Is Fidelity better than Interactive Brokers? After testing 15 of the best online brokers over six months, Fidelity (95.57%) is better than Interactive Brokers (89.29%). Fidelity is a value-driven online broker offering $0 trades, industry-leading research, excellent trading tools, an easy-to-use mobile app, and comprehensive retirement services. Serving over 40 million customers, Fidelity is a winner for everyday investors.
| Overall Rating | Fidelity | Interactive Brokers |
|---|---|---|
| Overall | ||
| Commissions & Fees | ||
| Investment Options | ||
| Platforms & Tools | ||
| Mobile Trading Apps | ||
| Research | ||
| Customer Service | ||
| Education | ||
| Ease Of Use | ||
| Winner | check_circle | |
| Review | Fidelity Review | Interactive Brokers Review |
| Trading Fees | Fidelity | Interactive Brokers |
|---|---|---|
| Minimum Deposit | $0.00 | $0.00 |
| Stock Trades | $0.00 | $0.00 |
| Mutual Fund Trade Fee | $49.95 | $14.95 |
| Options (Base Fee) | $0.00 | $0.00 |
| Options (Per Contract) | $0.65 | $0.65 |
| Futures (Per Contract) | N/A | $0.85 |
| Broker Assisted Trade Fee | $32.95 | $30.00 |
| Margin Rates | Fidelity | Interactive Brokers |
|---|---|---|
| Margin Rate Under $24,999.99 | 8.33% | 1.58% |
| Margin Rate $25,000.00 to $49,999.99 | 7.83% | 1.58% |
| Margin Rate $50,000.00 to $99,999.99 | 6.88% | 1.58% |
| Margin Rate $100,000.00 to $249,999.99 | 6.83% | 1.08% |
| Margin Rate $250,000.00 to $499,999.99 | 6.58% | 1.08% |
| Margin Rate $500,000.00 to $999,999.99 | 4.25% | 1.08% |
| Margin Rate Above $1,000,000.00 | 4.00% | 0.75% |
| Account Fees | Fidelity | Interactive Brokers |
|---|---|---|
| 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 | $0.00 |
| Options Exercise Fee | 0.00 | 0.00 |
| Options Assignment Fee | 0.00 | 0.00 |
| Investment Options | Fidelity | Interactive Brokers |
|---|---|---|
| Stock Trading | Yes | Yes |
| Fractional Shares | Yes | Yes |
| OTCBB / Pink Sheets | Yes | Yes |
| Options Trading | Yes | Yes |
| Complex Options Max Legs | 4 | 6 |
| Futures Trading | No | Yes |
| Forex Trading | No | No |
| Crypto Trading | No | Yes |
| Crypto Trading - Total Coins | 0 | 4 |
| Mutual Funds (No Load) | 5768 | 10882 |
| Mutual Funds (Total) | 9615 | 11160 |
| Bonds (US Treasury) | Yes | Yes |
| Bonds (Corporate) | Yes | Yes |
| Bonds (Municipal) | Yes | Yes |
| Advisor Services | Yes | No |
| International Countries (Stocks) | 25 | 33 |
| Order Types | Fidelity | Interactive Brokers |
|---|---|---|
| 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 | Interactive Brokers |
|---|---|---|
| Education (Stocks) | Yes | Yes |
| Education (ETFs) | Yes | Yes |
| Education (Options) | Yes | Yes |
| Education (Mutual Funds) | Yes | No |
| Education (Bonds) | Yes | Yes |
| Education (Retirement) | Yes | Yes |
| Retirement Calculator | Yes | No |
| Investor Dictionary | Yes | Yes |
| Paper Trading | No | Yes |
| Videos | Yes | Yes |
| Webinars (Archived) | Yes | Yes |
| Progress Tracking | Yes | Yes |
| Interactive Learning - Quizzes | Yes | Yes |
| Stock Trading Apps | Fidelity | Interactive Brokers |
|---|---|---|
| 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 | Interactive Brokers |
|---|---|---|
| Market Movers (Top Gainers) | Yes | Yes |
| Stream Live TV | Yes | Yes |
| Videos on Demand | Yes | Yes |
| Stock Alerts | Yes | Yes |
| Option Chains Viewable | Yes | Yes |
| Watch List (Real-time) | Yes | Yes |
| Watch List (Streaming) | Yes | Yes |
| Watch Lists - Create & Manage | Yes | Yes |
| Watch Lists - Column Customization | Yes | Yes |
| Watch Lists - Total Fields | 91 | 669 |
