Written by StockBrokers.com
In this head to head comparison of Fidelity vs tastytrade, we will compare the trading platforms, mobile apps, range of investments, costs, market research, and more. Let's dive in.
Fidelity vs. tastytrade: the quick take. Fidelity offers a broader mix of traditional investments and planning help, earning 5 stars for Range of Investments and ranking #3 out of 14 at StockBrokers.com. tastytrade caters more to active traders who want futures and a larger crypto menu; it holds 4 stars and ranks #10 of 14. Both brokers let you trade stocks, options, forex, and crypto, and both support margin, fractional shares, and IRA accounts.
On available investments, both brokers support stock trading, options trading, margin trading, and fractional shares. Fidelity adds mutual funds and OTC stocks, which tastytrade does not offer. tastytrade provides futures trading, which Fidelity does not. For crypto, both brokers offer access, but Fidelity lists 3 coins while tastytrade lists 17. Both also offer forex trading.
For accounts and guidance, each supports Traditional and Roth IRAs. Fidelity also provides advisor services, while tastytrade does not. If you want mutual funds, OTC access, and advice, Fidelity is a strong fit. If you want futures alongside stocks, options, and a wider crypto selection, tastytrade is the better match.
| Feature |
Fidelity
|
tastytrade
|
|---|---|---|
| Stock Trading | Yes | Yes |
| Account Feature - Margin Trading | Yes | Yes |
| Fractional Shares (Stocks) | Yes | Yes |
| OTC Stocks | Yes | No |
| Mutual Funds | Yes | No |
| Options Trading | Yes | Yes |
| Futures Trading | No | Yes |
| Crypto Trading | Yes | Yes |
| Crypto Trading - Total Coins | 3 | 17 |
| Range of Investments |
|
|
Dive deeper: Best Options Trading Platforms for 2025, Best Futures Trading Platforms for 2025: A Beginner-Friendly Guide to an Advanced Market
Bottom line: Fidelity and tastytrade both deliver capable trading platforms across desktop and web, but Fidelity takes the edge for most investors. It earns 4.5 out of 5 stars and ranks #4 of 14 for trading platforms and tools on StockBrokers.com, while tastytrade scores 4 stars and ranks #8. Choose Fidelity if you want broad watchlist control and built-in automated chart pattern detection; pick tastytrade if an extensive indicator library and the ability to build your own studies are must-haves.
Availability and workflow: Both brokers offer downloadable platforms for Windows and Mac along with a browser-based platform. Neither offers paper trading, but both include a trading journal. Watchlists are more detailed at Fidelity (92 columns versus 33 at tastytrade). You can adjust open orders right on the chart with either broker and save multiple chart profiles. For common studies like a simple moving average, tastytrade exposes seven fields to tweak versus five at Fidelity.
Charting and analysis: Fidelity supplies 129 technical indicators and 38 drawing tools, while tastytrade packs in 308 indicators and 31 drawing tools. Both let you add notes, display prior trades, show corporate events such as earnings, splits, and dividends, and set custom date ranges. Only Fidelity offers automated technical analysis to surface chart patterns, while only tastytrade lets you create custom studies.
| Feature |
Fidelity
|
tastytrade
|
|---|---|---|
| Web Trading Platform | Yes | Yes |
| Desktop Trading Platform | Yes | Yes |
| Desktop Platform (Mac) | Yes | Yes |
| Paper Trading | No | No |
| Watch Lists - Total Fields | 92 | 33 |
| Charting - Indicators / Studies | 129 | 308 |
| Charting - Drawing Tools | 38 | 31 |
| Platforms & Tools |
|
|
Dive deeper: Best Online Brokers & Trading Platforms for 2025, Best Paper Trading Apps & Platforms for 2025
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Fidelity and tastytrade both deliver beginner-friendly education on stocks, ETFs, and options, with videos, webinars, and tools to track your learning progress. Where they diverge is breadth: Fidelity covers mutual funds and bonds, while tastytrade does not. Neither broker offers paper trading. If you want a single place to study multiple asset classes—from stocks and ETFs to mutual funds and bonds—Fidelity has the wider curriculum; if you’re leaning toward options and active trading concepts, tastytrade’s library is strong in that lane.
