Fidelity vs TD Ameritrade
By Itai Varochik | Updated 2026
Quick Verdict
Overall Winner: Fidelity (4.5/5)
We tested Fidelity and TD Ameritrade side-by-side. Fidelity comes out ahead overall, but TD Ameritrade may be better for specific use cases.
Score Breakdown
| Criteria | Fidelity | TD Ameritrade |
|---|---|---|
| Features | 9/10 | 9/10 |
| Ease of Use | 8/10 | 7.5/10 |
| Value for Money | 9.5/10 | 8.5/10 |
| Customer Support | 8.5/10 | 8.5/10 |
| Overall | 9/10 | 8.5/10 |
Feature Comparison
| Feature | Fidelity | TD Ameritrade |
|---|---|---|
| Commission-Free Trading | Yes | No |
| Zero Index Funds | Yes | No |
| Research | Yes | Yes |
| Retirement Planning | Yes | No |
| Cash Management | Yes | No |
| Fractional Shares | Yes | No |
| thinkorswim | No | Yes |
| Education | No | Yes |
| Options | No | Yes |
| Futures | No | Yes |
Pricing Comparison
Fidelity: Free ($0 commissions)
TD Ameritrade: Free
Fidelity Pros & Cons
Pros
- Commission-free stock, ETF, and options trading
- Zero-expense-ratio index funds (industry first)
- $12T+ in assets under administration
- Exceptional research from 20+ providers
- 200+ investor centers for in-person help
- Fractional shares starting at $1
Cons
- Options contract fee ($0.65/contract)
- No cryptocurrency trading on main platform
- Active Trader Pro desktop only (no web version)
- International stock trading has extra fees
- Mutual fund selection can be overwhelming
TD Ameritrade Pros & Cons
Pros
- thinkorswim — best options trading platform
- Excellent third-party research
- Outstanding educational content
Cons
- Migrating to Schwab platform
- No fractional shares
Key Specifications
| Spec | Fidelity | TD Ameritrade |
|---|---|---|
| Rating | 4.5/5 | 4.5/5 |
| Pricing | Free ($0 commissions) | Free |
| Year Founded | 1946 | 1971 |
| Headquarters | Boston, MA | Omaha, NE (now Schwab) |
| Employees | 74,000+ | Part of Schwab |
| Best For Region | United States | United States |
| Cash Account APY | 4.00%+ | N/A |
| Zero-Fee Index Funds | Yes | N/A |
| thinkorswim | N/A | Yes |
Our Verdict
Fidelity wins overall. Choose Fidelity if you value Long-term investors and retirement savers. Choose TD Ameritrade if you prioritize Options traders using thinkorswim.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Fidelity better than TD Ameritrade?
Based on our testing, Fidelity scores higher with a rating of 4.5/5 compared to TD Ameritrade's 4.5/5. However, the best choice depends on your specific needs.
What is the main difference between Fidelity and TD Ameritrade?
Fidelity is known for: Full-service broker with zero-fee index funds, excellent research, and retirement planning tools.. TD Ameritrade is known for: Full-service brokerage with thinkorswim platform and extensive research tools..
Which is cheaper, Fidelity or TD Ameritrade?
Fidelity pricing: Free ($0 commissions). TD Ameritrade pricing: Free.
Can I use Fidelity and TD Ameritrade together?
While both tools serve similar purposes in the Trading Platforms category, some users do use complementary features from both platforms.
What are the pros of Fidelity?
Commission-free stock, ETF, and options trading. Zero-expense-ratio index funds (industry first). $12T+ in assets under administration
What are the pros of TD Ameritrade?
thinkorswim — best options trading platform. Excellent third-party research. Outstanding educational content
Which trading platforms should I choose?
Choose Fidelity if you value Long-term investors and retirement savers. Choose TD Ameritrade if you prioritize Options traders using thinkorswim.