Written by StockBrokers.com
In this head to head comparison of Fidelity vs Robinhood, we will compare the trading platforms, mobile apps, range of investments, costs, market research, and more. Let's dive in.
Fidelity vs. Robinhood: For the widest range of investment choices, Fidelity takes the lead. It earns 5 stars for Range of Investments from StockBrokers.com and ranks #2 of 14 brokers, while Robinhood earns 4 stars and ranks #10. Fidelity covers most core needs and more, though it lacks futures. Robinhood offers a solid lineup and adds futures, but its product list is narrower in some areas.
Both brokers let you trade stocks, options, OTC stocks, crypto, margin, and fractional shares. Each also supports Traditional and Roth IRAs and offers advisor services. Key differences: Fidelity offers mutual funds and forex (Robinhood does not), and Robinhood offers futures (Fidelity does not). For crypto, Fidelity currently supports 3 coins, while Robinhood supports 22.
If you want mutual funds and forex alongside stocks and options, Fidelity is the better fit. If you want to pair stocks and options with futures and a wider crypto selection, Robinhood may suit you. Either way, both platforms cover the basics for long-term investors and active traders alike.
| Feature |
Fidelity
|
Robinhood
|
|---|---|---|
| Stock Trading | Yes | Yes |
| Account Feature - Margin Trading | Yes | Yes |
| Fractional Shares (Stocks) | Yes | Yes |
| OTC Stocks | Yes | Yes |
| Mutual Funds | Yes | No |
| Options Trading | Yes | Yes |
| Futures Trading | No | Yes |
| Crypto Trading | Yes | Yes |
| Crypto Trading - Total Coins | 3 | 22 |
| Range of Investments |
|
|
Dive deeper: Best Options Trading Platforms for 2026, Best Futures Trading Platforms for 2026
Fidelity vs Robinhood: For trading platforms and tools, Fidelity is the better choice for most investors. It offers more ways to trade and richer features, earning 4 stars and a #4 ranking out of 14 brokers from StockBrokers.com, compared with Robinhood’s 3 stars and #8 ranking. If you want deeper research and charting plus a desktop app, pick Fidelity. If you only need the basics in a simple web setup, Robinhood can work.
Platforms and core tools: Fidelity provides downloadable desktop software for both Windows and Mac, along with a browser-based platform. Robinhood does not offer desktop downloads, but it does have a browser platform. Neither broker supports paper trading. Fidelity includes a built-in trading journal; Robinhood does not. Watch lists are far more detailed at Fidelity (92 columns) than at Robinhood (34). Both let you adjust open orders directly on a chart.
Charting and customization: Fidelity offers 129 technical indicators and 38 drawing tools versus Robinhood’s 90 indicators and 26 drawing tools. Both allow notes on charts, custom date ranges, and saving multiple chart profiles. Fidelity can display historical trades and corporate events (earnings, splits, dividends) and provides automated chart pattern detection; Robinhood lacks these three features. When editing a simple moving average, Robinhood has 6 customization fields and Fidelity has 5. Neither broker lets you create fully custom studies.
| Feature |
Fidelity
|
Robinhood
|
|---|---|---|
| Web Trading Platform | Yes | Yes |
| Desktop Trading Platform | Yes | No |
| Desktop Platform (Mac) | Yes | No |
| Paper Trading | No | No |
| Watchlists - Total Fields | 92 | 34 |
| Charting - Indicators / Studies | 129 | 90 |
| Charting - Drawing Tools | 38 | 26 |
| Advanced Trading |
|
|
Dive deeper: Best Stock Brokers for 2026, Best Paper Trading Apps & Platforms for 2026
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Comparing Fidelity vs. Robinhood for beginner and investor education, both brokers offer lessons on stocks, ETFs, options, and bonds, plus educational videos. Neither offers paper trading. Fidelity goes further with mutual funds education (Robinhood does not) and hosts live webinars, which Robinhood lacks.
