StockBrokers.com is committed to the highest ethical standards and reviews services independently. Advertiser Disclosure
Fidelity Investments vs TradeStation 2019
The StockBrokers.com annual review (9 years running) takes six months to complete and produces over 30,000 words of research each year. Here's how we test.
Is Fidelity Investments better than TradeStation? Based on over 4,000 data points from our 2019 annual broker review, Fidelity Investments (86.62%) is better than TradeStation (71.75%). From industry-leading research to excellent trading tools, mobile apps, and retirement services, Fidelity defines “value” and provides investors with everything they need to succeed, and more.
|
|
|
|
Exclusive Offer
Get 300 commission-free trades and 2 years to use them Learn More
|
Promo Offer
Spring into the market action with FREE trading until 2020 Learn More
|
|
| Open Account | Open Account |
Overall Rating
| Feature | Fidelity Investments | TradeStation |
| Overall | ||
| Fidelity Investments Review | TradeStation Review |
Trading Fees
| Feature | Fidelity Investments | TradeStation |
| Minimum Deposit | $0.00 | $500.00 |
| Stock Trade Fee (per trade) | $4.95 | $5.00 |
| Options Base Fee | $4.95 | $5.00 |
| Options Per Contract Fee | $0.65 | $0.50 |
| Mutual Fund Trade Fee | $49.95 | $14.95 |
| Broker Assisted Trades Fee | $32.95 | $50.00 |
| IRA Annual Fee | $0.00 | $35.00 |
| IRA Closure Fee | $0.00 | $50.00 |
| Commissions & Fees | ||
| Winner | check_circle |
Margin Rates
| Feature | Fidelity Investments | TradeStation |
| Under $24,999.99 | 9.58% | 9.25% |
| $25,000.00 to $49,999.99 | 9.08% | 9.25% |
| $50,000.00 to $99,999.99 | 8.13% | 8.50% |
| $100,000.00 to $249,999.99 | 8.08% | 8.50% |
| $250,000.00 to $499,999.99 | 7.83% | 8.50% |
| $500,000.00 to $999,999.99 | 5.50% | 5.25% |
| Above $1,000,000.00 | 5.25% | 5.25% |
| Commissions & Fees | ||
| Winner | check_circle |
Trading Platforms
| Feature | Fidelity Investments | TradeStation |
|
Desktop Platform (Windows) |
Yes | Yes |
|
Desktop Platform (Mac) |
Yes | No |
|
Web Platform |
Yes | Yes |
|
Paper Trading |
No | Yes |
|
Trade Journal |
Yes | No |
|
Watch Lists - Total Fields |
91 | 335 |
|
Two-Factor Authentication Login |
Yes | Yes |
|
Heat Mapping |
Yes | No |
| Platforms & Tools | ||
| Winner | check_circle |
Charting Features
| Feature | Fidelity Investments | TradeStation |
|
Charting - Trade Off Chart |
Yes | Yes |
|
Charting - Indicators / Studies |
166 | 282 |
|
Charting - Drawing Tools |
22 | 23 |
|
Charting - Historical Trades |
Yes | Yes |
|
Charting - Corporate Events |
Yes | No |
|
Charting - Automated Analysis |
Yes | No |
|
Charting - Save Profiles |
Yes | Yes |
|
Charting - Study Customizations |
5 | 12 |
|
Charting - Custom Studies |
No | Yes |
| Platforms & Tools | ||
| Winner | check_circle |
Day Trading
| Feature | Fidelity Investments | TradeStation |
|
Stock Alerts - Basic Fields |
Yes | Yes |
|
Stock Alerts - Advanced Fields |
Yes | Yes |
|
Streaming Time & Sales |
Yes | Yes |
|
Streaming TV |
Yes | No |
|
Direct Market Routing - Stocks |
Yes | Yes |
|
Direct Market Routing - Options |
Yes | Yes |
|
Ladder Trading |
No | Yes |
|
Trade Hot Keys |
Yes | Yes |
|
Level 2 Quotes - Stocks |
Yes | Yes |
|
Level 2 Quotes - Options |
Yes | Yes |
|
Trade Ideas - Backtesting |
Yes | Yes |
|
Short Locator |
Yes | Yes |
|
Client Liquidity Rebates |
No | Yes |
| Winner | check_circle |
Mobile Trading
| Feature | Fidelity Investments | TradeStation |
|
iPhone App |
Yes | Yes |
|
Android App |
Yes | Yes |
|
Apple Watch App |
Yes | No |
|
Trading - Stocks |
Yes | Yes |
|
Trading - After-Hours |
Yes | Yes |
|
Trading - Conditional Orders |
No | Yes |
|
Trading - Mutual Funds |
Yes | No |
|
Trading - Simple Options |
Yes | Yes |
|
Trading - Complex Options |
Yes | Yes |
|
Trading - Option Rolling |
No | No |
|
Touch / Face ID |
Yes | Yes |
|
Watch List Syncing |
Yes | Yes |
|
Stock Alerts - Basic Fields |
Yes | Yes |
|
Stock Alerts - Advanced Fields |
Yes | No |
|
Charting - After Hours |
Yes | Yes |
|
Charting - Drawing |
No | Yes |
|
Charting - Study Customizations |
Yes | Yes |
|
Customizable Homescreen |
