Fidelity vs. Schwab – A Detailed Comparison
Discover our detailed comparison of Fidelity and Schwab to help determine which is best for you. Whether you’re a seasoned trader or just starting out, choosing the right platform can significantly impact your trading experience.
To make your research easier, we manually found key data for Fidelity and Schwab across the internet and compiled it all in this article.
- Extensive investing options
- Good customer support
- Great overall investing platform
- thinkorswim charting tools
- Best overall investing platform
- Banking and investing options
Overview of Fidelity
Fidelity is a well-established brokerage firm known for its comprehensive range of financial services. It is one of the only institutions that offers zero-cost mutual funds, at the expense of less frequent dividend payments. While they don’t offer leverage products like futures, they allow you to invest in crypto, and they are one of the only brokerages that provides custody of the fund’s Bitcoin.
✓ Extensive investing options
✓ Good customer support
✓ Great overall investing platform
Fidelity is Best For
Fidelity is best for long-term investors, but not as much for active traders seeking leveraged products like futures contracts. However, the options trading fees are competitive, they provide many low-cost investment funds, and they allow you to invest in cryptocurrency, making it a great all-around brokerage.
Overview of Schwab
Charles Schwab is a well-established brokerage firm known for its wide range of investment products and services. Schwab also provides a user-friendly online platform and mobile app, along with educational resources to help clients make informed investment decisions. Additionally, they offer banking services, retirement accounts, and access to financial advisors.
✓ thinkorswim charting tools
✓ Best overall investing platform
✓ Banking and investing options
Schwab is Best For
Schwab is a great brokerage for long-term investors and active traders alike. With its recent acquisition of TD Ameritrade and the thinkorswim platform, Schwab is suitable for anybody looking to trade and invest in the stock market.
Key Characteristics of Fidelity and Schwab
| Platform | Platform Type | Tradeable Assets | Charting Features | Data | Premium Pricing |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Fidelity | Brokerage Platform | Stocks, ETFs, Mutual Funds, Options, Index Options, Bonds | Active Trader Pro Platform | Real-time data with funded account | No premium features |
| Schwab | Brokerage Platform | Stocks, ETFs, Mutual Funds, Options, Index Options, Futures, Futures Options, Bonds | thinkorswim platform | Real-time data with funded account | No premium features |
Trading Features and Tools
| Platform | DRIP | Margin Trading | Insurance | Mobile App |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Fidelity | Yes, no fees | Yes | SIPC Insured | Yes |
| Schwab | Yes, no fees | Yes | SIPC/FDIC Insured | Yes |
Trading Costs and Commissions Compared
| Fee Type | Fidelity | Schwab |
|---|---|---|
| Equity Commission | Free | Free |
| Option Commission | $0.65 per contract | $0.65 per contract |
| Futures Commission | No futures | $2.25 per contract |
| Futures Options Commission | No futures options | $2.25 per contract |
| Option Exercise Fee | None | None |
Fidelity vs Schwab – Bottom Line
Choosing between Fidelity and Schwab depends on your specific trading needs, preferred trading tools, and the type of assets you’re interested in.
Both platforms offer distinct advantages, but by considering the detailed comparison above, you can select the one that aligns best with your trading strategy and goals.
For more detailed reviews and comparisons, continue exploring our other articles on brokerage platform comparisons.
What is the Overall Best Charting Software?
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- All of TradingView’s key features are free to use
- TradingView provides real-time data for free whenever possible
- You are not tied to a single broker and can use whichever you want while charting on TradingView
- You can track all markets on a single platform, including stocks, ETFs, crypto, forex, and futures.
- TradingView has an excellent economic calendar and various screeners
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