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Head to head
Questrade or Robinhood? Fees, regulation, platform and product range compared side by side — with a verdict drawn from the data.
Risk warning: CFDs and leveraged products are complex instruments and come with a high risk of losing money rapidly. Investments can fall in value. Past performance is not an indicator of future results.
Canada's biggest independent broker, now genuinely commission-free — with a 1.5% currency spread as the sting in the tail.
The cheapest way to trade options and the best trading app ever built — attached to the thinnest research desk and the longest enforcement record in the sector.
Advertising disclosure: where a partnership is active, we may earn a commission through broker links. The provider’s terms apply. Commissions do not influence our ratings; paid placements are separately labelled as sponsored.
Four decision axes, each derived from the recorded data.
Overall Questrade takes it, 4.2 against 3.9 out of 5. On commissions there is little between them — €0.00 against €0.00 for a reference EUR 5,000 order. Robinhood scores 78 against 76 out of 100 on the group index. Your account's protection depends on its legal entity. Questrade covers more ground with 10 of 14 asset classes against 7. On platform and app Questrade is ahead, 4.5 against 4.4 out of 5. Which one is right depends on which of these axes matters for your trading profile.
QuestradeRobinhoodQuestradeRobinhoodQuestradeRobinhoodQuestradeRobinhoodQuestradeRobinhoodUp to four brokers at once — every row a decision point.
Data as of: 21 Aug 2026
| Criterion | ||
|---|---|---|
| Overall score | 4.2 — Better | 3.9 |
| Group index | 76 of 100 | 78 of 100 |
| Best for | Canadian self-directed investorsRegistered account investing (TFSA, RRSP, FHSA, RESP)US options tradersActive traders who want a free professional platformInvestors combining ETFs, bonds and mutual funds in one account | Active options tradersMobile-first investorsMargin usersCrypto and equities in one appSmall starting balances |
| Regulation | CIROOSC | SECFINRACFTCFCABank of Lithuania |
| Top-tier licences | 2 | 4 — Better |
| Investor protection | CA$1,000,000 — Better | US$500,000 |
| Listed group | No | Yes |
| Banking licence | No | No |
| Segregated client accounts | Yes | Yes |
| Negative balance protection | No | No |
| Audited financials | Yes | Yes |
| Disclosed regulatory actions | None | 4 |
| Founded | 1999 | 2013 |
| Headquarters | Toronto, CA | Menlo Park, US |
| Fees | 4.4 | 4.8 — Better |
| Safety & regulation | 4.2 — Better | 3.6 |
| Trading platform | 4.4 — Better | 3.9 |
| Product range | 4.0 — Better | 3.4 |
| Mobile app | 4.5 | 4.8 — Better |
| Research | 3.9 — Better | 2.8 |
| Customer support | 3.6 — Better | 3.0 |
| Deposit & withdrawal | 3.9 | 4.0 — Better |
| Account opening | 4.4 | 4.7 — Better |
| Education | 3.8 — Better | 3.4 |
| Reference order EUR 5,000 | €0.00 | €0.00 |
| Minimum deposit | None | None |
| Stocks (per order) | Free | Free |
| US stocks | Free | Free |
| ETFs | Free | Free |
| Options | Free | Free |
| Futures | Not offered | US$0.75 |
| Crypto | Not offered | in the spread |
| Bonds (order) | CA$24.95 | Not offered |
| Funds (order) | CA$9.95 | Not offered |
| EUR/USD spread | 1.9 pips | n/a |
| Index CFD spread | n/a | n/a |
| FX conversion | 1.5 % | n/a |
| Inactivity fee | None | None |
| Custody fee | None | None |
| Withdrawal fee | free — Better | US$25 |
| Deposit fee | free | free |
| Overnight financing | n/a | n/a |
| Other fees |
|
|
| Asset classes (of 14) | 10 — Better | 7 |
| Exchanges | n/a | n/a |
| Stocks | Yes | Yes |
| ETFs | Yes | Yes |
| Options | Yes | Yes |
| Futures | No | Yes |
| Forex | Yes | No |
| CFDs | Yes | No |
| Crypto | No | Yes |
| Bonds | Yes | No |
| Funds | Yes | No |
| Commodities | Yes | Yes |
| Indices | Yes | Yes |
| Warrants | Yes | No |
| Spread betting | No | No |
| Social trading | No | No |
| Platforms | Questrade web and appQuestrade ProQuestrade EdgeQuestrade mobileQuestrade MCP | Robinhood MobileRobinhood WebRobinhood Legend |
| Demo account | No | No |
| Fractional shares | Yes | Yes |
| Maximum leverage | 1:3 | 1:2 |
| Account opening | Fully online, typically minutes to open with no minimum balance; funding by electronic transfer takes 1–3 business days | Minutes in-app; approval usually the same day |
| Account types | TFSARRSPFHSARESPMarginCashFX & CFD | Robinhood brokerage accountRobinhood GoldRobinhood Retirement (Traditional / Roth IRA)Stocks and shares ISA (UK only) |
| Payment methods | Bank transferCheque | Bank transferCrypto |
| Account currencies | CADUSD | USDGBPEUR |
| Deposit time | Electronic funds transfer 1–3 business days; wire same or next business day | Instant up to your instant-deposit limit; 3–5 business days to fully clear |
| Withdrawal time | 1–3 business days by electronic funds transfer | 1–3 business days by ACH; same day by wire |
| Free withdrawals | n/a | n/a |
| Languages | EnglishFrench | EnglishSpanish |
| Channels | PhoneEmailLive chatBranch | Live chatEmailPhone |
| Availability | Monday–Friday 07:30–20:00 ET, Saturday and Sunday 10:00–16:00 ET | 24/7 in-app chat and callback |
Editorial assessment based on the recorded data.
Questrade
Canada's biggest independent broker, now genuinely commission-free — with a 1.5% currency spread as the sting in the tail.
Pros
Cons
Best for
Robinhood
The cheapest way to trade options and the best trading app ever built — attached to the thinnest research desk and the longest enforcement record in the sector.
Pros
Cons
Best for
Open an account with either
A demo account costs nothing and answers the platform question in ten minutes.
Advertising disclosure: where a partnership is active, we may earn a commission through broker links. The provider’s terms apply. Commissions do not influence our ratings; paid placements are separately labelled as sponsored.
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