In learning formats, both brokers provide videos and webinars, but only Fidelity adds interactive quizzes to test your knowledge. Independent ratings reflect the gap: Fidelity earns 5 stars for education and ranks #2 out of 14 brokers at StockBrokers.com, while tastytrade earns 4 stars and ranks #9. For most new investors seeking well-rounded coverage and self-checks, Fidelity is the better fit; traders focused mainly on options may prefer tastytrade’s style and depth in that topic.
| Feature |
Fidelity
|
tastytrade
|
|---|---|---|
| Education (Stocks) | Yes | Yes |
| Education (ETFs) | Yes | Yes |
| Education (Options) | Yes | Yes |
| Education (Mutual Funds) | Yes | No |
| Education (Fixed Income) | Yes | No |
| Paper Trading | No | No |
| Videos | Yes | Yes |
| Webinars | Yes | Yes |
| Education |
|
|
Dive deeper: Best Stock Trading Platforms for Beginners of 2025
Bottom line: Fidelity’s mobile stock trading app edges out tastytrade for most investors. According to StockBrokers.com, Fidelity earns 5 stars and ranks #3 out of 14 brokers, while tastytrade scores 4.5 stars and ranks #10. Fidelity stands out with Apple Watch support, live streaming TV, on-demand videos, and advanced charting. Tastytrade is still a strong choice—especially for options traders—thanks to streaming quotes, mobile options trading, and helpful alerts. Note: the data provided did not confirm whether tastytrade supports after-hours trading on mobile.
Both the Fidelity app and tastytrade app are available on iPhone and Android. Each supports mobile options trading, streaming quotes, stock alerts, custom watchlists with editable columns, landscape charts, multiple time frames, and after-hours charting. Fidelity also offers an Apple Watch app, plus live TV and videos on demand; tastytrade does not offer those media features.
Charting tools are a key separator. Fidelity’s app includes 128 technical studies and lets you compare stocks directly on the chart. Tastytrade’s app does not offer technical studies or stock-to-stock overlays. If you care about in-depth chart work and learning from streaming content, Fidelity is the better fit; if you mainly need speedy trading and options on the go, tastytrade fits the bill.
| Feature |
Fidelity
|
tastytrade
|
|---|---|---|
| iPhone App | Yes | Yes |
| Android App | Yes | Yes |
| Apple Watch App | Yes | No |
| Stock Alerts | Yes | Yes |
| Charting - After-Hours | Yes | Yes |
| Charting - Technical Studies | 128 | 0 |
| Mobile Trading Apps |
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|
Dive deeper: Best Stock Trading Apps for 2025
In comparing online brokers Fidelity and tastytrade, each brings unique advantages depending on your investing needs. Both platforms offer commission-free stock trades and have no minimum deposit requirements, making them accessible for all investors. However, tastytrade shines with its lower options contract fee of $0.50 compared to Fidelity's $0.65, and offers better rates for margin balances across multiple tiers. Conversely, Fidelity is more favorable for IRA-related and account transfer fees, with no charges for IRA closure or account transfers, while tastytrade incurs costs in these areas.
Fidelity and tastytrade both provide commission-free trading for regular stock trades and do not impose a minimum deposit, making them equal in terms of initial accessibility. For options trading, tastytrade takes the lead with a lower per-contract fee, appealing to options traders looking to minimize costs. Additionally, when considering margin balances, tastytrade provides lower interest rates at all tiers compared to Fidelity, making it a cost-effective choice for investors utilizing margin lending.
For investors concerned with fees related to IRA accounts and account transfers, Fidelity clearly stands out, charging no fees for either IRA closures or account transfers. In contrast, tastytrade charges $60 for IRA closures and $75 for account transfers, which could be a significant factor for those planning frequent account adjustments. Additionally, Fidelity offers zero fees for options exercise and assignment, whereas tastytrade charges $5 for each, adding extra costs for those involved in these activities. Overall, evaluating both platforms’ fees is essential to align them with your trading strategies and financial goals.
| Feature |
Fidelity
|
tastytrade
|
|---|---|---|
| Minimum Deposit | $0.00 | $0.00 |
| Stock Trades | $0.00 | $0.00 |
| Options (Per Contract) | $0.65 | $0.50 |
| Options Exercise Fee | $0.00 | $5.00 |
| Options Assignment Fee | $0.00 | $5.00 |
| IRA Annual Fee | $0.00 | $0.00 |
| IRA Closure Fee | $0.00 | $60.00 |
Dive deeper: Best Free Trading Platforms for 2025
For active day traders focused on stocks, Fidelity offers more of the real-time tools that matter: streaming time and sales, Level 2 quotes, direct market routing, and keyboard hotkeys for fast order entry. It also includes basic strategy backtesting, a short locate tool, and streaming live TV. The trade-offs: Fidelity does not have ladder trading or advanced strategy backtesting, and it doesn’t provide maker/taker rebates.
