Scotia iTRADE is Scotiabank's self-directed investing platform. Strong banking integration, decent research tools — but not the cheapest option on the market.
Scotia iTRADE is the self-directed brokerage division of Scotiabank, one of Canada's Big Six banks. It's built for Canadian investors who want to manage their own portfolio — stocks, ETFs, mutual funds, options — while keeping their banking and investing under one roof.
The platform targets existing Scotiabank customers more than it targets cost-conscious newcomers. If you already bank with Scotiabank, the integration is seamless. If you don't, there are cheaper options worth considering first.
Scotia iTRADE uses a tiered commission structure. Fees depend on how frequently you trade.
| Tier | Cost per Trade | Qualifying Trades/Quarter |
|---|---|---|
| Active Trader | $4.99 | 150+ trades/quarter |
| Standard | $9.99 | Under 150 trades/quarter |
| Options (base) | $9.99 + $1.25/contract | Standard rate |
How does this compare? Questrade charges $4.95 per equity trade with free ETF purchases. Wealthsimple Trade offers $0 commission on stocks and ETFs in its standard plan. For most buy-and-hold investors, Scotia iTRADE's $9.99/trade is hard to justify purely on cost.
Where Scotia iTRADE genuinely stands out is the connection to your Scotiabank bank accounts. Transfers between your chequing or savings account and your iTRADE brokerage account are instant — no 2-5 business day wait that you'd get at a standalone broker like Questrade.
One-Click Trading lets you fund a trade directly from your bank account without pre-funding your brokerage account. For Scotiabank customers who keep their cash in a savings account until they need it, this is a real convenience.
Scotia Rewards points can also be redeemed toward trading commissions, which adds a small offset for existing Scene+/Scotia Rewards cardholders.
Scotia iTRADE includes a meaningful research stack that most discount brokers charge extra for or don't offer at all.
The research access is one of the more compelling reasons to choose iTRADE over Wealthsimple, which keeps its research offering minimal. Questrade offers a comparable research suite, so this isn't exclusive to Scotiabank — but it's a meaningful inclusion.
Scotia iTRADE offers commission-free purchases on a specific list called the Scotia iTRADE Advantage ETFs. These are selected ETFs — primarily from iShares, Vanguard, and BMO — where the buy leg is $0. Selling still incurs the standard commission.
Important limitation: The free ETF list is curated and limited. It does not cover all ETFs — only the approved list. If you want to buy an ETF not on the list, you pay full commission. Questrade's free ETF purchases cover all ETF purchases across all providers, which is a broader benefit.
For RRSP or TFSA investors building a simple index portfolio using the approved ETFs, this can meaningfully reduce costs over time. For investors who want flexibility to choose any ETF, Questrade's universal free-buy policy is more useful.
Scotia iTRADE supports all major registered and non-registered account types available to Canadian investors:
FHSA support is important for first-time buyers accumulating a home purchase fund — not all platforms implemented FHSA quickly, so iTRADE's inclusion here is worth noting for that audience.
The Scotia iTRADE mobile app is functional and covers core investing tasks: placing trades, reviewing holdings, checking research, and monitoring watchlists. It's not bad — but it's not leading the field either.
Wealthsimple's app is more polished, faster, and designed mobile-first. Questrade's app has improved significantly and now offers a comparable experience. iTRADE's app feels like a bank app with investing bolted on, which is basically what it is. If mobile UX is a priority for you, Wealthsimple is the stronger choice.
| Platform | Stock Trade Cost | ETF Purchase | Research | Bank Integration | Mobile UX |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Scotia iTRADE | $4.99–$9.99 | Free (approved list only) | Morningstar Premium | Scotiabank (instant) | Functional |
| Questrade | $4.95 | Free (all ETFs) | Morningstar included | EFT (1-3 days) | Strong |
| Wealthsimple Trade | $0 (standard) | $0 | Minimal | EFT (1-3 days) | Best-in-class |
| TD Direct Investing | $9.99 | $9.99 | Morningstar Premium | TD Banking (instant) | Functional |
Scotia iTRADE charges a $100 annual fee on accounts with assets under $10,000 CAD. This fee is waived once you cross that threshold. For small accounts just starting out, this is a meaningful cost compared to Questrade (no annual fee, $1,000 minimum to open) and Wealthsimple (no minimum, no annual fee).
There is no minimum balance required to open an account, but the fee structure makes it less competitive for investors starting with a small initial amount. Once you have $10,000+ across your accounts, the annual fee goes away entirely.
Tip for Scotiabank customers: If you hold a Scotiabank Passport Visa Infinite or other premium card, check whether your card benefits include any iTRADE fee waivers or commission credits. Some card packages include perks for iTRADE account holders.
Scotia iTRADE is one option. See how it stacks up against every major Canadian platform before you decide.
See Platform Comparison Best ETFs for 2026Financial disclaimer: The information on this page is for educational purposes only and does not constitute financial, investment, or tax advice. Trading fees and account terms are subject to change — verify current pricing directly with Scotia iTRADE before making any decisions. Past performance of any investment does not guarantee future results. Consider consulting a registered financial advisor for advice specific to your situation.