E*Trade and Fidelity are full-service investment brokers with diversified product offerings. Both the brokerages require zero minimums to open an account, zero commission for online trading and offer several Robo advisor options.
The major difference is the availability of futures only at E*Trade and in-house mutual funds at Fidelity. If you want an in-person consultation then Fidelity has 190 investor locations.
Below is the brief comparison of both the brokers;
Brief Comparison E*Trade vs Fidelity in 2022
| Particulars | E*Trade | Fidelity |
| Trading Assets | Stocks, ETFs, mutual funds, futures, bonds, and options | Stocks, mutual funds, ETFs, options, bonds, fractional shares |
| Helps invest in | Participate in initial public offerings (IPOs) and U.S.Treasury auctions | Certificate of deposits, precious metals and international investments |
| Based out of | Virginia | Boston |
| Branch Offices | 30 local branch office | 190 Investor Centers in the United States |
| Account Types | Both taxable and traditional IRA and Roth IRA | Taxable Accounts Different IRA account for Charitable giving Estate planning Annuities and Life Insurance |
| Fees/ Commission | E*Trade | Fidelity |
| Brokerage Account Minimum | $0 | $0 |
| On Stock, Option & ETF | $0 | $0 |
| Option contract fees | $0.50-$0.65 per contract, depending on trading volume | $0.65 per contract |
| Futures contract commission | $1.50 per contract, per side | N.A. |
| On Mutual Fund | $19.99 | $0 (On Fidelity mutual funds) |
| No Transaction Fee (NTF) non-Fidelity funds | $19.99 | $0 on purchase |
| Transaction Fee non-Fidelity funds | $19.99 | $49.95 per purchase |
| Broker Assisted Trades | $25 | $19.95 with Fidelity representative on certain assets |
| Margin Amount | E*Trade Margin Rates | Fidelity Margin Rates |
| Less than $10,000 | 8.95% | 8.325% |
| $10,000 to $24,999.99 | 8.70% | 8.325% |
| $25,000 to $49,999.99 | 8.45% | 7.825% |
| $50,000 to $99,999.99 | 7.95% | 6.875% |
| $100,000 to $249,999.99 | 7.45% | 6.825% |
| $250,000 to $499,999.99 | 6.95% | 6.575% |
| $500,000 to $999,999.99 | 6.45% | 4.250% |
| Above $1,000,000 | 5.45% | 4.000% |
| Account Fees | E*Trade | Fidelity |
| International Wire fee | $25 | up to 3% of the principal |
| Domestic Wire fee | $25 | $0 |
| Trading Platforms | Power E*TRADE app Power E*TRADE Platform (web) | Active Trader Pro (desktop platform) Fidelity Mobile |
| Customer Support | Live chat Phone contact | E-mail, phone, virtual assistants and investor centers |
In case if you require a more detailed analysis then below is a side-by-side comparison of both the brokers.
E*Trade Review
E*Trade is a full-service brokerage based out of Arlington, VA, that helps you invest in assets like stocks, ETFs, mutual funds, futures, bonds, and options.
One can open a linked savings bank account along with the trading account and can reach E*Trade through email, phone, live chat and 30 branches across the U.S.
The USP of E*Trade is:
- $0 Trades
- Linked E*Trade Savings Bank
- Power E*Trade trading platform
- Different account types catering to needs
Investment Support
E*Trade gives you access to a 0.05% APY E*Trade Savings Bank account. The savings account is fully integrated with your E*Trade securities account.
The flagship trading technology of E*Trade is the Power E*Trade trading platform with 100+ technical studies and 30+ drawing tools.
Using E*Trade one can trade on interactive charts and make use of technical pattern recognition tool, snapshot.
The Power E*Trade platform is also available in the form of a mobile app that helps you trade on the go.
The mobile app lets you view interactive charts, spot potential trades, and access technical studies.
Account Types at E*Trade
- Brokerage Account
- Retirement IRA accounts – Traditional, Roth & Rollover
- Managed Portfolios – Core, Blend and Dedicated
- Retirement Account for small businesses
- Bank Accounts – Premium Savings, Max-Rate, E*Trade Checking Account
For securities trading, you can use brokerage and managed portfolio accounts.
| Account Type | Particulars |
| Brokerage Account | Is for individual active traders $0 minimums and $0 fees on stock, ETF investments. |
| Managed Portfolio Accounts | You get personalized investment, through financial consultant’s advisory. Account minimums ranging from $500 to $250,000. |
Minimum Investment
The E*Trade brokerage accounts can be opened with a zero minimum.
