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BMO InvestorLine is a secure, bank-backed self-directed brokerage platform from the Bank of Montreal, offering a straightforward flat commission model, full access to Canadian-registered accounts, and robust trading tools—ideal for Canadians valuing reliability over ultra-low-cost trading.
Our Rating
3.8/5
Institution
BMO
Welcome Offer
Double Your Bonus and get up to $10,000*
Self-Directed
- Get 0.5% cash back when you deposit $5,000 or more into a new InvestorLine Self-Directed account and hold your investment for 5 months. Double your bonus to 1% cash back when you hold for 11 months.
- Promo Code: SDCASH
adviceDirect
- Get 0.5% cash back when you deposit $10,000 or more into a new InvestorLine Self-Directed account and hold your investment for 5 months. Double your bonus to 1% cash back when you hold for 11 months.
- Promo Code: ADCASH
The Promotion begins on Tuesday, January 6, 2026, at 12:00 AM ET and ends on Sunday, February 1, 2026, at 11:59PM ET
Rates and Fees
Self-Directed Fees
DIY Investor
- $9.95 flat fee for each trade you make online
- + $1.25 per options contract
- $0.00 commissions for a selection of Canada’s most popular ETFs
- Pricing: https://www.bmo.com/en-ca/main/personal/investments/direct-investing/investorline/self-directed/pricing/
Active Trader
- Make 15 or more traders per quarter or invest at least $250k to get free access to BMO Active Trader and automatically enrollment into the exclusive 5 star program
- $3.95 per trade when you make 150 or more trades per quarter
- +$1.25 per options contract
- Pricing: https://www.bmo.com/en-ca/main/personal/investments/direct-investing/investorline/self-directed/pricing/
Advance Trader
adviceDirect Fees (DIY)
- BMO InvestorLine adviceDirect offers you all the benefits of an online investing platform with personalized investment advice and dedicated advisor support at a fraction of the cost. With an all-inclusive annual fee, you will be eligible to receive 15 trades annually (unlock more as your balance grows, with unlimited trades† for portfolios greater than $1 million), valuable trade recommendations, tools, and research.
- 0.50%: For assets < $1MM
- 0.30%: For assets between $1MM < $5M
- 0.10%: For assets $5MM+
- The more assets you have, the lower your fee.
- Note: A minimum balance of $10,000 is required to open an account. All fees are calculated on an annual basis.
Eligibility
- Open to all Canadians—no deposit threshold required
- Quarterly admin fee waived if account balance or trading activity meets thresholds
- Welcome bonuses vary by promotion—most require new or existing accounts meeting specific funding and holding periods
Features & Description
Self-Directed
Account Types:
- Registered accounts: TFSA, FHSA, RRSP, RESP, RRIF
- Non-registered accounts: Individual, Joint, Cash, Margin
- Locked-In accounts: LIRA, LRSP, RLSP, LRIF, LIF
- Corporate and non-personal accounts: Trusts, estates, associations, corporations, investment clubs or partnerships, personal holding companies.
Investment Types Available:
- Stocks
- CDRs
- GICs
- Bonds
- Options
- ETFs
- Mutual Funds
DIY Investor
Benefits
Our easy-to-use online trading platform lets you invest in stocks, ETFs, mutual funds and more! We provide research, tips and tools so you can make every trade with confidence.
- Commission free trading on some of Canada's most popular ETFs†
- Elevate your trading strategy with our new BMO Active Trader platform
- Advanced tools and capabilities like multi-leg options, screeners, strategy builders with margin trades evaluated using real time buying power calculations
- Benchmark, Customize and Track your performance with our easy-to-use analysis tools
- Build a more sustainable portfolio with environmental, social and governance insights
Details
Top Research Stay informed with research lists covering US and CDN equities.
- Proprietary and third party research
- Analyst ratings
- Screeners
- Watch lists
Analysis tools Fundamental analysis tools for the experienced and novice trader.
- Personalized Insights
- Value Analyzer
- Technical Insights
Intuitive trading Easily trade over 2,000+ stocks across the major North American exchanges.
- ESG Insights (review, Compare, Indentify and stay informed on issues)
Performance Tracking Benchmark your portfolio against key indexes and get mobile and email updates.
- Benchmark comparisons
- Mobile-friendly
- Customized charts
- Receive mobile and email updates
Active Trader
Benefits
BMO Active Trader is a powerful trading platform that allows you to execute your trading strategies with ease and precision from any web browser.
