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Fidelity Vs. Robinhood Investing

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Fidelity vs. Robinhood investing

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Dec 30, 2022, 5:14 PM
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Compare Fidelity and Robinhood
  • 5fad52544044a00018f76299?width=400
    Fidelity
  • 611d2524a4b07b0018ae3110?width=400
    Robinhood
Chevron iconIt indicates an expandable section or menu, or sometimes previous / next navigation options.
Chevron iconIt indicates an expandable section or menu, or sometimes previous / next navigation options.
Fees Chevron iconIt indicates an expandable section or menu, or sometimes previous / next navigation options.
0% (Up to 0.35% for Fidelity Go automated account; 0.50% for Fidelity Personalized Planning and Advice)
Editor's Rating
4.86/5
A five pointed starA five pointed starA five pointed starA five pointed starA five pointed star
Investment types Chevron iconIt indicates an expandable section or menu, or sometimes previous / next navigation options.
Stocks, ETFs, options, mutual funds, bonds, CDs, and IPOs
Fees Chevron iconIt indicates an expandable section or menu, or sometimes previous / next navigation options.
0% ($5/month Robinhood Gold)
Editor's Rating
4.16/5
A five pointed starA five pointed starA five pointed starA five pointed starA five pointed star
Investment types Chevron iconIt indicates an expandable section or menu, or sometimes previous / next navigation options.
Stocks, ETFs, options, ADRs, and cryptocurrencies
Learn More
On Fidelity's website

Bottom line: Fidelity is a better choice for many types of investors, as it offers a wider range of investments, account types, and trading platforms. Robinhood, on the other hand, best suits frequent traders in search of low fees, easy-to-use web and mobile platforms, and investments like cryptocurrencies.

Fidelity vs. Robinhood: The biggest differences

Fidelity and Robinhood are two top platforms in the online brokerage space. While both offer commission-free stocks, ETFs, and options, the two differ when it comes to fees, available investment and account types, features, and more.

Fidelity is the best choice for most types of investors. Whether you're a beginner or experienced trader, active or infrequent investor, or hands-off investor, the brokerage has an account option for you. It also offers investment perks like zero-expense ratio index funds.

Robinhood, however, is a better choice for both frequent traders, options traders, and crypto traders who want access to a simple investing interface. Unlike Fidelity, Robinhood charges $0 per options contract, and it offers more than 10 cryptocurrencies.

Fidelity Fidelity
Fidelity
4.86/5
A five pointed starA five pointed starA five pointed starA five pointed starA five pointed star
Account Minimum
$0 ($25,000 Fidelity Personalized Planning & Advice)
0% ($0, $3/month, or 0.35% for robo-advisor)
Investment Types
Stocks, ETFs, options, mutual funds, bonds, CDs, annuities, and IPOs
On Fidelity's website

Fidelity

Fidelity Fidelity
On Fidelity's website

Details

Account Minimum
$0 ($25,000 Fidelity Personalized Planning & Advice)
0% ($0, $3/month, or 0.35% for robo-advisor)
Editor's Rating
4.86/5
A five pointed starA five pointed starA five pointed starA five pointed starA five pointed star

Pros & Cons

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Highlights

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Additional Reading

Chevron iconIt indicates an expandable section or menu, or sometimes previous / next navigation options.
Robinhood Robinhood
Robinhood
4.16/5
A five pointed starA five pointed starA five pointed starA five pointed starA five pointed star
Account Minimum
$0 ($1 for fractional shares; $2,000 for margin trading through Robinhood Gold)
0% ($5/month for Robinhood Gold)
Investment Types
Stocks, ETFs, options, cryptocurrencies, IPOs, and ADRs
On Robinhood's website

Robinhood

Robinhood Robinhood
On Robinhood's website

Details

Account Minimum
$0 ($1 for fractional shares; $2,000 for margin trading through Robinhood Gold)
0% ($5/month for Robinhood Gold)
Editor's Rating
4.16/5
A five pointed starA five pointed starA five pointed starA five pointed starA five pointed star

Pros & Cons

Chevron iconIt indicates an expandable section or menu, or sometimes previous / next navigation options.

Highlights

Chevron iconIt indicates an expandable section or menu, or sometimes previous / next navigation options.

Additional Reading

Chevron iconIt indicates an expandable section or menu, or sometimes previous / next navigation options.

Fidelity and Robinhood's features and account options also vary.

Fidelity Investments
Robinhood

Account types

  • Individual and joint taxable brokerage accounts

  • Automated accounts

  • Individual retirement accounts (IRAs)

  • Annuities

  • Trusts

  • 529 plans

  • Managed accounts

  • Custodial accounts

Account types

  • Individual brokerage accounts
  • Cash management accounts
  • Margin accounts

Investment choices

Stocks, ETFs, options, mutual funds, bonds, CDs, annuities, and IPOs

Investment choices

Stocks, ETFs, options, cryptocurrencies, IPOs, and ADRs

Account perks

  • Commission-free brokerage accounts

  • Automated and advisor-assisted investing

  • Tax-advantaged investment strategies

  • Zero-expense ratio index funds

  • Stock and ETF screeners

  • Margin trading

  • Retirement resources

Account perks

  • Commission-free trading
  • Fractional shares
  • No-contract-fee options
  • Crypto trading
  • Cash management accounts
  • Margin trading
  • Morningstar research and Nasdaq data

Human advisors available?

Yes — unlimited access to financial coaching and investment management with Fidelity Personalized Planning and Advice

Human advisors available?

Robo-advice?

Yes — Fidelity Go and Fidelity Personalized Planning and Advice

Robo-advice?

