Two brokers present competing visions for stock investing, balancing cost structures and toolsets. The tension centers on cost, access to global markets, and sophistication.
Find out which stock broker best suits your investing profile.
Choose if…
Choose Fidelity if you want advanced trading tools and deep research.
Choose if…
Choose Stake if you want commission-free stock access across major markets with a simple interface.
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 | N/A |
| Spreads from | N/A | N/A |
| 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 | Stake |
|---|---|---|
| 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 | Pass |
| Costs | ||
| Commission-free trading | Pass | Pass |
| No deposit fee | Pass | Pass |
| Features | ||
| Fractional shares | Pass | Fail |
| Dividend reinvestment (DRIP) | Pass | Fail |
| Extended hours trading | Pass | Fail |
| IPO access | Fail | Fail |
| Short selling | Pass | Fail |
| Stock screener tool | Pass | Fail |
| Support | ||
| Mobile app | Pass | Pass |
| Advanced charting tools | Pass | Fail |
| 24/5 live chat | Pass | Fail |
| Phone support | Pass | Fail |
Fidelity rates 4.6/5 versus 3.9/5 for Stake. Fidelity edges ahead on our composite score, though both brokers meet a reasonable standard for most traders.
Both Fidelity and Stake 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. Available leverage depends on your jurisdiction. EU retail clients under ESMA rules are capped at 1:30 on major forex pairs.
Fidelity supports Proprietary Web/Mobile, Active Trader Pro, while Stake supports Proprietary Web/Mobile. Both provide Proprietary Web/Mobile. Fidelity has exclusive access to Active Trader Pro.
Yes, you can open an account with Stake independently of your Fidelity account. There is no formal transfer process for open positions; you would need to close existing trades with Fidelity before funding and trading with Stake.
Yes, both Fidelity and Stake 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.
Stake 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 delivers low-cost options with zero-fee funds and commission-free stock trading.
Fidelity maintains strong regulation with SEC/FINRA oversight and excess SIPC coverage up to $1 billion.
Fidelity's zero-expense ratio index funds and no minimums favor long-term cost efficiency.
Active Trader Pro provides advanced tools for Fidelity's active traders.
Stake offers no account minimum and easy onboarding for new investors.
Fidelity provides access to more exchanges, expanding international trading opportunities.
| Free |
| Deposit methods | Bank transferACHWire transferCheque | Bank transferCredit cardDebit card |
|---|
| Withdrawal methods | Bank transferACHWire transferCheque | Bank transfer |
|---|
| Withdrawal fee | Free EFT; $10 wire transfer | Free |
|---|
| Commission-free | Yes | Yes |
|---|
| Fractional shares | Yes | No |
|---|
| Dividend reinvestment | Yes | No |
|---|
| Extended hours | Yes | No |
|---|
| IPO access | No | No |
|---|
| Short selling | Yes | No |
|---|
| Regulators | SEC FINRA | ASIC FCA |
|---|
| Platforms | Proprietary Web/Mobile Active Trader Pro | Proprietary Web/Mobile |
|---|
| Active bonuses | 2 offers | 2 offers |
|---|
Fidelity is the overall winner by editorial score over Stake. Fidelity combines Active Trader Pro with zero-expense index funds and extensive third-party research.
Dig deeper into each broker’s features, fees, and regulation.
Score 3.9 / 5
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