Fidelity also includes quizzes and tools to track your learning progress, while Robinhood does not. That extra structure helps explain why Fidelity earns 5 stars for education and ranks #1 out of 14 brokers at StockBrokers.com, compared to Robinhood’s 3.5-star rating and #7 ranking. If you want a fuller learning path with webinars, quizzes, and progress tracking—especially if you’re exploring mutual funds—Fidelity is the stronger pick. If you just need basic articles and videos across common asset types, Robinhood can cover the essentials.
| Feature |
Fidelity
|
Robinhood
|
|---|---|---|
| Education (Stocks) | Yes | Yes |
| Education (ETFs) | Yes | Yes |
| Education (Options) | Yes | Yes |
| Education (Mutual Funds) | Yes | No |
| Education (Fixed Income) | Yes | Yes |
| Videos | Yes | Yes |
| Webinars | Yes | No |
| Education |
|
|
Dive deeper: Best Stock Trading Platforms for Beginners of 2026
Bottom line: Fidelity’s mobile trading app edges out Robinhood for everyday investors and active traders alike. Fidelity earns 4.5/5 stars and ranks #3 of 14 on StockBrokers.com, while Robinhood scores 4/5 stars and ranks #7. Both apps handle the basics well, but Fidelity adds more viewing options, richer charting tools, and built-in market media, making it the better all-around choice if you want more features without added hassle.
Both brokers offer iPhone, Android, and Apple Watch apps. You can trade options, get streaming quotes, set stock alerts, and build custom watch lists with customizable columns on either platform. Mobile after-hours trading is available on both. Where they diverge is market media: Fidelity streams live TV and offers videos on demand; Robinhood does not.
For charts, both apps support after-hours data and multiple time frames. Fidelity allows landscape charting (Robinhood doesn’t), offers 128 technical studies versus Robinhood’s 90, and lets you compare multiple stocks on the same chart (not available on Robinhood). If chart analysis and flexibility matter, Fidelity clearly has the edge.
| Feature |
Fidelity
|
Robinhood
|
|---|---|---|
| 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 | 90 |
| Mobile Trading Apps |
|
|
Dive deeper: Best Stock Trading Apps for 2026
When choosing between Fidelity and Robinhood, it's important to weigh the benefits of each platform's account fees and charges. Both Fidelity and Robinhood offer $0 minimum deposits and commission-free trading for regular stock trades, making them both attractive choices for the cost-conscious investor. However, when it comes to options trading, Fidelity charges $0.65 per contract, while Robinhood allows options trading without any fees. For those considering margin trading, Robinhood provides a more cost-effective option with rates starting at 5.55% compared to Fidelity's higher rates, which begin at 11.125% for balances above $50,000.
Delving deeper into account-related fees, both platforms score equal points for non-existent fees on IRA annual and closure fees, as well as options exercise and assignment fees. This makes either a feasible option for retirement planning without the worry of hidden charges. However, an important distinction lies in the account transfer process. Fidelity offers a seamless transfer with no fees for partial or full Account Transfers (ACAT). In contrast, Robinhood imposes a significant $100 fee for both partial and full account transfers, which could be a dealbreaker for investors considering future financial movements between accounts.
Ultimately, Fidelity stands out for its comprehensive fee-free account services and competitive stock trading options, although its higher margin rates and options contract fees may sway budget-conscious traders towards Robinhood. Robinhood appeals with its zero-cost options trading and lower margin rates but falls short with costly account transfer fees. The decision depends on what features matter most to you; whether it's flexibility in account transfers or lower margin costs.
| Feature |
Fidelity
|
Robinhood
|
|---|---|---|
| Minimum Deposit | $0.00 | $0.00 |
| Stock Trades | $0.00 | $0.00 |
| Options (Per Contract) | $0.65 | $0.00 |
| 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
For day trading, Fidelity offers a deeper toolset: streaming time and sales (the tape), streaming live TV news, direct market routing for stocks, trading hotkeys, Level II quotes, basic strategy backtesting, and a short-locator to check real-time borrow availability. These features help active traders see intraday momentum, react faster, test ideas, choose routes, and locate shares to short. Fidelity does not provide ladder trading or advanced backtesting, and neither Fidelity nor Robinhood offers maker/taker rebates.