Yes | No |
|
Heatmapping |
Yes | No |
|
Stream Live TV |
Yes | No |
|
Barcode Lookup |
No | No |
| Mobile Trading | ||
| Winner | check_circle |
Research Overview
| Feature | Fidelity Investments | TradeStation |
|
Research - Stocks |
Yes | Yes |
|
Research - ETFs |
Yes | Yes |
|
Research - Mutual Funds |
Yes | No |
|
Research - Pink Sheets / OTCBB |
Yes | Yes |
|
Research - Fixed Income |
Yes | No |
|
Research - Futures |
Yes | Yes |
|
Research - Forex |
No | Yes |
|
Screener - Stocks |
Yes | Yes |
|
Screener - ETFs |
Yes | No |
|
Screener - Mutual Funds |
Yes | No |
|
Screener - Options |
Yes | Yes |
|
Screener - Bonds |
Yes | No |
|
Misc - Portfolio Builder |
Yes | No |
|
Misc - Portfolio Allocation |
Yes | No |
| Research | ||
| Winner | check_circle |
Stock Research
| Feature | Fidelity Investments | TradeStation |
|
Stock Research - Reports |
12 | 0 |
|
Stock Research - Earnings |
Yes | No |
|
Stock Research - Insiders |
Yes | No |
|
Stock Research - Metric Comp |
Yes | No |
|
Stock Research - SEC Filings |
Yes | No |
|
Stock Research - Social |
Yes | No |
|
Stock Research - Balance Sheet |
Yes | No |
|
Stock Research - Cash Flows |
Yes | No |
|
Stock Research - News |
Yes | Yes |
|
Stock Research - ESG |
Yes | No |
| Research | ||
| Winner | check_circle |
Fund Research
| Feature | Fidelity Investments | TradeStation |
|
ETFs - Strategy Overview |
Yes | No |
|
ETFs - Top 10 Holdings |
Yes | No |
|
ETFs - Sector Exposure |
Yes | No |
|
ETFs - Risk Analysis |
Yes | No |
|
ETFs - Performance Analysis |
Yes | No |
|
ETFs - Ratings |
Yes | No |
|
ETFs - Morningstar StyleMap |
Yes | No |
|
ETFs - Reports |
Yes | No |
|
Mutual Funds - Strategy Overview |
Yes | No |
|
Mutual Funds - Prospectus |
Yes | No |
|
Mutual Funds - Reports |
No | 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 |
|
Mutual Funds - 3rd Party Ratings |
Yes | No |
| Research | ||
| Winner | check_circle |
Options Trading
| Feature | Fidelity Investments | TradeStation |
|
Option Chains - Streaming |
Yes | Yes |
|
Option Chains - Total Columns |
26 | 32 |
|
Option Chains - Greeks |
5 | 5 |
|
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 - Adv Analysis |
Yes | Yes |
|
Option Positions - Rolling |
Yes | Yes |
|
Option Positions - Grouping |
Yes | Yes |
| Platforms & Tools | ||
| Winner | check_circle |
Investments
| Feature | Fidelity Investments | TradeStation |
|
Stock Trading |
Yes | Yes |
|
OTCBB / Pink Sheets |
Yes | Yes |
|
Options Trading |
Yes | Yes |
|
Complex Options Max Legs |
4 | 4 |
|
Futures Trading |
No | Yes |
|
Forex Trading |
No | No |
| Commission-Free ETFs | 500 | 0 |
|
Mutual Funds (No Load) |
4031 | 887 |
|
Mutual Funds (Total) |
11782 | 4357 |
|
Bonds (US Treasury) |
Yes | Yes |
|
Bonds (Corporate) |
Yes | Yes |
|
Bonds (Municipal) |
Yes | Yes |
|
Advisor Services |
Yes | No |
|
International Trading |
Yes | No |
| Offering of Investments | ||
| Winner | check_circle |
Order Types
| Feature | Fidelity Investments | TradeStation |
|
Order Type - Market |
Yes | Yes |
|
Order Type - Limit |
Yes | Yes |
|
Order Type - Stop |
Yes | Yes |
|
Order Type - Trailing Stop |
Yes | Yes |
|
Order Type - Contingent |
Yes | Yes |
|
Order Type - MultiContingent |
Yes | Yes |
|
Order Type - OCO |
Yes | Yes |
|
Order Type - OTO |
Yes | Yes |
|
Order Type - OTOCO |
Yes | Yes |
| Offering of Investments | ||
| Winner | check_circle |
Beginners
| Feature | Fidelity Investments | TradeStation |
|
Has Education - Stocks |
Yes | Yes |
|
Has Education - ETFs |
Yes | No |
|
Has Education - Options |
Yes | Yes |
|
Has Education - Mutual Funds |
Yes | No |
|
Has Education - Fixed Income |
Yes | No |
|
Has Education - Retirement |
Yes | No |
|
Paper Trading |
No | Yes |
|
Videos |
Yes | Yes |
|
Webinars (Monthly Avg) |
8 | 30 |
|
Webinars (Archived) |
Yes | Yes |
|
Live Seminars |
Yes | Yes |
|
Progress Tracking |
Yes | No |
|
Interactive Learning - Quizzes |
Yes | No |
|
Investor Magazine |
Yes | Yes |
| Education | ||
| Winner | check_circle |
Banking
| Feature | Fidelity Investments | TradeStation |
|
Retail Locations |
197 | 0 |
|
Member FDIC |
No | No |
|
Checking Accounts |
Yes | No |
