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Written by StockBrokers.com
January 31, 2024
Is Fidelity better than Interactive Brokers? After testing 18 of the best online brokers, our analysis finds that Fidelity (98.7%) is better than Interactive Brokers (93.5%). Fidelity is a value-driven online broker offering $0 trades, industry-leading research, excellent trading tools and an easy-to-use mobile app.
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- check_box_outline_blankcheck_boxAlly Invest
- check_box_outline_blankcheck_boxCharles Schwab
- check_box_outline_blankcheck_boxCiti Self Invest
- check_box_outline_blankcheck_boxE*TRADE
- check_box_outline_blankcheck_boxeToro
- check_box_outline_blankcheck_boxFidelity
- check_box_outline_blankcheck_boxFirstrade
- check_box_outline_blankcheck_boxInteractive Brokers
- check_box_outline_blankcheck_boxJ.P. Morgan Self-Directed Investing
- check_box_outline_blankcheck_boxMerrill Edge
- check_box_outline_blankcheck_boxPublic.com
- check_box_outline_blankcheck_boxRobinhood
- check_box_outline_blankcheck_boxSoFi Invest
- check_box_outline_blankcheck_boxtastytrade
- check_box_outline_blankcheck_boxTD Ameritrade
- check_box_outline_blankcheck_boxTradeStation
- check_box_outline_blankcheck_boxTradier
- check_box_outline_blankcheck_boxVanguard
- check_box_outline_blankcheck_boxWebull
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Overall Rating | Fidelity | Interactive Brokers | |
---|---|---|---|
Overall | |||
Commissions & Fees | |||
Investment Options | |||
Platforms & Tools | |||
Mobile Trading Apps | |||
Research | |||
Customer Service | |||
Education | |||
Ease Of Use | |||
Winner | check_circle | ||
Review | Fidelity Review | Interactive Brokers Review |
Broker Screenshots | Fidelity | Interactive Brokers | |
---|---|---|---|
Trading Platform & Tools Gallery (click to expand) | |||
Research Gallery (click to expand) | |||
Mobile Trading Apps Gallery (click to expand) | |||
Education Gallery (click to expand) |
Trading Fees | Fidelity | Interactive Brokers | |
---|---|---|---|
Minimum Deposit | $0.00 | $0.00 | |
Stock Trades | $0.00 | $0.00 | |
Penny Stock Fees (OTC)info | $0.00 | $0.00 | |
Mutual Fund Trade Fee | $49.95 | $14.95 | |
Options (Per Contract) | $0.65 | $0.65 | |
Futures (Per Contract) | (Not offered) | $0.85 | |
Broker Assisted Trade Fee | $32.95 | $30 |
Margin Rates | Fidelity | Interactive Brokers | |
---|---|---|---|
Margin Rate Under $25,000 | 13.575% | 7.83% info | |
Margin Rate $25,000 to $49,999.99 | 13.075% | 7.83% info | |
Margin Rate $50,000 to $99,999.99 | 12.125% | 7.83% info | |
Margin Rate $100,000 to $249,999.99 | 12.075% | 7.83% info | |
Margin Rate $250,000 to $499,999.99 | 11.825% | 7.83% info | |
Margin Rate $500,000 to $999,999.99 | 9.5% | 7.83% info | |
Margin Rate Above $1,000,000 | 9.25% | 7.83% info |
Account Fees | Fidelity | Interactive Brokers | |
---|---|---|---|
IRA Annual Fee | $0.00 | $0.00 | |
IRA Closure Fee | $0.00 | $0.00 | |
Account Transfer Out (Partial)info | $0.00 | $0.00 | |
Account Transfer Out (Full)info | $0.00 | $0.00 | |
Options Exercise Fee | $0.00 | $0.00 | |
Options Assignment Fee | $0.00 | $0.00 |
Investment Options | Fidelity | Interactive Brokers | |
---|---|---|---|
Stock Tradinginfo | Yes | Yes | |
Margin Trading | Yes | Yes | |
Fractional Sharesinfo | Yes | Yes | |
OTC Stocksinfo | Yes | Yes | |
Options Tradinginfo | Yes | Yes | |
Complex Options Max Legsinfo | 4 | 6 | |
Futures Tradinginfo | No | Yes | |
Forex Tradinginfo | No | Yes | |
Crypto Tradinginfo | Yes | Yes | |
Crypto Trading - Total Coinsinfo | 2 | 4 | |
Mutual Funds (No Load)info | 5843 | 10988 | |
Mutual Funds (Total)info | 10000 | 11456 | |