Robinhood includes Level II quotes and does offer ladder trading, which some scalpers prefer for quick clicks. However, it lacks streaming time and sales, live TV, direct routing, hotkeys, backtesting, and a short-locator. If your day trading relies on tape reading, routing control, hotkey speed, and planning tools, Fidelity is generally the stronger fit. If you mainly want a simple ladder inside a streamlined app and can go without those extras, Robinhood may suffice.
| Feature |
Fidelity
|
Robinhood
|
|---|---|---|
| Streaming Time & Sales | Yes | No |
| Streaming TV | Yes | No |
| Direct Market Routing - Equities | Yes | No |
| 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
For market research, Fidelity is the clear winner over Robinhood. Fidelity earns 5 stars and ranks #1 out of 14 brokers on StockBrokers.com, while Robinhood scores 2.5 stars and ranks #10. If you want wide-ranging research across more asset classes, deeper data, and downloadable reports, choose Fidelity. If you only need basic stock info in a simple app, Robinhood can work.
Side by side: both brokers offer stock and ETF research and let you look up OTC/pink sheet names. Only Fidelity adds mutual fund and bond research. Fidelity also provides social media sentiment and ESG research, while Robinhood does not. Both platforms show portfolio allocation by asset class. For reports, Fidelity supplies seven downloadable PDF research reports for stocks and also offers ETF PDFs; Robinhood has no downloadable PDFs for stocks or ETFs. Neither offers mutual fund PDFs.
For idea generation, Fidelity includes screeners for stocks, ETFs, mutual funds, and bonds. Robinhood offers a stock screener only—no ETF, mutual fund, or bond screeners. That broader tool set helps Fidelity users find and compare investments faster and with more confidence.
| Feature |
Fidelity
|
Robinhood
|
|---|---|---|
| Research - Stocks | Yes | Yes |
| Screener - Stocks | Yes | Yes |
| Research - ETFs | Yes | Yes |
| Screener - ETFs | Yes | No |
| Research - Mutual Funds | Yes | No |
| Screener - Mutual Funds | Yes | No |
| Research - Fixed Income | Yes | No |
| Screener - Fixed Income | Yes | No |
| Research |
|
|
When comparing the banking features of Fidelity and Robinhood, both platforms come with certain similarities and differences. Neither Fidelity nor Robinhood offers checking or savings accounts, making them different from traditional banks. However, both provide debit and credit cards, giving users flexibility in their spending. When it comes to more specialized banking services, Fidelity offers mortgage loans, while Robinhood does not, potentially making Fidelity a more suitable choice for homebuyers. Additionally, Fidelity offers Certificates of Deposit (CDs) whereas Robinhood does not, which might appeal to those looking to grow their savings over time. This set of services highlights Fidelity's broader range of banking options compared to Robinhood, which focuses more on investing.
| Feature |
Fidelity
|
Robinhood
|
|---|---|---|
| Checking Accounts | No | No |
| Savings Accounts | No | No |
| Debit Cards | Yes | Yes |
| Credit Cards | Yes | Yes |
| Mortgage Loans | Yes | No |
| Brokerage CDs | Yes | No |
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 Robinhood. Fidelity finished with an overall score of 92.5%, while Robinhood finished with a score of 69.6%.
Fidelity is a value-driven online broker offering $0 trades, industry-leading research, excellent trading tools and an easy-to-use mobile app.
Fidelity and Robinhood both offer crypto trading, with Robinhood providing a wider selection by offering 22 coins compared to Fidelity's 3.
Dive deeper: Best Online Brokers for Crypto Trading in 2026
Both Fidelity and Robinhood offer traditional and Roth IRA accounts with no annual or closure fees, making them cost-effective options for retirement investment management.
