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Fidelity Investments Review

Written by
Bestmoney Staff
The BestMoney editorial team is composed of writers and experts covering a full range of financial services. Our mission is to simplify the process of selecting the right provider for every need, leveraging our extensive industry knowledge to deliver clear, reliable advice.

February 25, 2026

4 min

fidelity

Fidelity Summary

Fidelity Investments offers a low-cost, feature-rich investment platform suitable for both beginner and advanced investors. With commission-free trades*, robust research tools, and a variety of investment options**, it serves a wide user base. Its avoidance of payment for order flow and competitive robo-advisor services set it apart.

Fidelity Pros & Cons

Pros

Commission-free trades on online U.S. stocks and ETFs¹
No payment for order flow (more transparent execution)
High-quality trading and research tools

Cons

Advanced orders limited on mobile
Robo-advisor lacks tax-loss harvesting
fidelity

Fidelity at a glance

10
Editorial score

Years in Business

Founded in 1946, so 10 years or more
10.0

Minimum Investment

Fidelity has $0 or low minimum required to invest in most accounts; including no minimum on brokerage, IRAs, etc.
10.0

Diversification

4 or more investment vehicles
10.0

Customer Service

24/7 customer support available
10.0

Online Experience

Highly informative website with a clear breakdown of offerings
10.0

Overview

Founded in 1946 and headquartered in Boston, Fidelity Investments is one of the largest financial services firms in the U.S. It manages trillions in client assets and provides services spanning brokerage, wealth management, and robo-advisory platforms.

Fidelity’s brokerage services allow investors to trade stocks, ETFs, options², mutual funds, bonds, and even access cryptocurrency via Fidelity Digital Assets. Its platform is well-regarded for its low fees³, transparency, and wide array of tools.

What is Fidelity?

Among other services, Fidelity offers self-directed investment platform, enabling users to manage their own portfolios. It offers trading in U.S. equities, ETFs, fixed income, mutual funds, and fractional shares. Fidelity also supports crypto exposure through Fidelity Digital Assets.

For less hands-on investors, Fidelity Go®⁴ provides automated investment management, while Active Trader Pro caters to experienced traders needing complex tools. Education, webinars, and research from multiple providers are integrated into the experience.

Overall, Fidelity addresses a broad range of investor profiles, from first-time savers to seasoned traders, supported by reliable infrastructure and clear cost structures.

Suitable For?

Fidelity is well-suited for:

  • Active traders who need powerful tools without high fees
  • Beginners who value educational resources and simple onboarding
  • Long-term investors wanting low-cost mutual funds and ETFs
  • Users who value transparency and advanced order execution

Features/Highlights

FeatureDescription
Stock/ETF Trades$0 commission¹
Mutual Funds3,000+ no-transaction-fee funds; Fidelity ZERO funds
Options²$0.65 per contract
Robo-advisor (Fidelity Go®)⁴Free under $25K; 0.35% fee above
Margin TradingCompetitive, tiered rates
Basket InvestingCustom baskets of securities
Fractional SharesMin $1 trade size

Product Choices and Terms

Fidelity offers a broad mix of self-directed and managed investing products:

  • Brokerage Account: Trade stocks, ETFs, mutual funds, and more. No account fees or minimums³.
  • Fidelity Go®: Robo-advisory for hands-off investing, using proprietary Fidelity Flex funds with no expense ratio. Management fee of 0.35% above $25,000.
  • Managed Portfolios: "Fidelity Managed Accounts" or "Fidelity managed accounts" refer to the advisory services provided for a fee through Strategic Advisers LLC (Strategic Advisers), a registered investment adviser.** Brokerage services provided by Fidelity Brokerage Services LLC (FBS), and custodial and related services provided by National Financial Services LLC (NFS), each a member NYSE and SIPC. Strategic Advisers, FBS, and NFS are Fidelity Investments companies.
  • Custodial & College Accounts: UGMA/UTMA and 529 plans.

Optional services include real-time data, advanced technical analysis, and personalized coaching.

How to get started with Fidelity Investments

Getting started is straightforward:

  1. Visit fidelity.com and select "Open an account"
  2. Choose your account type
  3. Fill in personal and financial info
  4. Fund the account via bank transfer or check
  5. Begin trading via web, mobile app, or Active Trader Pro

Verification and funding generally complete in 1–3 business days.

Is There a Fidelity App?

Yes, Fidelity’s mobile app is available on iOS and Android. It supports stock/ETF trades, research, watchlists, alerts, and limited options orders. Users can view portfolio performance, deposit checks, access news, and receive price alerts. The mobile platform is intuitive, but advanced traders may prefer desktop tools like Active Trader Pro.

How Safe Is It?

