7 Best CFD Brokers in Canada

Opening — Who this guide is for and what it solves

You are an active CFD trader, a part‑time speculator, or an investor who needs CFD access in Canada.
Check regulated platforms, low fees, and the right instruments before you trade. This guide solves concrete problems: how to pick a CIRO‑regulated or globally regulated broker, how to compare typical spreads and commissions, and how to check platform features, deposit options and tax treatment. You will learn which brokers offer tight spreads, which provide thousands of instruments, which accept CAD accounts, and which charge inactivity or withdrawal fees. Scan the TL;DR first. Then read the comparisons and the table to pick the best fit.

Quick answer / TL;DR — Pick fast

• Pick XTB (Item #1) if you want the tightest spreads and a broad CFD selection — fast execution and low commissions.
• Pick CMC Markets (Item #2) if you want access to 11,000+ instruments and deep charting — powerful tools and advanced order types.
• Pick Interactive Brokers (Item #3) if you trade very large, multi‑asset portfolios — 12,000+ CFDs and pro clearing capabilities.
• Pick OANDA (Item #4) or Plus500 (Item #5) if you need a simple platform with strong local protection — CIRO coverage and CAD accounts.
  Scan the comparison table next. Then read the full profiles to compare spreads, fees, funding and platform detail.

What We Looked For

• Regulation & local protection — Check CIRO registration or a major global regulator. This ensures investor protection and complaint routes.
• Costs (spreads + commissions + non‑trading fees) — Compare typical spreads (0.0–0.8 pips on majors), commissions per side (from $0 to about $6.50), and inactivity fees (from $0 to $10+/month).
• Instrument coverage — Count CFDs: from 250+ CFDs to 12,000+ CFDs; check forex pairs (60–100+ pairs), stocks, ETFs, indices and commodities.
• Execution & platform quality — Measure latency, number of platforms (1–4), advanced charting (100+ indicators), and mobile app ratings.
• Funding & withdrawals — Prefer CAD accounts, bank transfers (24–72 hours), e‑wallets (instant to 24 hours), and low deposit minimums ($0–$1,000).

Below is a quick comparison table. Use it to shortlist 2–3 brokers for trial accounts.

1. XTB — Tight spreads and fast execution

XTB is known for competitive pricing. Expect spreads from 0.0 pips on major forex and low commissions on stock CFDs. Account opening can take 1–2 business days.
Trade across thousands of CFDs in stocks, ETFs, forex and indices. The broker provides 1–3 platforms, including a web trader and mobile app. Execution is typically measured in milliseconds; latency often below 200 ms on major routes.
You can fund accounts with bank transfer or card. Deposits clear in 24–72 hours for bank transfers and instant to 24 hours for cards. Withdrawal processing commonly takes 1–5 business days.
Best for:
Traders seeking the tightest spreads and fast trade execution.
Skip if:
You need hundreds of niche CFDs and advanced pro clearing.
Key points:
– Spreads: from 0.0 pips on majors.
– Instruments: thousands of CFDs across 5 asset classes.
– Commission: ranges from $0 to low per‑trade tiers.
– Deposit time: 0–72 hours depending on method.
– Account opening: 1–2 business days typical.
Watch out for: Overnight financing rates (swap) that can add 0.5%–3% per annum on leveraged positions.

2. CMC Markets — Deep charts and 11,000+ instruments

Pick CMC Markets for sheer scale. The platform offers 11,000+ instruments across stocks, ETFs, indices, forex and commodities. Charting includes 100+ technical indicators and more than 80 drawing tools.
Expect spreads from about 0.2 pips on major forex pairs. Commissions vary by market and asset; many CFD trades are commission‑free while some stock CFDs carry per‑trade fees. Execution uses multiple liquidity providers with typical fill times under 300 ms.
Funding supports CAD accounts, bank transfer and card. Deposits post in 24–48 hours for bank transfers and immediate for cards. Inactivity fees may apply after 12 months in some account types.
Best for:
Traders needing massive instrument choice and advanced charting.
Skip if:
You prefer a bare‑bones platform with only a few markets.
Key points:
– Instruments: 11,000+ CFDs.
– Chart tools: 100+ indicators, 80+ drawing tools.
– Typical spread: from 0.2 pips on majors.
– Funding: bank transfer 24–48 hours; card instant.
– Platforms: desktop, web, mobile (3 platforms).
Watch out for: Overnight financing on long positions that can exceed 1%–2% annualized on some instruments.

