Canadian Covered Call ETF TrackerOpen a Brokerage Account →
Quick answer: National Bank Direct Brokerage (truly free), Questrade (free ETF purchases), or Wealthsimple Trade (zero commissions) are the best options. Big bank brokerages charge $9.99/trade — money you don't need to pay.

Top Picks for 2026

National Bank Direct Brokerage

Completely commission-free on Canadian and U.S. stocks and ETFs — buys AND sells — with no account minimum. Most cost-effective option for regular ETF buyers in Canada as of 2026.

  • ✅ Zero commissions — buys AND sells
  • ✅ No minimum account balance
  • ✅ TFSA, RRSP, non-registered
  • ✅ Canadian bank backing

Visit National Bank's website directly — no referral link.

Questrade

Canada's largest independent brokerage. ETF purchases are free — only pay a small commission when selling. Excellent for buy-and-hold income investors.

  • ✅ Free ETF purchases
  • ✅ TFSA, RRSP, RESP, non-registered
  • ✅ Well-established, regulated
  • ⚠️ Small sell commission ($4.95–$9.95)
Open a Questrade Account →

Referral link — we may earn a commission at no cost to you.

Wealthsimple Trade
Zero Commission

Completely commission-free on Canadian and U.S. stocks and ETFs. Clean, simple mobile-first interface. Popular for its simplicity and zero-commission model.

  • ✅ Zero commissions — buys AND sells
  • ✅ TFSA, RRSP, non-registered
  • ✅ Clean mobile app
  • ⚠️ Less advanced than Questrade
Open a Wealthsimple Account →

Referral link — we may both earn a bonus.

Interactive Brokers Canada
Best for Serious Investors

The gold standard for active investors. Very low commissions, access to global markets, most powerful platform available to Canadian retail investors.

  • ✅ Very low commissions (~$1–$2/trade)
  • ✅ Global market access
  • ✅ Advanced platform and order types
  • ⚠️ More complex — not ideal for beginners

Visit Interactive Brokers Canada directly.

Quick Comparison

BrokerETF Buy CostETF Sell CostAccount Min
NBDBFreeFreeNone
QuestradeFree$4.95–$9.95$1,000
WealthsimpleFreeFreeNone
Interactive Brokers~$1–$2~$1–$2None

Which Account Type Should You Use?

AccountTax TreatmentBest for ETFs?
TFSACompletely tax-free✅ Best — keep 100% of every monthly distribution
RRSPTax-deferred until withdrawal✅ Good for retirement income
Non-RegisteredFully taxable annually⚠️ Less efficient — annual tax drag

FAQ

What is the best broker to buy ZWB?

National Bank Direct (free), Questrade (free ETF purchases), or Wealthsimple Trade (zero commissions). All far better than paying $9.99/trade at big bank brokerages.

Can I buy ZWB in a TFSA?

Yes — at any Canadian brokerage. In a TFSA all monthly distributions are completely tax-free.

Do I need a lot of money to start?

No. NBDB and Wealthsimple have no minimum. Questrade requires $1,000. You can start with one ETF unit (~$20–$25 for ZWB).

Disclosure: Questrade and Wealthsimple links are referral links. We may earn a commission if you open and fund an account — at no extra cost to you. NBDB and Interactive Brokers links are not referral links.