Updated September 28, 2026 · BrokerCue Editorial Team
Fennel vs SoFi
Where Fennel and SoFi differ
| Compare |  Fennel |  SoFi |
|---|---|---|
| Account fee | $4.99 | $0Lower |
| Markets | Stocks, ETFs | Stocks, ETFs, Options, CryptoCovers more |
| Regulators | FINRA, SIPC | SIPC, FDIC |
| Account types | IRA | IRA, Roth IRA, JointCovers more |
| Inactivity fee | Not confirmed | $0 |
| Platforms | Mobile app, Web | Not confirmed |
Same on both: Minimum deposit ($0), Stock trade fee ($0), Investor protection (SIPC up to USD 500,000).
We earn a commission when you sign up through links on this site. Partner status can affect where a brand appears in our rankings.
Key differences
- SoFi scores higher overall: 9.3 vs 9.2.
- Regulators: only Fennel offers FINRA.
- Regulators: only SoFi offers FDIC.
- Account fee is lower at SoFi: $0 vs $4.99.
- Markets: only SoFi offers Options, Crypto.
- Account types: only SoFi offers Roth IRA, Joint.
- Features: only SoFi offers Crypto, Fractional shares.
Our verdict on each
Fennel
Fennel is a US retirement app built around an IRA, with stock trades at $0. It suits US investors saving for retirement from a phone, and not UK or European readers who want local markets or a cash savings option.
SoFi
SoFi suits retirement savers in the US, with a stock trade fee of $0, an account fee of $0 and a minimum deposit of $0. The named licences are US registrations, so readers outside the US should check the account types and terms first.
Score breakdown
| Area | Fennel | SoFi |
|---|---|---|
| Cost | 9.1Commission-free commission free trading and a $0 minimum deposit, against an account fee of $4.99 that is above the site median of €0. | 9.5HigherRanks 1 of 161 on stock trade fee, 1 of 138 on account fee, 1 of 56 on inactivity fee. |
| Offer | 8.8 | 9.4Higher |
| Trust | 9.5Higher | 9.2 |
The bill, worked out
A year: 5,000 invested, 4 US stock trades a month
Fennel
$4.99
48 × $0 + 1 × $4.99
SoFi
$0
48 × $0 + 1 × $0
SoFi costs $4.99 less.
Worked out from the stated prices and rates; your own total depends on how you use it. Facts checked September 26, 2026.
Positions in our rankings
| Ranking | Fennel | SoFi |
|---|---|---|
| Stock and ETF brokers | 88 of 490 | 71 of 490 |
| Investment platforms and apps | 19 of 85 | 17 of 85 |
| IRA providers | 14 of 43 | 13 of 43 |
Sources behind this comparison
Fennel
- fennel.com: 8 facts, checked September 26, 2026
- finder.com: 3 facts, checked September 26, 2026
- play.google.com: 1 fact, checked September 26, 2026
- sipc.org: 1 fact, checked September 26, 2026
SoFi
- en.wikipedia.org: 5 facts, checked September 26, 2026
- sofi.com: 5 facts, checked September 26, 2026
- sipc.org: 3 facts, checked September 26, 2026
- banks.data.fdic.gov: 1 fact, checked September 26, 2026
Every fact side by side
| Fact | Fennel | SoFi |
|---|---|---|
| Features | Mobile app | Crypto, Fractional shares, Mobile appCovers more |
| Pricing model | Commission free | Commission free |
| Audience | Not confirmed | Beginners |
| Legal entity | FENNEL FINANCIALS LLC | SOFI SECURITIES LLC |
| Headquarters | United States | United States |
| Founded | Not confirmed | 2011 |
| Support channels | Email, Phone, Help centre | Not confirmed |
Robo-advisors
| Fact | Fennel | SoFi |
|---|---|---|
| Portfolio types | Not confirmed | ETF, Cash, Crypto |
Where each stands against the rest
| Fact | Fennel | SoFi | Median |
|---|---|---|---|
| Minimum deposit | $0below the median | $0below the median | $10 |
| Stock trade fee | $0at the median | $0at the median | $0 |
| Account fee | $4.99above the median | $0at the median | $0 |
| Inactivity fee | Not confirmed | $0at the median | $0 |
Median across 99 listed brokers.