3. Interactive Brokers — Pro clearing and multi‑asset scale

Choose Interactive Brokers if you manage large, multi‑asset portfolios. IB offers 12,000+ CFDs and direct market access across 135 market centers. Margin optimization can reduce funding costs by 20%–50% for large accounts.
Commissions are tiered and can be as low as $0 for some order types, or charged per share from $0.0005. Spreads are narrow on liquid markets. Account tools include 1 professional desktop platform and 2 mobile/web variants. Execution quality reports show sub‑200 ms fills on many pairs.
Funding includes CAD bank transfers and electronic methods. Withdrawals typically complete in 1–3 business days. Institutional features include margin loans, API access and risk reports updated every 1 minute.
Best for:
Large multi‑asset traders and institutional-style portfolios.
Skip if:
You need a simple retail UI with only a few trades per month.
Key points:
– Instruments: 12,000+ CFDs and deep market access.
– Commission: from $0.0005/share or tiered pricing.
– Execution: sub‑200 ms on many routes.
– Funding time: 1–3 business days for withdrawals.
– Tools: API, risk reports every 1 minute.
Watch out for: Advanced fee schedules; some fills incur exchange fees or clearing fees for odd lot trades.

4. OANDA — Simple, CIRO‑regulated, CAD friendly

Pick OANDA if you want a simple, trustworthy platform with local protection. OANDA Canada operates under CIRO registration with local oversight and investor complaint routes. Forex spreads start from around 0.1 pips on majors.
The platform focuses on forex, indices, metals and bonds CFDs. Expect 60–100+ forex pairs and a selection of 100–500 non‑forex CFDs depending on your account. Platforms include one core desktop/web app and a mobile app. Customer support often operates 24 hours a day during market hours.
Funding supports CAD accounts, bank transfers and card deposits. Bank transfers typically clear in 24–72 hours. Some account types have no inactivity fee; others charge modest fees after 12 months.
Best for:
You want CIRO protection and a clean CFD/forex experience.
Skip if:
You need 10,000+ stock CFDs or advanced order routing.
Key points:
– Forex pairs: 60–100+.
– Typical spread: from 0.1 pips on majors.
– Instruments: 100–500 non‑forex CFDs.
– Funding: bank transfer 24–72 hours; card instant to 24 hours.
– Support: 24 hours during market days.
Watch out for: Leverage and margin rules; check margin percentages per instrument before opening large positions.

5. Plus500 — Easy platform and CIRO licensing

Choose Plus500 for a straightforward interface and easy CAD account setup. Plus500 holds a CIRO license for Canada, and offers thousands of CFDs including 60+ forex pairs and major global stocks. The platform is single‑product focused with web and mobile apps.
Typical spreads start from about 0.6 pips on major forex pairs. The broker often charges $0 commission and uses spreads and overnight fees as revenue. Minimum deposits can be as low as $100 for some funding methods. Deposits via card are typically instant; bank transfers post in 24–72 hours.
The platform supports simple order types and risk limits. Expect account opening in 1–3 business days. Withdrawal processing averages 1–5 business days.
Best for:
You want a minimal learning curve and CAD accounts with CIRO oversight.
Skip if:
You need advanced charting or pro API access.
Key points:
– Forex pairs: 60+ pairs.
– Spreads: from 0.6 pips typical on majors.
– Commission: $0 on many accounts; revenue via spreads.
– Min deposit: from $100 by method.
– Withdrawal time: 1–5 business days.
Watch out for: Inactivity fees and overnight financing on leveraged positions that can compound quickly.

