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Broker Comparison

Alpaca Trading vs Fidelity

Compare Alpaca Trading and Fidelity side by side: fees, regulation, platforms.

Alpaca Trading

Alpaca Trading

API-driven and algorithmic traders

Alpaca Trading is a US API-first broker offering commission-free stocks, ETFs, options and crypto trading wit…

VS
Fidelity

Fidelity

Long-term investors and beginners

Fidelity is a US brokerage founded in 1946 offering stocks, ETFs, options, bonds, mutual funds, crypto, fract…

Head-to-head comparison

Alpaca Trading vs Fidelity
Feature Alpaca Trading Fidelity
Minimum deposit - -
Stock trading fee Commission: Free for self-directed retail API accounts; SEC fee and FINRA TAF pass-through on sell transactions $0 commission per online US stock trade
Regulators FINRA, SIPC, FinCEN SEC, FINRA, SIPC
Best for API-driven and algorithmic traders Long-term investors and beginners
Markets & account
Stocks
ETFs
Crypto
Bonds
-
Options
Fractional Shares
Margin
Demo Account
-
Funds
-
Money Market Funds
-
Ready Made Portfolios
-
Investment Plans
-

Pros & cons

Alpaca Trading

Alpaca Trading

Pros

  • Commission-free stocks, ETFs and options for self-directed retail API accounts
  • Paper trading environment available at no cost
  • Fractional shares supported
  • 24/5 extended trading hours on 100+ US stocks
  • Multi-leg options strategies supported
  • FINRA/SIPC member with up to $500,000 SIPC protection
  • Margin available at 4x intraday and 2x overnight
  • Securities lending program with potential income for shareholders

Cons

  • Platform is primarily API-driven; web and mobile apps are available but offer fewer features than conventional retail brokerage interfaces
  • Crypto accounts are not protected by FDIC or SIPC
  • Domestic wire withdrawals cost $25; international wires cost $50
  • Outbound ACATS transfer costs $100
  • Not suited for investors who prefer a full-featured retail brokerage app
  • Commission-free status may not apply to accounts opened through business partners
Fidelity

Fidelity

Pros

  • No commission on US stock and ETF trades
  • No account minimum, no account fee, no inactivity fee
  • No withdrawal fee
  • Fractional shares available from $1
  • Extensive research and educational resources
  • Fidelity Go robo-advisor free under $25,000
  • Fidelity does not accept payment for order flow
  • Excess-of-SIPC coverage totalling $1 billion in aggregate

Cons

  • No futures trading
  • No forex or CFD trading
  • Crypto limited to five coins with a 1% spread
  • No paper trading or demo account
  • Margin rates higher than some specialist discount brokers
  • A small subset of ETFs carry a $100 service fee per purchase
Alpaca Trading

Alpaca Trading

Alpaca Trading is a US API-first broker offering commission-free stocks, ETFs, options and crypto trading with a paper trading environment and margin accounts.

Visit Alpaca Trading Read review

Your capital is at risk. Other fees apply.

Fidelity

Fidelity

Fidelity is a US brokerage founded in 1946 offering stocks, ETFs, options, bonds, mutual funds, crypto, fractional shares and the Fidelity Go robo-advisor with no account minimums.

Visit Fidelity Read review

Your capital is at risk. Other fees apply.

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