Fidelity Review 2025: Best All-Around Brokerage for Long-Term Investors?

In the increasingly competitive landscape of online brokerages, Fidelity Investments continues to stand out as a comprehensive platform that serves both beginning and advanced investors. This review examines whether Fidelity deserves its reputation as one of the top investment platforms in 2025, analyzing its extensive feature set, competitive fee structure, and overall value proposition.

What Is Fidelity?

Fidelity Investments is a full-service brokerage firm offering a wide range of investment products, retirement accounts, banking services, and wealth management solutions. Founded in 1946, Fidelity has established itself as one of the largest investment companies in the world, with over $4.5 trillion in assets under management.

The platform serves individual investors, institutional clients, and financial advisors with a diverse ecosystem of investment tools and resources designed to help clients achieve their financial goals.

Key Features of Fidelity

Investment Options

Fidelity offers one of the most comprehensive selections of investment products available from any brokerage:

• Stocks and ETFs: Commission-free trading with access to domestic and international markets
• Mutual Funds: Over 10,000 mutual funds, including 3,500+ no-transaction-fee funds
• Bonds and Fixed Income: Treasury securities, corporate bonds, CDs, and bond funds
• Options: Competitive per-contract pricing with sophisticated options analysis tools
• Fractional Shares: “Stocks by the Slice” feature allowing investments with as little as $1
• Cryptocurrencies: Bitcoin and Ethereum trading through Fidelity Crypto
• IPO access: For qualifying account holders

The platform’s zero-expense-ratio index funds deserve special mention, offering truly fee-free index investing that can save investors thousands over their investing lifetime.

Trading Platforms

Fidelity provides multiple platforms catering to different investor needs:

• Fidelity.com: User-friendly web platform suitable for most investors
• Active Trader Pro: Advanced desktop platform for frequent traders with customizable layouts, real-time analytics, and advanced charting
• Fidelity Mobile App: Comprehensive mobile experience with trading capabilities, portfolio monitoring, and research tools
• Wealth-Lab Pro: Algorithmic trading platform for developing and testing trading strategies (available to qualifying customers)

The Active Trader Pro platform is particularly impressive, offering professional-grade tools without requiring the trading volume minimums that competitors often impose.

Research and Education

Fidelity excels in providing high-quality research and educational resources:

• Equity research: Reports from over 20 third-party providers
• Stock screeners: Customizable filters with dozens of parameters
• Learning center: Extensive articles, videos, and webinars covering investing basics to advanced strategies
• Retirement planning tools: Comprehensive calculators and goal-setting resources
• Active investor insights: Market commentary, sector analysis, and investment ideas

The platform’s research quality stands out even among premium brokerages, with exceptional depth and breadth of information available at no additional cost.

Account Types

Fidelity supports virtually every account type an investor might need:

• Individual and joint brokerage accounts
• Traditional, Roth, SEP, and SIMPLE IRAs
• Solo 401(k)s and small business retirement plans
• 529 college savings plans
• Trust accounts
• Cash management accounts with debit cards and bill pay
• Health Savings Accounts (HSAs)
• Managed accounts for those seeking professional guidance

This comprehensive offering makes Fidelity a true one-stop financial platform where investors can consolidate all their accounts.

Pricing and Fees

Fidelity’s fee structure is one of the most competitive in the industry:

Trading Costs

• Stocks and ETFs: $0 commission
• Options: $0 base fee + $0.65 per contract
• Mutual Funds: $0 for no-transaction-fee funds; $49.95 for others
• Bonds: $1 per bond ($0 for treasuries)
• Cryptocurrencies: 1% spread per trade

Account Fees

• Account maintenance: $0
• Account transfer: $0 for partial transfers; $75 for full account transfers
• Annual IRA fees: $0
• Wire transfers: $0 for incoming; $10-$15 for outgoing

Investment Expenses

• Fidelity Zero Index Funds: 0.00% expense ratio
• Other Fidelity funds: Starting at 0.025% for index funds
• Robo-advisor (Fidelity Go): Free for balances under $25,000; 0.35% for higher balances

Fidelity’s zero-commission stock and ETF trades, combined with truly zero-expense-ratio index funds, make it one of the most cost-effective platforms for long-term investors.

