Our experts answer readers’ investing questions and write unbiased product reviews (here’s how we assess investing products). Paid non-client promotion: In some cases, we receive a commission from our partners. Our opinions are always our own.
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Account Minimum
$0 ($25,000 Fidelity Personalized Planning & Advice)
Fees
0% ($0, $3/month, or 0.35% for robo-advisor)
- No account minimum or account fees
- No commissions for stock, ETF, and options trades; fractional shares available
- Thousands of no-transaction-fee mutual funds and fee-free mutual funds
- Several research tools and trading platforms available
- Fidelity Go accounts cost more for investors with higher account balances
- Representative-assisted trades are slightly more expensive than other brokerages
- No cryptocurrencies
Insider’s Take
Fidelity is one of the best online brokerages for retirement savings. It has great features for all types of investors and traders.
Fidelity Brokerage
Product Details
- Promotion: None at this time
- App store rating: 4.8 iOS/4.3 Android
- Awards: Morningstar named the Fidelity HSA as the best HSA provider in 2019, 2020, and 2021.
- Consider it if: You’re focused on long-term investing and retirement.
Start investing
Account Minimum
$0 ($500 Core Portfolios)
Fees
0% (0.30% Core Portfolios)
- No commissions on US-listed stocks, options, and exchange-traded funds
- Wide selection of investments available for most accounts
- Thousands of no-load, no-transaction-fee mutual funds available
- Competitive mobile and online offerings for digital investors and traders
- 24/7 support and live chat
- Need at least $500 for automated investment management
- Infrequent traders pay more for options contracts
Insider’s Take
E*TRADE is a great fit for frequent traders interested in low-cost stock, ETF, and options trading. The brokerage also offers a robust mobile app for Apple and Android devices, and it supports less active investors through its managed and automated portfolio offerings.
E*TRADE
Fidelity vs. E*TRADE: The Biggest Differences
Fidelity Investments and E*TRADE are online brokerages for investing and retirement accounts. Both investment platforms have options for all types of investors, including those who prefer automated portfolios. Plus, Fidelity and E*TRADE offer mobile apps, educational resources, and easy access to customer support.
Fidelity, however, is the best option for investors in search of the lowest costs. It not only uses zero-expense-ratio mutual funds for both of its automated accounts, but it also has a $0 minimum requirement for its Fidelity Go account. In addition, the brokerage offers two automated accounts, while E*TRADE only offers one.
E*TRADE is a better choice for those who want to invest in smart-beta ETFs and futures. Unlike Fidelity, E*TRADE allows for automated custodial accounts. E*TRADE could also be a good choice for those who want to experiment with strategies like socially responsible ESG investing.
Is Fidelity Right For You?
Fidelity Investments is one of the best online brokerages and robo-advisors for all kinds of investors, including passive and active investors. There’s no minimum requirement to open an account with Fidelity and trade a large selection of assets across multiple types of accounts.Â
Who Fidelity is Best For
Fidelity Investments is a low-cost platform that is best for all kinds of investors. You can open a self-directed brokerage account or an automated account with Fidelity Go. Fidelity even offers an advanced trading platform solely for hands-on investors called Active Trade Pro.
Beginners can benefit from Fidelity’s large selection of educational content, professionally managed portfolios, and expert advice. Experienced investors, on the other hand, can access up-to-date stock research and market insight from various independent providers, Fidelity Wealth Services, crypto-trading accounts, and more.
Fidelity is the better choice for investing in crypto as E*TRADE only indirectly invests in cryptocurrencies like bitcoin through crypto futures or over-the-counter funds.Â
Ways to Invest With Fidelity
Fidelity offers a huge selection of investment options including stocks, bonds, mutual funds, ETFs, options, cryptocurrencies, fractional shares, IPOs, money market funds, annuities, metals, CDs, and fixed-income products. Depending on the type of account you open, you may not get access to trade certain assets like IPOs or crypto.Â
Keep in mind that Fidelity’s crypto selection is fairly limited. It mainly invests in coins like bitcoin and ether.Â
You can open a regular self-directed or automated brokerage account, joint account, custodial account, education savings account, crypto-trading account, disability savings account, and various retirement savings accounts.Â
You can also take advantage of 24/7 customer support, Fidelity Learning Center educational guides, and market insights
Its mobile app is available on iOS and Android devices.Â
Fidelity Investments review
Fidelity IRAs
Fidelity’s IRA account selection includes traditional IRAs, Roth IRAs, rollover IRAs, Roth IRAs for Kids, SEP IRAs, and SIMPLE IRAs. It’s one of the best rollover IRAs. When you open an account, you’ll get access to all of Fidelity’s retirement and investing tools, such as its retirement-income strategies, retirement calculators, and Planning & Guidance center.Â
If you’re fine with managing your own IRA, you won’t have to worry about any minimums or account fees. Plus, each IRA allows for commission-free stock and ETF trading, and you can additionally utilize commission-free options trading if you have an SEP IRA or Roth IRA for Kids account.
