Two brokers square off on cost models and long-term investing capabilities. One leans into commission-free stock trades and funds, the other centers on fixed-spread equity CFDs.
Find out which stock broker best suits your investing profile.
Choose if…
Choose AvaTrade if you value fixed spreads on stock CFDs and access to MT4 and MT5.
Choose if…
Choose Fidelity if you want commission-free US stock trading and zero-expense index funds.
Which broker wins for each type of stock trader, based on costs, safety, features, and editorial scoring.
| Editorial score | 3.8/ 5 | 4.6/ 5 |
|---|---|---|
| Min deposit | $100 | N/A |
| Spreads from | 0.9 pips | N/A |
| Commission / lot | N/A | N/A |
| Inactivity fee | $50/month (after 3 months) | None |
| Deposit fee | Free |
A closer look at the specific criteria each broker meets or misses within each scoring category.
| Criteria | AvaTrade | Fidelity |
|---|---|---|
| Trust & Regulation | ||
| Top-tier regulator (FCA, ASIC, SEC, etc.) | Pass | Pass |
| Segregated client funds | Pass | Pass |
| Negative balance protection | Pass | Fail |
| Compensation scheme (e.g. FSCS, SIPC) | Pass | Fail |
| Costs | ||
| Commission-free trading | Fail | Pass |
| No deposit fee | — | Pass |
| Features | ||
| Fractional shares | Fail | Pass |
| Dividend reinvestment (DRIP) | Fail | Pass |
| Extended hours trading | Fail | Pass |
| IPO access | Fail | Fail |
| Short selling | Pass | Pass |
| Stock screener tool | Fail | Pass |
| Support | ||
| Mobile app | Pass | Pass |
| Advanced charting tools | Pass | Pass |
| 24/5 live chat | Pass | Pass |
| Phone support | Pass | Pass |
Fidelity rates 4.6/5 versus 3.8/5 for AvaTrade. Fidelity edges ahead on our composite score, though both brokers meet a reasonable standard for most traders.
AvaTrade starts from 0.9. Current spread data is not available for Fidelity. Check both brokers' websites for up-to-date spread and commission pricing.
AvaTrade requires $100. Minimum deposit information is not currently available for Fidelity.
Both AvaTrade and Fidelity hold licences from top-tier regulators, indicating a high standard of regulatory oversight. Check each broker's specific regulatory bodies to confirm coverage in your jurisdiction.
For beginners, AvaTrade provides negative balance protection, capping losses at your deposit amount. Also compare demo account availability and educational resources on each broker's site before deciding.
AvaTrade lists maximum leverage of 20:1, while Fidelity lists up to 1:4. Available leverage depends on your jurisdiction. EU retail clients under ESMA rules are capped at 1:30 on major forex pairs.
AvaTrade supports ZuluTrade, MetaTrader 5, Proprietary Web/Mobile, MetaTrader 4, while Fidelity supports Active Trader Pro, Proprietary Web/Mobile. Both provide Proprietary Web/Mobile. AvaTrade has exclusive access to ZuluTrade and MetaTrader 5 and MetaTrader 4. Fidelity has exclusive access to Active Trader Pro.
Fidelity offers commission-free stock trading while AvaTrade does not according to our data. Commission-free trading can reduce costs for frequent traders. Always confirm the current fee structure directly on each broker's website.
AvaTrade scores higher on investor protection criteria, with compensation scheme coverage and segregated client funds. For stock investors, confirming compensation scheme coverage ensures your assets are protected up to a defined limit if the broker becomes insolvent.
Fidelity wins due to commission-free trading and zero-expense index funds.
Equally matched, both maintain regulated status with segregated funds.
Fidelity wins with zero-expense index funds and no account minimum.
Fidelity wins with Active Trader Pro and advanced equity tools.
Fidelity wins for beginners with zero trading commissions and broad fund access.
AvaTrade wins for global access via 600+ stock CFDs across regional markets.
| Free |
| Deposit methods | Bank transferCredit cardDebit cardSkrillNeteller | Bank transferACHWire transferCheque |
|---|
| Withdrawal methods | Bank transferCredit cardSkrillNeteller | Bank transferACHWire transferCheque |
|---|
| Withdrawal fee | Free | Free EFT; $10 wire transfer |
|---|
| Commission-free | No | Yes |
|---|
| Fractional shares | No | Yes |
|---|
| Dividend reinvestment | No | Yes |
|---|
| Extended hours | No | Yes |
|---|
| IPO access | No | No |
|---|
| Short selling | Yes | Yes |
|---|
| Regulators | ASIC FSCA MFSA CBI ADGM | SEC FINRA |
|---|
| Platforms | ZuluTrade MetaTrader 5 Proprietary Web/Mobile MetaTrader 4 | Active Trader Pro Proprietary Web/Mobile |
|---|
| Active bonuses | None | 2 offers |
|---|
Fidelity edges AvaTrade on overall editorial score and category ratings, reflecting stronger trust, fees, platforms, and support.
Dig deeper into each broker’s features, fees, and regulation.
Score 3.8 / 5
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