
Which ETF trading platform is best in Canada?
Moomoo is our pick for investors who want ETF screening and research tools at a low trading cost. Wealthsimple is a strong fit for a simple Canadian ETF portfolio. Your account type and need to convert CAD to USD can change the answer.
Are ETF trades commission-free in Canada?
Some brokers charge $0 commission on eligible online ETF trades, including Wealthsimple, Questrade and National Bank Direct Brokerage under their current published schedules. Other charges can still apply. Moomoo charges per-share stock and ETF fees with minimums of CA$1.49 for Canadian trades and US$1.99 for US trades on securities priced at least $1.
Can I hold ETFs in a TFSA or RRSP?
Yes. Eligible ETFs are commonly held in self-directed TFSAs and RRSPs. The account's contribution and tax rules still apply, and the brokerage must support the account type you need.
Does $0 commission mean an ETF is free?
No. The ETF still has an MER, and you may pay currency conversion, account, data or transfer fees. Bid-ask spreads also affect the price at which your order fills.
This presentation is for informational and educational use only and is not a recommendation or endorsement of any particular investment or investment strategy. Investment information provided in this content is general in nature, strictly for illustrative purposes, and may not be appropriate for all investors. Read more



