Written by StockBrokers.com
In this head to head comparison of Fidelity vs E*TRADE, we will compare the trading platforms, mobile apps, range of investments, costs, market research, and more. Let's dive in.
Fidelity vs E*TRADE: if you want the widest mix of investment choices, Fidelity edges out E*TRADE. StockBrokers.com gives Fidelity 5 stars for Range of Investments and ranks it #2 out of 14 brokers, while E*TRADE earns 4.5 stars and ranks #4. Both are strong picks, but Fidelity adds more ways to invest, and E*TRADE stands out for futures.
Both brokers let you trade stocks, options, mutual funds, and OTC stocks, and both support margin. You can open Traditional and Roth IRAs at either, and each offers advisor services. The differences are what matter: Fidelity offers fractional shares, forex trading, and cryptocurrency (3 coins), while E*TRADE offers none of those. E*TRADE does offer futures, which Fidelity lacks.
| Feature |
Fidelity
|
E*TRADE
|
|---|---|---|
| Stock Trading | Yes | Yes |
| Account Feature - Margin Trading | Yes | Yes |
| Fractional Shares (Stocks) | Yes | No |
| OTC Stocks | Yes | Yes |
| Mutual Funds | Yes | Yes |
| Options Trading | Yes | Yes |
| Futures Trading | No | Yes |
| Crypto Trading | Yes | No |
| Crypto Trading - Total Coins | 3 | 0 |
| Range of Investments |
|
|
Dive deeper: Best Options Trading Platforms for 2026, Best Futures Trading Platforms for 2026
Fidelity vs E*TRADE: both earn 4 out of 5 stars for trading platforms and tools, with StockBrokers.com ranking Fidelity #4 and E*TRADE #6 out of 14 brokers. Fidelity tends to offer richer built-in data views and a trading journal, while E*TRADE stands out if you want paper trading and a few extra tweaks in certain studies. If you want the widest watch list fields plus slightly more indicators and drawing tools, choose Fidelity; if practicing with virtual trades matters most, choose E*TRADE.
Platform access is a tie: each delivers downloadable desktop platforms for Windows and Mac, along with a browser-based platform. On charts, both brokers let you adjust open orders directly on the chart, add notes, view historical trades and corporate events, set custom date ranges, use automated pattern recognition, and save multiple chart profiles. Neither supports creating custom studies. Fidelity includes 129 technical indicators and 38 drawing tools, compared with E*TRADE’s 121 indicators and 37 drawing tools; for SMA edits, E*TRADE offers eight customization fields versus five with Fidelity.
Tools and lists show clearer differences. Fidelity’s watch lists can display up to 92 columns, far more than E*TRADE’s 43, helping dedicated market trackers scan more data at once. Fidelity also includes a built-in trading journal, while E*TRADE does not. For hands-on practice, E*TRADE offers paper trading and Fidelity does not. In short, Fidelity leans toward deeper on-platform data tracking, and E*TRADE offers better simulation for testing strategies before using real money.
| Feature |
Fidelity
|
E*TRADE
|
|---|---|---|
| Web Trading Platform | Yes | Yes |
| Desktop Trading Platform | Yes | Yes |
| Desktop Platform (Mac) | Yes | Yes |
| Paper Trading | No | Yes |
| Watchlists - Total Fields | 92 | 43 |
| Charting - Indicators / Studies | 129 | 121 |
| Charting - Drawing Tools | 38 | 37 |
| Advanced Trading |
|
|
Dive deeper: Best Stock Brokers for 2026, Best Paper Trading Apps & Platforms for 2026
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Fidelity and E*TRADE both offer beginner-friendly investor education across key topics, including stocks, ETFs, options, mutual funds, and bonds. Each platform provides educational videos and live webinars. The big differences show up in how you learn: E*TRADE includes paper trading so you can practice without risking real money, while Fidelity focuses on guided learning with interactive quizzes and tools to track your progress—features E*TRADE doesn’t offer.
