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BMO InvestorLine review

Updated September 28, 2026 · SumCue Editorial Team · Facts checked September 26, 2026

We earn a commission when you sign up through links on this site. Partner status can affect where a brand appears in our rankings. Partners with a live offer in your country come first, then every other brand by score.

Our verdict

BMO InvestorLine suits Canadian self-directed investors who want commission-free stock and ETF dealing without a monthly charge. Fees of CAD 0 on stock trades and an account fee of CAD 0 sit alongside phone and chat support, though currency conversion costs of 0.4% to 1.6% and options at CAD 0.90 add up for some.

Key facts

Best for
Self-directed investors who want free stock and ETF trades with no monthly account charge.
Stock trade fee
CA$0↗
Account fee
CA$0↗
Inactivity fee
CA$0↗
Markets
Stocks, ETFs, Options, Bonds, Funds↗
Currency conversion fee
0.4% to 1.6%↗
Margin rate
8.75%↗
Options contract fee
CA$0.90↗
Deposit and withdrawal fees
$0 EFT, $10 wire↗
Legal entity
BMO Bank National Association↗
Headquarters
United States↗
Founded
1988↗
Support channels
Phone, Chat↗
Features
Mobile app, Options
Pricing model
Commission-free
Official website
bmo.com

Facts checked September 26, 2026, 6 sources

Apps and profiles

Get the app
App Store
Elsewhere
WikidataWikipediaLinkedInX

Pros and cons

Pros

  • Stock and ETF trades are commission free, with fees of CAD 0
  • No monthly account charge: fees of CAD 0, and no inactivity charge of CAD 0
  • Spread across stocks, etfs and options
  • Deposits and withdrawals cost $0 EFT, $10 wire

Cons

  • Currency conversion costs of 0.4% to 1.6% on non Canadian dealings
  • Options trades cost CAD 0.90 each
  • Support runs on phone and chat only
BMO InvestorLine

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Scored 9.4 / 10 by SumCue.

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Who it suits

  • Investors who trade stocks and ETFs often and want no per trade commission
  • People who hold bonds and funds alongside equities in one account
  • Traders who want a mobile app and options in the same place

Who should look elsewhere

  • buyers who need crypto, as stocks, etfs and options leaves it out
  • CFI, whose markets cover stocks, etfs and forex
  • eToro, which also charges $0 on stock trades but adds crypto to its range

How it compares on our data

BMO InvestorLine sits at the top of our cost tables. It ranks 1 of 142 on account fee and 1 of 166 on stock trade fee. Inactivity is 1 of 56. With a CAD 0 account fee, a CAD 0 stock trade charge and a CAD 0 inactivity fee, there is little for a small portfolio to pay.

Fees and FX

Stock and ETF dealing is commission free at CAD 0 per trade on the commission free model, and the account carries fees of CAD 0 with no inactivity charge of CAD 0. Options cost CAD 0.90 a contract, margin borrowing starts at a 8.75% rate, and moving money costs $0 EFT, $10 wire. Currency conversion runs at 0.4% to 1.6%.

How BMO InvestorLine compares

Where BMO InvestorLine is available

Available
Canada

Countries from the brand (Source, checked September 26, 2026)

Frequently asked questions

How much does it cost to trade stocks?+

Commission-free stock and ETF dealing sits at CAD 0 per trade, and the account is run on a commission free basis. There is no monthly charge, since fees of CAD 0 apply. Options are priced separately at CAD 0.90 a contract.

Is there an account fee or an inactivity charge?+

Fees of CAD 0 apply to the account, and the inactivity fee is CAD 0. Together with commission-free stock trades at CAD 0, that leaves nothing to pay for holding a small portfolio open.

What markets can I trade?+

The range covers stocks, etfs and options, so equities, ETFs, options, bonds and funds sit in one account. Crypto is not part of that list, which may matter if you want digital assets alongside your other holdings.

What does it cost to buy or sell in another currency?+

Currency conversion runs at 0.4% to 1.6% on dealings that are not in Canadian dollars. Trading stocks listed in another currency therefore adds a cost on top of the commission free CAD 0.

How do I get money in and out?+

Deposits and withdrawals cost $0 EFT, $10 wire, so electronic transfers carry nothing while a wire transfer is a flat charge. That makes the account workable for regular contributions from a bank account.

Which apps and platforms can I use?+

The platform features listed are mobile app and options, so the mobile app is the main route for placing orders, with options trading supported. Help is available on phone and chat, by phone and chat.

What happens if I borrow on margin?+

Margin borrowing starts at a 8.75% rate, which is the cost of borrowing against your holdings. That sits alongside commission free stock dealing at CAD 0 and an account fee of CAD 0.

Who is this account for?+

It fits self-directed investors who want stocks, etfs and options under one roof and no monthly charge, since fees of CAD 0 apply. Investors who need crypto may prefer CFI, whose markets cover stocks, etfs and forex.

Sources

Compiled from 6 source pages, checked September 26, 2026. We did not open an account.

Not confirmed yet: Minimum deposit, Regulators, Investor protection, Retail accounts that lose money.

BMO InvestorLine

BMO InvestorLine

Self-directed investors who want free stock and ETF trades with no monthly account charge.

9.4/10See alternatives