Fidelity is regulated by FINRA and the SEC. Brokerage accounts are protected by SIPC in case of broker bankruptcy for up to $500,000 (including $250,000 cash). SIPC does not cover market losses, commodities, futures contracts, or unregistered investment contracts. Additional insurance is provided through Lloyd’s of London.

Fidelity uses two-factor authentication, strong encryption protocols (SSL), and device monitoring. They do not accept payment for order flow, aligning execution practices more closely with user interests.

Help & Support

Fidelity offers 24/7 customer support via phone. Live chat and virtual assistant tools are also available on the site and mobile app. Fidelity maintains a robust Help Center with FAQs, tutorials, and financial literacy content. Support for international users may vary.

Customer service is generally rated highly, though support during high-volume trading periods may have wait times.

Fidelity Investments in a Nutshell

Fidelity Investments stands out for its strong balance of low costs and feature-rich services. It offers commission-free trading for U.S. stocks and ETFs*, a wide selection of mutual funds (including no-expense-ratio options), and support for cryptocurrencies via Fidelity Digital Assets.

Users have access to sophisticated tools such as Active Trader Pro and the newer Fidelity Trader+ platform. Fidelity Go® provides a simple robo-advisory option, while the mobile app supports seamless portfolio management on the go. Investors also benefit from basket investing and fractional shares, allowing strategic customization.

With robust security measures, transparent execution practices, and 24/7 support, Fidelity is a trusted platform for both beginners and experienced investors. It avoids payment for order flow, helping ensure fairer trade execution. Overall, Fidelity Investments remains a compelling choice in the online investing landscape.

Physical Address

Fidelity Brokerage Services LLC

900 Salem Street, Smithfield, RI 02917

FAQs

Is Fidelity good for beginners?

Yes. Fidelity offers educational content, zero-fee trades, and an intuitive mobile app, making it a strong choice for new investors.

Does Fidelity have hidden fees?

No. Most trades are free, and there are no account maintenance fees³. Margin rates and some bond trades do have charges.

Can I buy crypto on Fidelity?

Yes, Bitcoin and Ethereum are available via Fidelity Crypto® to eligible users. Not all states support it yet.

Methodology

This review was created using information from the company’s website, customer support, financial news outlets, third-party review platforms, and regulatory resources (e.g., FINRA).

Disclaimers

Investing involves risk, including risk of loss.

1. $0.00 commission applies to online U.S. equity trades and exchange-traded funds (ETFs) in a Fidelity retail account only for Fidelity Brokerage Services LLC retail clients. Sell orders are subject to an activity assessment fee (historically from $0.01 to $0.03 per $1,000 of principal). Other exclusions and conditions may apply. A limited number of ETFs are subject to a transaction-based service fee of $100. See full list at Fidelity.com/commissions. Employee equity compensation transactions and accounts managed by advisors or intermediaries through Fidelity Institutional® are subject to different commission schedules.

2. Options trading entails significant risk and is not appropriate for all investors. Certain complex options strategies carry additional risk. Before trading options, please read Characteristics and Risks of Standardized Options. Supporting documentation for any claims, if applicable, will be furnished upon request.

3. Zero account minimums and zero account fees apply to retail brokerage accounts only. Expenses charged by investments (e.g., funds, managed accounts, and certain HSAs) and commissions, interest charges, or other expenses for transactions may still apply. See Fidelity.com/commissions for further details.

4. Fidelity Go® provides discretionary investment management, and in certain circumstances, non- discretionary financial planning, for a fee. Advisory services offered by Strategic Advisers LLC (Strategic Advisers), a registered investment adviser. Brokerage services provided by Fidelity Brokerage Services LLC (FBS), and custodial and related services provided by National Financial Services LLC (NFS), each a member NYSE and SIPC. Strategic Advisers, FBS and NFS are Fidelity Investments companies.

Before investing, consider the funds' investment objectives, risks, charges, and expenses. Contact Fidelity for a prospectus or, if available, a summary prospectus containing this information. Read it carefully

Having explored the features and benefits of this product, you might be curious about how it stacks up against its competitors. We encourage you to visit our comprehensive comparison chart for a broader perspective. This chart offers a detailed juxtaposition of this product with other leading brands, highlighting differences in features, pricing, and customer ratings. It’s an invaluable resource for contrasting your options and making an informed decision that best suits your needs. Don’t miss out – take a moment now to view our comparison chart and see how your chosen product compares in the wider market.

AI was used in the creation of this content, along with human validation and proofreading.

Written byBestmoney Staff

The BestMoney editorial team is composed of writers and experts covering a full range of financial services. Our mission is to simplify the process of selecting the right provider for every need, leveraging our extensive industry knowledge to deliver clear, reliable advice.

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