Bonds (US Treasury)info | Yes | Yes | |
Bonds (Corporate)info | Yes | Yes | |
Bonds (Municipal)info | Yes | Yes | |
Traditional IRAsinfo | Yes | Yes | |
Roth IRAsinfo | Yes | Yes | |
Advisor Servicesinfo | Yes | No | |
International Countries (Stocks)info | 25 | 33 |
Order Types | Fidelity | Interactive Brokers | |
---|---|---|---|
Order Type - Marketinfo | Yes | Yes | |
Order Type - Limitinfo | Yes | Yes | |
Order Type - After Hoursinfo | Yes | Yes | |
Order Type - Stopinfo | Yes | Yes | |
Order Type - Trailing Stopinfo | Yes | Yes | |
Order Type - OCOinfo | Yes | Yes | |
Order Type - OTOinfo | Yes | Yes | |
Order Type - Broker Assistedinfo | Yes | Yes |
Beginners | Fidelity | Interactive Brokers | |
---|---|---|---|
Education (Stocks)info | Yes | Yes | |
Education (ETFs)info | Yes | Yes | |
Education (Options)info | Yes | Yes | |
Education (Mutual Funds)info | Yes | Yes | |
Education (Bonds)info | Yes | Yes | |
Education (Retirement)info | Yes | Yes | |
Retirement Calculatorinfo | Yes | Yes | |
Investor Dictionaryinfo | Yes | Yes | |
Paper Tradinginfo | No | Yes | |
Videosinfo | Yes | Yes | |
Webinarsinfo | Yes | Yes | |
Webinars (Archived)info | Yes | Yes | |
Progress Trackinginfo | Yes | Yes | |
Interactive Learning - Quizzesinfo | Yes | Yes |
Stock Trading Apps | Fidelity | Interactive Brokers | |
---|---|---|---|
iPhone Appinfo | Yes | Yes | |
Android Appinfo | Yes | Yes | |
Apple Watch Appinfo | Yes | Yes | |
Trading - Stocksinfo | Yes | Yes | |
Trading - After-Hoursinfo | Yes | Yes | |
Trading - Simple Optionsinfo | Yes | Yes | |
Trading - Complex Optionsinfo | Yes | Yes | |
Order Ticket RT Quotesinfo | Yes | Yes | |
Order Ticket SRT Quotesinfo | Yes | Yes |
Stock App Features | Fidelity | Interactive Brokers | |
---|---|---|---|
Market Movers (Top Gainers)info | Yes | Yes | |
Stream Live TVinfo | Yes | Yes | |
Videos on Demandinfo | Yes | Yes | |
Stock Alertsinfo | Yes | Yes | |
Option Chains Viewableinfo | Yes | Yes | |
Watch List (Real-time)info | Yes | Yes | |
Watch List (Streaming)info | Yes | Yes | |
Watch Lists - Create & Manageinfo | Yes | Yes | |
Watch Lists - Column Customizationinfo | Yes | Yes | |
Watch Lists - Total Fieldsinfo | 92 | 659 |
Stock App Charting | Fidelity | Interactive Brokers | |
---|---|---|---|
Charting - After-Hoursinfo | Yes | Yes | |
Charting - Can Turn Horizontallyinfo | Yes | Yes | |
Charting - Multiple Time Framesinfo | Yes | Yes | |
Charting - Technical Studiesinfo | 129 | 97 | |
Charting - Study Customizationsinfo | Yes | Yes | |
Charting - Stock Comparisonsinfo | Yes | No |
Trading Platforms | Fidelity | Interactive Brokers | |
---|---|---|---|
Active Trading Platforminfo | Active Trader Pro | Trader Workstation (TWS) | |
Desktop Trading Platforminfo | Yes | Yes | |
Desktop Platform (Mac)info | Yes | Yes | |
Web Trading Platforminfo | Yes | Yes | |
Paper Tradinginfo | No | Yes | |
Trade Journalinfo | Yes | Yes | |
Watch Lists - Total Fieldsinfo | 92 | 659 |
Stock Chart Features | Fidelity | Interactive Brokers | |
---|---|---|---|
Charting - Adjust Trades on Chartinfo | Yes | Yes | |
Charting - Indicators / Studiesinfo | 129 | 155 | |
Charting - Drawing Toolsinfo | 38 | 85 | |
Charting - Notesinfo | Yes | Yes | |
Charting - Index Overlaysinfo | Yes | Yes | |
Charting - Historical Tradesinfo | Yes | Yes | |
Charting - Corporate Eventsinfo | Yes | Yes | |
Charting - Custom Date Rangeinfo | Yes | Yes | |
Charting - Custom Time Barsinfo | Yes | Yes | |
Charting - Automated Analysisinfo | Yes | Yes | |
Charting - Save Profilesinfo | Yes | Yes | |
Trade Ideas - Technical Analysisinfo | Yes | Yes | |
Charting - Study Customizationsinfo | 5 | 6 | |
Charting - Custom Studiesinfo | No | No |
