Updated September 29, 2026 · BrokerCue Editorial Team
Fidelity vs Markets.com
What sets them apart
| Compare |  Fidelity |  Markets.com |
|---|---|---|
| Minimum deposit | $0Lower | $100 |
| Inactivity fee | $0Lower | $10 |
| Markets | Stocks, ETFs, Options, Bonds, Funds, Futures, Forex | Stocks, ETFs, Forex, CFDs, Crypto, Bonds, Spread betting |
| Regulators | SEC, FINRA, SIPC | CySEC, FCA, FSCA, ASIC |
| Investor protection | SIPC up to USD 500,000 | EU ICS up to EUR 20,000 |
| Retail accounts that lose money | Not confirmed | 72.4% |
| Currency conversion fee | Not confirmed | 0.6% |
| Margin rate | 12.375% | Not confirmed |
| Options contract fee | $0.65 | Not confirmed |
| Deposit and withdrawal fees | Not confirmed | no deposit or withdrawal fees |
| Platforms | Not confirmed | Web Platform, Mobile App, MT4, MT5 |
| Account types | IRA, Roth IRA, Joint | Not confirmed |
Same on both: Stock trade fee ($0), Account fee ($0).
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
- Regulators: only Fidelity offers SEC, FINRA, SIPC.
- Regulators: only Markets.com offers CySEC, FCA, FSCA.
- Markets.com is licensed in 3 more countries.
- Minimum deposit is lower at Fidelity: $0 vs $100.
- Inactivity fee is lower at Fidelity: $0 vs $10.
- Markets: only Fidelity offers Options, Funds, Futures.
- Markets: only Markets.com offers CFDs, Crypto, Spread betting.
- Support channels: only Fidelity offers Community.
- Support channels: only Markets.com offers Email, Help centre.
- Features: only Fidelity offers Fractional shares, Options, Futures.
Our verdict on each
Fidelity
Fidelity is a US brokerage that suits investors who want to hold and trade without a standing charge: its minimum deposit, account fee and inactivity fee all sit at $0, $0 and $0. Stock dealing is commission-free, with SIPC protection recorded as SIPC up to USD 500,000.
Markets.com
Markets.com suits retail traders who want stocks, forex, cfds, crypto and spread betting under a single account with no commission charged on share dealing. Stock trades carry fees of $0 and the account fee is $0, though the $100 minimum deposit and an inactivity charge of $10 are the figures to weigh.
Score breakdown
| Area | Fidelity | Markets.com |
|---|---|---|
| Cost | 9.1HigherSite ranks it 1 of 138 on account fee and 1 of 161 on stock trade fee. | 8.9Commission-free model: stock trades at fees of $0, account fee of $0, currency conversion of 0.6%. |
| Offer | 9.5 | 9.7Higher |
| Trust | 9.8 | 9.9Higher |
The bill, worked out
A year: 5,000 invested, 4 US stock trades a month
Fidelity
$0
48 × $0 + 1 × $0
Markets.com
$0
48 × $0 + 1 × $0
Both come to the same total.
Excludes currency conversion fee (not stated by Fidelity). 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 | Fidelity | Markets.com |
|---|---|---|
| Stock and ETF brokers | 37 of 490 | 40 of 490 |
| Forex brokers | 14 of 147 | 16 of 147 |
| Low-spread forex brokers | 12 of 145 | 14 of 145 |
| Brokers for beginners | 12 of 88 | 14 of 88 |
Where each is licensed and available
| Country | Fidelity | Markets.com |
|---|---|---|
| Australia | Not confirmed | |
| Cyprus | Not confirmed | |
| South Africa | Not confirmed | |
| United Kingdom | Not confirmed | FCA 481853 |
| United States | SIPC SIPC member 23292 | Not confirmed |
Every fact side by side
| Fact | Fidelity | Markets.com |
|---|---|---|
| Features | Fractional shares, Demo account, Mobile app, Crypto, Options, Futures | Mobile app, Copy trading, Demo account, Crypto |
| Pricing model | Commission free | Commission free |
| Audience | Beginners, Experienced | Beginners, Experienced |
| Legal entity | FIDELITY BROKERAGE SERVICES LLC | Finalto Financial Services Limited |
| Headquarters | United States | Not confirmed |
| Founded | 1946 | Not confirmed |
| Support channels | Phone, Community | Email, Phone, Help centre |
Robo-advisors
| Fact | Fidelity | Markets.com |
|---|---|---|
| Portfolio types | ETF, ESG, Crypto | Not confirmed |
Where each stands against the rest
| Fact | Fidelity | Markets.com | Median |
|---|---|---|---|
| Minimum deposit | $0below the median | $100above the median | $10 |
| Stock trade fee | $0at the median | $0at the median | $0 |
| Account fee | $0at the median | $0at the median | $0 |
| Inactivity fee | $0at the median | $10above the median | $0 |
| Retail accounts that lose money | Not confirmed | 72.4%above the median | 70.375% |
| Currency conversion fee | Not confirmed | 0.6%above the median | 0.4% |
Median across 99 listed brokers.