For overall education quality, Fidelity earns 5 stars and is ranked #1 out of 14 brokers by StockBrokers.com, while E*TRADE holds 4 stars and ranks #5. Pick Fidelity if you want structured lessons, quizzes, and the ability to track your learning. Choose E*TRADE if practicing strategies in a paper trading account is your priority.
| Feature |
Fidelity
|
E*TRADE
|
|---|---|---|
| Education (Stocks) | Yes | Yes |
| Education (ETFs) | Yes | Yes |
| Education (Options) | Yes | Yes |
| Education (Mutual Funds) | Yes | Yes |
| Education (Fixed Income) | Yes | Yes |
| Videos | Yes | Yes |
| Webinars | Yes | Yes |
| Education |
|
|
Dive deeper: Best Stock Trading Platforms for Beginners of 2026
Fidelity vs E*TRADE stock trading apps: both earn 4.5 stars, but Fidelity holds a slight edge, ranking #3 vs E*TRADE’s #5 at StockBrokers.com. Fidelity stands out with video on demand and a larger set of chart studies, while both apps cover the core tools most investors need.
Platform support and trading tools: Both offer iPhone, Android, and Apple Watch apps; streaming quotes and live TV; options trading; stock alerts; and custom watchlists with adjustable columns. Fidelity also supports mobile after-hours trading, and it’s the only one of the two with videos on demand.
Charting and research on mobile: Both apps let you view charts in landscape, switch among multiple time frames, compare symbols, and see after-hours pricing on charts. Fidelity provides 128 technical studies versus E*TRADE’s 107, which may appeal to active traders who want more indicators.
| Feature |
Fidelity
|
E*TRADE
|
|---|---|---|
| iPhone App | Yes | Yes |
| Android App | Yes | Yes |
| Apple Watch App | Yes | Yes |
| Stock Alerts | Yes | Yes |
| Charting - After-Hours | Yes | Yes |
| Charting - Technical Studies | 128 | 107 |
| Mobile Trading Apps |
|
|
Dive deeper: Best Stock Trading Apps for 2026
When choosing between Fidelity and E*TRADE, potential investors should weigh the subtle distinctions in their fee structures. Both platforms require no minimum deposit and charge $0.00 for regular stock trades, positioning them favorably for new traders. They also share a $0.65 fee per options contract and nix IRA annual fees and closure fees, granting users a no-cost way to maintain or exit their retirement accounts. However, Fidelity has a slight edge regarding costs related to margin balances and account transfers. While Fidelity offers more competitive margin rates and free full account transfers, E*TRADE charges a $75 fee for full ACAT transfers.
Diving deeper into margin costs, Fidelity's rates are generally lower than E*TRADE's. For margin balances below $25,000, Fidelity charges 12.575%, slightly undercutting E*TRADE's 12.95%. This trend continues as balances increase; Fidelity charges 12.075% compared to E*TRADE's 12.7% for balances between $25,000 and $49,999, and 11.125% versus E*TRADE’s 12.2% for balances between $50,000 and $99,999. These lower rates can result in significant savings for those who frequently trade on margin.
Another area to consider is the cost associated with account transfers. Fidelity does not charge for either partial or full account transfers via ACAT, making it cost-effective to move entire portfolios into or out of their platform. In contrast, E*TRADE imposes a $75 fee for full account transfers. On a positive note for both platforms, neither charges for options exercise or assignment, meaning investors can engage in these activities without incurring additional costs.
| Feature |
Fidelity
|
E*TRADE
|
|---|---|---|
| Minimum Deposit | $0.00 | $0.00 |
| Stock Trades | $0.00 | $0.00 |
| Options (Per Contract) | $0.65 | $0.65 |
| Options Exercise Fee | $0.00 | $0.00 |
| Options Assignment Fee | $0.00 | $0.00 |
| IRA Annual Fee | $0.00 | $0.00 |
| IRA Closure Fee | $0.00 | $0.00 |
Dive deeper: Best Free Trading Platforms for 2026
When it comes to day trading, both Fidelity and E*TRADE offer essential features that can cater to traders seeking dynamic and comprehensive market participation. Both platforms provide streaming time and sales data for stocks and real-time live TV, keeping traders updated with important market movements and news. Users can also take advantage of direct market routing, trading hotkeys for quick actions, and level 2 quotes, which offer deeper insights into market depth. However, neither Fidelity nor E*TRADE includes ladder trading in their arsenal, which some traders might consider a drawback.