Dive deeper: Best IRA Accounts for 2026
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0 of 5| Overall Rating | Fidelity | Robinhood | |
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| Review | Fidelity Review | Robinhood Review |
| Broker Screenshots | Fidelity | Robinhood | |
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| Trading Fees | Fidelity | Robinhood | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Minimum Deposit | $0.00 | $0.00 | |
| Stock Trades | $0.00 | $0.00 | |
| Penny Stock Fees (OTC) | $0.00 | N/A | |
| Mutual Fund Trade Fee | Varies | N/A | |
| Options (Per Contract) | $0.65 | $0.00 | |
| Futures (Per Contract) | (Not offered) | $0.75 | |
| Broker Assisted Trade Fee | $32.95 | N/A |
| Margin Rates | Fidelity | Robinhood | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Margin Rate Under $25,000 | 12.575% | 5.75% | |
| Margin Rate $25,000 to $49,999.99 | 12.075% | 5.75% | |
| Margin Rate $50,000 to $99,999.99 | 11.125% | 5.55% | |
| Margin Rate $100,000 to $249,999.99 | 11.075% | 5.25% | |
| Margin Rate $250,000 to $499,999.99 | 10.825% | 5.25% | |
| Margin Rate $500,000 to $999,999.99 | 8.500% | 5.25% | |
| Margin Rate Above $1,000,000 | 8.250% | 5% |
| Account Fees | Fidelity | Robinhood | |
|---|---|---|---|
| IRA Annual Fee | $0.00 | $0.00 | |
| IRA Closure Fee | $0.00 | $0.00 | |
| Account Transfer Out (Partial) | $0.00 | $100.00 | |
| Account Transfer Out (Full) | $0.00 | $100.00 | |
| Options Exercise Fee | $0.00 | $0.00 | |
| Options Assignment Fee | $0.00 | $0.00 |
| Investment Options | Fidelity | Robinhood | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Stock Trading | Yes | Yes | |
| Account Feature - Margin Trading | Yes | Yes | |
| Fractional Shares (Stocks) | Yes | Yes | |
| 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 | Yes | |
| Crypto Trading - Total Coins | 3 | 22 | |
| Fixed Income (Treasurys) | Yes | No | |
| Fixed Income (Corporate Bonds) | Yes | No | |
| Fixed Income (Municipal Bonds) | Yes | No | |
| Traditional IRAs | Yes | Yes | |
| Roth IRAs | Yes | Yes | |
| Advisor Services | Yes | Yes | |
| International Countries (Stocks) | 25 | 1 |
| Order Types | Fidelity | Robinhood | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 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 | No | |
| Order Type - OTO | Yes | No | |
| Order Type - Broker Assisted | Yes | No |
| Beginners | Fidelity | Robinhood | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Education (Stocks) | Yes | Yes | |
| Education (ETFs) | Yes | Yes | |
| Education (Options) | Yes | Yes | |
| Education (Mutual Funds) | Yes | No | |
| Education (Fixed Income) | Yes | Yes | |
| Education (Retirement) | Yes | Yes | |
| Retirement Calculator | Yes | No | |
| Investor Dictionary | Yes | Yes | |
| Paper Trading | No | No | |
| Videos | Yes | Yes | |
| Webinars | Yes | No | |
| Progress Tracking | Yes | No | |
| Interactive Learning - Quizzes | Yes | No |
| Stock Trading Apps | Fidelity | Robinhood | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 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 | Robinhood | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mobile Research - Market Movers | Yes | Yes | |
| Stream Live TV | Yes | No | |
| 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 | Robinhood | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Charting - After-Hours | Yes | Yes | |
| Charting - Can Turn Horizontally | Yes | No | |
| Charting - Multiple Time Frames | Yes | Yes | |
| Charting - Technical Studies | 128 | 90 | |
| Charting - Study Customizations | Yes | Yes | |
| Charting - Stock Comparisons | Yes | No |
| Trading Platforms | Fidelity | Robinhood | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Active Trading Platform | Active Trader Pro | Robinhood Legend | |
| Desktop Trading Platform | Yes | No | |