Pros and cons
Fidelity
Pros
- Costs sit at the floor: stock trade fee $0, account fee $0, inactivity fee $0 and minimum deposit $0
- The client entity is listed on the SIPC register as SIPC member 23292, with protection recorded at SIPC up to USD 500,000
- Account types cover retirement and shared holdings: ira, roth ira and joint
Cons
- Support runs on phone and community only, so that list carries no chat or email channel
- Options contracts cost $0.65 each, the main charge where stock dealing is free
- Margin borrowing is priced at 12.375%, a cost on top of the free equity dealing
Markets.com
Pros
- Stock trades carry fees of $0 on a commission-free model, so placing a share trade is not chargeable
- The account fee is $0, which ranks Markets.com at 1 of 138 brands on that measure
- Deposits and withdrawals carry no deposit or withdrawal fees, so moving money on and off the account stays cheap
Cons
- An inactivity charge of $10 catches dormant balances, placing Markets.com at 35 of 56 brands on that measure
- The minimum deposit of $100 is heavy, ranking at 148 of 213 brands, so a smaller opening balance rules it out
- A currency conversion fee of 0.6% sits on top of the commission-free model, so currency trades cost more than the share trades priced at $0
Who each suits
Fidelity
Who it suits
- Retirement savers, since ira, roth ira and joint are all listed as account types
- Buyers investing small amounts, as fractional shares sit in fractional shares, demo account and mobile app
- Traders who want stocks, bonds, funds, options, futures and forex in one place, as stocks, etfs and options shows
Who should look elsewhere
- Traders who want CFDs, since stocks, etfs and options leaves them out and CFI lists stocks, etfs and forex
- Anyone who prefers a required opening deposit, since $0 sets none where Vantage asks $5
Markets.com
Who it suits
- Retail traders who want stocks, forex, cfds, crypto and spread betting inside a single account
- Investors who trade often enough to clear the $100 minimum and steer clear of the $10 inactivity charge
- UK residents who want the account run by Finalto Financial Services Limited under the FCA
Who should look elsewhere
- Anyone opening with a small balance, since the $100 minimum deposit compares with a site median of €4.64 while CFI takes $0 and Vantage takes $5
- Long term holders of an idle balance, because an inactivity charge of $10 applies
- Traders who mainly want forex and the lowest way in, since CFI and Vantage set minimum deposits at $0 and $5
Country by country
| Country | Fidelity | Markets.com |
|---|---|---|
| United States | Yes | No |
Questions about each
Fidelity
What does it cost to trade stocks at Fidelity?+
Stock dealing is commission-free, with a stock trade fee of $0. The account fee is $0 and the minimum deposit is $0, so there is no standing charge to hold the account. Options contracts are the exception, at $0.65 each.
Is there an inactivity fee if I stop trading?+
The inactivity fee is $0, so an idle account is not charged for sitting still. On the site it ranks 1 of 56 brands measured for that fee. With the account fee at $0, a dormant account carries no listed running cost.
Markets.com
Does Markets.com charge commission on shares?+
The pricing model is commission-free, and stock trades carry fees of $0 on the trade itself. Currency conversion of 0.6% and an inactivity charge of $10 sit outside that figure, so regular traders should build both into the running cost.
Is there a monthly or annual account fee?+
Fees run $0 on the account, which ranks Markets.com at 1 out of 138 brands on that measure. Deposits and withdrawals carry no deposit or withdrawal fees as well, so funding the account and taking money back out stay clear of extra charges.
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