★ BEST INVESTING TOOLS COMPARISON ★
VOL. XCIV, NO. 247
Tool details checked July 17, 2026
Tool Comparison
Rakuten Securities vs RBC Direct Investing
Pick Rakuten Securities if
Rakuten Securities
Transaction-priced · Fees vary by offer and jurisdiction · Web · Mobile
Pick RBC Direct Investing if
RBC Direct Investing
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.
See alternativesOutbound links may include affiliate or sponsor codes.
Our take
The bottom line
Rakuten Securities and RBC Direct Investing 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
Rakuten Securities
Vote once to reveal the community verdict.
RBC Direct Investing
Vote once to reveal the community verdict.
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 | APAC | North America |
| Try it | Visit Rakuten Securities | Visit RBC Direct Investing |
Where each one shines
What Rakuten Securities and RBC Direct Investing each do best.ShowHide
Where each one shines
What Rakuten Securities and RBC Direct Investing each do best.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.
What RBC Direct Investing does best
- Canadian and U.S. stocks and ETFs with standard and active pricing.
- More than 50 selected ETFs eligible for conditional $0 online commissions.
- Options, mutual funds, bonds, GICs and international trading access.
- CAD and USD non-registered and major Canadian registered accounts.
- Instant eligible RBC transfers plus external account transfers.
Every detail we compared
Every tracked attribute for Rakuten Securities and RBC Direct Investing, side by side.ShowHide
Every detail we compared
Every tracked attribute for Rakuten Securities and RBC Direct Investing, side by side.| Attribute | ||
|---|---|---|
| Coverage & fit | ||
Asset types | StocksETFsMutual FundsBondsOptionsFutures | StocksETFsOptionsMutual FundsBonds |
Experience | BeginnerIntermediateAdvanced | BeginnerIntermediateAdvanced |
Regions | APAC | North America |
Coverage details | Countries: JPExchanges: XTKS, XNAS, and XNYSIdentifiers: Ticker and ISIN | Countries: CAIdentifiers: Ticker and CUSIP |
| Access & integrations | ||
Export formats | CSVPDF | CSVPDF |
| Plans & trust | ||
Vendor & support | Rakuten Securities, Inc.Country: JapanSupport: Phone and Chat | RBC Direct Investing Inc.Country: CanadaSupport: Phone and Email |
Green tags are exclusive to that tool in this comparison.
Questions we keep getting
What's the difference between Rakuten Securities and RBC Direct Investing?
Rakuten Securities leans toward brokerage, portfolio, and watchlist, while RBC Direct Investing 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 Rakuten Securities and RBC Direct Investing 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 Rakuten Securities and RBC Direct Investing cover?
Both cover stocks, ETFs, mutual funds, and bonds. Rakuten Securities also handles futures.
Which covers international markets: Rakuten Securities or RBC Direct Investing?
Rakuten Securities has documented international coverage (APAC), so it's the safer bet if you hold non-US stocks. RBC Direct Investing is more region-specific, mainly North America.
Can I export data from Rakuten Securities and RBC Direct Investing?
Yes, both export to spreadsheets (CSV), which is handy if you like running your own numbers.
Can I track my portfolio with Rakuten Securities or RBC Direct Investing?
Yes, both do portfolio tracking: holdings, performance, and allocation in one place.
Keep researching
Other tools you might like
Keep Exploring
Feedback
Spot stale pricing, missing features, or a comparison that feels off? Send feedback on the verdict, table, alternatives, or recommendation.
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.