Charles Schwabvs
FidelityStock Broker Comparison
Two longtime US brokers are evaluated on cost-free stock trading, platform power, and investor protections. The rivalry centers on access to IPOs, exchange reach, and extra SIPC coverage.
Who should choose Charles Schwab vs Fidelity?
Find out which stock broker best suits your investing profile.
Choose if…
Choose Charles Schwab if you want IPO access and broader exchange coverage.
Choose if…
Choose Fidelity if you want zero-expense index funds and strong SIPC coverage.
Verdict by Trader Profile
Which broker wins for each type of stock trader, based on costs, safety, features, and editorial scoring.
Best for low cost trading
Charles Schwab vs Fidelity: Side-by-Side Stock Broker Comparison
 |  | |
|---|---|---|
| Editorial score | 4.6/ 5 | 4.6/ 5 |
| Min deposit | N/A | N/A |
| Spreads from | N/A | N/A |
| Commission / lot | N/A | N/A |
| Inactivity fee | None | None |
| Deposit fee |
Charles Schwab vs Fidelity Stock Broker Pros & Cons
Pros
- Commission-free US stock and ETF trading with no account minimum
- thinkorswim, most powerful retail trading platform available at zero cost
- Fractional shares (Schwab Slices) from $5 for any S&P 500 company
- Broadest research stack in US retail (Morningstar, Argus, CFRA, proprietary)
- Regulated by SEC and FINRA; $9 trillion in client assets
- Schwab Intelligent Portfolios robo-adviser with no management fee
Charles Schwab vs Fidelity: Detailed Category Breakdown
A closer look at the specific criteria each broker meets or misses within each scoring category.
1
Charles Schwab
criteria win
0
Fidelity
criteria wins
Highlighted rows show where the two brokers differ
| Criteria | Charles Schwab | Fidelity |
|---|---|---|
| Trust & Regulation | ||
| Top-tier regulator (FCA, ASIC, SEC, etc.) | Pass | Pass |
| Segregated client funds | Pass | Pass |
| Negative balance protection | Fail | Fail |
| Compensation scheme (e.g. FSCS, SIPC) | Fail | Fail |
| Costs | ||
| Commission-free trading | Pass | Pass |
| No deposit fee | Pass | Pass |
| Features | ||
| Fractional shares | Pass | Pass |
| Dividend reinvestment (DRIP) | Pass | Pass |
| Extended hours trading | Pass | Pass |
| IPO access | Pass | Fail |
| Short selling | Pass | Pass |
| Stock screener tool | Pass | Pass |
| Support | ||
| Mobile app | Pass | Pass |
| Advanced charting tools | Pass | Pass |
| 24/5 live chat | Pass | Pass |
| Phone support | Pass | Pass |
Charles Schwab vs Fidelity: Frequently Asked Questions
Charles Schwab and Fidelity share the same editorial score of 4.6/5. One concrete differentiator: platform availability and account types differ between them.
Both Charles Schwab 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.
Minimum deposit and negative balance protection data are not confirmed for this pair. Both hold top-tier regulatory status, meaning client fund protections apply to both. Also compare demo account availability and educational resources on each broker's site.
Charles Schwab lists maximum leverage of 1:4, 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.
Charles Schwab supports thinkorswim, Proprietary Web/Mobile, while Fidelity supports Active Trader Pro, Proprietary Web/Mobile. Both provide Proprietary Web/Mobile. Charles Schwab has exclusive access to thinkorswim. Fidelity has exclusive access to Active Trader Pro.
Yes, you can open an account with Fidelity independently of your Charles Schwab account. There is no formal transfer process for open positions; you would need to close existing trades with Charles Schwab before funding and trading with Fidelity.
Yes, both Charles Schwab and Fidelity offer commission-free stock trading according to our data. Keep in mind that commission-free brokers may still charge spread costs, foreign exchange fees, or platform fees — always check the full fee schedule on each broker's website.
Yes, both Charles Schwab and Fidelity offer fractional share investing. This makes it easier to invest in high-priced stocks with smaller amounts of capital, which is particularly useful for long-term portfolio building. Check each broker for the specific stocks eligible for fractional purchases.