| Stock App Charting | Fidelity | Interactive Brokers |
|---|---|---|
| Charting - After-Hours | Yes | Yes |
| Charting - Can Turn Horizontally | Yes | Yes |
| Charting - Multiple Time Frames | Yes | Yes |
| Charting - Technical Studies | 7 | 70 |
| Charting - Study Customizations | Yes | Yes |
| Charting - Stock Comparisons | Yes | No |
| Trading Platforms | Fidelity | Interactive Brokers |
|---|---|---|
| Desktop Trading Platform | Yes | Yes |
| Web Trading Platform | Yes | Yes |
| Paper Trading | No | Yes |
| Trade Journal | Yes | Yes |
| Watch Lists - Total Fields | 91 | 669 |
| Stock Chart Features | Fidelity | Interactive Brokers |
|---|---|---|
| Charting - Adjust Trades on Chart | Yes | Yes |
| Charting - Indicators / Studies | 129 | 121 |
| Charting - Drawing Tools | 22 | 9 |
| Charting - Notes | Yes | Yes |
| Charting - Index Overlays | Yes | Yes |
| Charting - Historical Trades | Yes | Yes |
| Charting - Corporate Events | Yes | Yes |
| Charting - Custom Date Range | Yes | No |
| Charting - Custom Time Bars | Yes | Yes |
| Charting - Automated Analysis | Yes | Yes |
| Charting - Save Profiles | Yes | Yes |
| Trade Ideas - Technical Analysis | Yes | Yes |
| Charting - Study Customizations | 5 | 6 |
| Charting - Custom Studies | No | No |
| Day Trading | Fidelity | Interactive Brokers |
|---|---|---|
| Streaming Time & Sales | No | Yes |
| Streaming TV | Yes | Yes |
| Direct Market Routing - Stocks | Yes | Yes |
| Ladder Trading | No | Yes |
| Trade Hot Keys | Yes | Yes |
| Level 2 Quotes - Stocks | Yes | Yes |
| Trade Ideas - Backtesting | Yes | Yes |
| Trade Ideas - Backtesting Adv | No | Yes |
| Short Locator | Yes | Yes |
| Order Liquidity Rebates | No | Yes |
| Research Overview | Fidelity | Interactive Brokers |
|---|---|---|
| Research - Stocks | Yes | Yes |
| Research - ETFs | Yes | Yes |
| Research - Mutual Funds | Yes | Yes |
| Research - Pink Sheets / OTCBB | Yes | Yes |
| Research - Bonds | Yes | Yes |
| Screener - Stocks | Yes | Yes |
| Screener - ETFs | Yes | Yes |
| Screener - Mutual Funds | Yes | Yes |
| Screener - Bonds | Yes | Yes |
| Misc - Portfolio Allocation | Yes | Yes |
| Stock Research | Fidelity | Interactive Brokers |
|---|---|---|
| Stock Research - PDF Reports | 11 | 5 |
| Stock Research - Earnings | Yes | Yes |
| Stock Research - Insiders | Yes | Yes |
| Stock Research - Social | Yes | Yes |
| Stock Research - News | Yes | Yes |
| Stock Research - ESG | Yes | Yes |
| Stock Research - SEC Filings | Yes | Yes |
| ETF Research | Fidelity | Interactive Brokers |
|---|---|---|
| ETFs - Strategy Overview | Yes | Yes |
| ETF Fund Facts - Inception Date | Yes | Yes |
| ETF Fund Facts - Expense Ratio | Yes | Yes |
| ETF Fund Facts - Net 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 | Interactive Brokers |
|---|---|---|
| Mutual Funds - Strategy Overview | Yes | Yes |
| Mutual Funds - Performance Chart | Yes | No |
| 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 | Interactive Brokers |
|---|---|---|
| Option Chains - Basic View | Yes | Yes |
| Option Chains - Strategy View | Yes | Yes |
| Option Chains - Streaming | Yes | Yes |
| Option Chains - Total Columns | 26 | 37 |
| Option Chains - Greeks | 5 | 4 |
| Option Chains - Quick Analysis | Yes | Yes |
| Option Analysis - P&L Charts | Yes | Yes |
| Option Probability Analysis | Yes | Yes |
| Option Probability Analysis Adv | Yes | Yes |
| Option Positions - Greeks | Yes | Yes |
| Option Positions - Greeks Streaming | Yes | Yes |
| Option Positions - Adv Analysis | Yes | Yes |
| Option Positions - Rolling | Yes | Yes |
| Option Positions - Grouping | Yes | Yes |