Both Fidelity Go and Fidelity Personalized Planning & Advice provide automated portfolio management for traditional and Roth IRAs, but Fidelity Personalized Planning & Advice also includes human advisor guidance. There’s no minimum for Fidelity Go, but you’ll need to meet a $25,000 minimum requirement to access Personalized Planning & Advice.
Fidelity provides several inexpensive options for those looking to jumpstart their retirement savings without paying excess stock or fund trading costs. These include zero-expense ratio index funds, commission-free stocks and ETFs, and thousands of no-transaction-fee funds.
You can also take advantage of 24/7 customer support, Fidelity Learning Center educational guides, and market insights
Is E*TRADE Right For You?
E*TRADE is one of the best brokers for trading commodities and is suitable for all kinds of investors, including retirement-focused traders and beginners. There’s no account minimum required to open a self-directed brokerage account through E*TRADE. But Core Portfolios, E*TRADE’s robo-advisor, has a $500 minimum requirement.Â
Who E*TRADE is Best For
E*TRADE is a great online brokerage for both active and passive investors looking to trade low-cost stocks, bonds, ETFs, options, futures, IPOs, and CDs. Just like with Fidelity, there are commission-free trades on stocks, ETFs, options, and some mutual funds.Â
E*TRADE is a strong option for advanced and active investors who can utilize the platform’s advanced charting tools, market research, and active investing strategies. That said, hands-off investors and beginners can still benefit from a Core Portfolios account. But there’s a higher minimum compared to Fidelity Go.Â
E*TRADE is the better option for futures as Fidelity does not offer futures trading.
Ways to Invest With E*TRADE
E*TRADE has self-directed accounts, automated accounts, education savings accounts, and retirement savings accounts. Depending on the kind of account you open, E*TRADE lets you trade assets like commission-free stocks, ETFs, and options. You can also invest in a wide selection of mutual funds, futures, bonds, CDs, and IPOs.Â
Separate from E*TRADE’s Core Portfolios, hands-off investors can invest in three fully managed portfolios from E*TRADE professional advisors, as well as pre-built portfolios for mutual funds or ETFs. But keep in mind that managed and pre-built portfolios require account minimums ranging from $500 to $250,000.Â
E*TRADE offers 100+ technical studies, market trackers, interactive trading charters, paper trading accounts, portfolio analyzers, and portfolio rebalancing tools.Â
E*TRADE review
E*TRADE IRAs
E*TRADE also has a vast collection of IRAs for individuals, small businesses, and those who are self-employed. Among these are traditional IRAs, Roth IRAs, rollover IRAs, beneficiary IRAs, E*TRADE Complete IRAs, IRAs for Kinors, SEP IRAs, and SIMPLE IRAs.
Like Fidelity, each account is also free of minimums and account fees. And if you’re looking to build your account’s savings with passive funds, there isn’t a shortage of mutual funds and ETFs at E*TRADE. The brokerage currently offers thousands of mutual funds. E*TRADEÂ provides a Fund Screener and All-Star Funds list to help you find the most suitable investments for your IRA.Â
If you prefer the automated investing route, E*TRADE gives you more options with its managed accounts. While Fidelity’s automated and advisor-managed accounts only allow for traditional and Roth IRAs, E*TRADE’s Core Portfolios account also accepts SEP IRAs. However, Fidelity Go is the cheaper choice.
Finally, E*TRADE also offers several resources for account holders. These include retirement planning resources, market insights, and phone and live chat/email customer support.
Fidelity vs. E*TRADE — Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
What is better: Fidelity or E*TRADE?
When comparing Fidelity and E*TRADE, the better option depends on what you’re looking for. Fidelity is the more affordable robo-advisor with no account minimum. But ESG-focused investors or those seeking custodian accounts may prefer E*TRADE. E*TRADE is also a better option for futures trading.Â
Does Fidelity or E*TRADE offer a wider range of investment options?
E*TRADE and Fidelity both offer a large selection of assets including stocks, bonds, mutual funds, ETFs, and options. Fidelity offers more asset options like precious metals, REITs, and cryptocurrencies. However, if you want to invest in futures, you’ll have to pick E*TRADE.
Fidelity Go vs. E*TRADE Core Portfolios: Which Robo-Advisor is Best?
