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3 regulated investing platforms in Canada (2026)

Compare licensed platforms available to residents of Canada. Independent scores, transparent fees, no account required.

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Some platforms on this page pay TradingExpert a referral fee when you open an account through our links. Compensation never affects a platform's score or the price you pay. Order on the page is determined by the score unless you change the sort. Full disclosure.

Comparison table

# Fees Regulated by Assets CFD loss Actions
1 Lumen SecuritiesMobile brokerage 8.6 None US$0 commission on US stocks, 0.03% on HK/SG MAS, ASIC, SFC StocksETFsOptionsFunds — Visit platform
2 Tidewater InvestOnline brokerage & robo-advisor 8.5 None C$0 on ETFs, C$4.95 on stocks, 0.4% managed CIRO, FINRA, CNBV StocksETFsOptionsBonds+1 — Visit platform
3 Meridian BrokersFull-service broker 8.3 None €4.90 + 0.25% per order, capped at €69 BaFin, CySEC StocksETFsBondsOptions+2 — Visit platform

In detail: every platform for Canada

#1

Lumen Securities

Mobile brokerage · Singapore

8.6 Excellent

Lumen Securities feels like a fintech app first and a broker second, in the best sense: onboarding takes minutes and the pricing is about as low as regulated equity trading gets.

Canada: served under the MAS licence (Singapore), also authorised by ASIC, SFC. Minimum deposit None. US$0 commission on US stocks, 0.03% on HK/SG.

Pros

  • Very low cost for US and Asian equities
  • Slick app with real-time quotes
  • Money-market sweep pays interest on cash

Cons

  • Web platform is a thin version of the app
  • No forex or commodities
  • Support is chat-only
What we found in testing

Who it suits

Investors in Asia-Pacific who want US and regional stocks without paying per-trade commissions, and who are comfortable doing everything on a phone.

Costs in practice

US trades are free; exchange and regulatory fees are passed through at cost. Asian markets carry a tiny percentage fee. Currency conversion is 0.2%, competitive for the region.

Platform and tools

The app includes an options chain, a stock screener, earnings alerts and a paper-trading mode. Level-2 data is a paid add-on.

Safety

As a MAS capital-markets licensee, Lumen must keep client money in trust and file audited reports. Securities are held in omnibus accounts at a top-tier custodian.

#2

Tidewater Invest

Online brokerage & robo-advisor · Toronto, Canada

8.5 Excellent

Tidewater Invest is a sensible default for Canadian residents: local registration, registered accounts and a hands-off option if you do not want to pick securities yourself.

Canada: served under the CIRO licence (Canada), also authorised by FINRA, CNBV. Minimum deposit None. C$0 on ETFs, C$4.95 on stocks, 0.4% managed.

Pros

  • Supports Canadian tax-advantaged accounts
  • Choice of self-directed or managed
  • Strong phone support

Cons

  • Stock commissions are not zero
  • Limited coverage outside North America
  • App lags the web platform in features
What we found in testing

Who it suits

Canadians and, through partner entities, US and Mexican residents who want a broker that understands their tax wrappers.

Costs in practice

ETF purchases are free, which makes a passive portfolio nearly costless. Stocks cost C$4.95 per trade. The managed service charges 0.4% a year plus the ETF expense ratios.

Platform and tools

The web platform includes portfolio analytics, goal tracking and a decent options interface. Fractional shares were added recently and cover the largest 500 US companies.

Safety

Canadian accounts are protected by CIPF; US accounts by SIPC. Cash is held at insured banks.

#3

Meridian Brokers

Full-service broker · Frankfurt, Germany

8.3 Very good

Meridian is the closest thing to a traditional bank brokerage on our list, with the depth of product and the price tag to match.

Canada: served under the BaFin licence (Germany), also authorised by CySEC. Minimum deposit None. €4.90 + 0.25% per order, capped at €69.

Pros

  • Widest instrument coverage on this list
  • Serious research and analyst notes
  • Personal phone support that picks up

Cons

  • Per-order fees add up for small trades
  • Desktop platform has a learning curve
  • No CFDs or crypto
What we found in testing

Who it suits

Investors with larger portfolios who want bonds, options and access to less common exchanges, and who value speaking to a human.

Costs in practice

The percentage fee is capped, so large orders are competitive, but a €500 ETF purchase costs roughly €6. Savings plans on a curated ETF list are free, which softens the blow for regular investors.

Platform and tools

The desktop terminal is powerful and dense. The mobile app covers the essentials. Research, earnings calendars and bond screeners are included for all clients.

Safety

BaFin supervision, German deposit protection on cash, and securities held in the client's own name at a domestic custodian.

Questions from investors in Canada

Which regulator protects investors in Canada?

The primary supervisor is the Canadian Investment Regulatory Organization. Firms may also serve residents of Canada under a passport or cross-border permission from another recognised regulator; our listings note which licence applies to you.

Can I deposit in CAD?

Most platforms listed for Canada accept CAD deposits by card or bank transfer. If a platform only holds accounts in USD or EUR, a conversion fee applies each time you fund or withdraw, so check the platform's fee page.

Do I have to pay tax on profits in Canada?

In most cases yes, on realised gains and on dividends. Some countries apply withholding automatically at domestic brokers; with foreign brokers you usually self-report. Our tax basics guide explains what records to keep, and a local adviser can confirm your position.

What is the difference between a demo and a live account?

A demo account uses virtual money and real prices so you can learn the platform without risk. A live account uses your deposit. We recommend at least a couple of weeks on a demo before funding.

How do I know a platform is really licensed?

Find the legal entity name in the platform's footer and search it on the Canadian Investment Regulatory Organization register or the register of the regulator named in our listing. Never trust a screenshot of a licence.

What does the "retail accounts lose money" figure mean?

Regulators require CFD providers to publish the share of retail clients who lost money over the previous year. It applies to leveraged products only. We show it beside every platform that offers CFDs so you can see the risk before you click.

Can I hold real shares, or only CFDs?

It depends on the platform. Our listing shows the asset classes each one offers and whether they are cash securities or derivatives. Long-term investors should look for real shares and ETFs.

What happens to my money if the platform fails?

Client money at a regulated firm is held separately from company funds, so it is not used to pay the firm's creditors. Most jurisdictions also run an investor compensation scheme with a per-client limit. Check the limit that applies in Canada.

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