Fidelityvs
VanguardStock Broker Comparison
Fidelity and Vanguard square off on cost, access, and long-term utility. The comparison weighs commission models, platform depth, and global reach without pronouncing a winner.
Key Differences
- 1Fidelity offers commission-free US stock and ETF trading.
- 2Fidelity provides access to 10 exchanges, Vanguard to just one.
- 3Fidelity allows short selling while Vanguard does not.
Who should choose Fidelity vs Vanguard?
Find out which stock broker best suits your investing profile.
Choose if…
Choose Fidelity if you value commission-free US stock and ETF trading and robust trading tools.
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Fidelity vs Vanguard: Side-by-Side Stock Broker Comparison
 |  | |
|---|---|---|
| Editorial score | 4.6/ 5 | 4.1/ 5 |
| Min deposit | N/A | $100 |
| Spreads from | N/A | N/A |
| Commission / lot | N/A | N/A |
| Inactivity fee | None | None |
| Deposit fee | Free |
Fidelity vs Vanguard 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 Vanguard: Detailed Category Breakdown
A closer look at the specific criteria each broker meets or misses within each scoring category.
7
Fidelity
criteria wins
1
Vanguard
criteria win
Highlighted rows show where the two brokers differ
| Criteria | Fidelity | Vanguard |
|---|---|---|
| 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 | Fail |
| No deposit fee | Pass | Pass |
| Features | ||
| Fractional shares | Pass | Fail |
| Dividend reinvestment (DRIP) | Pass | Pass |
| 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 | Pass |
Fidelity vs Vanguard: Frequently Asked Questions
Fidelity rates 4.6/5 versus 4.1/5 for Vanguard. Fidelity edges ahead on our composite score, though both brokers meet a reasonable standard for most traders.
Vanguard requires $100. Minimum deposit information is not currently available for Fidelity.
Both Fidelity and Vanguard 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 Vanguard lists up to 1:1. 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 Vanguard supports Proprietary Web/Mobile. Both provide Proprietary Web/Mobile. Fidelity has exclusive access to Active Trader Pro.
Fidelity offers commission-free stock trading while Vanguard 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.
Vanguard 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.