Fidelity Go and E*TRADE Core Portfolios are two of the best robo-advisors for beginners. Both automated platforms offer multiple account options, educational content, and commission-free trades for certain asset classes. But fees and account options vary.
Fidelity Go is generally the better option for beginners looking for no minimum requirement, low-cost trading, and mutual fees. However, accounts with balances of $25,000 or more will be charged a 0.35% fee. Fidelity Go supports standard brokerage accounts, health savings accounts, and retirement accounts.Â
E*TRADE’s Core Portfolios, on the other hand, have a higher $500 minimum requirement. Despite being more expensive than Fidelity Go, Core Portfolios may be the better robo-advisor for folks wanting to invest in socially responsible ETFs and smart beta ETFs. E*TRADE is the better option for custodial accounts since Fidelity Go doesn’t support this account option.Â
Fidelity IRA vs. E*TRADE IRA: Which IRA is Best?
Fidelity and E*TRADE have similar options for IRAs. These include both self-directed and automated investing, as well as traditional IRAs, Roth IRAs, IRAs for minors, and small business retirement plans.Â
But Fidelity is the best choice when it comes to fees. Not only does it provide countless zero-expense ratio index funds, but it also offers lower fees for its automated and advisor-managed accounts.Â
E*TRADE may be the better option if you’re in search of more account flexibility and features. The brokerage’s automated account, Core Portfolios, is compatible with more IRA account types than Fidelity’s automated accounts are. Plus, E*TRADE’s Complete IRA offers unique services like easy IRA withdrawals, online bill pay, and debit card access for investors who’ve reached the legal IRA withdrawal age (591/2).
Fidelity vs. E*TRADE: Which is Best Overall?
Depending on what you’re looking for in an online brokerage account, Fidelity Investments or E*TRADE may be the right fit for you. That said, Fidelity is generally the cheaper option and is the better option for low-cost automated investing.Â
Passive investors may prefer Core Portfolios’ automated tools and features, smart-beta ETFs, and ESG ETFs. Core Portfolios also offers managed and pre-built portfolios but at a much higher cost. E*TRADE is the only broker that offers custodial accounts.Â
On a similar note, Fidelity IRAs are lower-cost and may be more appealing to beginners seeking low-cost investment options. But E*TRADE offers more automated IRA options.Â
Our experts answer readers’ investing questions and write unbiased product reviews (here’s how we assess investing products). Paid non-client promotion: In some cases, we receive a commission from our partners. Our opinions are always our own.
Start investing
Account Minimum
$0 ($25,000 Fidelity Personalized Planning & Advice)
Fees
0% ($0, $3/month, or 0.35% for robo-advisor)
- No account minimum or account fees
- No commissions for stock, ETF, and options trades; fractional shares available
- Thousands of no-transaction-fee mutual funds and fee-free mutual funds
- Several research tools and trading platforms available
- Fidelity Go accounts cost more for investors with higher account balances
- Representative-assisted trades are slightly more expensive than other brokerages
- No cryptocurrencies
Insider’s Take
Fidelity is one of the best online brokerages for retirement savings. It has great features for all types of investors and traders.
Fidelity Brokerage
Product Details
- Promotion: None at this time
- App store rating: 4.8 iOS/4.3 Android
- Awards: Morningstar named the Fidelity HSA as the best HSA provider in 2019, 2020, and 2021.
- Consider it if: You’re focused on long-term investing and retirement.
Start investing
Account Minimum
$0 ($500 Core Portfolios)
Fees
0% (0.30% Core Portfolios)
- No commissions on US-listed stocks, options, and exchange-traded funds
- Wide selection of investments available for most accounts
- Thousands of no-load, no-transaction-fee mutual funds available
- Competitive mobile and online offerings for digital investors and traders
- 24/7 support and live chat
- Need at least $500 for automated investment management
- Infrequent traders pay more for options contracts
Insider’s Take
E*TRADE is a great fit for frequent traders interested in low-cost stock, ETF, and options trading. The brokerage also offers a robust mobile app for Apple and Android devices, and it supports less active investors through its managed and automated portfolio offerings.
E*TRADE
Fidelity vs. E*TRADE: The Biggest Differences
Fidelity Investments and E*TRADE are online brokerages for investing and retirement accounts. Both investment platforms have options for all types of investors, including those who prefer automated portfolios. Plus, Fidelity and E*TRADE offer mobile apps, educational resources, and easy access to customer support.
Fidelity, however, is the best option for investors in search of the lowest costs. It not only uses zero-expense-ratio mutual funds for both of its automated accounts, but it also has a $0 minimum requirement for its Fidelity Go account. In addition, the brokerage offers two automated accounts, while E*TRADE only offers one.