In the realm of strategy backtesting, Fidelity holds a slight edge by offering basic backtesting capabilities, while E*TRADE does not support this feature. For traders interested in short selling, Fidelity provides a short locator tool to check the availability of shares to short in real-time, giving it an advantage over E*TRADE, which lacks this tool. However, both platforms do not offer order liquidity rebates, which is something traders may want to consider. Overall, Fidelity might appeal to those who prioritize strategy development and short selling tools, whereas E*TRADE still provides a competitive suite of features for day traders.
| Feature |
Fidelity
|
E*TRADE
|
|---|---|---|
| Streaming Time & Sales | Yes | Yes |
| Streaming TV | Yes | Yes |
| Direct Market Routing - Equities | Yes | Yes |
| Level 2 Quotes - Stocks | Yes | Yes |
| Trade Ideas - Backtesting | Yes | No |
| Trade Ideas - Backtesting Adv | No | No |
| Short Locator | Yes | No |
Dive deeper: Best Day Trading Platforms of 2026 for Beginners and Active Traders
Fidelity vs E*TRADE for market research: both are strong, but Fidelity takes the lead. StockBrokers.com rates Fidelity 5 stars and ranks it #1 out of 14 brokers, while E*TRADE earns 4.5 stars and ranks #3. Choose Fidelity if you want ESG insights and the top overall score; pick E*TRADE if having more downloadable reports in a couple of areas is a priority.
Both brokers cover stocks, ETFs, mutual funds, Pink Sheets/OTCBB, and bonds, and both provide screeners for stocks, ETFs, mutual funds, and bonds. You can view portfolio allocation by asset class with either platform, and each offers stock research that incorporates social media sentiment. For downloadable PDFs, Fidelity offers seven stock research reports and ETF reports; E*TRADE provides eight stock research reports, ETF reports, and—unlike Fidelity—downloadable reports for mutual funds.
The main differences are ESG and reports. Fidelity includes ESG (Environmental, Social, and Governance) research, which E*TRADE does not. E*TRADE may appeal if you want an extra stock report provider and downloadable mutual fund reports. If ESG analysis matters—or you want the highest research rating and ranking—Fidelity is the better fit. Both deliver wide market coverage and easy-to-use research tools to help you find trade ideas.
| Feature |
Fidelity
|
E*TRADE
|
|---|---|---|
| Research - Stocks | Yes | Yes |
| Screener - Stocks | Yes | Yes |
| Research - ETFs | Yes | Yes |
| Screener - ETFs | Yes | Yes |
| Research - Mutual Funds | Yes | Yes |
| Screener - Mutual Funds | Yes | Yes |
| Research - Fixed Income | Yes | Yes |
| Screener - Fixed Income | Yes | Yes |
| Research |
|
|
When comparing the banking services of online brokers Fidelity and E*TRADE, it's clear that E*TRADE provides a broader range of traditional banking options. E*TRADE users can benefit from both checking and savings accounts, which are not available through Fidelity. Both brokerages offer debit and credit cards, giving customers convenient access to their funds and additional purchasing power. Additionally, if you're planning to take out a mortgage, both Fidelity and E*TRADE have you covered with their mortgage loan offerings. For those looking to invest in certificates of deposit, both platforms offer competitive CDs to help grow your savings. Overall, E*TRADE's banking capabilities may appeal more to those seeking comprehensive banking and investment services under one roof, while Fidelity focuses more on investment tools complemented by basic financial products.
| Feature |
Fidelity
|
E*TRADE
|
|---|---|---|
| Checking Accounts | No | Yes |
| Savings Accounts | No | Yes |
| Debit Cards | Yes | Yes |
| Credit Cards | Yes | Yes |
| Mortgage Loans | Yes | Yes |
| Brokerage CDs | Yes | Yes |
Dive deeper: Best Brokerage Checking Accounts for 2026
After opening live accounts and testing 14 of the best online brokers, our research and live account testing finds that Fidelity is better than E*TRADE. Fidelity finished with an overall score of 92.5%, while E*TRADE finished with a score of 86.0%.