On the other hand, managed portfolio accounts require the following minimums:
| Managed Portfolio Account | Minimums |
| Core Portfolio Account | $500 |
| Blend Portfolio Account | $25,000 |
| Dedicated Portfolio Account | $150,000 |
| Fixed Income Portfolio Account | $250,000 |
Fee & Charges
| Particulars | Fees & Charges |
| Stock and Option Trades | For 0-29 trades per qtr – $0 For 30+ trades per qtr – $0 |
| Option contract fees | For 0-29 trades per qtr – $0.65 For 30+ trades per qtr – $0.50 |
| Broker assisted trades | $25 |
| ETF | For 0-29 trades per qtr – $0 For 30+ trades per qtr – $0 |
| Bonds (online secondary trades) | $1 per bond (minimum $10, maximum $250) |
| Futures contract commission | $1.50 per contract, per side |
| Commission for Bitcoin futures | $2.50 per contract, per side |
| No load, no transaction fee Mutual Funds | $0 |
| Transaction fee fund | $19.99 |
| Index option fee | Up to $0.51 per contract depending on the index |
Margin Rates
Margin Amount and margin rates charged at E*Trade is under:
| Margin Amount | E*Trade Margin Rates |
| Less than $10,000 | 8.95% |
| $10,000 to $24,999.99 | 8.70% |
| $25,000 to $49,999.99 | 8.45% |
| $50,000 to $99,999.99 | 7.95% |
| $100,000 to $249,999.99 | 7.45% |
| $250,000 to $499,999.99 | 6.95% |
| $500,000 to $999,999.99 | 6.45% |
| Above $1,000,000 | 5.45% |
What I liked about E*Trade
- $0 minimums
- $0 fee for stock, options and ETF
- Power E*Trade platform
- Linked E*Trade Savings Bank Account
What I didn’t like about E*Trade
- $49.99 early redemption fee for mutual funds
- $25 charges for broker-assisted trades
- High 8.95% margin rate for $10,000
Best For
E*Trade is best for investors looking for multiple services that include; trading, banking, investing (bonds, ETF, retirement & mutual funds) along with research advisory.
You would like to read – E*Trade Vs Robinhood
Fidelity Review
Apart from being one of the largest asset managers, Fidelity is also a large size investment broker that operates as a full-service discount brokerage. Fidelity manages over $9.8 trillion in total customer assets.
Based out of Boston, Fidelity offers trading in assets like stocks, mutual funds, ETFs, options, bonds, certificates of deposits, precious metals and international investments. They have 33.2 million brokerage accounts.
Investors can reach Fidelity on phone or through one of the 190 Investor Centers in the United States. They have 12 regional offices too.
The USP of Fidelity:
- $0 commissions
- Brokerage & Cash management account
- Wide range of account types for all needs
- A large number of mutual funds
Investment Support
Fidelity offers a cash management account that can be combined with the brokerage account. The cash management account yields 0.01% APY and can be used as an alternative to the bank account.
The cash management account does not require a minimum balance, has no account fees and is covered up to $250,000 under FDIC.
Trading Platform
Fidelity offers desktop, online (web) and mobile-based trading platforms.
Active Trader Pro is the downloadable desktop trading software for PC and Mac. The platform comes with 45 market filters with an option to spot trading opportunities in real-time.
One can create and save up to 50 orders on the platform.
The Fidelity mobile app helps you trade anytime, anywhere. The best part is that the Fidelity app can be accessed on Amazon Echo devices so that you can ask Alexa for the stock quotes.
The app is compatible with Apple iOS, Apple Watch, Apple TV, Android, Amazon devices and Google Assistant.
One can monitor markets, manage the portfolio and also deposit a check using the app.
Account Types
Fidelity offers a host of investment management services like:
- Investing & trading
- Different IRA account for retirement
- Savings for education, disability & medical expenses
- Managed accounts
- Charitable giving
- Estate planning
- Annuities and life insurance
For investing and trading you can go for a brokerage account without any advisory or a managed account with Robo & personalized advisory.
Minimum Investment
Investing and Trading Accounts
| Account Type | Minimums |
| Brokerage Account | $0 |
| Brokerage and Cash Management Account | $0 |
Managed Accounts
| Account Type | Minimums |
| Fidelity Go | $0 |
| Fidelity Personalized Planning & Advice | $25,000 |
| Portfolio Advisory Services Accounts | $50,000 to $250,000 |
| Fidelity Separately Managed Accounts | $100,000 to $350,000 |
Fee & Charges
| Particulars | Fees & Charges |
| Stock (All online U.S. equity trades) | $0 |
| Options | $0 |
| Option contract fees | $0.65 per contract |
| ETFs (All online ETF trades) | $0 |
| New Issues – Bonds and CDs | $0 |
| Secondary Issues – Bonds and CDs | $1.00 per bond |
| U.S. Treasury: Auctions and secondary issues representative assisted | A flat fee of $19.95 |
| Fidelity mutual funds | $0 |
| No Transaction Fee (NTF) non-Fidelity funds | $0 on purchase. $49.95 on redemption if held less than 60 days |
| Transaction Fee non-Fidelity funds: | $49.95 per purchase$0 on redemption |
Margin Rates
The margin rate depends on the outstanding margin balance. But you should keep in mind that lower balances attract higher margin rates.
