Updated September 28, 2026 · BrokerCue Editorial Team
Fidelity vs TradeStation
Fidelity vs TradeStation: the differences
| Compare |  Fidelity |  TradeStation |
|---|---|---|
| Inactivity fee | $0Lower | $10 |
| Markets | Stocks, ETFs, Options, Bonds, Funds, Futures, Forex | Stocks, ETFs, Forex, Options, Futures, Crypto, Bonds, FundsCovers more |
| Regulators | SEC, FINRA, SIPCCovers more | SIPC |
| Options contract fee | $0.65 | $0.50Lower |
| Account types | IRA, Roth IRA, Joint | IRA, Joint, Corporate |
| Account fee | $0 | Not confirmed |
| Currency conversion fee | Not confirmed | 0.5% |
| Margin rate | 12.375% | Not confirmed |
| Deposit and withdrawal fees | Not confirmed | free deposits |
| Platforms | Not confirmed | TradeStation desktop, Web, Mobile |
| Interest on cash | Not confirmed | 0.15% |
Same on both: Minimum deposit ($0), Stock trade fee ($0), Investor protection (SIPC up to USD 500,000).
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Key differences
- Fidelity scores higher overall: 9.5 vs 9.2.
- Regulators: only Fidelity offers SEC, FINRA.
- Founded is lower at Fidelity: 1946 vs 1982.
- Inactivity fee is lower at Fidelity: $0 vs $10.
- Options contract fee is lower at TradeStation: $0.50 vs $0.65.
- Markets: only TradeStation offers Crypto.
- Account types: only Fidelity offers Roth IRA.
- Account types: only TradeStation offers Corporate.
- Support channels: only Fidelity offers Community.
- Support channels: only TradeStation offers Email, Chat, Help centre.
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.
TradeStation
TradeStation suits experienced traders who want one account spanning stocks, options, futures and forex, and it is headed in the US. Stock trades cost $0, options run $0.50 a contract, deposits are free deposits, and an inactivity fee of $10 applies to dormant accounts.
Score breakdown
| Area | Fidelity | TradeStation |
|---|---|---|
| Cost | 9.1Site ranks it 1 of 138 on account fee and 1 of 161 on stock trade fee. | 9.2HigherStock trades cost $0, deposits are free deposits and inactivity costs $10. |
| Offer | 9.5Higher | 9.4One account spans stocks, etfs and forex with ira, joint and corporate accounts and TradeStation desktop, web and mobile. |
| Trust | 9.8Higher | 9.2 |
Pick Fidelity if, pick TradeStation if
Pick Fidelity if trust, inactivity fee, and regulators matter most.
Pick TradeStation if markets and options contract fee matter most.
Licences and countries
| Country | Fidelity | TradeStation |
|---|---|---|
| United States | SIPC SIPC member 23292 | SIPC SIPC member 48711 |
Available in 1 country for both.
Where they rank in our lists
| Ranking | Fidelity | TradeStation |
|---|---|---|
| Stock and ETF brokers | 37 of 490 | 95 of 490 |
| Investment platforms and apps | 8 of 85 | 21 of 85 |
| Forex brokers | 14 of 147 | 41 of 147 |
| Low-spread forex brokers | 12 of 145 | 39 of 145 |
| Options trading platforms | 9 of 103 | 35 of 103 |
| Futures trading platforms | 10 of 83 | 24 of 83 |
| IRA providers | 6 of 43 | 15 of 43 |
What we checked
Fidelity
- brokerage-review.com: 6 facts, checked September 26, 2026
- editorialge.com: 5 facts, checked September 26, 2026
- en.wikipedia.org: 4 facts, checked September 26, 2026
- fidelity.com: 1 fact, checked September 26, 2026
- sipc.org: 1 fact, checked September 26, 2026
TradeStation
- brokerchooser.com: 4 facts, checked September 26, 2026
- financer.com: 4 facts, checked September 26, 2026
- nerdwallet.com: 3 facts, checked September 26, 2026
- sipc.org: 3 facts, checked September 26, 2026
- en.wikipedia.org: 2 facts, checked September 26, 2026
Every fact side by side
| Fact | Fidelity | TradeStation |
|---|---|---|
| Features | Fractional shares, Demo account, Mobile app, Crypto, Options, FuturesCovers more | Crypto, Fractional shares, Options, Futures, Mobile app |
| Pricing model | Commission free | Commission free, Low feesCovers more |
| Audience | Beginners, Experienced | Experienced, Day traders |
| Legal entity | FIDELITY BROKERAGE SERVICES LLC | TRADESTATION SECURITIES INC |
| Headquarters | United States | United States |
| Founded | 1946Lower | 1982 |
| Support channels | Phone, Community | Email, Chat, Phone, Help centre |
Robo-advisors
| Fact | Fidelity | TradeStation |
|---|---|---|
| Portfolio types | ETF, ESG, Crypto | Not confirmed |
Where each stands against the rest
| Fact | Fidelity | TradeStation | Median |
|---|---|---|---|
| Minimum deposit | $0below the median | $0below the median | $10 |
| Stock trade fee | $0at the median | $0at the median | $0 |
| Account fee | $0at the median | Not confirmed | $0 |
| Inactivity fee | $0at the median | $10above the median | $0 |
| Currency conversion fee | Not confirmed | 0.5%above the median | 0.4% |
| Margin rate | 12.375%highest quarter | Not confirmed | 8.79% |
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
TradeStation
Pros
- One login covers stocks, etfs and forex, so equities, derivatives and bonds trade side by side without extra logins.
- Stock trades cost $0 and deposits are free deposits, so there is nothing extra to fund the account.
- Platforms run from TradeStation desktop, web and mobile, so charts and order tickets travel with you between desk and phone.
Cons
- An inactivity fee of $10 applies, so a dormant balance keeps being charged rather than left alone.
- Options contracts are charged at $0.50 each, even though the equity model is listed as commission free and low fees.
- Currency conversion costs 0.5%, so trading across currencies adds a cut to the trade price.
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
TradeStation
Who it suits
- Experienced traders who already know which markets they want to reach and trade them often
- Day traders who need desktop, web and mobile order entry on one and the same account
- Retirement savers who want one account that also carries options, futures and forex markets
Who should look elsewhere
- Readers who trade a single asset class: CFI covers stocks, etfs and forex and stops short of the bonds and funds here
- Readers who prefer the eToro route, where stocks, etfs and forex leaves out the bond and fund side of this account
- Readers who want a published entry threshold: Vantage lists a minimum deposit of $5 against the $0 here
Country by country
| Country | Fidelity | TradeStation |
|---|---|---|
| United States | Yes | Yes |
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.
TradeStation
How much does TradeStation charge to buy shares?+
Stock trades are commission free at $0, and options are charged separately at $0.50 per contract. Currency conversion costs 0.5%, while deposits are free deposits, so the everyday cost of trading sits in the currency line rather than the share price.
Is my money protected at TradeStation?+
TradeStation sits under SIPC in the US, with investor protection of SIPC up to USD 500,000 and a member reference of SIPC member 48711. That cover applies to securities held if the firm fails, not to losses on a falling position.
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