Is Fidelity better than Interactive Brokers? After testing 15 of the best online brokers over five months, Fidelity (95%) is better than Interactive Brokers (90.58%). Fidelity is a value-driven online broker offering $0 stock trades, industry-leading research, excellent trading tools, an easy-to-use mobile app, and comprehensive retirement services. Serving over 30 million customers, Fidelity is a winner for everyday investors.
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Fidelity vs Interactive Brokers 2020
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Trade Commission-Free
No commissions to trade online U.S. stocks, ETFs, and options.1 Open Account
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Exclusive Offer
New clients that open an account today receive a special margin rate Open Account
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| Open Account | Open Account |
Overall Rating
| Feature | Fidelity | Interactive Brokers |
| Overall | ||
| Fidelity Review | Interactive Brokers Review |
Trading Fees
| Feature | Fidelity | Interactive Brokers |
| Minimum Deposit | $0.00 | $0.00 |
| Stock Trade Fee (per trade) | $0.00 | N/A |
| ETF Trade Fee | $0.00 | $0.01 |
| Options Base Fee | $0.00 | $0.00 |
| Options Per Contract Fee | $0.65 | $0.65 |
| Mutual Fund Trade Fee | $49.95 | $14.95 |
| Broker Assisted Trades Fee | $32.95 | $30.00 |
| Commissions & Fees | ||
| Winner | check_circle |
Margin Rates
| Feature | Fidelity | Interactive Brokers |
| Under $24,999.99 | 9.33% | 3.08% |
| $25,000.00 to $49,999.99 | 8.83% | 3.08% |
| $50,000.00 to $99,999.99 | 7.88% | 3.08% |
| $100,000.00 to $249,999.99 | 7.83% | 2.58% |
| $250,000.00 to $499,999.99 | 7.58% | 3.18% |
| $500,000.00 to $999,999.99 | 5.25% | 2.75% |
| Above $1,000,000.00 | 5.00% | 2.08% |
| Commissions & Fees | ||
| Winner | check_circle |
Account Fees
| Feature | Fidelity | Interactive Brokers |
| IRA Annual Fee | $0.00 | $0.00 |
| IRA Closure Fee | $0.00 | $0.00 |
| Returned ACH Fee | $0.00 | N/A |
| Returned Wire Fee | $0.00 | N/A |
| Stock Certificate Processing Fee | $0.00 | N/A |
| Stock Certificate Delivery Fee | $100.00 | N/A |
| Paper Statement Fee | $0.00 | N/A |
| Paper Confirmation Fee | $0.00 | N/A |
| Domestic Wire Fee | $0.00 | $10.00 |
| International Wire Fee | $0.00 | $10.00 |
| Commissions & Fees |
Investment Options
| Feature | Fidelity | Interactive Brokers |
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Stock Trading |
Yes | Yes |
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Fractional Shares |
Yes | Yes |
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OTCBB / Pink Sheets |
Yes | Yes |
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Options Trading |
Yes | Yes |
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Complex Options Max Legs |
4 | 8 |
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Futures Trading |
No | Yes |
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Forex Trading |
No | No |
| Commission-Free ETFs | all | 96 |
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Mutual Funds (No Load) |
3957 | 8655 |
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Mutual Funds (Total) |
11246 | 18210 |
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Bonds (US Treasury) |
Yes | Yes |
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Bonds (Corporate) |
Yes | Yes |
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Bonds (Municipal) |
Yes | Yes |
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Interest Sharing |
Yes | Yes |
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Advisor Services |
Yes | No |
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International Trading |
Yes | Yes |
| Offering of Investments | ||
| Winner | check_circle |
Order Types
| Feature | Fidelity | Interactive Brokers |
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Order Type - Market |
Yes | Yes |
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Order Type - Limit |
Yes | Yes |
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Order Type - Stop |
Yes | Yes |
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Order Type - Trailing Stop |
Yes | Yes |
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Order Type - Contingent |
Yes | Yes |
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Order Type - MultiContingent |
Yes | Yes |
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Order Type - OCO |
Yes | Yes |
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Order Type - OTO |
Yes | Yes |
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Order Type - OTOCO |
Yes | Yes |
| Offering of Investments | ||
| Winner | check_circle |
Trading Platforms
| Feature | Fidelity | Interactive Brokers |
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Desktop Platform (Windows) |
Yes | Yes |
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Desktop Platform (Mac) |
Yes | Yes |
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Web Platform |
Yes | Yes |
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Paper Trading |
No | Yes |
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Trade Journal |
Yes | Yes |
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Watch Lists - Total Fields |
91 | 494 |
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Heat Mapping |
Yes | Yes |
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AI Assistant Bot |
Yes | Yes |
| Platforms & Tools | ||
| Winner | check_circle |
Charting Features
| Feature | Fidelity | Interactive Brokers |
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Charting - Trade Off Chart |
Yes | Yes |
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Charting - Indicators / Studies |
166 | 121 |
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Charting - Drawing Tools |
22 | 9 |
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Charting - Historical Trades |
Yes | Yes |
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Charting - Corporate Events |
Yes | Yes |
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Charting - Automated Analysis |
Yes | No |
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Charting - Save Profiles |
Yes | Yes |
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Charting - Study Customizations |
5 | 6 |
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Charting - Custom Studies |
No | No |
| Platforms & Tools | ||
| Winner | check_circle |
Day Trading
| Feature | Fidelity | Interactive Brokers |
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Stock Alerts - Basic Fields |
Yes | Yes |
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Stock Alerts - Advanced Fields |
Yes | No |