- Use real time streaming quotes, advanced technical charts and market insights
- Fully customizable workspace to quickly trade North American equities, ETFs, and options
- Available to traders and investors with 15+ trades per quarter or portfolios of $250,000+
Details
See market forces at work Follow price fluctuations and identify changing market conditions for better informed trading decisions with:
- Real-time streaming Level 1 and Level 2* market data for the major North American exchanges
- Real-time streaming options chains, Greeks and strategies
- Real-time streaming time & sales data
Identify market trends by the minute Easily identify and follow stocks moving the markets and leverage technical indicators to trade with precision.
- Market movers reveal which equities are moving the Canadian and US markets
- Advanced charting offers a technical analysis experience with over 100 pre-built indicators and 30+ drawing tools
Optimize your trading experience Information when and where you need it to help you make faster trading decisions.
- Auto-saving customizable workspaces with drag and drop modules, feature-rich portfolios and watchlists, news, alerts and market research
- Save time by broadcasting a stock symbol to multiple components instead of re-entering it
Advance Trader
Benefits
Elevate your online trading experience with rich research, advanced tools and a fully customizable active trading platform. Gain access to equities, fixed income, options and other securities, detailed analytics, as well as advanced options tools that will help ensure your trading strategy remains a step ahead.
- Exclusive perks and pricing for active traders who make 150 online stock, ETFs or option trades in any 3 consecutive months, including $3.95 commission for online trades.
- Customize your trading environment with BMO Active Trader, our most powerful platform yet.
- Advanced tools and capabilities like multi-leg options, screeners, strategy builders with real time margin trade evaluations, and position type view.
- Free access to educational resources to level-up your options and active trading knowledge.
Details
Tools and Capabilities
- Advanced Technical Charts
- Market Heatmaps
- Streamlined Watchlists & Portfolios
- Multi-Leg Options
- Options Screener
- Strategy Builder
- Trading on Margin
- Displayed Buying Power
- Margin Review
BMO Active Trader Customize your trading strategies with advanced tools from our powerful trading platform.
- Customizable workspaces with drag and drop modules, feature-rich portfolios and watchlists, news, alerts and company research.
- Real-time streaming Level 1 and Level 2 market data for major North American exchanges (at no additional charge).
- Advanced technical charting with 100+ indicators and 30+ drawing tools.
- Integrated trading and account management capabilities.
- Access to a wealth of educational content to help you master the platform and refine your trading strategies.
- Real time margin trade evaluations.
Options Trading Trade options with ease to maximize your potential investment returns.
- Multi-leg options trading with integrated options chains, Greeks, and analysis tools allow you to execute complex strategies with precision and confidence.
- Options screeners and strategy builders make it easy to explore and create options strategies that match your goals.
- Expert-led educational webinars and tutorial videos to enhance your knowledge and skills for more informed decision-making.
- Position type view lets you see all your option pairings.
Margin Trading Maximize your buying power and obtain additional funds by borrowing against the value of your investments.
- BMO InvestorLine provides accurate margin calculations (displayed buying power) which update every five minutes, factoring in price movements, intraday filled orders and loan conditions.
- Trades are evaluated based on real-time buying power calculations, reducing the risk of margin calls.
- Full transparency into how your buying power is calculated, including margin rates and loan conditions.
- A seamlessly integrated view of position pairings (on the holdings screen), such as covered calls and spreads to easily monitor and manage complex option strategies.
adviceDirect
Account Types:
- Registered accounts: TFSA, FHSA, RRSP, RESP, RRIF
- Non-registered accounts: Individual, Joint, Cash, Margin
- Locked-In accounts: LIRA, LRSP, RLSP, LRIF, LIF, PRIF, RLIF
- Corporate and non-personal accounts: Trusts, estates, associations, corporations, investment clubs or partnerships, personal holding companies.
Investment Types Available:
- Stocks
- CDRs
- GICs
- Bonds
- ETFs
- Mutual Funds
DIY with Advice
Benefits
An investing platform that combines online investing with personalized advice and support. Start investing today with a minimum balance of $10,000.
- Start with 15 trades annually** and unlock more as your balance grows.
- Unlimited trades† for portfolios with total assets of $1 million and higher
- Identify new investment opportunities with exclusive access to buy & sell recommendations
- 24/7 portfolio monitoring & dedicated advisor support at your fingertips
- Personalized trading advice, real-time alerts, and ESG insights
Details
Research & Insights: Get industry-leading research, ESG insights, and advanced investment tools to help identify risks and opportunities.
Personalized advice: Built-in buy/sell recommendations and guidance tailored to your investment style, and objectives.
Dedicated Advisor Support: Our licensed advisors are a phone call away to hlep you with tactical and strategic investing decisions.
Complimentary Trades: Start with 15 trades annually and unlock more as your balance grows. Unlimited trades† for portfolios with total assets of $1 million and higher.
Legal
Terms and conditions apply*
See full offer details here: https://www.bmoinvestorline.com/selfDirected/pdfs/sdcash-e.pdf