Day Trading | Fidelity | Interactive Brokers | |
---|---|---|---|
Streaming Time & Salesinfo | Yes | Yes | |
Streaming TVinfo | Yes | Yes | |
Direct Market Routing - Stocksinfo | Yes | Yes | |
Ladder Tradinginfo | No | Yes | |
Trade Hot Keysinfo | Yes | Yes | |
Level 2 Quotes - Stocksinfo | Yes | Yes | |
Trade Ideas - Backtestinginfo | Yes | Yes | |
Trade Ideas - Backtesting Advinfo | No | Yes | |
Short Locatorinfo | Yes | Yes | |
Order Liquidity Rebatesinfo | No | Yes |
Research Overview | Fidelity | Interactive Brokers | |
---|---|---|---|
Research - Stocksinfo | Yes | Yes | |
Research - ETFsinfo | Yes | Yes | |
Research - Mutual Fundsinfo | Yes | Yes | |
Research - Pink Sheets / OTCBBinfo | Yes | Yes | |
Research - Bondsinfo | Yes | Yes | |
Screener - Stocksinfo | Yes | Yes | |
Screener - ETFsinfo | Yes | Yes | |
Screener - Mutual Fundsinfo | Yes | Yes | |
Screener - Bondsinfo | Yes | Yes | |
Misc - Portfolio Allocationinfo | Yes | Yes |
Stock Research | Fidelity | Interactive Brokers | |
---|---|---|---|
Stock Research - PDF Reportsinfo | 11 | 17 info | |
Stock Research - Earningsinfo | Yes | Yes | |
Stock Research - Insidersinfo | Yes | Yes | |
Stock Research - Socialinfo | Yes | Yes | |
Stock Research - Newsinfo | Yes | Yes | |
Stock Research - ESGinfo | Yes | Yes | |
Stock Research - SEC Filingsinfo | Yes | Yes |
ETF Research | Fidelity | Interactive Brokers | |
---|---|---|---|
ETFs - Strategy Overviewinfo | Yes | Yes | |
ETF Fund Facts - Inception Dateinfo | Yes | Yes | |
ETF Fund Facts - Expense Ratioinfo | Yes | Yes | |
ETF Fund Facts - Net Assetsinfo | Yes | Yes | |
ETF Fund Facts - Total Holdingsinfo | Yes | Yes | |
ETFs - Top 10 Holdingsinfo | Yes | Yes | |
ETFs - Sector Exposureinfo | Yes | Yes | |
ETFs - Risk Analysisinfo | Yes | Yes | |
ETFs - Ratingsinfo | Yes | Yes | |
ETFs - Morningstar StyleMapinfo | Yes | Yes | |
ETFs - PDF Reportsinfo | Yes | Yes |
Mutual Fund Research | Fidelity | Interactive Brokers | |
---|---|---|---|
Mutual Funds - Strategy Overviewinfo | Yes | Yes | |
Mutual Funds - Performance Chartinfo | Yes | Yes | |
Mutual Funds - Performance Analysisinfo | Yes | Yes | |
Mutual Funds - Prospectusinfo | Yes | Yes | |
Mutual Funds - 3rd Party Ratingsinfo | Yes | Yes | |
Mutual Funds - Fees Breakdowninfo | Yes | Yes | |
Mutual Funds - Top 10 Holdingsinfo | Yes | Yes | |
Mutual Funds - Asset Allocationinfo | Yes | Yes | |
Mutual Funds - Sector Allocationinfo | Yes | Yes | |
Mutual Funds - Country Allocationinfo | Yes | Yes | |
Mutual Funds - StyleMapinfo | Yes | Yes |
Options Trading | Fidelity | Interactive Brokers | |
---|---|---|---|
Option Chains - Basic Viewinfo | Yes | Yes | |
Option Chains - Strategy Viewinfo | Yes | Yes | |
Option Chains - Streaminginfo | Yes | Yes | |
Option Chains - Total Columnsinfo | 26 | 38 | |
Option Chains - Greeksinfo | 5 | 12 | |
Option Chains - Quick Analysisinfo | Yes | Yes | |
Option Analysis - P&L Chartsinfo | Yes | Yes | |
Option Probability Analysisinfo | Yes | Yes | |
Option Probability Analysis Advinfo | Yes | Yes | |
Option Positions - Greeksinfo | Yes | Yes | |
Option Positions - Greeks Streaminginfo | Yes | Yes | |
Option Positions - Adv Analysisinfo | Yes | Yes | |
Option Positions - Rollinginfo | Yes | Yes | |
Option Positions - Groupinginfo | Yes | Yes |
Banking | Fidelity | Interactive Brokers | |
---|---|---|---|
Bank (Member FDIC)info | No | No | |
Checking Accountsinfo | No | No | |
Savings Accountsinfo | No | No | |
Credit Cardsinfo | Yes | No | |
Debit Cardsinfo | Yes | Yes | |
Mortgage Loansinfo | No | No |
Customer Service | Fidelity | Interactive Brokers | |
---|---|---|---|
Phone Support (Prospect Customers)info | Yes | Yes | |