User Experience

Web Platform

Fidelity’s web platform balances comprehensive functionality with usability:

• Dashboard: Customizable with widgets for portfolio performance, watchlists, and market news
• Account management: Intuitive navigation for transfers, withdrawals, and account settings
• Trading interface: Clean order entry with advanced order types and trade preview
• Research integration: Seamless access to analysis tools from the main platform

While not the most modern design, the interface prioritizes functionality and puts essential information within easy reach.

Mobile Experience

The Fidelity mobile app provides a robust on-the-go experience:

• Full trading capabilities: Complete order types and investment options
• Biometric security: Face/fingerprint login options
• Research on demand: Access to the same research available on the web platform
• Portfolio analytics: Performance tracking and visualization tools
• Check deposit: Mobile check capture for easy account funding

The app consistently ranks among the top financial apps in both the Apple App Store and Google Play Store, with regular updates adding functionality.

Customer Service

Fidelity’s customer service is industry-leading:

• 24/7 phone support: Available 365 days a year
• Live chat: Accessible from both web and mobile platforms
• Email support: Typically responds within 1 business day
• In-person support: Over 200 investor centers across the United States
• Virtual appointments: Video consultations with financial professionals

Support representatives are knowledgeable, and wait times are typically shorter than industry averages. The availability of in-person support at local branches provides an additional layer of service that many online-only brokerages cannot match.

Pros and Cons

Pros

• Commission-free stock and ETF trading
• Zero expense ratio index funds
• Fractional shares investing with just $1
• Extensive research and educational resources
• Excellent customer service with 24/7 support
• Comprehensive mobile app with full trading capabilities
• Cash management account with debit card and ATM fee reimbursement
• No account minimums or maintenance fees

Cons

• Advanced trading platform only available as desktop software
• Higher learning curve for beginners compared to newer platforms
• Options contract fees slightly higher than some competitors
• Limited cryptocurrency offerings (only Bitcoin and Ethereum)
• No paper trading/practice account option
• Mobile app can feel cluttered with so many features

Who Should Use Fidelity?

Best For

• Long-term investors who benefit from zero-fee index funds and comprehensive retirement planning tools
• Active traders seeking robust research and trading capabilities without high costs
• Retirement savers looking to consolidate accounts and access extensive planning resources
• Investors seeking fractional shares to build diversified portfolios with small amounts
• Those who value customer service and potential in-person support

May Not Be Ideal For

• Cryptocurrency enthusiasts seeking access to a wide range of digital assets
• Absolute beginners who might prefer simpler, more streamlined interfaces
• Options-focused traders who would benefit from lower per-contract fees
• Day traders who prefer web-based advanced trading platforms over desktop software

How Fidelity Compares to Competitors

Fidelity vs. Charles Schwab

While both offer comprehensive services, Fidelity edges out Schwab with its zero-expense-ratio index funds and slightly better research tools. Schwab counters with a more intuitive web platform and stronger banking integration.

Fidelity vs. Vanguard

Fidelity offers a more modern user experience and better trading tools than Vanguard. While Vanguard has historically been the low-cost leader, Fidelity’s zero-fee index funds have closed this gap. Vanguard still maintains an edge for certain mutual fund investors focused on their proprietary funds.

Fidelity vs. Robinhood

Fidelity provides significantly more comprehensive services, research, and account types than Robinhood, at essentially the same commission cost. Robinhood offers a more streamlined user experience but lacks the depth and breadth of Fidelity’s offerings.

Fidelity vs. TD Ameritrade/E*TRADE

Following acquisitions by Charles Schwab and Morgan Stanley respectively, these platforms remain in transition. Fidelity offers more stability and has been more consistent in introducing investor-friendly features like fractional shares and zero-fee index funds.

Final Verdict

Fidelity has solidified its position as one of the top all-around brokerages in 2025, particularly for long-term investors and retirement savers. The combination of zero-commission trades, genuinely free index funds, fractional share investing, and comprehensive research tools creates compelling value that few competitors can match.

While not perfect – the desktop-only advanced trading platform and somewhat steep learning curve are notable drawbacks – Fidelity’s strengths far outweigh its weaknesses for most investors. The platform especially shines for those building long-term portfolios who will benefit significantly from the zero-expense ratio funds and commission-free trades.

For investors seeking a full-service brokerage that can grow with them from beginner to sophisticated investor, Fidelity represents an excellent choice that balances cost, capabilities, and service. It earns our highest recommendation for long-term investors and retirement savers, while remaining a strong contender for most other investor types.