| Banking | Fidelity | Interactive Brokers |
|---|---|---|
| Bank (Member FDIC) | No | Yes |
| Checking Accounts | Yes | Yes |
| Savings Accounts | Yes | No |
| Credit Cards | Yes | No |
| Debit Cards | Yes | Yes |
| Mortgage Loans | No | No |
| Customer Service | Fidelity | Interactive Brokers |
|---|---|---|
| Phone Support (Prospect Customers) | Yes | Yes |
| Phone Support (Current Customers) | Yes | Yes |
| Email Support | Yes | Yes |
| Live Chat (Prospect Customers) | Yes | No |
| Live Chat (Current Customers) | Yes | Yes |
| 24/7 Support | Yes | No |
| Overall | Fidelity | Interactive Brokers |
|---|---|---|
| Overall | ||
| Commissions & Fees | ||
| Investment Options | ||
| Platforms & Tools | ||
| Mobile Trading Apps | ||
| Research | ||
| Education | ||
| Ease Of Use |
Comparing brokers side by side is no easy task. For our 2022 annual broker review, we spent hundreds of hours assessing 15 brokerages to find the best online broker. Let's compare Fidelity vs Interactive Brokers.
Fidelity offers more comprehensive new investor education for beginner investors than Interactive Brokers. Fidelity offers investors access to Videos, Education (Stocks), Education (ETFs), Education (Options), Education (Mutual Funds), Education (Bonds) and Education (Retirement), while Interactive Brokers offers investors access to Paper Trading, Videos, Education (Stocks), Education (ETFs), Education (Options), Education (Bonds) and Education (Retirement).
Fidelity and Interactive Brokers charge the same amount for regular stock trades, $0.00. Fidelity and Interactive Brokers both charge $0.65 per option contract. For a complete commissions summary, see our best brokers for free stock trading guide.
Fidelity offers investors access to Stock Trading, Fractional Shares, Options Trading, OTCBB / Pink Sheets, Mutual Funds and Advisor Services, while Interactive Brokers offers investors access to Stock Trading, Fractional Shares, Options Trading, OTCBB / Pink Sheets, Mutual Funds and Futures Trading, neither have Forex Trading. Looking at Mutual Funds, Fidelity trails Interactive Brokers in its offering of no transaction fee (NTF) mutual funds, with Interactive Brokers offering 4329 and Fidelity offering 3412.
To compare the trading platforms of Fidelity and Interactive Brokers, we tested each broker's trading tools, research capabilities, and mobile apps. For trading tools, Interactive Brokers offers a better experience. With research, Fidelity offers superior market research. Finally, we found Fidelity to provide better mobile trading apps.
Online banking can be a benefit for investors, and some brokerages do provide banking services to customers. Checking Accounts, Savings Accounts, Debit Cards and Credit Cards are offered by Fidelity while Interactive Brokers offers Checking Accounts and Debit Cards, neither have Mortgage Loans.
Fidelity is a value-driven online broker offering $0 trades, industry-leading research, excellent trading tools, an easy-to-use mobile app, and comprehensive retirement services. Serving over 40 million customers, Fidelity is a winner for everyday investors.
In 2022, Interactive Brokers remains our top pick for professionals because of its institutional-grade desktop trading platform and rock-bottom margin rates. Professionals aside, Interactive Brokers also appeals to active traders and casual investors with $0 trades and a user-friendly web platform.
Overall winner: Fidelity
Explore our other online trading guides:
Interactive Brokers
Charles Schwab
eToro
TD Ameritrade
Fidelity
Merrill Edge
E*TRADE
TradeStation
