Fidelity vs. Vanguard – A Detailed Comparison
Discover our detailed comparison of Fidelity and Vanguard 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 Vanguard across the internet and compiled it all in this article.
- Extensive investing options
- Good customer support
- Great overall investing platform
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 Vanguard
Vanguard was founded by the legendary investor John Bogle. Bogle is also credited with creating the first retail index fund, providing retail investors with a low-cost vehicle to invest in the broader stock market. Vanguard is known for offering low-cost mutual funds and ETFs with trillions of AUM.
✓ Best for investors
✓ Low-cost investing funds
✓ Retirement planning tools
Vanguard is Best For
Vanguard is best for long-term investors who want a low-cost set-it-and-forget-it investing approach. It is not great for active traders due to its lack of charting and trading tools. While Vanguard is an excellent and well-established brokerage, it is somewhat dated and not suitable for those who want a lot of control over their investments.
Key Characteristics of Fidelity and Vanguard
| 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 |
| Vanguard | Brokerage Platform | Stocks, ETFs, Mutual Funds, Options, Bonds | Price history for Vanguard funds | 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 |
| Vanguard | Yes, no fees | Yes | SIPC Insured | Yes |
Trading Costs and Commissions Compared
| Fee Type | Fidelity | Vanguard |
|---|---|---|
| Equity Commission | Free | Free |
| Option Commission | $0.65 per contract | $0 + $1-per-contract fee |
| Futures Commission | No futures | No futures |
| Futures Options Commission | No futures options | No futures options |
| Option Exercise Fee | None | None |
Fidelity vs Vanguard – Bottom Line
Choosing between Fidelity and Vanguard 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.
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