| Desktop Platform (Mac) | Yes | No | |
| Web Trading Platform | Yes | Yes | |
| Paper Trading | No | No | |
| Trade Journal | Yes | No | |
| Watchlists - Total Fields | 92 | 34 |
| Stock Chart Features | Fidelity | Robinhood | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Charting - Adjust Trades on Chart | Yes | Yes | |
| Charting - Indicators / Studies | 129 | 90 | |
| Charting - Drawing Tools | 38 | 26 | |
| Charting - Notes | Yes | Yes | |
| Charting - Historical Trades | Yes | No | |
| Charting - Corporate Events | Yes | No | |
| Charting - Custom Date Range | Yes | Yes | |
| Charting - Custom Time Bars | Yes | Yes | |
| Charting - Automated Analysis | Yes | No | |
| Charting - Save Profiles | Yes | Yes | |
| Trade Ideas - Technical Analysis | Yes | No | |
| Charting - Study Customizations | 5 | 6 | |
| Charting - Custom Studies | No | No |
| Day Trading | Fidelity | Robinhood | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Streaming Time & Sales | Yes | No | |
| Streaming TV | Yes | No | |
| Direct Market Routing - Equities | Yes | No | |
| Ladder Trading | No | Yes | |
| Trade Hot Keys | Yes | No | |
| 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 | Robinhood | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Research - Stocks | Yes | Yes | |
| Research - ETFs | Yes | Yes | |
| Research - Mutual Funds | Yes | No | |
| Research - Pink Sheets / OTCBB | Yes | Yes | |
| Research - Fixed Income | Yes | No | |
| Screener - Stocks | Yes | Yes | |
| Screener - ETFs | Yes | No | |
| Screener - Mutual Funds | Yes | No | |
| Screener - Fixed Income | Yes | No | |
| Portfolio Asset Allocation | Yes | Yes |
| Stock Research | Fidelity | Robinhood | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Stock Research - PDF Reports | 7 | 0 | |
| Stock Research - Earnings | Yes | Yes | |
| Stock Research - Insiders | Yes | Yes | |
| Stock Research - Social | Yes | No | |
| Stock Research - News | Yes | Yes | |
| Stock Research - ESG | Yes | No | |
| Stock Research - SEC Filings | Yes | No |
| ETF Research | Fidelity | Robinhood | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 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 | No | |
| ETFs - Ratings | Yes | No | |
| ETFs - Morningstar StyleMap | Yes | No | |
| ETFs - PDF Reports | Yes | No |
| Mutual Fund Research | Fidelity | Robinhood | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mutual Funds - Investment Objective | Yes | No | |
| Mutual Funds - Performance Chart | Yes | No | |
| Mutual Funds - Performance Analysis | Yes | No | |
| Mutual Funds - Prospectus | Yes | No | |
| Mutual Funds - 3rd Party Ratings | Yes | No | |
| Mutual Funds - Fees Breakdown | Yes | No | |
| Mutual Funds - Top 10 Holdings | Yes | No | |
| Mutual Funds - Asset Allocation | Yes | No | |
| Mutual Funds - Sector Allocation | Yes | No | |
| Mutual Funds - Country Allocation | Yes | No | |
| Mutual Funds - StyleMap | Yes | No |
| Options Trading | Fidelity | Robinhood | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Option Chains - Total Greeks | 5 | 5 | |
| Option Analysis - P&L Charts | Yes | Yes |
| Banking | Fidelity | Robinhood | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bank (Member FDIC) | No | No | |
| Checking Accounts | No | No | |
| Savings Accounts | No | No | |
| Credit Cards | Yes | Yes | |
| Debit Cards | Yes | Yes | |
| Mortgage Loans | Yes | No |
| Customer Service | Fidelity | Robinhood | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Phone Support (Prospective Customers) | Yes | No | |
| 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 | Robinhood | |
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| Ease of Use |
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| Winner | check_circle | ||
| Review | Fidelity Review | Robinhood Review |
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