Fidelity is a value-driven online broker offering $0 trades, industry-leading research, excellent trading tools and an easy-to-use mobile app.
Fidelity stands out by offering crypto trading on its platform, providing access to three different coins, while E*TRADE does not support crypto trading, making Fidelity a superior choice for investors interested in cryptocurrencies.
Dive deeper: Best Online Brokers for Crypto Trading in 2026
Both Fidelity and E*TRADE offer traditional and Roth IRA accounts with no annual fees or closure fees, making them cost-effective choices for investors seeking flexible retirement savings options.
Dive deeper: Best IRA Accounts for 2026
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| Review | Fidelity Review | E*TRADE Review |
| Broker Screenshots | Fidelity | E*TRADE | |
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| Broker Gallery (click to expand) |
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| Trading Fees | Fidelity | E*TRADE | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Minimum Deposit | $0.00 | $0.00 | |
| Stock Trades | $0.00 | $0.00 | |
| Penny Stock Fees (OTC) | $0.00 | $6.95 | |
| Mutual Fund Trade Fee | Varies | $0.00 | |
| Options (Per Contract) | $0.65 | $0.65 | |
| Futures (Per Contract) | (Not offered) | $1.50 | |
| Broker Assisted Trade Fee | $32.95 | $25 |
| Margin Rates | Fidelity | E*TRADE | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Margin Rate Under $25,000 | 12.575% | 12.95% | |
| Margin Rate $25,000 to $49,999.99 | 12.075% | 12.7% | |
| Margin Rate $50,000 to $99,999.99 | 11.125% | 12.2% | |
| Margin Rate $100,000 to $249,999.99 | 11.075% | 11.7% | |
| Margin Rate $250,000 to $499,999.99 | 10.825% | 11.2% | |
| Margin Rate $500,000 to $999,999.99 | 8.500% | Varies | |
| Margin Rate Above $1,000,000 | 8.250% | Varies |
| Account Fees | Fidelity | E*TRADE | |
|---|---|---|---|
| IRA Annual Fee | $0.00 | $0.00 | |
| IRA Closure Fee | $0.00 | $0.00 | |
| Account Transfer Out (Partial) | $0.00 | $0.00 | |
| Account Transfer Out (Full) | $0.00 | $75.00 | |
| Options Exercise Fee | $0.00 | $0.00 | |
| Options Assignment Fee | $0.00 | $0.00 |
| Investment Options | Fidelity | E*TRADE | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Stock Trading | Yes | Yes | |
| Account Feature - Margin Trading | Yes | Yes | |
| Fractional Shares (Stocks) | Yes | No | |
| OTC Stocks | Yes | Yes | |
| Options Trading | Yes | Yes | |
| Complex Options Max Legs | 4 | 4 | |
| Futures Trading | No | Yes | |
| Forex Trading | Yes | No | |
| Crypto Trading | Yes | No | |
| Crypto Trading - Total Coins | 3 | 0 | |
| Fixed Income (Treasurys) | Yes | Yes | |
| Fixed Income (Corporate Bonds) | Yes | Yes | |
| Fixed Income (Municipal Bonds) | Yes | Yes | |
| Traditional IRAs | Yes | Yes | |
| Roth IRAs | Yes | Yes | |
| Advisor Services | Yes | Yes | |
| International Countries (Stocks) | 25 | 0 |
| Order Types | Fidelity | E*TRADE | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Order Type - Market | Yes | Yes | |
| Order Type - Limit | Yes | Yes | |
| Order Type - After Hours | Yes | Yes | |
| Order Type - Stop | Yes | Yes | |
| Order Type - Trailing Stop | Yes | Yes | |
| Order Type - OCO | Yes | Yes | |
| Order Type - OTO | Yes | Yes | |
