Best stock brokers in Canada
For stocks in Canada, from Ottawa or anywhere else in the country, 2 of the 7 brokers we review are open to you. XTB takes first place, followed by two brokers picked from those that serve Canada. Buying in USD or EUR from a CAD bank account adds a conversion cost on every deposit, compared below.
By Broksal Team, investing in forex and CFD markets since 2017. Updated . How we test
How we score
Each broker gets five sub-scores out of 5:
Regulation and safety (30%), trading costs (25%), platforms and tools (20%), range of markets (15%) and ease of use (10%). The overall score is the weighted average, rounded to one decimal.
Availability is checked against each broker's published country lists. The ranking order is editorial and reflects our commercial agreements, so it does not always follow the scores. Full methodology
Advertiser disclosure
Broksal is free to use because some brokers pay us a commission when you open an account through our links. This can influence which broker we feature and the order in which brokers appear.
Commissions never change the facts we publish about regulation, fees or country availability, and they cost you nothing.
Top 2 stock brokers for Canada
- 1
Our top pick in Canada
XTB
4.8Own platform, no minimum deposit, commission-free stocks and ETFs within a monthly limit
Real shares and ETFs Real stocks and ETFs commission-free up to €100,000 of monthly turnover, then 0.2% (minimum €10); 0.5% currency conversion.
- Minimum deposit
- No minimum
- Platforms
- xStation 5 (web & desktop), XTB mobile app
- Entity for Canada
- XTB International Limited — Offshore entity
- CFDs
- Yes
Show pros, cons and feesHide details
xStation 5: Market Watch with sentiment tabs on the left, an EUR/USD hourly chart with one-click order entry, and open positions below. Account number blurred. What we like
- Publicly listed in Warsaw with KNF, FCA and CySEC oversight
- No minimum deposit
- xStation 5 is fast, clean and has built-in market sentiment and calendars
- Real stocks and ETFs commission-free up to €100,000 monthly turnover
Watch out for
- No MetaTrader or cTrader
- Since March 2026 the international entity accepts residents of only a short list of countries
- Inactivity fee after 12 months without trading
Fees
CFDs are priced through the spread on the Standard account. Real stocks and ETFs are commission-free up to €100,000 of monthly turnover, then 0.2% (minimum €10). Currency conversion and overnight swap costs apply.
Best for
Beginners and active traders who want one app for CFDs and real stocks.
- 2
Interactive Brokers
4.7The widest market access here, with low costs and top-tier regulation
Real shares and ETFs Stocks and ETFs on more than 150 markets, including Korea since 2026; commission-free iShares ETFs through recurring investments for EEA clients.
- Minimum deposit
- No minimum
- Platforms
- Trader Workstation (TWS), IBKR Desktop, Client Portal (web) +2
- Entity for Canada
- Interactive Brokers LLC / regional affiliate — Top-tier regulators
- CFDs
- Yes
Show pros, cons and feesHide details
Interactive Brokers homepage, showing the desktop platform and mobile app and the new AI-assisted analysis integrations. What we like
- Listed on Nasdaq and regulated by top-tier authorities worldwide
- Access to stocks, options, futures and bonds on 150+ markets
- No minimum deposit and no inactivity fee
- Accepts residents of most countries
Watch out for
- Trader Workstation has a steep learning curve
- CFDs are not available to US residents
- Account opening asks for more documents than most brokers
Fees
Two pricing plans: Fixed (one all-in commission) and Tiered (lower exchange-based commission plus pass-through fees). CFD commissions are charged per trade, with financing on overnight positions. There is no inactivity fee.
Best for
Experienced investors who want access to global exchanges.
Stocks from Canada: the rules
Trading profits are taxed either as business income or as capital gains with a 50% inclusion rate; the planned increase of the inclusion rate was cancelled in 2025. Frequent trading points towards business income.
Securities business in Canada is supervised by the Canadian Investment Regulatory Organization (CIRO). Foreign brokers serve residents under their own licences, so check which company holds your shares.
Stock exchange hours in Ottawa time
| Exchange | Opens | Closes |
|---|---|---|
| London Stock Exchange | 03:00 | 11:30 |
| Xetra (Frankfurt) | 03:00 | 11:30 |
| New York (NYSE, Nasdaq) | 09:30 | 16:00 |
| Tokyo Stock Exchange | 20:00 (previous day) | 02:30 |
Early October 2026; times move by an hour when daylight saving changes.
Currency costs when investing from Canada
Canada uses the Canadian dollar (CAD). Most of what you buy here is priced in USD or EUR, so unless your account is in the same currency as the asset, each purchase is converted. Published conversion fees: XTB 0.5% on currency conversion; Interactive Brokers 0.2 basis points of trade value, minimum $2.
Tax
Trading profits are taxed either as business income or as capital gains with a 50% inclusion rate; the planned increase of the inclusion rate was cancelled in 2025. Frequent trading points towards business income. This is general information, not tax advice. More on trading from Canada.
All 7 brokers we review, checked for stocks in Canada
| Broker | Status | Access | Entity for Canada |
|---|---|---|---|
| XTB | #1 in this ranking | Real shares and ETFs | XTB International Limited — Offshore entity |
| XM | Not available in Canada | — | — |
| IC Markets | Not available in Canada | — | — |
| Interactive Brokers | #2 in this ranking | Real shares and ETFs | Interactive Brokers LLC / regional affiliate — Top-tier regulators |
| Freedom24 | Not available in Canada | — | — |
| IQ Option | Not available in Canada | — | — |
| eToro | Not available in Canada | — | — |
Stocks rankings in countries bordering Canada
| Country | Brokers offering stocks | #1 |
|---|---|---|
| 🇺🇸 United States | 2 | Interactive Brokers |
Frequently asked questions
What is the best stock broker in Canada?
XTB, in our ranking. Real stocks and ETFs commission-free up to €100,000 of monthly turnover, then 0.2% (minimum €10); 0.5% currency conversion. Interactive Brokers completes the top 2.
Which brokers offer stocks to residents of Canada?
Of the brokers we review: XTB (real shares and etfs) and Interactive Brokers (real shares and etfs).
What are the rules for stocks in Canada?
Trading profits are taxed either as business income or as capital gains with a 50% inclusion rate; the planned increase of the inclusion rate was cancelled in 2025. Frequent trading points towards business income.
Can I invest in Canadian dollar (CAD)?
Check the account currencies when you sign up. If your account is not in CAD, deposits are converted at the broker's rate.
Which broker is best for buying ETFs?
XTB for most European investors because ETFs are commission-free within the monthly limit; Interactive Brokers for the widest choice and commission-free iShares savings plans in the EEA.
Availability last checked 6 October 2026. Brokers change their country lists without notice; the broker's sign-up form is the final word.