Fidelity and ETRADE are both major $0-commission brokers with strong platforms. Fidelity wins on fund costs, margin rates, and fractional shares. ETRADE wins on mobile options tools (Power E*TRADE Mobile Snapshot Analysis) and the Core Portfolios robo-advisor feature set. Here is the full 2026 comparison.
Fidelity vs. E*TRADE: Quick Comparison
| Feature | Fidelity | E*TRADE |
|---|---|---|
| Stock/ETF commission | $0 | $0 |
| Options commission | $0.65/contract | $0.65/contract |
| Account minimum | $0 | $0 |
| Margin rate (starting) | 8.325% | 8.95% |
| Cheapest fund | FZROX (0.00%) | Third-party ETFs (0.03%+) |
| Fractional shares | Yes ($1, S&P 500) | No |
| Active trading platform | Active Trader Pro (desktop) | Power E*TRADE (web + mobile) |
| Mobile options analysis | Basic | Snapshot Analysis (excellent) |
| Robo-advisor | Fidelity Go ($0 fee, $0 min) | Core Portfolios (0.30%, $500 min) |
| Tax-loss harvesting | No | Yes (Core Portfolios, $25K+) |
| Banking | CMA (FDIC up to $5M) | Limited |
Fees Compared
| Fee | Fidelity | E*TRADE |
|---|---|---|
| Online stock/ETF | $0 | $0 |
| Options | $0.65/contract | $0.65/contract |
| Account fee | $0 | $0 |
| Transfer out (ACAT) | $0 | $0 |
| Margin rate (starting) | 8.325% | 8.95% |
Key advantage for Fidelity: Margin rates start 0.625 percentage points lower. On a $50,000 margin balance, that saves approximately $313/year.
Trading Platforms
Fidelity: Active Trader Pro
- Downloadable desktop platform (Windows and Mac)
- Real-time streaming quotes and Level 2 data
- 100+ technical indicators and full charting suite
- Equity Summary Score: consensus research rating from Morningstar, Zacks, Argus
- Options analytics and multi-leg strategy builder
- Desktop only — no Active Trader Pro mobile equivalent
ETRADE: Power ETRADE + Mobile
- Web-based Power E*TRADE with 100+ charting indicators
- Snapshot Analysis on mobile — visual profit/loss diagram for any options position across price, time, and volatility scenarios; one of the best retail options tools available
- Multi-leg options on mobile (bull spreads, condors, straddles, calendars)
- ETF and stock screener with full filter capability
- Real-time streaming on web and mobile
Winner: Depends on use case. Fidelity’s desktop Active Trader Pro is competitive for desktop users. ETRADE’s Power ETRADE Mobile Snapshot Analysis is industry-leading for mobile options traders. If you trade options on your phone, E*TRADE wins.
Fund Costs
Fidelity’s Advantage
| Fund | Expense Ratio |
|---|---|
| FZROX (Fidelity Zero Total Market) | 0.00% |
| FZILX (Fidelity Zero International) | 0.00% |
| FXAIX (Fidelity 500 Index) | 0.015% |
E*TRADE does not have a proprietary fund family of this calibre. It provides access to iShares, Vanguard, Schwab, SPDR, and other third-party ETFs — all at competitive expense ratios — but nothing at 0.00%.
Note: FZROX and FZILX cannot be transferred in-kind to another broker. If you may switch brokers in a taxable account, buying FXAIX (0.015%) or iShares’ IVV (0.03%) is more portable.
Robo-Advisors
| Feature | Fidelity Go | E*TRADE Core Portfolios |
|---|---|---|
| Annual fee | $0 | 0.30% |
| Minimum | $0 | $500 |
| Tax-loss harvesting | No | Yes ($25K+) |
| SRI option | No | Yes |
| Human advisor | Personalized Planning (0.50%, $25K min) | No dedicated robo+human tier |
Fidelity Go wins on cost and accessibility. E*TRADE Core Portfolios wins on features (tax-loss harvesting, SRI). For investors who want a managed portfolio with tax efficiency, E*TRADE’s 0.30% with tax-loss harvesting can save more than its fee on taxable accounts above $25,000.
Fractional Shares
Fidelity: Stocks by the Slice — fractional shares of S&P 500 companies starting at $1. Excellent for investing regular amounts without worrying about share prices.
E*TRADE: No retail fractional share programme. The only fractional ownership is through automatic DRIP (dividend reinvestment plan) at no cost. You cannot buy, say, $50 of a $400 stock at E*TRADE.
Winner: Fidelity — clear advantage for systematic investors and those starting with small amounts.
Banking
Fidelity Cash Management Account:
- No monthly fee, ATM fees reimbursed nationwide
- FDIC coverage up to $5 million through sweep network (exceptional)
- Integrated with Fidelity investing in a unified view
E*TRADE: No full banking integration — uninvested cash is swept to bank deposits or money market, but there is no free checking account or ATM reimbursement programme.
Winner: Fidelity — significantly better banking access.
Who Should Choose Fidelity?
- Investors who want the lowest fund expense ratios (FZROX 0.00%)
- Those who need fractional shares ($1 minimum, S&P 500)
- Investors who want Fidelity Go ($0 robo-advisor, no minimum)
- Those who benefit from Fidelity CMA’s $5M FDIC coverage and nationwide ATM reimbursements
- Investors who want lower margin rates (8.325% vs. 8.95%)
- Desktop traders who prefer Active Trader Pro’s research integration
Who Should Choose E*TRADE?
- Options traders who trade frequently on mobile and value Snapshot Analysis
- Investors who want a robo-advisor with tax-loss harvesting ($25K+) and SRI portfolios
- Active web-platform traders who prefer Power E*TRADE’s mobile-first layout
- Investors who do not need fractional shares and are comfortable buying whole shares
- Those who prefer E*TRADE’s streaming tools on mobile for active stock trading
Key Takeaways
- Both charge $0 on stock/ETF trades; Fidelity has lower margin rates (8.325% vs. 8.95%)
- Fidelity wins on fund costs (FZROX 0.00%), fractional shares, and banking (CMA up to $5M FDIC)
- ETRADE wins on mobile options tools (Power ETRADE Snapshot Analysis) and Core Portfolios features
- Robo-advisors: Fidelity Go is $0 with no minimum; E*TRADE Core Portfolios is 0.30%/$500 but adds tax-loss harvesting
- Neither is a bad choice — the decision comes down to whether you prioritise cost/banking (Fidelity) or mobile options experience (E*TRADE)
For Fidelity’s full feature breakdown, see our Fidelity review. For E*TRADE’s robo-advisor, see our E*TRADE Core Portfolios guide.
The content on Wealthvieu is for informational purposes only and should not be considered financial, tax, or investment advice. Consult a qualified professional before making financial decisions. Full disclaimer · Editorial policy