Interactive Brokers vs Fidelity
By Itai Varochik | Updated 2026
Quick Verdict
Overall Winner: Interactive Brokers (4.6/5)
We tested Interactive Brokers and Fidelity side-by-side. Interactive Brokers comes out ahead overall, but Fidelity may be better for specific use cases.
Score Breakdown
| Criteria | Interactive Brokers | Fidelity |
|---|---|---|
| Features | 9.8/10 | 9/10 |
| Ease of Use | 5.5/10 | 8/10 |
| Value for Money | 9/10 | 9.5/10 |
| Customer Support | 7/10 | 8.5/10 |
| Overall | 8.5/10 | 9/10 |
Feature Comparison
| Feature | Interactive Brokers | Fidelity |
|---|---|---|
| Global Trading | Yes | No |
| TWS Platform | Yes | No |
| Options | Yes | No |
| Forex | Yes | No |
| Mutual Funds | Yes | No |
| Commission-Free Trading | No | Yes |
| Zero Index Funds | No | Yes |
| Research | No | Yes |
| Retirement Planning | No | Yes |
| Cash Management | No | Yes |
| Fractional Shares | No | Yes |
Pricing Comparison
Interactive Brokers: $0 – $0.005/share
Fidelity: Free ($0 commissions)
Interactive Brokers Pros & Cons
Pros
- Lowest margin rates in the industry
- Access to 150+ global markets
- Professional-grade TWS platform
Cons
- Intimidating interface for beginners
- Complex fee structure
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
Key Specifications
| Spec | Interactive Brokers | Fidelity |
|---|---|---|
| Rating | 4.6/5 | 4.5/5 |
| Pricing | $0 – $0.005/share | Free ($0 commissions) |
| Year Founded | 1978 | 1946 |
| Headquarters | Greenwich, CT | Boston, MA |
| Employees | 2,700+ | 74,000+ |
| Margin Rate | 5.83%+ | N/A |
| Best For Region | Global | United States |
| Cash Account APY | N/A | 4.00%+ |
| Zero-Fee Index Funds | N/A | Yes |
Our Verdict
Interactive Brokers wins overall. Choose Interactive Brokers if you value Active professional traders. Choose Fidelity if you prioritize Long-term investors and retirement savers.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Interactive Brokers better than Fidelity?
Based on our testing, Interactive Brokers scores higher with a rating of 4.6/5 compared to Fidelity's 4.5/5. However, the best choice depends on your specific needs.
What is the main difference between Interactive Brokers and Fidelity?
Interactive Brokers is known for: Professional-grade trading platform with access to global markets and lowest margin rates.. Fidelity is known for: Full-service broker with zero-fee index funds, excellent research, and retirement planning tools..
Which is cheaper, Interactive Brokers or Fidelity?
Interactive Brokers pricing: $0 – $0.005/share. Fidelity pricing: Free ($0 commissions).
Can I use Interactive Brokers and Fidelity 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 Interactive Brokers?
Lowest margin rates in the industry. Access to 150+ global markets. Professional-grade TWS platform
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
Which trading platforms should I choose?
Choose Interactive Brokers if you value Active professional traders. Choose Fidelity if you prioritize Long-term investors and retirement savers.