tastytrade shines if you want ladder trading and advanced strategy backtesting, and it also provides a short locate tool and streaming live TV. However, it lacks streaming time and sales, Level 2 quotes, direct market routing, and trading hotkeys, and it doesn’t offer maker/taker rebates. In short, pick Fidelity for quick stock order control and market depth, or choose tastytrade if ladder execution and deeper strategy testing are your priorities.
| Feature |
Fidelity
|
tastytrade
|
|---|---|---|
| Streaming Time & Sales | Yes | No |
| Streaming TV | Yes | Yes |
| Direct Market Routing - Equities | Yes | No |
| Level 2 Quotes - Stocks | Yes | No |
| Trade Ideas - Backtesting | Yes | No |
| Trade Ideas - Backtesting Adv | No | Yes |
| Short Locator | Yes | Yes |
Dive deeper: Best Day Trading Platforms of 2025 for Beginners and Active Traders
In the Fidelity vs tastytrade market research comparison, Fidelity is the clear winner. StockBrokers.com rates Fidelity 5 stars and ranks it #3 out of 14 brokers for research, while tastytrade earns 1.5 stars and sits at #13. If you want broad coverage, more data sources, and ready-made reports, Fidelity is the better pick; tastytrade can work for active traders who only need the basics.
Both brokers offer stock and ETF research and let you view portfolio allocation by asset class. Fidelity goes further with mutual fund, bond, and Pink Sheets/OTCBB research; tastytrade does not cover those. Fidelity also includes stock research using social media sentiment and ESG research, which tastytrade lacks. For downloadable reports, Fidelity provides seven PDF stock reports and PDF reports for ETFs, while tastytrade offers none; neither broker offers mutual fund PDFs.
For idea generation, both platforms supply stock and ETF screeners, and each has a bond screener. Fidelity adds a mutual fund screener, which tastytrade does not. Choose Fidelity if you want wider security coverage, extra data like social sentiment and ESG, and downloadable research; choose tastytrade if you primarily trade stocks and ETFs and prefer a simpler toolkit.
| Feature |
Fidelity
|
tastytrade
|
|---|---|---|
| Research - Stocks | Yes | Yes |
| Screener - Stocks | Yes | Yes |
| Research - ETFs | Yes | Yes |
| Screener - ETFs | Yes | Yes |
| Research - Mutual Funds | Yes | No |
| Screener - Mutual Funds | Yes | No |
| Research - Fixed Income | Yes | No |
| Screener - Fixed Income | Yes | Yes |
| Research |
|
|
When comparing the banking capabilities of Fidelity and tastytrade, there are notable differences to consider for those exploring online brokers. Neither Fidelity nor tastytrade offer traditional checking or savings accounts, which might be a drawback for users seeking comprehensive banking solutions. However, Fidelity provides some additional financial products, such as debit and credit cards, which tastytrade does not offer. This could be advantageous for clients who prefer managing their assets alongside rewards or convenience in purchases. Fidelity also extends its offerings with mortgage loans and certificates of deposit (CDs), whereas tastytrade does not provide these services. These distinctions highlight Fidelity as a more versatile option for those looking to integrate investment brokerage with certain banking needs.
| Feature |
Fidelity
|
tastytrade
|
|---|---|---|
| Checking Accounts | No | No |
| Savings Accounts | No | No |
| Debit Cards | Yes | No |
| Credit Cards | Yes | No |
| Mortgage Loans | Yes | No |
| Brokerage CDs | Yes | No |
Dive deeper: Best Brokerage Checking Accounts for 2025
After opening live accounts and testing 14 of the best online brokers, our research and live account testing finds that Fidelity is better than tastytrade. Fidelity finished with an overall score of 96.2%, while tastytrade finished with a score of 80.1%.
Fidelity is a value-driven online broker offering $0 trades, industry-leading research, excellent trading tools and an easy-to-use mobile app.
Both Fidelity and tastytrade provide crypto trading, but Fidelity offers 3 coins compared to tastytrade's 17, making tastytrade a more extensive option for cryptocurrency enthusiasts.