| Debit Balance | Margin Rate |
| $0 to $24,999 | 8.325% |
| $25,000 to $49,999 | 7.825% |
| $50,000 to $99,999 | 6.875% |
| $100,000 to $249,999 | 6.825% |
| $250,000 to $499,999 | 6.575% |
| $500,000 to $999,999 | 4.250% |
| $1 million+ | 4.000% |
Advisory Fees for Managed Accounts
| Account Type | Advisory Fee |
| Fidelity Go | No more than a 0.35% advisory fee |
| Fidelity Personalized Planning & Advice | 0.50% advisory fee |
| Portfolio Advisory Services Accounts | 0.50%–1.50% |
| Fidelity Separately Managed account | 0.20% – 1.50% |
What I liked about Fidelity
- Wide range of investment assets
- $0 commissions on stock, options, ETF and mutual funds
- Mobile app compatible with Alexa and Google Assistant
- Brokerage & Cash management account
- 4% margin rate on $1 million+ amount
What I didn’t like about Fidelity
- $49.99 early redemption fee for NTF mutual funds
- Higher margin rates on low balances
- No futures or crypto trading
Best For
Fidelity is best for self-directed investors with a large number of investment options and mobile platforms integrated with Alexa and Google Assistant.
Check out – Robinhood Vs Vanguard
Common Feature between E*Trade and Fidelity
Similarities between both the brokers are under:
| Particulars | E*Trade | Fidelity |
| Brokerage Account Minimum | $0 | $0 |
| Trading Fees | ||
| On Stock | $0 | $0 |
| On ETF | $0 | $0 |
| Option trades | $0 | $0 |
Also read – How to invest in index funds
Difference between E*Trade and Fidelity
| Particulars | E*Trade | Fidelity |
| Broker | Full service | Full service |
| Trading Assets | Stocks, ETFs, mutual funds, futures, bonds, and options | Stocks, mutual funds, ETFs, options, bonds, fractional shares |
| Helps invest in | Participate in initial public offerings (IPOs) and U.S.Treasury auctions | Certificate of deposits, precious metals and international investments |
| Based out of | Virginia | Boston |
| Branch Offices | 30 local branch office | 190 Investor Centers in the United States |
| Account Types | Both taxable and traditional IRA and Roth IRA | Taxable Accounts Different IRA account for Charitable giving Estate planning Annuities and Life Insurance |
| Fees/ Commission | E*Trade | Fidelity |
| Option contract fees | $0.50-$0.65 per contract, depending on trading volume | $0.65 per contract |
| Futures contract commission | $1.50 per contract, per side | N.A. |
| On Mutual Fund | $19.99 | $0 (On Fidelity mutual funds) |
| No Transaction Fee (NTF) non-Fidelity funds | $19.99 | $0 on purchase |
| Transaction Fee non-Fidelity funds | $19.99 | $49.95 per purchase |
| Broker Assisted Trades | $25 | $19.95 with Fidelity representative on certain assets |
| Margin Amount | E*Trade Margin Rates | Fidelity Margin Rates |
| Less than $10,000 | 8.95% | 8.325% |
| $10,000 to $24,999.99 | 8.70% | 8.325% |
| $25,000 to $49,999.99 | 8.45% | 7.825% |
| $50,000 to $99,999.99 | 7.95% | 6.875% |
| $100,000 to $249,999.99 | 7.45% | 6.825% |
| $250,000 to $499,999.99 | 6.95% | 6.575% |
| $500,000 to $999,999.99 | 6.45% | 4.250% |
| Above $1,000,000 | 5.45% | 4.000% |
| Account Fees | E*Trade | Fidelity |
| International Wire fee | $25 | up to 3% of the principal |
| Domestic Wire fee | $25 | $0 |
| Trading Platforms | Power E*TRADE app Power E*TRADE Platform (web) | Active Trader Pro (desktop platform) Fidelity Mobile |
| Robo Advisor | Yes, Robo-advisor | Yes, Robo & 1 to 1advisor |
| Research Offerings | In house reports, expert analysis, stock recommendations and investment ideas | In house reports, customized research and investment ideas |
| Trader education | Lots of articles, videos, and webinars | Fidelity Learning Centre with resources on investment, trading and personal finance. Fidelity also hosts events and webinars |
| Customer Support | Live chat Phone contact | E-mail, phone, virtual assistants and investor centers |
Also read – Charles Schwab Vs Vanguard
Why You Might Prefer E*Trade
Both the brokerages have similar lines of product offerings and services for common traders. But there are some segments that you only have with E*Trade like trading in futures.
Apart from that if you trade heavily in option then you might like to go with E*Trade to take advantage of a $0.50 contract fee which is lower than $0.65 charged by Fidelity.
Why You Might Prefer Fidelity
Fidelity offers more channels for customers to reach (190 investor centers in the US) in case of trouble and personal interactions.
You stand to benefit from Fidelity’s $0 in-house mutual fund offerings. Fidelity offers more account types and is comparatively a better option for people looking for a vast array of mutual funds on $0 commissions.
