How to Open a TD Direct Investing Account: A 2026 Guide
TD Direct Investing is Canada's largest bank-owned brokerage, and its biggest advantage is convenience: if you already bank with TD, you can open and fund an investing account in the same login you use for everyday banking. You get a full-featured platform in WebBroker, a simpler mobile app in TD Easy Trade, and the reassurance of a major bank behind your account. Here's how to open one and how to choose the right account type.
Why investors choose TD Direct Investing
The main draw is integration. Money moves instantly between your TD chequing account and your investing account, statements live in one place, and support is available through the same bank you already use. TD offers two ways in: WebBroker, the full research-and-trading platform, and TD Easy Trade, a streamlined app aimed at simpler investing. The trade-off versus discount brokers is cost — standard flat-rate commissions apply on WebBroker, so check TD's current pricing if you trade frequently.
TD Easy Trade and WebBroker are two doors into the same brokerage. Easy Trade is simpler and app-first; WebBroker has the deeper research, charting, and order types. You can use whichever fits the trade you're making.
How to open a TD Direct Investing account (step by step)
- Sign in to EasyWeb (TD's online banking) if you're an existing customer, or start fresh at td.com. Existing customers have the fastest path because TD already has your details.
- Choose "Open an investment account" and select TD Direct Investing (self-directed), not the advice-based or managed options.
- Select your account type. See the table below — this is the key decision.
- Confirm your personal details and SIN. Your Social Insurance Number is required for any registered account.
- Complete the investor profile. Questions on income, experience, and risk tolerance determine what you can trade.
- Review and submit. Existing TD customers are often approved quickly; new customers may need extra identity verification.
- Fund the account by transferring from your linked TD account or another bank, then place your first trade in WebBroker or Easy Trade.
Which TD Direct Investing account is right for you?
TD offers the full range of registered and non-registered accounts. Here's the 2026 comparison.
| Account | Best for | 2026 contribution limit | Taxed? |
|---|---|---|---|
| TFSA | Flexible tax-free growth for any goal | $7,000/yr ($109,000 cumulative if eligible since 2009) | No tax on growth or withdrawals |
| RRSP | Retirement, especially at a 30%+ marginal rate | 18% of prior-year income, up to $33,810 | Tax-deferred; taxed on withdrawal |
| FHSA | Saving for a first home | $8,000/yr, $40,000 lifetime | Deductible in, tax-free out for a home |
| RESP | A child's education | $50,000 lifetime per child (+ government grants) | Tax-deferred; taxed in student's hands |
| Cash / Margin | Investing beyond registered room | No limit | Capital gains and dividends taxable |
Bank brokerages like TD shine for people who value having everything under one roof. If you'd rather minimize trading costs above all, a discount broker may suit you better — but the gap matters most for active traders, not long-term holders.
For most people the priority order holds regardless of broker: FHSA (if saving for a home), then TFSA, then RRSP, then a non-registered account. Use our retirement savings calculator to compare the long-run impact of RRSP vs. TFSA contributions, and our dividend tracker if you plan to build an income portfolio inside your registered accounts.
Funding and your first trade
Existing TD customers can move money instantly from chequing; new customers fund via electronic transfer. Once funded, search for your stock or ETF in WebBroker, choose your order type, and place the trade. If you're consolidating accounts from another broker, TD sometimes covers transfer-out fees — confirm the current offer.
Frequently asked questions
Do I need to be a TD bank customer to open an account? No, but it's faster and more convenient if you are, since funding and account management happen in the same login.
What's the difference between WebBroker and TD Easy Trade? WebBroker is the full-featured platform with deeper research and order types; TD Easy Trade is a simpler mobile app. Both access TD Direct Investing accounts.
Are TD Direct Investing accounts protected? Yes — TD Direct Investing is a CIRO member with CIPF coverage up to $1 million per account category against broker insolvency. This does not cover investment losses.
How much does it cost to trade? TD charges flat-rate commissions on WebBroker; pricing changes over time, so check TD's current rates, especially if you trade often.
Disclaimer: This article is for educational purposes only and is not financial, investment, or tax advice. Contribution limits and account rules change — verify current figures with the CRA before contributing.
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