Fidelity and Forex.com face off on cost, access, and platform strength. The axis of the matchup contrasts fee-free trading and long-term features against regulated CFDs and multi-platform access.
Find out which stock broker best suits your investing profile.
Choose if…
Choose Fidelity for commission-free US stock and ETF trading, plus fractional shares and extended-hours trading.
Choose if…
Choose Forex.com for access to share CFDs on MT4/MT5 and Web Trader, with negative balance protection and no inactivity fee.
Which broker wins for each type of stock trader, based on costs, safety, features, and editorial scoring.
| Editorial score | 4.6/ 5 | 3.9/ 5 |
|---|---|---|
| Min deposit | N/A | $100 |
| Spreads from | N/A | 1 pips |
| Commission / lot | N/A | $7/lot |
A closer look at the specific criteria each broker meets or misses within each scoring category.
| Criteria | Fidelity | Forex.com |
|---|---|---|
| Trust & Regulation | ||
| Top-tier regulator (FCA, ASIC, SEC, etc.) | Pass | Pass |
| Segregated client funds | Pass | Pass |
| Negative balance protection | Fail | Pass |
| Compensation scheme (e.g. FSCS, SIPC) | Fail | Pass |
| Costs | ||
| Commission-free trading | Pass | Fail |
| No deposit fee | Pass | — |
| Features | ||
| Fractional shares | Pass | Fail |
| Dividend reinvestment (DRIP) | Pass | Fail |
| Extended hours trading | Pass | Fail |
| IPO access | Fail | Fail |
| Short selling | Pass | Pass |
| Stock screener tool | Pass | Fail |
| 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 3.9/5 for Forex.com. Fidelity edges ahead on our composite score, though both brokers meet a reasonable standard for most traders.
Forex.com starts from 1. Current spread data is not available for Fidelity. Check both brokers' websites for up-to-date spread and commission pricing.
Forex.com requires $100. Minimum deposit information is not currently available for Fidelity.
Both Fidelity and Forex.com 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, Forex.com 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.
Fidelity lists maximum leverage of 1:4, while Forex.com lists up to 20:1. Available leverage depends on your jurisdiction. EU retail clients under ESMA rules are capped at 1:30 on major forex pairs.
Forex.com charges $7 per trade on commission-based accounts. Commission details for Fidelity are not currently available. Check their website for up-to-date pricing. Stock commissions may be charged as a flat rate per trade or per share; confirm the exact structure on each broker's website.
Fidelity supports Active Trader Pro, Proprietary Web/Mobile, while Forex.com supports MetaTrader 5, Proprietary Web/Mobile, MetaTrader 4. Both provide Proprietary Web/Mobile. Fidelity has exclusive access to Active Trader Pro. Forex.com has exclusive access to MetaTrader 5 and MetaTrader 4.
Fidelity offers commission-free stock trading while Forex.com 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.
Forex.com 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 for low-cost trading due to commission-free US stocks and ETFs.
Fidelity wins for long-term investing with zero-expense-ratio index funds and DRIP.
Fidelity wins for active traders with Active Trader Pro and advanced tools.
Fidelity wins for beginners with zero-expense index funds and no investment minimum.
Fidelity wins for global market access with broader exchange coverage (10 vs 8).
| N/A |
| 1.7 pips |
| Inactivity fee | None | $15/month (after 12 months) |
|---|
| Deposit fee | Free | Free |
|---|
| Deposit methods | Bank transferACHWire transferCheque | Bank transferCredit cardDebit card |
|---|
| Withdrawal methods | Bank transferACHWire transferCheque | Bank transferCredit card |
|---|
| Withdrawal fee | Free EFT; $10 wire transfer | Free |
|---|
| Commission-free | Yes | No |
|---|
| Fractional shares | Yes | No |
|---|
| Dividend reinvestment | Yes | No |
|---|
| Extended hours | Yes | No |
|---|
| IPO access | No | No |
|---|
| Short selling | Yes | Yes |
|---|
| Regulators | SEC FINRA | ASIC CFTC FCA IIROC MAS NFA |
|---|
| Platforms | Active Trader Pro Proprietary Web/Mobile | MetaTrader 5 Proprietary Web/Mobile MetaTrader 4 |
|---|
| Active bonuses | 2 offers | None |
|---|
Fidelity leads the editorial score (4.6 vs 3.9) and outperforms Forex.com across trust, fees, and platforms.
Dig deeper into each broker’s features, fees, and regulation.
Score 3.9 / 5
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