Dive deeper: Best Online Brokers for Crypto Trading in 2025
Both Fidelity and tastytrade offer traditional and Roth IRA accounts with no annual fees, providing accessible retirement saving options for investors. However, Fidelity stands out by not charging a closure fee for IRA accounts, unlike tastytrade, which imposes a $60.00 fee.
Dive deeper: Best IRA Accounts for 2025
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0 of 5| Overall Rating | Fidelity | tastytrade | |
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| Review | Fidelity Review | tastytrade Review |
| Broker Screenshots | Fidelity | tastytrade | |
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| Trading Fees | Fidelity | tastytrade | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 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 | $0.50 | |
| Futures (Per Contract) | (Not offered) | $1.00 | |
| Broker Assisted Trade Fee | $32.95 | $0 |
| Margin Rates | Fidelity | tastytrade | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Margin Rate Under $25,000 | 12.575% | 11% | |
| Margin Rate $25,000 to $49,999.99 | 12.075% | 10.5% | |
| Margin Rate $50,000 to $99,999.99 | 11.125% | 10% | |
| Margin Rate $100,000 to $249,999.99 | 11.075% | 9.5% | |
| Margin Rate $250,000 to $499,999.99 | 10.825% | 9% | |
| Margin Rate $500,000 to $999,999.99 | 8.500% | 8.5% | |
| Margin Rate Above $1,000,000 | 8.250% | 8% |
| Account Fees | Fidelity | tastytrade | |
|---|---|---|---|
| IRA Annual Fee | $0.00 | $0.00 | |
| IRA Closure Fee | $0.00 | $60.00 | |
| Account Transfer Out (Partial) | $0.00 | $75.00 | |
| Account Transfer Out (Full) | $0.00 | $75.00 | |
| Options Exercise Fee | $0.00 | $5.00 | |
| Options Assignment Fee | $0.00 | $5.00 |
| Investment Options | Fidelity | tastytrade | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Stock Trading | Yes | Yes | |
| Account Feature - Margin Trading | Yes | Yes | |
| Fractional Shares (Stocks) | Yes | Yes | |
| OTC Stocks | Yes | No | |
| Options Trading | Yes | Yes | |
| Complex Options Max Legs | 4 | 4 | |
| Futures Trading | No | Yes | |
| Forex Trading | Yes | Yes | |
| Crypto Trading | Yes | Yes | |
| Crypto Trading - Total Coins | 3 | 17 | |
| Fixed Income (Treasurys) | Yes | Yes | |
| Fixed Income (Corporate Bonds) | Yes | No | |
| Fixed Income (Municipal Bonds) | Yes | No | |
| Traditional IRAs | Yes | Yes | |
| Roth IRAs | Yes | Yes | |
| Advisor Services | Yes | No | |
| International Countries (Stocks) | 25 | 0 |
| Order Types | Fidelity | tastytrade | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 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 | No | |
| Order Type - OCO | Yes | Yes | |
| Order Type - OTO | Yes | Yes | |
| Order Type - Broker Assisted | Yes | Yes |
| Beginners | Fidelity | tastytrade | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Education (Stocks) | Yes | Yes | |
| Education (ETFs) | Yes | Yes | |
| Education (Options) | Yes | Yes | |
| Education (Mutual Funds) | Yes | No | |
| Education (Fixed Income) | Yes | No | |
| Education (Retirement) | Yes | Yes | |
| Retirement Calculator | Yes | No | |
| Investor Dictionary | Yes | Yes | |
| Paper Trading | No | No | |
| Videos | Yes | Yes | |
| Webinars | Yes | Yes | |
| Progress Tracking | Yes | Yes | |
| Interactive Learning - Quizzes | Yes | No |
| Stock Trading Apps | Fidelity | tastytrade | |
|---|---|---|---|
| iPhone App | Yes | Yes | |
| Android App | Yes | Yes | |
| Apple Watch App | Yes | No | |
| 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 | tastytrade | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Market Movers (Top Gainers) | Yes | Yes | |
| Stream Live TV | Yes | No | |
| Videos on Demand | Yes | No | |
| 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 |
| Stock App Charting | Fidelity | tastytrade | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Charting - After-Hours | Yes | Yes | |
| Charting - Can Turn Horizontally | Yes | Yes | |
| Charting - Multiple Time Frames | Yes | Yes | |
| Charting - Technical Studies | 128 | 0 | |