Phone Support (Current Customers)info | Yes | Yes | |
Email Supportinfo | Yes | Yes | |
Live Chat (Prospect Customers)info | Yes | No | |
Live Chat (Current Customers)info | Yes | Yes | |
24/7 Supportinfo | Yes | No |
Overall | Fidelity | Interactive Brokers | |
---|---|---|---|
Overall | |||
Commissions & Fees | |||
Investment Options | |||
Platforms & Tools | |||
Mobile Trading Apps | |||
Research | |||
Education | |||
Ease Of Use | |||
Winner | check_circle | ||
Review | Fidelity Review | Interactive Brokers Review |
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Fidelity vs Interactive Brokers Comparison
Comparing brokers side by side is no easy task. We spend hundreds of hours each year testing the platforms, mobile apps, trading tools and general ease of use among online brokerages, as well as comparing commissions and fees, to find the best online broker.
Though many U.S. brokers offer basic trading features, such as an app, charting tools, stock research and educational content, the depth of those features can vary widely. Let's compare Fidelity vs Interactive Brokers.
Is Fidelity or Interactive Brokers better for beginners?
In stock trading, the more you know, the better you’ll do. Taking advantage of resources like articles, webinars, videos and interactive elements is a great way to shorten the learning curve. In our analysis, we examine the availability of several different types of educational materials.
For 2024, our review finds that Fidelity offers more comprehensive new investor education for beginning investors than Interactive Brokers. Fidelity offers investors access to Videos, Education (Stocks), Education (ETFs), Education (Options), Education (Mutual Funds), Education (Bonds) and Education (Retirement), while Interactive Brokers offers investors access to Paper Trading, Videos, Education (Stocks), Education (ETFs), Education (Options), Education (Mutual Funds), Education (Bonds) and Education (Retirement).
What about Fidelity vs Interactive Brokers pricing?
Fidelity and Interactive Brokers charge the same amount for regular stock trades, $0.00. Fidelity and Interactive Brokers both charge $0.65 per option contract. For futures, Interactive Brokers charges $0.85 per contract and Fidelity charges (Not offered) per contract. For a deeper dive, see our best brokers for free stock trading or options trading guides
Does Fidelity or Interactive Brokers offer a wider range of investment options?
Looking at a full range of investment options, including order types and international trading, our research has found that Interactive Brokers offers a more comprehensive offering than Fidelity. Fidelity ranks #3 out of 18 brokers for our Investment Options category, while Interactive Brokers ranks #N/A.
Fidelity offers investors access to Stock Trading, Fractional Shares, Options Trading, OTC Stocks, Mutual Funds and Advisor Services, while Interactive Brokers offers investors access to Stock Trading, Fractional Shares, Options Trading, OTC Stocks, Mutual Funds, Futures Trading and Forex Trading Looking at Mutual Funds, Fidelity trails Interactive Brokers in its offering of no transaction fee (NTF) mutual funds, with Interactive Brokers offering 4782 and Fidelity offering 3401.
Do Fidelity and Interactive Brokers offer cryptocurrency?
In our analysis of top U.S. brokerages, we research whether each broker offers the ability to trade cash cryptocurrency, such as bitcoin and ethereum. Though crypto has risen steadily in popularity, availability still varies from broker to broker. Our review finds that both Fidelity and Interactive Brokers offer crypto trading.
Which trading platform is better: Fidelity or Interactive Brokers?
