Fidelityvs
Interactive BrokersStock Broker Comparison
Two heavyweight brokers clash over cost structures, long-term investing features, and global market access. The choice hinges on zero-cost trading versus broad international reach and advanced tools.
Who should choose Fidelity vs Interactive Brokers?
Find out which stock broker best suits your investing profile.
Choose if…
Choose Fidelity if you want commission-free US stock trading and access to zero-expense-ratio index funds.
Choose if…
Choose Interactive Brokers if you need access to 150+ exchanges and the powerful Trader Workstation.
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
Fidelity vs Interactive Brokers: Side-by-Side Stock Broker Comparison
 |  | |
|---|---|---|
| Editorial score | 4.6/ 5 | 4.8/ 5 |
| Min deposit | N/A | No minimum |
| Spreads from | N/A | 0.2 pips |
| Commission / lot | N/A | $2/lot |
Fidelity vs Interactive Brokers Stock Broker Pros & Cons
Pros
- Proprietary ZERO expense ratio index funds with no investment minimum
- Commission-free US stock and ETF trading
- Active Trader Pro platform with advanced equity and options tools
- Research from 20+ third-party providers including Morningstar and Zacks
- Best-in-class fixed income desk with competitive bond markups
- Excess SIPC coverage up to $1 billion per customer
Cons
Fidelity vs Interactive Brokers: Detailed Category Breakdown
A closer look at the specific criteria each broker meets or misses within each scoring category.
0
Fidelity
criteria wins
1
Interactive Brokers
criteria win
Highlighted rows show where the two brokers differ
| Criteria | Fidelity | Interactive Brokers |
|---|---|---|
| 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 | — |
| Features | ||
| Fractional shares | Pass | Pass |
| Dividend reinvestment (DRIP) | Pass | Pass |
| Extended hours trading | Pass | Pass |
| IPO access | Fail | Pass |
| 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 |
Fidelity vs Interactive Brokers: Frequently Asked Questions
The scores are close: Fidelity rates 4.6/5 and Interactive Brokers rates 4.8/5. Interactive Brokers 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.
Interactive Brokers starts from 0.2. Current spread data is not available for Fidelity. Check both brokers' websites for up-to-date spread and commission pricing.
Interactive Brokers requires no minimum deposit required. Minimum deposit information is not currently available for Fidelity.
Both Fidelity and Interactive Brokers 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.
Fidelity lists maximum leverage of 1:4, while Interactive Brokers 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.
Interactive Brokers charges $2 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 Interactive Brokers supports Trader Workstation (TWS), Proprietary Web/Mobile. Both provide Proprietary Web/Mobile. Fidelity has exclusive access to Active Trader Pro. Interactive Brokers has exclusive access to Trader Workstation (TWS).
Yes, both Fidelity and Interactive Brokers 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 Fidelity and Interactive Brokers 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.
