★ BEST INVESTING TOOLS COMPARISON ★
VOL. XCIV, NO. 247
Tool details checked July 17, 2026
Tool Comparison
National Bank Direct Brokerage vs Rakuten Securities
Pick National Bank Direct Brokerage if
National Bank Direct Brokerage
Transaction-priced · Fees vary by offer and jurisdiction · Web · Mobile
Pick Rakuten Securities if
Rakuten Securities
Transaction-priced · Fees vary by offer and jurisdiction · Web · Mobile
Skip both if: These two cover the same ground; it really comes down to price and which interface you enjoy using.
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Our take
The bottom line
National Bank Direct Brokerage and Rakuten Securities cover a lot of the same ground (5 shared categories, including brokerage, portfolio, and watchlist), so for the basics you won't go far wrong with either. On paper they're closely matched, so let pricing, platform fit, and the details below break the tie.
What readers say
National Bank Direct Brokerage
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Rakuten Securities
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Key differences at a glance
- Global coverage
- Rakuten Securities
- Asset coverage
- Rakuten SecuritiesAdds futures
See for yourself
How they stack up
The side-by-side table: pricing, platforms, data, and coverage at a glance.ShowHide
How they stack up
The side-by-side table: pricing, platforms, data, and coverage at a glance.| Attribute | ||
|---|---|---|
| Pricing & plans | ||
Starting price | Transaction-priced · Fees vary by offer and jurisdiction | Transaction-priced · Fees vary by offer and jurisdiction |
Free tier | No | No |
Free trial | — | — |
| Platforms & access | ||
Web app | Yes | Yes |
Mobile app | Yes | Yes |
API access | No | No |
| Audience & fit | ||
Experience level | Beginner, Intermediate, Advanced | Beginner, Intermediate, Advanced |
Best for | — | — |
Categories covered | 5 | 5 |
Regions | North America | APAC |
| Try it | Visit National Bank Direct Brokerage | Visit Rakuten Securities |
Where each one shines
What National Bank Direct Brokerage and Rakuten Securities each do best.ShowHide
Where each one shines
What National Bank Direct Brokerage and Rakuten Securities each do best.What National Bank Direct Brokerage does best
- $0 online Canadian and U.S. stock and ETF commissions.
- Online options at $1.25 per contract with a $6.25 minimum.
- CAD and USD cash, margin, short-selling and major registered accounts.
- Mutual funds, GICs, bonds, debentures and other fixed-income access.
- Canada and Quebec tax slips and annual tax guidance.
What Rakuten Securities does best
- Japanese cash equities with a conditional ¥0 Zero Course.
- U.S. stocks and ETFs at 0.495%, capped at $22 per trade.
- Kabumini eligible Japanese odd lots from one whole share.
- Mutual funds, bonds, NISA and derivatives in the wider account suite.
- Free eligible real-time deposits and standard domestic withdrawals.
Every detail we compared
Every tracked attribute for National Bank Direct Brokerage and Rakuten Securities, side by side.ShowHide
Every detail we compared
Every tracked attribute for National Bank Direct Brokerage and Rakuten Securities, side by side.| Attribute | ||
|---|---|---|
| Coverage & fit | ||
Asset types | StocksETFsOptionsMutual FundsBonds | StocksETFsMutual FundsBondsOptionsFutures |
Experience | BeginnerIntermediateAdvanced | BeginnerIntermediateAdvanced |
Regions | North America | APAC |
Coverage details | Countries: CAIdentifiers: Ticker and CUSIP | Countries: JPExchanges: XTKS, XNAS, and XNYSIdentifiers: Ticker and ISIN |
| Access & integrations | ||
Export formats | CSVPDF | CSVPDF |
| Plans & trust | ||
Vendor & support | National Bank Financial Inc.Country: CanadaSupport: Phone, Email, and Chat | Rakuten Securities, Inc.Country: JapanSupport: Phone and Chat |
Green tags are exclusive to that tool in this comparison.
Questions we keep getting
What's the difference between National Bank Direct Brokerage and Rakuten Securities?
National Bank Direct Brokerage leans toward brokerage, portfolio, and watchlist, while Rakuten Securities puts more weight on brokerage, portfolio, and watchlist. They overlap in 5 categories, so for most people it comes down to workflow preference and price.
How much do National Bank Direct Brokerage and Rakuten Securities cost?
Neither has a free plan; you'll need a paid subscription for the full feature set of either. Check each tool's current plan details before buying.
What asset classes do National Bank Direct Brokerage and Rakuten Securities cover?
Both cover stocks, ETFs, options, and mutual funds. Rakuten Securities adds futures on top.
Which covers international markets: National Bank Direct Brokerage or Rakuten Securities?
Rakuten Securities has documented international coverage (APAC), so it's the safer bet if you hold non-US stocks. National Bank Direct Brokerage is more region-specific, mainly North America.
Can I export data from National Bank Direct Brokerage and Rakuten Securities?
Yes, both export to spreadsheets (CSV), which is handy if you like running your own numbers.
Can I track my portfolio with National Bank Direct Brokerage or Rakuten Securities?
Yes, both do portfolio tracking: holdings, performance, and allocation in one place.
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Curation & Accuracy
This directory blends AI‑assisted discovery with human curation. Entries are reviewed, edited, and organized with the goal of expanding coverage and sharpening quality over time. Your feedback helps steer improvements (because no single human can capture everything all at once).
Details change. Pricing, features, and availability may be incomplete or out of date. Treat listings as a starting point and verify on the provider’s site before making decisions. If you spot an error or a gap, send a quick note and I’ll adjust.