A long-established full-service brokerage with no account minimums and strong retirement tools.
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Fidelity Investments vs Interactive Brokers
Comparing Fidelity Investments and Interactive Brokers to help you pick the right Investing Platforms for your needs.
A professional-grade brokerage with the broadest global market access and lowest margin rates.
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| Feature | Fidelity Investments | Interactive Brokers |
|---|---|---|
| Pricing | Free | Freemium |
| Platforms | Web, macOS, Windows, iOS, Android | Web, macOS, Windows, iOS, Android |
| Launched | 1946 | 1978 |
| Starting price | $0 | $0 |
| Community votes | 312 | 312 |
Fidelity Investments Pros & Cons
- Decades-long track record as one of the largest, most trusted US asset managers
- Zero expense ratio index funds (Fidelity ZERO series) unique among major brokerages
- Strong retirement planning tools and 401(k) administration alongside brokerage accounts
- No account minimums for opening a brokerage account
- Interface and tools are less specialized for active trading than dedicated trading platforms
- Sign-up cash bonuses are less frequent and substantial than newer fintech competitors
- Some account types and services require higher balances to access full benefits
- Mobile app experience trails some newer, more streamlined competitors
Interactive Brokers Pros & Cons
- Access to far more global exchanges and markets than most retail-focused competitors
- Notably low margin rates compared to nearly every other major brokerage
- Professional-grade trading platform (Trader Workstation) with advanced order types
- Broad asset coverage including stocks, options, futures, bonds, and forex
- Steeper learning curve than simplified apps like Robinhood, aimed more at experienced investors
- IBKR Pro's tiered commission structure can be confusing for casual users
- Interface complexity may overwhelm investors wanting a simple buy/sell experience
- Customer support is more geared toward active traders than casual retail investors
Verdict: Fidelity Investments vs Interactive Brokers
Fidelity Investments and Interactive Brokers both serve the Investing Platforms category well, but suit different priorities. Fidelity Investments is the more budget-friendly option, Based on community engagement, Fidelity Investments is currently the more widely adopted choice (312 votes), but the better fit ultimately depends on your specific pricing, platform, and feature requirements.
Frequently Asked Questions
- Which is cheaper, Fidelity Investments or Interactive Brokers?
- Fidelity Investments is the more affordable option overall — it's offered as free, while Interactive Brokers is freemium. Check each tool's current pricing plans for exact figures, since promotional rates and annual discounts can shift the comparison.
- Is Fidelity Investments or Interactive Brokers rated higher?
- Fidelity Investments and Interactive Brokers currently hold comparable editorial ratings, so neither has a clear edge — the right pick depends more on which specific features and pricing fit your use case.
- Which platforms do Fidelity Investments and Interactive Brokers support?
- Fidelity Investments is available on Web, macOS, Windows, iOS, Android. Interactive Brokers is available on Web, macOS, Windows, iOS, Android. Both tools cover a similar range of platforms.
- Can I switch from Fidelity Investments to Interactive Brokers (or vice versa)?
- Most investing platforms tools, including Fidelity Investments and Interactive Brokers, support data export in standard formats, making migration possible though rarely fully automatic. Expect to manually verify that custom configurations, integrations, and historical data transfer correctly, and budget time for the team to adjust to workflow differences between the two products.
- Should I choose Fidelity Investments or Interactive Brokers?
- Fidelity Investments and Interactive Brokers both serve the Investing Platforms category well, but suit different priorities. Fidelity Investments is the more budget-friendly option, Based on community engagement, Fidelity Investments is currently the more widely adopted choice (312 votes), but the better fit ultimately depends on your specific pricing, platform, and feature requirements.