Two well-established brokers deliver contrasting approaches to stock investing. One leans on zero-expense funds and deep research, while the other emphasizes regulated CFDs and multi-platform trading.
Find out which stock broker best suits your investing profile.
Choose if…
Choose Fidelity if you want commission-free US stocks and ETFs and access to extensive third-party research from 20+ providers. You also get fractional shares and a proprietary platform with advanced trading tools and extended hours.
Choose if…
Choose Fidelity if you want commission-free US stocks and ETFs and access to extensive third-party research from 20+ providers. You also get fractional shares and a proprietary platform with advanced trading tools and extended hours.
Which broker wins for each type of stock trader, based on costs, safety, features, and editorial scoring.
| Editorial score | 4.6/ 5 | 3.7/ 5 |
|---|---|---|
| Min deposit | N/A | No minimum |
| Spreads from | N/A | 1.5 pips |
| Commission / lot | N/A | N/A |
| Inactivity fee | None | None |
| Deposit fee | Free |
A closer look at the specific criteria each broker meets or misses within each scoring category.
| Criteria | Fidelity | FXTM |
|---|---|---|
| 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 | Fail |
| Phone support | Pass | Pass |
Fidelity rates 4.6/5 versus 3.7/5 for FXTM. Fidelity edges ahead on our composite score, though both brokers meet a reasonable standard for most traders.
FXTM starts from 1.5. Current spread data is not available for Fidelity. Check both brokers' websites for up-to-date spread and commission pricing.
FXTM requires no minimum deposit required. Minimum deposit information is not currently available for Fidelity.
Both Fidelity and FXTM 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, FXTM 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 FXTM 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.
Fidelity supports Active Trader Pro, Proprietary Web/Mobile, while FXTM supports MetaTrader 5, MetaTrader 4. Fidelity has exclusive access to Active Trader Pro and Proprietary Web/Mobile. FXTM has exclusive access to MetaTrader 5 and MetaTrader 4.
Fidelity offers commission-free stock trading while FXTM 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.
FXTM 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 investors with zero-expense index funds and dividend reinvestment.
Fidelity leads active traders with Active Trader Pro and advanced equity tools.
Fidelity wins for beginners with no investment minimum in zero-expense index funds.
Fidelity wins global market access with more exchanges.
| Free |
| Deposit methods | Bank transferACHWire transferCheque | Bank transferCredit cardDebit cardSkrillNetellerFasaPay |
|---|
| Withdrawal methods | Bank transferACHWire transferCheque | Bank transferCredit cardSkrillNetellerFasaPay |
|---|
| 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 | CySEC FSCA FCA FSC |
|---|
| Platforms | Active Trader Pro Proprietary Web/Mobile | MetaTrader 5 MetaTrader 4 |
|---|
| Active bonuses | 2 offers | None |
|---|
Fidelity wins on editorial score, supported by commission-free trading and extensive research; FXTM trails.
Dig deeper into each broker’s features, fees, and regulation.
Score 3.7 / 5
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