About Qtrade
Qtrade Guided Portfolios translates Qtrade’s award-winning customer service into the realm of automated wealth management. Serving as the trusted tech partner for hundreds of Canadian Credit Unions, it offers a highly personalized, human-centric onboarding experience. The platform is particularly notable for its rigorous Responsible Investing (RI) options, delivering some of the most robust Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) portfolios available in the country. It is an exceptional platform for ethical investors who value community-focused financial backing.
The Good
- Assets held at CIRO-member Custodian
- Excellent customer service reputation
- User-friendly dashboard
- Good integration for Credit Union members
The Bad
- High minimum investment ($2,000)
- Management fee (0.60%) is above average
Fee Structure
Updated 2026| Fee Type | Details | Cost |
|---|---|---|
|
Portfolio Management Fee
|
Management fee for the first $100,000.
Min Bal: $2000
|
0.60% |
|
Portfolio Management Fee
|
Management fee for the next $400,000.
Min Bal: $100001
|
0.50% |
|
Portfolio Management Fee
|
Management fee for the next $500,000.
Min Bal: $500001
|
0.40% |
|
Portfolio Management Fee
|
Management fee for balances above $1 million.
Min Bal: $1000001
|
0.35% |
|
Fund MER (Embedded Cost)
|
Average embedded MER for standard ETF portfolios.
|
0.15% |
|
Fund MER (Embedded Cost)
|
Average embedded MER for Responsible Investing (SRI) portfolios (Ranges from 0.72% to 0.96%).
|
0.85% |
|
Transfer Out Fee
|
$150 fee for full or partial account transfers out.
|
$150.00 |
|
Withdrawal Fee
|
$50 for partial deregistration (excludes TFSA/RESP). $125 for full deregistration.
|
$50.00 |
|
Inactivity / Low Balance Fee
|
$100 fee if the account is closed within the first year.
|
$100.00 |
Key Features
Socially Responsible Investing (SRI)
Invest in portfolios that prioritize environmental, social, and governance (ESG) criteria without sacrificing performance.
Automatic Rebalancing
The platform automatically buys and sells assets in the background to keep your portfolio perfectly aligned with your target risk level.
Goal-Based Investing
Set specific financial targets (like a down payment or retirement) and track your progress with dedicated, optimized portfolios.
Mobile App (iOS & Android)
Manage your portfolio, execute trades, and monitor the markets on the go with a fully-featured mobile application.
CIPF Protected
Your account is safeguarded by the Canadian Investor Protection Fund (CIPF) against the insolvency of the brokerage.
Passive Indexing
Low-cost portfolios built with Exchange Traded Funds (ETFs) designed to simply track the broad market index.
CIRO Member
RateBuddy Verdict
undefined stands out for its comprehensive tools for active traders. With competitive pricing and a solid reputation backed by Qtrade, it remains a top contender in the Canadian market.