| Order Type - Broker Assisted | Yes | Yes |
| Beginners | Fidelity | E*TRADE | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Education (Stocks) | Yes | Yes | |
| Education (ETFs) | Yes | Yes | |
| Education (Options) | Yes | Yes | |
| Education (Mutual Funds) | Yes | Yes | |
| Education (Fixed Income) | Yes | Yes | |
| Education (Retirement) | Yes | Yes | |
| Retirement Calculator | Yes | Yes | |
| Investor Dictionary | Yes | Yes | |
| Paper Trading | No | Yes | |
| Videos | Yes | Yes | |
| Webinars | Yes | Yes | |
| Progress Tracking | Yes | No | |
| Interactive Learning - Quizzes | Yes | No |
| Stock Trading Apps | Fidelity | E*TRADE | |
|---|---|---|---|
| iPhone App | Yes | Yes | |
| Android App | Yes | Yes | |
| Apple Watch App | Yes | Yes | |
| Trading - Stocks | Yes | Yes | |
| Trading - After-Hours | Yes | Yes | |
| Trading - Simple Options | Yes | Yes | |
| Trading - Complex Options | Yes | Yes | |
| Order Ticket RT Quotes | Yes | Yes | |
| Order Ticket SRT Quotes | Yes | Yes |
| Stock App Features | Fidelity | E*TRADE | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mobile Research - Market Movers | Yes | Yes | |
| Stream Live TV | Yes | Yes | |
| Videos on Demand | Yes | No | |
| Stock Alerts | Yes | Yes | |
| Option Chains Viewable | Yes | Yes | |
| Watchlist (Real-time) | Yes | Yes | |
| Watchlist (Streaming) | Yes | Yes | |
| Mobile Watchlists - Create & Manage | Yes | Yes | |
| Mobile Watchlists - Column Customization | Yes | Yes |
| Stock App Charting | Fidelity | E*TRADE | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Charting - After-Hours | Yes | Yes | |
| Charting - Can Turn Horizontally | Yes | Yes | |
| Charting - Multiple Time Frames | Yes | Yes | |
| Charting - Technical Studies | 128 | 107 | |
| Charting - Study Customizations | Yes | Yes | |
| Charting - Stock Comparisons | Yes | Yes |
| Trading Platforms | Fidelity | E*TRADE | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Active Trading Platform | Active Trader Pro | Power E*TRADE | |
| Desktop Trading Platform | Yes | Yes | |
| Desktop Platform (Mac) | Yes | Yes | |
| Web Trading Platform | Yes | Yes | |
| Paper Trading | No | Yes | |
| Trade Journal | Yes | No | |
| Watchlists - Total Fields | 92 | 43 |
| Stock Chart Features | Fidelity | E*TRADE | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Charting - Adjust Trades on Chart | Yes | Yes | |
| Charting - Indicators / Studies | 129 | 121 | |
| Charting - Drawing Tools | 38 | 37 | |
| Charting - Notes | Yes | Yes | |
| Charting - Historical Trades | Yes | Yes | |
| Charting - Corporate Events | Yes | Yes | |
| Charting - Custom Date Range | Yes | Yes | |
| Charting - Custom Time Bars | Yes | No | |
| Charting - Automated Analysis | Yes | Yes | |
| Charting - Save Profiles | Yes | Yes | |
| Trade Ideas - Technical Analysis | Yes | Yes | |
| Charting - Study Customizations | 5 | 8 | |
| Charting - Custom Studies | No | No |
| Day Trading | Fidelity | E*TRADE | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Streaming Time & Sales | Yes | Yes | |
| Streaming TV | Yes | Yes | |
| Direct Market Routing - Equities | Yes | Yes | |
| Ladder Trading | No | No | |
| Trade Hot Keys | Yes | Yes | |
| Level 2 Quotes - Stocks | Yes | Yes | |
