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Charles Schwab vs Fidelity

Charles Schwab is a good choice for beginning and advanced investors looking to invest in ETFs and mutual funds or investors that require extensive research. How does it compare to Fidelity? Read our comparison chart below.

Charles Schwab offers stock and ETF trades at $0 commission and options trading at $0 commission + $0.65 per contract. There is no minimum deposit, no maintenance fee, and no inactivity fee.

While Fidelity offers stock trades at $0 per trade and more than 180 branch locations. There is no minimum deposit.

Compare Charles Schwab with Fidelity, side-by-side. Read on for an in-depth look, including ratings, reviews, pros and cons.

 

Charles Schwab

Fidelity

SPECIAL OFFER
$0 Commissions on Online Stock, ETF, and Options Trades - Learn More

Read Charles Schwab Review

SPECIAL OFFER
Commission-Free Trading - Online Stock, ETF and Option Trades - Learn More

Read Fidelity Review

 

Benefits and Features

Stock Trading$0 commission on U.S. stocks and ETFs
$0 per trade
Options Trading
$0 + $0.65 per contract
$0 per online trade, plus $0.65 per contract
Annual Fee 
None
Cryptocurrency Trading 
No
Minimum Deposit
$0
$0
Mutual Fund Trading$0 for no-transaction-fee funds $49.95 for all other funds
  • $0 transaction fee for Fidelity funds
  • $0 on purchase for NTF (no transaction fee) non-Fidelity funds. ($49.95 on redemption if held less than 60 days)
  • $49.95 on purchase for non-Fidelity funds; $0 on redemption. (Certain funds may have a $75 transaction fee).
Commission Free ETFs2,000+ across asset classes and fund companies, $0 commission through Schwab ETF OneSource™.357 including 28 Fidelity factor, sector, stock, and bond ETFs and 329 iShares® ETFs
Phone Support 
(800) 343-3548; available 24/7
Live Chat Support 
No
Email Support 
Yes
Human Advisors Optional coaching or investment management with human advisors (for added fees)
Robo Advisor Optional Fidelity Go robo-advisory service
Assets Under Management 
$4.9 Trillion
Tax Loss Harvesting 
No
Goal Tracker 
Yes
Automatic Deposits 
Yes
Broker Assisted Trades
$25.00 service charge
$32.95 per trade for representative-assisted trades.
Customer Service
24/7
 
Good For More experienced DIY investors; Mutual fund investors
Inactivity Fee
None
$0
Maintenance Fee
$0
$0 account service fee
Online Platform Yes (access to Active Trader Pro is available to those who trade 36 times or more in a rolling 12 month period)
iPhone App 
Yes (4.8 stars, 1.7m ratings)
Android App 
Yes (4.5 stars, 97k ratings)
Banking
Yes
Fidelity Cash Management Account includes reimbursed ATM fees, no monthly fee, no minimum balance requirement, FDIC insurance, mobile check deposit, free billpay and free checkwriting.
Mobile App
Yes
Check
Desktop App
Yes
 
Two-Factor Authentication 
Yes
Futures Trading
$2.25 per contract
 
Locations
300 locations
More than 180
Online Community
Yes
Yes, it has an investor forum
Seminars
Yes
Yes, frequent webinars and courses for beginners
Virtual Trading
No
No
Fractional Shares 
Yes
Taxable Accounts 
Yes
401k Plans 
Yes
IRA Accounts 
Yes
Roth IRA Accounts 
Yes
SEP IRA Accounts 
Yes
Trust Accounts 
Yes
529 Plans 
Yes
 

CreditDonkey® Reviews

Stock TradingStarStarStarStarHalf StarStarStarStarStarEmpty Star
Options TradingStarStarStarHalf StarEmpty StarStarStarStarStarEmpty Star
Mutual Fund TradingStarStarStarStarEmpty StarStarStarStarStarHalf Star
Online PlatformStarStarStarStarStar
BankingStarStarStarStarStarStarStarStarStarStar
Mobile AppStarStarStarHalf StarEmpty StarStarStarStarStarEmpty Star
Commissions and FeesStarStarStarEmpty StarEmpty StarStarStarStarStarEmpty Star
Ease of UseStarStarStarStarEmpty Star
ResearchStarStarStarStarStarStarStarStarStarStar
Pros & ConsPros:
  • Vast selection of commission-free ETFs and mutual funds
  • 2 platforms (one for beginners and one for advanced traders)
  • 24/7 customer service including online chat
Cons:
  • Commission costs on mutual funds outside of the commission-free funds
  • Robo-advisor option requires a minimum investment of $5,000
Pros:
  • Research reports
  • Beginner-friendly tools
  • Mobile app
Cons:
  • Restricted platform
Bottom LineGood choice for beginning and advanced investors looking to invest in ETFs and mutual funds or investors that require extensive research... Read full reviewComprehensive online broker with in-depth research... Read full review

Blank fields may indicate the information is not available, not applicable, or not known to CreditDonkey. Please visit the product website for details.

Charles Schwab: Pricing information from published websites as of 11/14/2021.

Fidelity: Pricing information from published website as of 12/05/2020.

Which is Better: Charles Schwab or Fidelity?

Still need help deciding which investing is better? Read the in-depth reviews below. You may also be interested in comparing Charles Schwab or eToro.

In short: Fidelity's commissions and fees is notable.


Articles on Charles Schwab

Charles Schwab

Charles Schwab is one of the oldest names in the world of investing. With low fees, no account minimums, and robust research tools, it's a good brokerage for all levels of investors.

Articles on Fidelity

Fidelity Investment Brokerage Review

Thinking of opening a brokerage account with Fidelity? There are many reasons to love Fidelity and a few reasons to think about going elsewhere.

Which Do You Think is Best?





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