E*TRADE is a better choice for those who want to invest in smart-beta ETFs and futures. Unlike Fidelity, E*TRADE allows for automated custodial accounts. E*TRADE could also be a good choice for those who want to experiment with strategies like socially responsible ESG investing.
Is Fidelity Right For You?
Fidelity Investments is one of the best online brokerages and robo-advisors for all kinds of investors, including passive and active investors. There’s no minimum requirement to open an account with Fidelity and trade a large selection of assets across multiple types of accounts.Â
Who Fidelity is Best For
Fidelity Investments is a low-cost platform that is best for all kinds of investors. You can open a self-directed brokerage account or an automated account with Fidelity Go. Fidelity even offers an advanced trading platform solely for hands-on investors called Active Trade Pro.
Beginners can benefit from Fidelity’s large selection of educational content, professionally managed portfolios, and expert advice. Experienced investors, on the other hand, can access up-to-date stock research and market insight from various independent providers, Fidelity Wealth Services, crypto-trading accounts, and more.
Fidelity is the better choice for investing in crypto as E*TRADE only indirectly invests in cryptocurrencies like bitcoin through crypto futures or over-the-counter funds.Â
Ways to Invest With Fidelity
Fidelity offers a huge selection of investment options including stocks, bonds, mutual funds, ETFs, options, cryptocurrencies, fractional shares, IPOs, money market funds, annuities, metals, CDs, and fixed-income products. Depending on the type of account you open, you may not get access to trade certain assets like IPOs or crypto.Â
Keep in mind that Fidelity’s crypto selection is fairly limited. It mainly invests in coins like bitcoin and ether.Â
You can open a regular self-directed or automated brokerage account, joint account, custodial account, education savings account, crypto-trading account, disability savings account, and various retirement savings accounts.Â
You can also take advantage of 24/7 customer support, Fidelity Learning Center educational guides, and market insights
Its mobile app is available on iOS and Android devices.Â
Fidelity Investments review
Fidelity IRAs
Fidelity’s IRA account selection includes traditional IRAs, Roth IRAs, rollover IRAs, Roth IRAs for Kids, SEP IRAs, and SIMPLE IRAs. It’s one of the best rollover IRAs. When you open an account, you’ll get access to all of Fidelity’s retirement and investing tools, such as its retirement-income strategies, retirement calculators, and Planning & Guidance center.Â
If you’re fine with managing your own IRA, you won’t have to worry about any minimums or account fees. Plus, each IRA allows for commission-free stock and ETF trading, and you can additionally utilize commission-free options trading if you have an SEP IRA or Roth IRA for Kids account.
Both Fidelity Go and Fidelity Personalized Planning & Advice provide automated portfolio management for traditional and Roth IRAs, but Fidelity Personalized Planning & Advice also includes human advisor guidance. There’s no minimum for Fidelity Go, but you’ll need to meet a $25,000 minimum requirement to access Personalized Planning & Advice.
Fidelity provides several inexpensive options for those looking to jumpstart their retirement savings without paying excess stock or fund trading costs. These include zero-expense ratio index funds, commission-free stocks and ETFs, and thousands of no-transaction-fee funds.
You can also take advantage of 24/7 customer support, Fidelity Learning Center educational guides, and market insights
Is E*TRADE Right For You?
E*TRADE is one of the best brokers for trading commodities and is suitable for all kinds of investors, including retirement-focused traders and beginners. There’s no account minimum required to open a self-directed brokerage account through E*TRADE. But Core Portfolios, E*TRADE’s robo-advisor, has a $500 minimum requirement.Â
Who E*TRADE is Best For
E*TRADE is a great online brokerage for both active and passive investors looking to trade low-cost stocks, bonds, ETFs, options, futures, IPOs, and CDs. Just like with Fidelity, there are commission-free trades on stocks, ETFs, options, and some mutual funds.Â
E*TRADE is a strong option for advanced and active investors who can utilize the platform’s advanced charting tools, market research, and active investing strategies. That said, hands-off investors and beginners can still benefit from a Core Portfolios account. But there’s a higher minimum compared to Fidelity Go.Â
E*TRADE is the better option for futures as Fidelity does not offer futures trading.