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Streaming Time & Sales |
No | Yes |
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Streaming TV |
Yes | Yes |
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Direct Market Routing - Stocks |
Yes | Yes |
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Direct Market Routing - Options |
Yes | Yes |
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Ladder Trading |
No | Yes |
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Trade Hot Keys |
Yes | Yes |
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Level 2 Quotes - Stocks |
Yes | Yes |
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Level 2 Quotes - Options |
Yes | Yes |
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Trade Ideas - Backtesting |
No | Yes |
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Short Locator |
Yes | Yes |
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Order Liquidity Rebates |
No | Yes |
| Winner | check_circle |
Mobile Trading Apps
| Feature | Fidelity | Interactive Brokers |
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iPhone App |
Yes | Yes |
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Android App |
Yes | Yes |
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Apple Watch App |
Yes | Yes |
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Trading - Stocks |
Yes | Yes |
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Trading - After-Hours |
Yes | Yes |
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Trading - Conditional Orders |
No | Yes |
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Trading - Mutual Funds |
Yes | Yes |
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Trading - Simple Options |
Yes | Yes |
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Trading - Complex Options |
Yes | Yes |
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Trading - Option Rolling |
No | No |
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Touch / Face ID |
Yes | Yes |
| Winner | check_circle |
Mobile App Features
| Feature | Fidelity | Interactive Brokers |
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Watch List Syncing |
Yes | Yes |
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Stock Alerts |
Yes | Yes |
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Charting - After Hours |
Yes | Yes |
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Charting - Drawing |
No | No |
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Charting - Study Customizations |
Yes | Yes |
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Heatmapping |
Yes | No |
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Stream Live TV |
Yes | Yes |
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Barcode Lookup |
No | No |
| Mobile Trading | ||
| Winner | check_circle |
Research Overview
| Feature | Fidelity | Interactive Brokers |
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Research - Stocks |
Yes | Yes |
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Research - ETFs |
Yes | Yes |
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Research - Mutual Funds |
Yes | Yes |
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Research - Pink Sheets / OTCBB |
Yes | Yes |
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Research - Fixed Income |
Yes | Yes |
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Screener - Stocks |
Yes | Yes |
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Screener - ETFs |
Yes | Yes |
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Screener - Mutual Funds |
Yes | No |
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Screener - Options |
Yes | Yes |
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Screener - Bonds |
Yes | Yes |
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Misc - Portfolio Builder |
Yes | Yes |
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Misc - Portfolio Allocation |
Yes | Yes |
| Research | ||
| Winner | check_circle |
Stock Research
| Feature | Fidelity | Interactive Brokers |
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Stock Research - Reports |
16 | 2 |
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Stock Research - Earnings |
Yes | Yes |
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Stock Research - Insiders |
Yes | Yes |
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Stock Research - Metric Comp |
Yes | Yes |
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Stock Research - SEC Filings |
Yes | Yes |
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Stock Research - Social |
Yes | Yes |
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Stock Research - Balance Sheet |
Yes | Yes |
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Stock Research - Cash Flows |
Yes | Yes |
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Stock Research - News |
Yes | Yes |
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Stock Research - ESG |
Yes | Yes |
| Research | ||
| Winner | check_circle |
ETF Research
| Feature | Fidelity | Interactive Brokers |
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ETFs - Strategy Overview |
Yes | Yes |
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ETFs - Top 10 Holdings |
Yes | Yes |
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ETFs - Sector Exposure |
Yes | Yes |
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ETFs - Risk Analysis |
Yes | Yes |
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ETFs - Performance Analysis |
Yes | Yes |
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ETFs - Ratings |
Yes | Yes |
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ETFs - Morningstar StyleMap |
Yes | No |
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ETFs - Reports |
Yes | Yes |
| Research | ||
| Winner | check_circle |
Mutual Fund Research
| Feature | Fidelity | Interactive Brokers |
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Mutual Funds - Strategy Overview |
Yes | Yes |
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Mutual Funds - Prospectus |
Yes | Yes |
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Mutual Funds - Reports |
No | Yes |
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Mutual Funds - Fees Breakdown |
Yes | Yes |
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Mutual Funds - Top 10 Holdings |
Yes | Yes |
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Mutual Funds - Asset Allocation |
Yes | No |
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Mutual Funds - Sector Allocation |
Yes | Yes |
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Mutual Funds - Country Allocation |
Yes | Yes |
