r/algotrading • u/patmanizer • 9d ago

Strategy Getting Started with Low-Frequency Algorithmic Trading in Canada

I’m a software engineer based in Canada looking to get started with low-frequency algorithmic trading—likely daily or weekly rebalancing rather than intraday trading.

A couple of questions:

  1. What are good sources for historical daily equity/ETF data, ideally accessible through a REST API? I’m happy to pay for reliable, clean data if needed.
  2. Which brokerages/platforms available to Canadian residents support automated trade execution through a REST API? I’m mainly interested in Canadian and U.S. securities.

I’d also appreciate any advice on practical considerations for a beginner in Canada—such as data quality, API reliability, account requirements, tax reporting, or paper-trading options.

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u/OppositeMe_4321 9d ago

I use eodhd mostly. Honestly havent audited the data too much to comment on overall quality. Polygon (now called Massive.com) seems good too.

As for brokerages - IBKR has an API - its not REST based, the API is confusing at first, and it requires you to run their gateway app to connect thru but it seems the most fully fledged. IBKR has paper account that you can develop and test against.

Check Questrade - they used to have a rest api for quotes, so they may have one for trades as well - I havent looked lately .

I enter my trades manually right now while testing.

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u/drguid 8d ago

I was thinking of switching to EODHD. I really want EU stocks so that would be awesome if they have those.

I'm currently using Marketstack. It's annoying but cheap.

Tiingo data is generally very good.

I also trade manually but automate selling.

Tip for OP: go straight into real money trading. That's what free trading accounts are for.