Ways to Invest With E*TRADE
E*TRADE has self-directed accounts, automated accounts, education savings accounts, and retirement savings accounts. Depending on the kind of account you open, E*TRADE lets you trade assets like commission-free stocks, ETFs, and options. You can also invest in a wide selection of mutual funds, futures, bonds, CDs, and IPOs.Â
Separate from E*TRADE’s Core Portfolios, hands-off investors can invest in three fully managed portfolios from E*TRADE professional advisors, as well as pre-built portfolios for mutual funds or ETFs. But keep in mind that managed and pre-built portfolios require account minimums ranging from $500 to $250,000.Â
E*TRADE offers 100+ technical studies, market trackers, interactive trading charters, paper trading accounts, portfolio analyzers, and portfolio rebalancing tools.Â
E*TRADE review
E*TRADE IRAs
E*TRADE also has a vast collection of IRAs for individuals, small businesses, and those who are self-employed. Among these are traditional IRAs, Roth IRAs, rollover IRAs, beneficiary IRAs, E*TRADE Complete IRAs, IRAs for Kinors, SEP IRAs, and SIMPLE IRAs.
Like Fidelity, each account is also free of minimums and account fees. And if you’re looking to build your account’s savings with passive funds, there isn’t a shortage of mutual funds and ETFs at E*TRADE. The brokerage currently offers thousands of mutual funds. E*TRADEÂ provides a Fund Screener and All-Star Funds list to help you find the most suitable investments for your IRA.Â
If you prefer the automated investing route, E*TRADE gives you more options with its managed accounts. While Fidelity’s automated and advisor-managed accounts only allow for traditional and Roth IRAs, E*TRADE’s Core Portfolios account also accepts SEP IRAs. However, Fidelity Go is the cheaper choice.
Finally, E*TRADE also offers several resources for account holders. These include retirement planning resources, market insights, and phone and live chat/email customer support.
Fidelity vs. E*TRADE — Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
What is better: Fidelity or E*TRADE?
When comparing Fidelity and E*TRADE, the better option depends on what you’re looking for. Fidelity is the more affordable robo-advisor with no account minimum. But ESG-focused investors or those seeking custodian accounts may prefer E*TRADE. E*TRADE is also a better option for futures trading.Â
Does Fidelity or E*TRADE offer a wider range of investment options?
E*TRADE and Fidelity both offer a large selection of assets including stocks, bonds, mutual funds, ETFs, and options. Fidelity offers more asset options like precious metals, REITs, and cryptocurrencies. However, if you want to invest in futures, you’ll have to pick E*TRADE.
Fidelity Go vs. E*TRADE Core Portfolios: Which Robo-Advisor is Best?
Fidelity Go and E*TRADE Core Portfolios are two of the best robo-advisors for beginners. Both automated platforms offer multiple account options, educational content, and commission-free trades for certain asset classes. But fees and account options vary.
Fidelity Go is generally the better option for beginners looking for no minimum requirement, low-cost trading, and mutual fees. However, accounts with balances of $25,000 or more will be charged a 0.35% fee. Fidelity Go supports standard brokerage accounts, health savings accounts, and retirement accounts.Â
E*TRADE’s Core Portfolios, on the other hand, have a higher $500 minimum requirement. Despite being more expensive than Fidelity Go, Core Portfolios may be the better robo-advisor for folks wanting to invest in socially responsible ETFs and smart beta ETFs. E*TRADE is the better option for custodial accounts since Fidelity Go doesn’t support this account option.Â
Fidelity IRA vs. E*TRADE IRA: Which IRA is Best?
Fidelity and E*TRADE have similar options for IRAs. These include both self-directed and automated investing, as well as traditional IRAs, Roth IRAs, IRAs for minors, and small business retirement plans.Â
But Fidelity is the best choice when it comes to fees. Not only does it provide countless zero-expense ratio index funds, but it also offers lower fees for its automated and advisor-managed accounts.Â
E*TRADE may be the better option if you’re in search of more account flexibility and features. The brokerage’s automated account, Core Portfolios, is compatible with more IRA account types than Fidelity’s automated accounts are. Plus, E*TRADE’s Complete IRA offers unique services like easy IRA withdrawals, online bill pay, and debit card access for investors who’ve reached the legal IRA withdrawal age (591/2).
Fidelity vs. E*TRADE: Which is Best Overall?
Depending on what you’re looking for in an online brokerage account, Fidelity Investments or E*TRADE may be the right fit for you. That said, Fidelity is generally the cheaper option and is the better option for low-cost automated investing.Â
Passive investors may prefer Core Portfolios’ automated tools and features, smart-beta ETFs, and ESG ETFs. Core Portfolios also offers managed and pre-built portfolios but at a much higher cost. E*TRADE is the only broker that offers custodial accounts.Â
On a similar note, Fidelity IRAs are lower-cost and may be more appealing to beginners seeking low-cost investment options. But E*TRADE offers more automated IRA options.Â
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