Vanguard vs Fidelity
Vanguard is a good choice for ETF and mutual fund investors interested in Vanguard-sponsored investments. How does it compare to Fidelity? Read our comparison chart below.
Vanguard offers low stock trade prices (starting at just $2) for investors with account balances over $500k. For those with smaller balances, it's best for less active traders, as trade prices go up after 25 trades/year. Vanguard offers 125+ no-transaction-fee mutual fees and 55+ commission-free ETFs. There is no minimum deposit and service fees can be waived by signing up for electronic statements.
While Fidelity offers stock trades at $0 per trade and more than 180 branch locations. There is no minimum deposit.
Compare Vanguard with Fidelity, side-by-side. Read on for an in-depth look, including ratings, reviews, pros and cons.
Vanguard | Fidelity | |
|---|---|---|
Commission-Free Trading - Online Stock, ETF and Option Trades - | ||
Benefits and Features | ||
| Stock Trading | Less than $50,000: $7 per trade for the first 25 trades per year, then $20. $50k - $500k: All trades $7. $500k - $1M: All trades $2. $1M - $5M: First 25 trades per year free, then $2. $5M+: First 100 trades per year free, then $2 | |
| Options Trading | Less than $500,000: $7 + $1 per contract. $500,000+: $2 + $1 per contract | $0 per online trade, plus $0.65 per contract |
| Minimum Deposit | ||
| Mutual Fund Trading | $0 for no-transaction-fee funds. For transaction-fee funds: $20 for account balances less than $500,000; $8 for account balances $500,000+ | $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 ETFs | Around 1,800 ETFs from about 100 other companies | 357 including 28 Fidelity factor, sector, stock, and bond ETFs and 329 iShares® ETFs |
| Broker Assisted Trades | $32.95 per trade for representative-assisted trades. | |
| Customer Service | ||
| Inactivity Fee | ||
| Maintenance Fee | $20/year. Waived if account owner signs up for e-delivery service OR have at least $10,000 in Vanguard ETFs and mutual funds | |
| Banking | 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 |  | |
| Desktop App | Active Trader Pro (requires you trade 36 times or more in a rolling 12 month period) | |
| Forex Trading | ||
| Futures Trading | ||
| Locations | ||
| Online Community | ||
| Seminars | ||
| Virtual Trading | | |
CreditDonkey® Reviews | ||
| Stock Trading |   | |
| Options Trading | | |
| Mutual Fund Trading | |  |
| Mobile App | | |
| Commissions and Fees | | |
| Ease of Use | | |
| Research | | |
| Banking | | |
| Pros & Cons | Pros:
| Pros:
|
| Bottom Line | Good choice for ETF and mutual fund investors interested in Vanguard-sponsored investments... | Comprehensive online broker with in-depth research... |
Blank fields may indicate the information is not available, not applicable, or not known to CreditDonkey. Please visit the product website for details. Vanguard: Pricing information from published websites as of 09/15/2019. Fidelity: Pricing information from published website as of 12/05/2020. | ||
Which is Better: Vanguard or Fidelity?
Still need help deciding which investing is better? Read the in-depth reviews below. You may also be interested in comparing Vanguard or Ally Invest.
In short: Fidelity's stock trading, mobile app, and research are notable. In particular, the research is excellent.
Articles on Vanguard
Vanguard Brokerage Review
Articles on Fidelity
Fidelity Investments
Which Do You Think is Best?
You might also be interested in
Related: Investing
