Interactive Brokers vs Fidelity Investments Review

Comparing brokers side by side is no easy task. For our annual broker review, we assess over a dozen brokers on hundreds of different variables to find the best online broker. Yielding a database of over 5,000 data points, let's compare Fidelity Investments vs Interactive Brokers.

To start this comparison, first, we will take a look at the online broker commission rates for placing regular stock and options trades. Fidelity Investments charges more than Interactive Brokers for placing regular stock trades ($4.95 and $0 (the broker charges a per share rate instead), respectively). For options trading, Fidelity Investments has a base fee of $4.95, and Interactive Brokers a base fee of $0. Option contracts are pricier at Interactive Brokers, costing $0.70 versus $0.65 at Fidelity Investments. It's important to note that not all brokers charge a flat fee per trade. Thus, it is important to read the full commission notes for each broker, which we include with each online broker review.

Next to commission rates, being able to trade what you want is important. Interactive Brokers provides its clients with Stock Trading, Options Trading, Mutual Funds and Futures Trading while Fidelity Investments provides clients access to Stock Trading, Options Trading and Mutual Funds. Looking at mutual funds, Fidelity Investments boasts an offering of 12505 mutual funds compared to Interactive Brokers's 10051 available funds. Commission free ETFs can also be valuable for customers, with Fidelity Investments having the upper hand thanks to its 265 available commission free ETFs compared to Interactive Brokers's offering of 45.

Trading access aside, by comparing popular features and functionality, we can break down relevant differences between both brokers. Both Fidelity Investments and Interactive Brokers offer virtual trading. Taking a look at mobile trading, Fidelity Investments along with Interactive Brokers both support the iPhone App, iPad App and Android App. Not to be left out, online banking is also a nice benefit for many investors, and some brokerages provide these services to clients. Clients can have Debit Cards at Interactive Brokers while customers at Fidelity Investments can have Checking Accounts, Savings Accounts, Debit Cards and Credit Cards. On the whole, when it comes to tools, research, and mobile trading, Interactive Brokers finished with awards Best in Class - Mobile Trading, while Fidelity Investments came up with Best in Class - Platforms & Tools, Best in Class - Research and Best in Class - Mobile Trading.

Overall, Fidelity Investments boasts 5.00 stars versus Interactive Brokers's 4.50 stars.