| Charting - Study Customizations | Yes | No | |
| Charting - Stock Comparisons | Yes | No |
| Trading Platforms | Fidelity | tastytrade | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Active Trading Platform | Active Trader Pro | tastytrade | |
| Desktop Trading Platform | Yes | Yes | |
| Desktop Platform (Mac) | Yes | Yes | |
| Web Trading Platform | Yes | Yes | |
| Paper Trading | No | No | |
| Trade Journal | Yes | Yes | |
| Watch Lists - Total Fields | 92 | 33 |
| Stock Chart Features | Fidelity | tastytrade | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Charting - Adjust Trades on Chart | Yes | Yes | |
| Charting - Indicators / Studies | 129 | 308 | |
| Charting - Drawing Tools | 38 | 31 | |
| 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 | Yes | |
| Charting - Automated Analysis | Yes | No | |
| Charting - Save Profiles | Yes | Yes | |
| Trade Ideas - Technical Analysis | Yes | No | |
| Charting - Study Customizations | 5 | 7 | |
| Charting - Custom Studies | No | Yes |
| Day Trading | Fidelity | tastytrade | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Streaming Time & Sales | Yes | No | |
| Streaming TV | Yes | Yes | |
| Direct Market Routing - Equities | Yes | No | |
| Ladder Trading | No | Yes | |
| Trade Hot Keys | Yes | No | |
| Level 2 Quotes - Stocks | Yes | No | |
| Trade Ideas - Backtesting | Yes | No | |
| Trade Ideas - Backtesting Adv | No | Yes | |
| Short Locator | Yes | Yes | |
| Order Liquidity Rebates | No | No |
| Research Overview | Fidelity | tastytrade | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Research - Stocks | Yes | Yes | |
| Research - ETFs | Yes | Yes | |
| Research - Mutual Funds | Yes | No | |
| Research - Pink Sheets / OTCBB | Yes | No | |
| Research - Fixed Income | Yes | No | |
| Screener - Stocks | Yes | Yes | |
| Screener - ETFs | Yes | Yes | |
| Screener - Mutual Funds | Yes | No | |
| Screener - Fixed Income | Yes | Yes | |
| Portfolio Asset Allocation | Yes | Yes |
| Stock Research | Fidelity | tastytrade | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Stock Research - PDF Reports | 7 | 0 | |
| Stock Research - Earnings | Yes | No | |
| Stock Research - Insiders | Yes | No | |
| Stock Research - Social | Yes | No | |
| Stock Research - News | Yes | Yes | |
| Stock Research - ESG | Yes | No | |
| Stock Research - SEC Filings | Yes | No |
| ETF Research | Fidelity | tastytrade | |
|---|---|---|---|
| ETFs - Investment Objective | Yes | No | |
| ETF Fund Facts - Inception Date | Yes | No | |
| ETF Fund Facts - Expense Ratio | Yes | No | |
| ETF Fund Facts - Total Assets | Yes | No | |
| ETF Fund Facts - Total Holdings | Yes | No | |
| ETFs - Top 10 Holdings | Yes | No | |
| ETFs - Sector Exposure | Yes | No | |
| ETFs - Risk Analysis | Yes | Yes | |
| ETFs - Ratings | Yes | No | |
| ETFs - Morningstar StyleMap | Yes | No | |
| ETFs - PDF Reports | Yes | No |
| Mutual Fund Research | Fidelity | tastytrade | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 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 | tastytrade | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Option Chains - Total Greeks | 5 | 5 | |
| Option Analysis - P&L Charts | Yes | Yes |
| Banking | Fidelity | tastytrade | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bank (Member FDIC) | No | No | |
| Checking Accounts | No | No | |
| Savings Accounts | No | No | |
| Credit Cards | Yes | No | |
| Debit Cards | Yes | No | |
| Mortgage Loans | Yes | No |
| Customer Service | Fidelity | tastytrade | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Phone Support (Prospective Customers) | Yes | Yes | |
| Phone Support (Current Customers) | Yes | Yes | |
| Email Support | Yes | Yes | |
| Live Chat (Prospective Customers) | Yes | Yes | |
| Live Chat (Current Customers) | Yes | Yes | |
| 24/7 Support | Yes | No |
| Overall | Fidelity | tastytrade | |
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| Winner | check_circle | ||
| Review | Fidelity Review | tastytrade Review |
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