E*TRADEvs
FidelityStock Broker Comparison
This showdown pairs E*TRADE and Fidelity on costs, platforms, and research, framed by how each handles commissions, long-term features, and market access.
Key Differences
- 1Fidelity offers fractional shares; E*TRADE does not.
- 2Fidelity provides access to 10 exchanges; E*TRADE covers 8.
- 3Fidelity has multilingual support; E*TRADE does not.
Who should choose E*TRADE vs Fidelity?
Find out which stock broker best suits your investing profile.
Choose if…
Choose E*TRADE if you want a powerful proprietary platform with advanced options analytics and futures trading.
Choose if…
E*TRADE vs Fidelity: Side-by-Side Stock Broker Comparison
 |  | |
|---|---|---|
| Editorial score | 4.3/ 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 | Free |
E*TRADE vs Fidelity Stock Broker Pros & Cons
Pros
- Power E*TRADE platform with professional options analytics and strategy scanner
- Commission-free stocks and ETFs with $0.50/contract options for active traders
- Futures trading available on CME products from the same account
- Morgan Stanley analyst reports now included for account holders
- 40+ year operating history; SEC, FINRA, and SIPC regulated
Cons
E*TRADE vs Fidelity: Detailed Category Breakdown
A closer look at the specific criteria each broker meets or misses within each scoring category.
0
E*TRADE
criteria wins
1
Fidelity
criteria win
Highlighted rows show where the two brokers differ
| Criteria | E*TRADE | 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 | Fail | Pass |
| Dividend reinvestment (DRIP) | Pass | Pass |
| Extended hours trading | Pass | Pass |
| IPO access | Fail | 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 |
E*TRADE vs Fidelity: Frequently Asked Questions
The scores are close: E*TRADE rates 4.3/5 and Fidelity rates 4.6/5. Fidelity has a marginal edge in our scoring, but the difference is small enough that your specific priorities — fees, platforms, or regulatory jurisdiction — should guide the final choice.
Both E*TRADE 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.
E*TRADE 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.
E*TRADE supports Proprietary Web/Mobile, while Fidelity supports Proprietary Web/Mobile, Active Trader Pro. Both provide Proprietary Web/Mobile. Fidelity has exclusive access to Active Trader Pro.
Yes, you can open an account with Fidelity independently of your ETRADE account. There is no formal transfer process for open positions; you would need to close existing trades with ETRADE before funding and trading with Fidelity.
Yes, both E*TRADE 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.