6. Questrade — Canadian bank‑style custody with CFD access

Use Questrade if you prefer a Canadian brokerage with integrated custody and CFD access. Questrade Global provides access to a multi‑asset platform built on third‑party technology with 250+ CFDs and 100+ forex pairs in some packages. Registered Canadian accounts are handled by a domestic custodian.
Expect spreads and commissions that are competitive for stock CFDs. Stock CFD commissions vary by market; some ETF and index CFDs carry per‑trade costs. Funding options include CAD EFT (24–72 hours), debit card (instant), and electronic transfers. Account opening is often completed in 2–4 business days for verified clients.
Questrade includes research tools, 3rd‑party integrations and tax reporting for Canadian tax returns. If you hold a long‑term CFD position, track capital gain treatment and the 50% inclusion rate for gains.
Best for:
Canadian investors who want custody and easy tax reporting plus CFD access.
Skip if:
You need 10,000+ CFD instruments or pro API trading.
Key points:
– CFD coverage: 250+ on Global platform.
– Forex: 100+ pairs on some packages.
– Account opening: 2–4 business days typical.
– Funding: EFT 24–72 hours; card instant.
– Tax reporting: integrated Canadian statements.
Watch out for: Some stock CFD commissions and ETFs have per‑trade fees; review the schedule before trading.

7. FP Markets — Low forex fees and fast execution

Pick FP Markets if you trade forex heavily and want low forex fees. The broker offers 3,000+ instruments with a forex focus. Spreads on raw accounts can start at 0.0 pips with commissions from about $3 per side on standard lots. Execution is fast with ECN routing and typical fill times under 250 ms.
Platforms include 2–3 options such as MetaTrader and a web trader. Funding supports a range of methods; wire transfers clear in 24–72 hours. Minimum deposits often start from $100 for standard accounts. Support operates across multiple time zones and often answers within 24 hours.
FP Markets also provides educational content and VPS access for active traders. Check margin requirements; leverage commonly ranges from 30:1 on forex to 5:1 on equities (typical retail limits).
Best for:
High‑frequency forex traders who need raw spreads and ECN execution.
Skip if:
You need CIRO regulated custody inside Canada for all accounts.
Key points:
– Instruments: 3,000+ with forex emphasis.
– Spreads: raw from 0.0 pips on majors.
– Commission: from $3 per side on raw accounts.
– Min deposit: from $100.
– Execution: typical fills under 250 ms.
Watch out for: Leverage differences across asset classes; equities often have much lower leverage (e.g., 5:1).

Comparison checklist — How to pick between shortlisted brokers

• Check regulation: Confirm CIRO registration or a major global regulator. Use broker registries; allow 5–15 minutes to verify.
• Compare spreads and commissions: Compare typical spreads (0.0–0.8 pips) and commissions ($0–$6.50). Use a sample trade size (e.g., 1 standard lot or 100 shares) to calculate total cost.
• Test platforms: Open a demo account for 1–7 days. Check 100+ indicators, charting speed, and execution latency in ms.
• Confirm funding: Verify CAD account availability, deposit methods, and processing times (instant to 72 hours). Check withdrawal fees and times (1–7 business days).
• Factor taxes: Treat long‑term investors’ gains with 50% inclusion for capital gains. Record trades and realize tax obligations by December 31.
  Watch out for: Inactivity fees often kick in after 12 months and can be $5–$20 per month. Account conversions between USD and CAD may cost 0.5%–2%.

Closing — Next steps

Open 2–3 demo accounts. Test spreads on the pairs and stocks you trade for 3–7 days. Fund a small live account — start with $100–$1,000 depending on your strategy. Monitor real execution latency (ms), realized spread, and overnight funding rates (0.5%–3% typical). Keep a traders’ log and export monthly statements for taxes. If you plan large or institutional volumes, favor brokers with pro clearing, low commission tiers and API access. If you prioritize simplicity and local protection, pick a CIRO‑registered broker with CAD accounts. Compare the numbers above and select the broker that matches your instrument needs, cost tolerance and platform preferences.