Fidelity and Vantage clash on cost, platform breadth, and international access. The axis is commission models versus advanced trading features and regulation.
Find out which stock broker best suits your investing profile.
Choose if…
Choose Fidelity if you want commission-free trading on US stocks and extensive research tools.
Choose if…
Choose Vantage if you want no minimum deposit on standard accounts and negative balance protection.
Which broker wins for each type of stock trader, based on costs, safety, features, and editorial scoring.
| Editorial score | 4.6/ 5 | 3.8/ 5 |
|---|---|---|
| Min deposit | N/A | $50 |
| Spreads from | N/A | 0 pips |
| Commission / lot | N/A | $6/lot |
A closer look at the specific criteria each broker meets or misses within each scoring category.
| Criteria | Fidelity | Vantage |
|---|---|---|
| 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 3.8/5 for Vantage. Fidelity edges ahead on our composite score, though both brokers meet a reasonable standard for most traders.
Vantage starts from 0. Current spread data is not available for Fidelity. Check both brokers' websites for up-to-date spread and commission pricing.
Vantage requires $50. Minimum deposit information is not currently available for Fidelity.
Both Fidelity and Vantage 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, Vantage 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 Vantage 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.
Vantage charges $6 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 Vantage supports Proprietary Web/Mobile, DXtrade, MetaTrader 4, MetaTrader 5. Both provide Proprietary Web/Mobile. Fidelity has exclusive access to Active Trader Pro. Vantage has exclusive access to DXtrade and MetaTrader 4 and MetaTrader 5.
Fidelity offers commission-free stock trading while Vantage 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.
Vantage 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 because it offers commission-free US stock and ETF trading.
Fidelity is best for safety and regulation with strong oversight and SIPC protection.
Fidelity supports long-term investing with zero-expense-ratio funds and DRIP.
Fidelity offers an Active Trader Pro platform with advanced tools.
Vantage is best for beginners due to no minimum deposit on standard accounts.
Fidelity provides broader global access with more exchanges.
| N/A |
| 0.6 pips |
| Inactivity fee | None | None |
|---|
| Deposit fee | Free | Free |
|---|
| Deposit methods | Bank transferACHWire transferCheque | Bank transferCredit cardDebit cardSkrillNetellerPayPal |
|---|
| Withdrawal methods | Bank transferACHWire transferCheque | Bank transferCredit cardSkrillNeteller |
|---|
| 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 FCA CIMA |
|---|
| Platforms | Active Trader Pro Proprietary Web/Mobile | Proprietary Web/Mobile DXtrade MetaTrader 4 MetaTrader 5 |
|---|
| Active bonuses | 2 offers | None |
|---|
Fidelity wins on the editorial score (4.6 vs 3.8) due to zero-expense funds and commission-free trading, while Vantage trails.
Dig deeper into each broker’s features, fees, and regulation.
Score 3.8 / 5
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