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Mutual Funds - StyleMap |
Yes | Yes |
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Mutual Funds - 3rd Party Ratings |
Yes | Yes |
| Research | ||
| Winner | check_circle |
Options Trading
| Feature | Fidelity | Interactive Brokers |
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Option Chains - Streaming |
Yes | Yes |
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Option Chains - Total Columns |
26 | 37 |
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Option Chains - Greeks |
5 | 4 |
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Option Chains - Quick Analysis |
Yes | Yes |
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Option Analysis - P&L Charts |
Yes | Yes |
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Option Probability Analysis |
Yes | Yes |
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Option Probability Analysis Adv |
Yes | Yes |
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Option Positions - Greeks |
Yes | Yes |
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Option Positions - Adv Analysis |
Yes | Yes |
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Option Positions - Rolling |
Yes | Yes |
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Option Positions - Grouping |
Yes | Yes |
| Platforms & Tools | ||
| Winner | check_circle |
Beginners
| Feature | Fidelity | Interactive Brokers |
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Education (Stocks) |
Yes | Yes |
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Education (ETFs) |
Yes | Yes |
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Education (Options) |
Yes | Yes |
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Education (Mutual Funds) |
Yes | No |
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Education (Fixed Income) |
Yes | Yes |
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Education (Retirement) |
Yes | No |
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Paper Trading |
No | Yes |
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Videos |
Yes | Yes |
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Webinars (Monthly Avg) |
8 | 20 |
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Webinars (Archived) |
Yes | Yes |
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Live Seminars |
Yes | No |
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Progress Tracking |
Yes | Yes |
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Interactive Learning - Quizzes |
Yes | Yes |
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Investor Magazine |
Yes | Yes |
| Education | ||
| Winner | check_circle |
Banking
| Feature | Fidelity | Interactive Brokers |
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Retail Locations |
197 | 0 |
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Member FDIC |
No | Yes |
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Checking Accounts |
Yes | Yes |
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Savings Accounts |
Yes | No |
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Credit Cards |
Yes | No |
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Debit Cards |
Yes | Yes |
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Mortgage Loans |
No | No |
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No Fee Banking |
Yes | Yes |
| Banking | ||
| Winner | check_circle |
Overall
| Feature | Fidelity | Interactive Brokers |
| Fidelity Review | Interactive Brokers Review | |
| Overall | ||
| Winner | check_circle |
Using data from our latest annual broker review which tested more than a dozen different online brokers over six months, we can compare Fidelity vs Interactive Brokers to determine which broker is best. Let's dive in.
First, we will break down the commission charges of both brokers for placing stock and options trades. Fidelity and Interactive Brokers both cost $0 per trade. For options trading, both Fidelity and Interactive Brokers charge the same base fee of $0. Option contracts cost $0.65 each at both brokerages. Instead of flat rate fees, several brokers charge a per-share fee instead. For a complete review of trading charges, read our full online broker reviews.
Next, investors want to make sure they can trade the investment vehicle they want. Interactive Brokers provides its clients with Stock Trading, Options Trading, Mutual Funds and Futures Trading while Fidelity provides clients access to Stock Trading, Options Trading and Mutual Funds. As far as mutual funds go, Interactive Brokers offers its clients access to 18210 different mutual funds while Fidelity has 11246 available funds, a difference of 6,964.
Finally, by comparing the each broker's website and platform features, we can surface interesting differences. Interactive Brokers offers virtual trading while Fidelity does not. For mobile trading, Fidelity and Interactive Brokers both have a iPhone App, iPad App and Android App. Online banking is also used by many customers, and multiple full-service brokerages provide these services. Checking Accounts and Debit Cards are offered by Interactive Brokers while Fidelity offers Checking Accounts, Savings Accounts, Debit Cards and Credit Cards.
Overall, between Fidelity and Interactive Brokers, Fidelity is the winner.
All pricing data was obtained from a published web site as of 01/20/2020 and is believed to be accurate, but is not guaranteed. For stock trade rates, advertised pricing is for a standard order size of 500 shares of stock priced at $30 per share. For options orders, an options regulatory fee per contract may apply.
1$0.00 commission applies to online U.S. equity trades, exchange-traded funds (ETFs), and options (+ $0.65 per contract fee) in a Fidelity retail account only for Fidelity Brokerage Services LLC retail clients. Sell orders are subject to an activity assessment fee (from $0.01 to $0.03 per $1,000 of principal). There is an Options Regulatory Fee (from $0.03 to $0.05 per contract), which applies to both option buy and sell transactions. The fee is subject to change. Other exclusions and conditions may apply. See Fidelity.com/commissions for details. Employee equity compensation transactions and accounts managed by advisors or intermediaries through Fidelity Clearing & Custody Solutions® are subject to different commission schedules.
Options trading entails significant risk and is not appropriate for all investors. Certain complex options strategies carry additional risk. Before trading options, please read Characteristics and Risks of Standardized Options. Supporting documentation for any claims, if applicable, will be furnished upon request.