|
Savings Accounts |
Yes | No |
|
Credit Cards |
Yes | No |
|
Debit Cards |
Yes | No |
|
Mortgage Loans |
No | No |
|
No Fee Banking |
Yes | No |
| Banking | ||
| Winner | check_circle |
Overall
| Feature | Fidelity Investments | TradeStation |
| Fidelity Investments Review | TradeStation Review | |
| Overall | ||
| Winner | check_circle |
The StockBrokers.com annual broker review assesses more than a dozen different brokers over six months, surfacing the best online stock brokers. This review compares Fidelity Investments vs TradeStation. Is Fidelity Investments or TradeStation a better online broker?
First, we will make a comparison of the stock and option trading fees for trading with both brokers. TradeStation charges more than Fidelity Investments for placing regular stock trades ($5.00 and $4.95, respectively). Looking at trading options, Fidelity Investments's base fee is $4.95 while TradeStation's is $5.00. TradeStation's per contract rate of $0.50 is less than Fidelity Investments which charges $0.65. Note that some brokers charge a per-share fee instead of a flat-fee commission. For a full breakdown of commissions, read our online broker reviews.
For our next comparison of these two brokers, being able to trade the way you want is a must. TradeStation offers clients Stock Trading, Options Trading, Mutual Funds and Futures Trading while Fidelity Investments offers Stock Trading, Options Trading and Mutual Funds. When it comes to mutual funds, Fidelity Investments boasts an offering of 11782 mutual funds compared to TradeStation's 4357 available funds.
Last but not least, by breaking down important features, tools, etc that each broker offers, we can really help to separate the two. TradeStation makes virtual trading available to clients, while Fidelity Investments does not. For mobile trading, Fidelity Investments and TradeStation both have a iPhone App, iPad App and Android App. Furthermore, some investors like to bank online, and multiple brokerages provide these services to clients. Checking Accounts, Savings Accounts, Debit Cards and Credit Cards are offered by Fidelity Investments while TradeStation offers none of these.
Overall, between Fidelity Investments and TradeStation, Fidelity Investments is the winner.
Fidelity Investments Review
TradeStation Review
First, we will make a comparison of the stock and option trading fees for trading with both brokers. TradeStation charges more than Fidelity Investments for placing regular stock trades ($5.00 and $4.95, respectively). Looking at trading options, Fidelity Investments's base fee is $4.95 while TradeStation's is $5.00. TradeStation's per contract rate of $0.50 is less than Fidelity Investments which charges $0.65. Note that some brokers charge a per-share fee instead of a flat-fee commission. For a full breakdown of commissions, read our online broker reviews.
For our next comparison of these two brokers, being able to trade the way you want is a must. TradeStation offers clients Stock Trading, Options Trading, Mutual Funds and Futures Trading while Fidelity Investments offers Stock Trading, Options Trading and Mutual Funds. When it comes to mutual funds, Fidelity Investments boasts an offering of 11782 mutual funds compared to TradeStation's 4357 available funds.
Last but not least, by breaking down important features, tools, etc that each broker offers, we can really help to separate the two. TradeStation makes virtual trading available to clients, while Fidelity Investments does not. For mobile trading, Fidelity Investments and TradeStation both have a iPhone App, iPad App and Android App. Furthermore, some investors like to bank online, and multiple brokerages provide these services to clients. Checking Accounts, Savings Accounts, Debit Cards and Credit Cards are offered by Fidelity Investments while TradeStation offers none of these.
Overall, between Fidelity Investments and TradeStation, Fidelity Investments is the winner.
Fidelity Investments Review
TradeStation Review
All pricing data was obtained from a published web site as of 02/18/2019 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.