To compare the day trading platforms of Fidelity and Interactive Brokers, we focused on trading tools and functionality across both web and desktop-based platforms. Popular day trading platform tools include streaming real-time quotes, stock alerts, trading hotkeys, direct market routing, streaming time and sales, customizable watch lists, backtesting, and fully functional charting packages, among many others. For day trading, Interactive Brokers offers a better experience.
Does Fidelity or Interactive Brokers offer a better stock trading app?
After testing 25 features across the stock trading apps of Fidelity and Interactive Brokers, we found Interactive Brokers to be better overall. The best stock market apps are easy to use, have excellent design, and deliver a fully featured online trading experience. Fidelity ranks #3 out of 18 brokers, while Interactive Brokers ranks #N/A.
Fidelity Trading App Gallery
Interactive Brokers Trading App Gallery
Which broker is better for researching stocks?
For research, Interactive Brokers offers superior market research than Fidelity. Fidelity ranks #5 and Interactive Brokers ranks #2.
Over the years, we've found that the best brokers provide rich market commentary, a variety of third-party research reports, and thorough quote screens that are not just easy to navigate, but that also include a comprehensive selection of fundamental data. Robust stock, ETFs, and mutual fund screeners are also must-haves for trade idea generation.
How do Fidelity and Interactive Brokers compare in terms of minimum deposit required?
Fidelity requires a minimum deposit of $0.00, while Interactive Brokers requires a minimum deposit of $0.00. From our testing, we found that SoFi is the only broker that requires a minimum deposit.
Which broker offers better margin rates for accounts under $25,000?
Fidelity charges 13.575% for accounts under $25,000 while Interactive Brokers charges a margin rate of 7.83%. The industry average of the 18 brokers we track is 9%.
Does Fidelity offer fractional shares? Does Interactive Brokers?
Fidelity and Interactive Brokers allow traders to trade fractional shares. Our research has found that 39% of brokers offer fractional shares investing. Fractional shares allow traders to buy a part of a whole share of stock. For example, if Amazon is trading at $1,000, you could buy half a share for $500.
Can you trade penny stocks with Fidelity or Interactive Brokers?
Both Fidelity and Interactive Brokers allow you to trade penny stocks. Fidelity charges $0.00 per trade while Interactive Brokers charges $0.00. Penny stocks are companies whose shares trade for under $5 and are listed over the counter (OTC). For brokers that do offer penny stock trades, the average commission is $3.
Does either broker offer banking?
Online banking can be a benefit for investors, and some brokerages do provide banking services to customers. Debit Cards and Credit Cards are offered by Fidelity while Interactive Brokers offers Debit Cards. Neither have Checking Accounts, Savings Accounts and Mortgage Loans.
Which broker offers stronger customer service?
StockBrokers.com partners with customer experience research group Confero to conduct phone tests from locations across the United States to thoroughly evaluate the quality and speed of brokerage customer service. (Read more about How We Test.) Here are the results of our current testing.
Fidelity was rated 1st out of 13 brokers, with an overall score of 9.31 out of 10.
Interactive Brokers was rated 12th out of 13 brokers, with an overall score of 7.7 out of 10.
Is Fidelity good?
Fidelity is a value-driven online broker offering $0 trades, industry-leading research, excellent trading tools and an easy-to-use mobile app.
In the 2024 StockBrokers.com Annual Awards, Fidelity was rated No. 1 Broker Overall and No. 1 for Innovation, Phone Support, Beginners, Commissions & Fees, IRA Accounts, Penny Stock Trading, Customer Service, and Education. It also placed among Best in Class for Commissions & Fees, Research, Platforms & Tools, Mobile Trading Apps, Investment Options, Education, Ease of Use, Day Trading, and High Net Worth Investors.
Is Interactive Brokers good?
Interactive Brokers is a go-to choice for professionals because of its institutional-grade desktop trading platform, high-quality trade executions and rock-bottom margin rates.
In the 2024 StockBrokers.com Annual Awards, Interactive Brokers was rated No. 1 for Platforms & Tools, Mobile Trading Apps, Investment Options, Day Trading, Bond Trading, ESG Investing, Fractional Shares, International Trading, Order Execution, Platform Technology, Professional Trading, and Sentiment Investing. It also placed among Best in Class for Commissions & Fees, Research, Education, Beginners, Futures Trading, IRA Accounts, Options Trading, High Net Worth Investors, and Overall.
Fidelity vs Interactive Brokers Winner
Overall winner: Fidelity
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