Pros and cons
Fennel
Pros
- Stock trades cost $0, so entry costs sit at the floor of the market.
- A minimum deposit of $0 lets an account start from a small sum.
- Regulators listed are FINRA and SIPC, with investor protection at SIPC up to USD 500,000.
Cons
- The account types listed are ira, so there is no taxable brokerage account on offer.
- Markets stop at stocks and etfs, where CFI lists stocks, etfs and forex.
- There is no live chat, since support runs on email, phone and help centre.
SoFi
Pros
- A stock trade costs $0 on a commission free model, so cost does not decide which shares you can hold.
- The account fee is $0 and the inactivity fee is $0, so extra accounts and balances left untouched are not billed.
- The minimum deposit is $0 where Vantage asks $5, so a small amount can start an account.
Cons
- The account types listed are ira, roth ira and joint, retirement and joint accounts, and a general taxable account is not among them.
- Markets stop at stocks, etfs and options, while eToro lists stocks, etfs and forex, so forex, CFDs and futures are out of reach here.
- The group sits in US and its registrations are SIPC member 68389 and FDIC cert 26881, with no UK or EU regulator named.
Who each suits
Fennel
Who it suits
- US investors opening or holding an IRA, since the account types are ira.
- Investors trading shares and exchange traded funds from a phone, since the platforms are mobile app and web.
- Readers starting with a small amount, since the minimum deposit is $0.
Who should look elsewhere
- Not for CFI users who want forex, contracts for difference or crypto, since CFI lists stocks, etfs and forex.
- Not for readers who would rather hold no account fee, as the eToro account fee is $0 against Fennel's $4.99.
- Not for Vantage users who want a stated starting level, since Vantage asks for $5 and Fennel asks for $0.
SoFi
Who it suits
- Beginners, which the audience fact lists as beginners, who want to start small with a $0 minimum deposit.
- Retirement savers who want an IRA, a Roth IRA or a joint account at $0 in account fees.
- Fractional share buyers who want crypto and equities in the same app, as the feature list crypto, fractional shares and mobile app shows.
Who should look elsewhere
- Traders after forex, CFDs or futures, since eToro lists stocks, etfs and forex and SoFi lists stocks, etfs and options.
- Investors who want a broader spread of instruments than shares, ETFs, options and crypto, since CFI lists stocks, etfs and forex.
- Readers who need a UK or EU regulated provider, because the licences named are SIPC member 68389 and FDIC cert 26881.
Country by country
| Country | Fennel | SoFi |
|---|---|---|
| United States | Yes | Yes |
Questions about each
Fennel
What does Fennel charge for trading and holding?+
Stock trades cost $0 and the pricing model is commission free. The account fee is $4.99, above the site median of €0, and the minimum deposit is $0. Trading costs therefore sit at the floor of the market while the account charge is higher than most brands listed here.
Is my money protected at Fennel?+
Regulators listed for Fennel are FINRA and SIPC, and the membership record shows SIPC member 70779. Investor protection is stated as SIPC up to USD 500,000. The legal entity behind the brand is FENNEL FINANCIALS LLC, and the headquarters country is the US.
SoFi
What does it cost to open and hold a SoFi account?+
The published minimum deposit is $0, the account fee is $0 and the inactivity fee is $0, so opening and holding an account adds no charge on the listed terms. Those are account level figures, which is the first thing to check before you choose a wrapper or leave a balance untouched.
What does a stock trade cost?+
A stock trade costs $0 and the pricing model is commission free, so commission does not decide which shares you can hold. Other brands on the site charge a stock trade fee as high as €17.54, and the account fee of $0 and inactivity fee of $0 add nothing on top.