Canada · Prediction markets · Alternatives

The best Interactive Brokers alternatives for prediction markets in Canada

Interactive Brokers is the cheapest way to trade event contracts in Canada, but it's only for traders 21 and older and its platforms take some learning. In Canada there is exactly one other legal option, Wealthsimple Predict, and it fixes both of those.

General information, not investment advice. SafeBet.ai isn’t registered with any Canadian securities regulator, and we only link to the two CIRO dealers allowed to offer event contracts in Canada.

Best Interactive Brokers alternatives

Checked

The best Interactive Brokers alternative for most people in Canada is Wealthsimple Predict. Wealthsimple Predict is the only other dealer allowed to offer event contracts in Canada.

  1. 1 Wealthsimple Predict Best for beginners and 18- to 20-year-olds 7.6 /10

Why look for a Interactive Brokers alternative?

  • You're 18 to 20: Interactive Brokers requires you to be 21 for event contracts, while Wealthsimple Predict accepts the age of majority in your province.
  • You want a simple app: Wealthsimple Predict is a dedicated mobile app with a guided first trade, while IBKR runs prediction markets inside investor platforms and asks you to request a trading permission.
  • You want to fund instantly from your bank: Wealthsimple takes Interac e-Transfer with no hold, while a first EFT deposit at IBKR is tradable after 5 business days.
  • You trade small amounts: Interactive Brokers charges at least US$2 per currency conversion, more than Wealthsimple's 1.5% on anything under about US$133.

The best Interactive Brokers alternatives in Canada

Rank #1

Wealthsimple Predict

Best for beginners and 18- to 20-year-olds

7.6 /10

Wealthsimple Predict is the only other dealer allowed to offer event contracts in Canada. Its contracts trade on Kalshi, the deepest order book behind either dealer, and it accepts traders from the age of majority, takes Interac e-Transfer and walks you through your first trade. It costs more: US$0.02 per contract on every buy and sell, and 1.5% on currency conversions under $10,000.

Exchange
Kalshi
Trading fee
2¢/contract on every buy and sell
Currency conversion
1.5% under $10,000 (less on larger amounts)
  • Open from the age of majority, 18 or 19, where Interactive Brokers requires 21
  • Trades on Kalshi, the deepest order book behind a Canadian dealer
  • Instant funding by Interac e-Transfer, and the account holds both CAD and USD
Visit Wealthsimple Predict Wealthsimple Predict review 18+ · CIRO-regulated dealer · You can lose your whole stake

Other options worth knowing

These aren’t in our top 2, but they can make sense in specific situations.

  • Your province's sports betting site

    If it's sports you're after, event contracts can't help: Canadian dealers aren't allowed to offer them. Sports betting is legal through each province's site, such as PlayNow, OLG's Proline+, Mise-o-jeu+ and PlayAlberta, and in Ontario at sportsbooks registered with the AGCO and iGaming Ontario.

  • Manifold

    A play-money prediction market. You can't win or lose real money, so it's a free way to practise forecasting before you put dollars on an event contract.

Why Polymarket and Kalshi aren't on this list

Neither is registered with a Canadian securities regulator, so neither can legally offer you event contracts. Polymarket agreed in a 2025 settlement with the Ontario Securities Commission to keep Ontario residents out, and by early July 2026 it had also blocked Alberta, British Columbia and Quebec. Kalshi lists Canada as a restricted jurisdiction, so Canadians can't trade on Kalshi itself; its contracts reach Canada through Wealthsimple Predict and, for some markets, Interactive Brokers.

Our guides explain both in detail: is Polymarket legal in Canada? and is Kalshi available in Canada?

When to stick with Interactive Brokers

Stay with Interactive Brokers if you're 21 or older and convert a few hundred dollars or more at a time: you get the most markets, the lowest per-contract fee on ForecastEx and a coupon on your positions. It's also the simpler choice if you already invest with IBKR.

Interactive Brokers vs the alternatives

Interactive Brokers compared with its best alternatives
#1 Interactive Brokers #2 Wealthsimple Predict
SafeBet score 8.1/107.6/10
Best for Best overall for fees and market choiceBest for beginners and 18- to 20-year-olds
Regulation CIRO dealer · CIPF memberCIRO dealer · CIPF member
Exchange ForecastEx and KalshiKalshi
Markets 482 markets: economics, finance, climateThousands of contracts: economics, finance, climate
Trading fee 1¢/contract on ForecastEx; 2¢ on Kalshi2¢/contract on every buy and sell
Currency conversion 0.2 basis points, min. US$2 per conversion1.5% under $10,000 (less on larger amounts)
Deposits EFT, wire, online bill paymentInterac e-Transfer, linked bank, Wealthsimple transfers
Apps Web, IBKR Mobile, Desktop, TWSiOS and Android only
Min. age 21+Age of majority (18 or 19)
Links Visit Review Visit Review

Head-to-head: Interactive Brokers vs Wealthsimple Predict

Interactive Brokers alternatives FAQ

What is the best alternative to Interactive Brokers for prediction markets in Canada?

Wealthsimple Predict, because it's the only other dealer allowed to offer event contracts in Canada. It suits beginners and 18- to 20-year-olds better, but it costs more per contract and per conversion.

Is there a prediction market for 18-year-olds in Canada?

Yes: Wealthsimple Predict accepts the age of majority in your province, which is 18 in Alberta, Manitoba, Ontario, Prince Edward Island, Quebec and Saskatchewan, and 19 elsewhere. Interactive Brokers requires 21.

Can I use Polymarket instead of Interactive Brokers in Canada?

Not legally. Polymarket isn't registered in Canada, it's barred from Ontario under a 2025 OSC settlement, and it blocks Alberta, British Columbia and Quebec too. See is Polymarket legal in Canada?

Compare the 2 best prediction markets in Canada Ranked on regulation, fees, features and payouts · Interactive Brokers, Wealthsimple Predict and more See the ranking

The facts on this page come from our full reviews, which list their sources: Wealthsimple Predict and Interactive Brokers.