Fidelity Investments
Fidelity Investments Review 2026
Best all-around brokerage — no PFOF, $0 minimums, best-in-class research.
Who Fidelity Investments is best for
Investors of all experience levels who want commission-free trading with best-execution routing and a full suite of account types.
At a glance
- Stock/ETF commission
- $0
- Account minimum
- $0
- Fractional shares
- Yes
- PFOF policy
- No PFOF
Commission-free US stocks and ETFs
No minimum to open or maintain
Fidelity Stocks by the Slice — $1 minimum
Routes for best execution, not payment for order flow
Pros
- +No payment for order flow — trades routed for best execution quality, not kick-back revenue
- +$0 account minimum and fractional shares starting at $1 lower the barrier for new investors
- +Best research suite in the consumer brokerage space: Fidelity + third-party analyst reports, stock screeners, ETF comparison tools
- +Full account type menu: taxable, traditional IRA, Roth IRA, rollover IRA, SEP-IRA, SIMPLE IRA, 529, HSA
- +24/7 customer service and 200+ investor centers for in-person support
Cons
- −Website and mobile app are feature-dense — can feel overwhelming for true beginners vs. Robinhood's stripped-down UI
- −Active Trader Pro desktop platform requires more setup than pure browser-based interfaces
Fidelity Investments requirements
- US residents 18+
- Custodial accounts available for minors
- No minimum balance
Fidelity Investments alternatives
Top alternatives worth comparing from Best Online Brokerages 2026.
Charles Schwab (includes legacy TD Ameritrade accounts)
Charles Schwab
Investors who want one platform for DIY, active trading (thinkorswim), and robo-advisory — all under one account.
Vanguard
Vanguard
Long-term, buy-and-hold investors building a simple index portfolio who prioritize the lowest fund expense ratios.
E*TRADE (a Morgan Stanley company)
E*TRADE
Active traders and options investors who want a dedicated desktop platform without moving to a standalone trading app.
Ready to apply?
Application takes minutes. Pre-qualification (where available) uses a soft credit pull with no impact to your credit score.
Apply at Fidelity Investments→Last verified at the issuer on 2026-06-05
Compare Fidelity Investments head-to-head
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Read the full guide →Bottom line
Fidelity Investments scores 4.2 / 5 on the ClearValue Rating — a deterministic editorial composite from the product's own published fees, terms, and eligibility. Best for: Investors of all experience levels who want commission-free trading with best-execution routing and a full suite of account types.
◆ How we scored it
The ClearValue Rating, broken down.
- Cost
- 35%
- Fit & approval odds
- 30%
- Speed & terms
- 20%
- Transparency
- 15%
Cost (35%), Fit & approval odds (30%), Speed & terms (20%), Transparency (15%) — scored consistently across every product, independent of compensation. Full methodology →
Frequently asked
Questions about Fidelity Investments
What does 'no payment for order flow' mean and why does it matter at Fidelity?+
Payment for order flow (PFOF) is a practice where a brokerage sells your trade orders to market makers who pay for the order flow. The market maker profits on the bid-ask spread, which can result in slightly worse execution prices for the investor. Fidelity does not use PFOF for equity orders — it routes trades seeking best execution. The SEC requires brokerages to disclose their order routing practices in quarterly Rule 606 reports. This is an editorial description of the general concept; consult SEC investor resources at investor.gov for authoritative guidance.
Is Fidelity a good choice for a Roth IRA?+
Fidelity is widely considered a strong option for Roth IRAs, offering access to Fidelity's own zero-expense-ratio index funds (FZROX, FZILX) alongside the full range of ETFs and mutual funds. There is no minimum to open a Roth IRA at Fidelity, and fractional shares allow contributions of any size to be deployed immediately. The IRS sets annual Roth IRA contribution limits and income phase-outs annually — see irs.gov/retirement-plans for current figures. This is editorial context; confirm current account terms directly with Fidelity.
Does Fidelity have SIPC protection?+
Yes. Fidelity is a SIPC member. SIPC protects up to $500,000 per account (including up to $250,000 in cash) if a brokerage fails and customer assets are missing. SIPC does not protect against investment losses — if a holding declines in value, that is market risk, not a custodial failure. Fidelity also carries additional private insurance above SIPC limits. See sipc.org for authoritative details on coverage.
Is ClearValue Lending a licensed investment advisor?+
No. ClearValue Lending is not a licensed investment advisor, broker-dealer, or securities professional. This review is editorial content presenting publicly available information. Investment decisions involve risk, including the possible loss of principal. Consult a qualified financial professional before making investment account decisions.
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Independent editorial review. ClearValue Lending is a business & personal financing platform — not a lender, broker, or financial advisor. Some links are affiliate links; the issuer may pay a referral commission at no cost to you, which never changes the score. Specific product terms vary; verify with the issuer before applying. See privacy policy.