Is Fidelity right for you?

  • Wealth-building accounts for active traders, automated investors, and retirement investors
  • No minimums for brokerage account; Zero Expense ratio index funds and commission-free stocks, ETFs, and options
  • Thousands of no-transaction-fee mutual funds
  • Market analysis, stock and ETF screeners, and advanced trading platforms

Cons

  • Fidelity Go costs more for investors with higher account balances
  • No cryptocurrencies

Fidelity has something for almost every type of investor. The online brokerage offers self-directed accounts, automated investing accounts (also known as robo-advisors), custodial accounts, IRAs, 529 plans, and much more. Plus, its low-cost investment choices make it even more suitable for those looking to minimize fees when trading.

Fidelity currently offers no-minimum mutual funds and commission-free stocks, ETFs, and options. It also offers its own Fidelity-managed zero-expense ratio index funds, meaning you won't have to worry about fund fees when investing in different assets.

Unlike Robinhood, Fidelity has two accounts that cater more toward hands-off investors: Fidelity Go and Fidelity Personalized Planning & Advice. The two robo-advisors create personalized, self-managing portfolios based on your investing goals. However, Fidelity Go doesn't allow for one-on-one human advisor guidance, but Fidelity Personalized Planning & Advice does.

This brokerage could also be a great option if you're interested in retirement accounts like IRAs. Its selection — which includes traditional IRAs, Roth IRAs, rollover IRAs, Roth IRAs for Kids, SEP IRAs, and SIMPLE IRAs — applies to both individuals with taxable income, self-employed individuals, and businesses.

Fidelity also offers multiple trading platforms. These include its web platform, mobile apps, and Active Trader Pro platform. Active Trader Pro best suits frequent traders who want to take advantage of perks like real-time price analytics, portfolio monitoring tools, and much more.

Fidelity is available on iOS and Android devices.

Read Personal Finance Insider's complete review of Fidelity here »

Is Robinhood right for you?

  • Commission-free trading for stocks, ETFs, options, and cryptocurrencies
  • Fractional shares and margin accounts available
  • Cash management accounts
  • Web platform and mobile app are easy to navigate
  • Limited investment types; no mutual funds or bonds
  • No custodial accounts
  • Crypto wallets not fully rolled out yet; waitlist available

Robinhood is best for active traders (though you can also use its platform to practice buy-and-hold strategies), options traders, margin traders, and crypto investors. When it comes to account types, the online brokerage offers individual investment accounts, margin accounts, and cash management accounts.

Plus, you can exchange stocks, ETFs, and options (these are free of options contract fees) commission-free, and Robinhood also allows for ADR and cryptocurrency investing. Its crypto selection includes assets like bitcoin, ethereum, dogecoin, and more.

In addition, Robinhood is launching traditional and Roth IRAs, but the accounts aren't yet available to the public. These accounts will include $0 trading commissions, a 1% match on every dollar you contribute, recommended portfolios, and more. You can sign up for the waitlist here

While Robinhood's individual investment accounts don't have any minimum requirements, you'll need at least $2,000 for margin trading, which is only available through Robinhood Gold. The Robinhood Gold subscription costs $5 per month, but it offers the following: margin trading at a 3% interest rate, larger instant deposits of $5,000-$50,000, and access to Nasdaq market data and 1,700+ Morningstar stock research reports.

If you're a beginner investor looking to pack on more knowledge about various wealth-building topics, Robinhood also offers a digital library that contains educational guides on things like investing 101, options trading, and much more.

Robinhood is available on iOS and Android devices.

Read Personal Finance Insider's complete review of Robinhood here »

Fidelity vs. Robinhood — Frequently asked questions (FAQ)

Is Fidelity better than Robinhood? Chevron iconIt indicates an expandable section or menu, or sometimes previous / next navigation options.

Fidelity suits most types of traders since it offers several self-directed and automated account options. However, Robinhood is a better choice for low fees, and it makes more sense for active traders, day traders, options traders, and crypto traders. 

Is Fidelity or Robinhood better for beginners? Chevron iconIt indicates an expandable section or menu, or sometimes previous / next navigation options.

Both platforms could be a great move for beginners, but Fidelity is the best choice since it offers both DIY trading and automated investing accounts. While Robinhood has a simple user interface, it strictly offers self-directed trading, so it may not be a good idea for newer investors who aren't yet ready to trade on their own.

Does Fidelity have a monthly fee? Chevron iconIt indicates an expandable section or menu, or sometimes previous / next navigation options.

Fidelity only charges a monthly fee for the second tier of its automated account, Fidelity Go. You'll pay $3 per month if you've got an account balance between $10,000 and $49,999.

Is Robinhood safe? Chevron iconIt indicates an expandable section or menu, or sometimes previous / next navigation options.

Yes. The brokerage is regulated by the US Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), and it offers SIPC insurance of up to $500,000 for you securities and FDIC coverage of up to $250,000 for cash.

Senior Wealth-Building Reporter
Rickie Houston is a senior wealth-building reporter for Business Insider, tasked with covering brokerage products, investment apps, online advisor services, cryptocurrency exchanges, and other wealth-building financial products. He is also a Certified Educator in Personal Finance (CEPF). Previously, Rickie worked as a personal finance writer at SmartAsset, focusing on retirement, investing, taxes, and banking topics. He's contributed to stories published in the Boston Globe, and his work has also been featured in Yahoo News. He graduated from Boston University, where he contributed as a staff writer and sports editor for Boston University News Service. Learn more about how Personal Finance Insider chooses, rates, and covers financial products and services »
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