| Trade Ideas - Backtesting | Yes | No | |
| Trade Ideas - Backtesting Adv | No | No | |
| Short Locator | Yes | No | |
| Order Liquidity Rebates | No | No |
| Research Overview | Fidelity | E*TRADE | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Research - Stocks | Yes | Yes | |
| Research - ETFs | Yes | Yes | |
| Research - Mutual Funds | Yes | Yes | |
| Research - Pink Sheets / OTCBB | Yes | Yes | |
| Research - Fixed Income | Yes | Yes | |
| Screener - Stocks | Yes | Yes | |
| Screener - ETFs | Yes | Yes | |
| Screener - Mutual Funds | Yes | Yes | |
| Screener - Fixed Income | Yes | Yes | |
| Portfolio Asset Allocation | Yes | Yes |
| Stock Research | Fidelity | E*TRADE | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Stock Research - PDF Reports | 7 | 8 | |
| Stock Research - Earnings | Yes | Yes | |
| Stock Research - Insiders | Yes | Yes | |
| Stock Research - Social | Yes | Yes | |
| Stock Research - News | Yes | Yes | |
| Stock Research - ESG | Yes | No | |
| Stock Research - SEC Filings | Yes | Yes |
| ETF Research | Fidelity | E*TRADE | |
|---|---|---|---|
| ETFs - Investment Objective | Yes | Yes | |
| ETF Fund Facts - Inception Date | Yes | Yes | |
| ETF Fund Facts - Expense Ratio | Yes | Yes | |
| ETF Fund Facts - Total Assets | Yes | Yes | |
| ETF Fund Facts - Total Holdings | Yes | Yes | |
| ETFs - Top 10 Holdings | Yes | Yes | |
| ETFs - Sector Exposure | Yes | Yes | |
| ETFs - Risk Analysis | Yes | Yes | |
| ETFs - Ratings | Yes | Yes | |
| ETFs - Morningstar StyleMap | Yes | Yes | |
| ETFs - PDF Reports | Yes | Yes |
| Mutual Fund Research | Fidelity | E*TRADE | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mutual Funds - Investment Objective | Yes | Yes | |
| Mutual Funds - Performance Chart | Yes | Yes | |
| Mutual Funds - Performance Analysis | Yes | Yes | |
| Mutual Funds - Prospectus | Yes | Yes | |
| Mutual Funds - 3rd Party Ratings | Yes | Yes | |
| Mutual Funds - Fees Breakdown | Yes | Yes | |
| Mutual Funds - Top 10 Holdings | Yes | Yes | |
| Mutual Funds - Asset Allocation | Yes | Yes | |
| Mutual Funds - Sector Allocation | Yes | Yes | |
| Mutual Funds - Country Allocation | Yes | Yes | |
| Mutual Funds - StyleMap | Yes | Yes |
| Options Trading | Fidelity | E*TRADE | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Option Chains - Total Greeks | 5 | 5 | |
| Option Analysis - P&L Charts | Yes | Yes |
| Banking | Fidelity | E*TRADE | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bank (Member FDIC) | No | Yes | |
| Checking Accounts | No | Yes | |
| Savings Accounts | No | Yes | |
| Credit Cards | Yes | Yes | |
| Debit Cards | Yes | Yes | |
| Mortgage Loans | Yes | Yes |
| Customer Service | Fidelity | E*TRADE | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Phone Support (Prospective Customers) | Yes | Yes | |
| Phone Support (Current Customers) | Yes | Yes | |
| Email Support | Yes | Yes | |
| Live Chat (Prospective Customers) | Yes | No | |
| Live Chat (Current Customers) | Yes | Yes | |
| 24/7 Support | Yes | Yes |
| Overall | Fidelity | E*TRADE | |
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| Winner | check_circle | ||
| Review | Fidelity Review | E*TRADE Review |
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