Summary
- Fidelity ranks among Unbiased's top investment companies for its low fees and comprehensive wealth management.
- Fidelity offers a wide range of financial planning and investment services at competitive fees.
- Fidelity has $0 account minimums for many accounts, making it accessible to new investors.
- Fidelity stands out for its low-cost funds, commission-free trades, and competitive pricing.
What does Fidelity Investments do?
Fidelity’s offerings aim to meet customers’ needs in almost every financial area of their lives. From investing to paying bills, Fidelity has a tool for managing your money.
Some of Fidelity's key products include:
Fidelity Roth IRA
Fidelity’s Roth IRA is a low-cost, tax-advantaged retirement account that offers:
- $0 account minimum and no annual fees.
- Commission-free US stock and ETF trades.
- Access to Fidelity ZERO index funds.
- Retirement planning tools and a wide range of investments.
Fidelity Go
Fidelity Go is a low-minimum robo-advisor that automatically manages and rebalances your portfolio. It offers:
- $0 advisory fee below $25,000, then 0.35% annually.
- $10 minimum investment.
- Automatic portfolio management and rebalancing.
- Access to financial coaching from $25,000.
Both integrate with Fidelity's brokerage, cash management, and other investment services.
What are the pros and cons of Fidelity Investments?
Fidelity offers low-cost investing, broad account options, and strong trading tools, but some managed services and transactions carry additional costs.
Pros of Fidelity Investments
- Comprehensive services: Choose from 50 account types and thousands of investments.
- Low-cost mutual funds: Access more than 10,000 funds, including 175 Fidelity funds and some with zero expense ratios.
- No account minimums: Open many Fidelity accounts with $0.
- Fractional investing: Invest from $1 in more than 7,000 US stocks and ETFs.
- Commission-free trading: Pay $0 commissions on stocks, ETFs, and options, plus $0.65 per options contract.
- Strong trading tools: Use Fidelity Mobile®, Fidelity.com, Trading Dashboard, and Active Trader Pro®.
Cons of Fidelity Investments
- Managed-account minimum: Professional portfolio management requires at least $5,000.
- Broker-assisted trading fees: Trades placed through a representative can carry higher fees.
- Lower cash-sweep yields: FDIC-insured cash may earn less than Fidelity money market funds and some high-yield accounts.
- Separate crypto account: Crypto trading requires a dedicated Fidelity Crypto account.
Fidelity Investments fees: How much does Fidelity Investments cost?
One of the best parts about Fidelity is what you won’t see – fees. There aren’t hidden fees or costs you’ll be charged down the line, either. Fidelity is transparent about what fees they charge, which are few and far between.
The list of $0 fees is a long one. Fidelity doesn’t charge for many of the services that a bank typically would. From investing to cash management, some of these include:
- Monthly statements: $0
- Early IRA withdrawals: $0
- Roth IRA conversion: $0
- SIMPLE IRA annual fee: $0
- IRA closeout fee: $0
- EFT: $0 per transaction
- Fidelity BillPay: $0 per transaction
- Cashier’s check: $0
- Returned check: $0
- Stop payment: $0
- Check ordering: $0
- Fidelity® Cash Management Account ATM fee: $0
- Bank wire: $0 for domestic, up to 3% for international
- Real-time quotes: $0
- Streaming quotes: $0
- Transfer of assets: $0
- Stock certificate transfer and ship: $100 per certificate
- Margin liquidation: $32.95 per liquidation
Notably, there are $0 commissions for stock, ETF, and option trades. If you want your investments automatically managed for you (via Fidelity Go), there’s a $0 charge until you hit $25,000 in assets.
What you will pay for with Fidelity is the cost of buying into a non-Fidelity fund. The fee is $49.95. You’ll also pay 1% trading fee on crypto buy and sell transactions, $0.65 for options contracts, international wire fees, and margin liquidation fees.
What is Fidelity Investments’ minimum account size?
Fidelity offers a $0 minimum to open an account.
Whether it’s a cash management account, brokerage account, or retirement account, it’s very easy to get started as an investor with Fidelity.
Once you link a funding source (direct deposit, bank, etc.), you can fund your account and select investments.
"Fidelity feels like one of those rare investment companies that's happy to let investors grow at their own pace. Rather than pushing clients towards advice or premium services from day one, it gives you the tools to start small and naturally build from there.
Who should choose Fidelity Investments?
Fidelity Investments is designed to grow with you, so it’s a great option for most investors.
$0 minimums and automatic transfers help beginners get started, while comprehensive services help you grow.
It’s also an easy place to start if your employer already offers a retirement plan with Fidelity.
Fidelity Investments: Is it secure?
Fidelity is an established institution where you can feel secure storing your money.
Money held with Fidelity Investments is covered by the Securities Investor Protection Corporation (SIPC), which protects up to $500,000 in securities should the brokerage holding your money fail.
On top of this, Fidelity offers an excess of SIPC amount when SIPC coverage is exhausted. (Note that these amounts do not cover market losses.)
Fidelity also has extensive internal controls to protect their company and client money. These include risk oversight, corporate audit, corporate security, and corporate compliance.
When it comes to your account, Fidelity offers encryption, firewalls, and continuous monitoring to ensure your account information stays safe. Other security features include multi-factor authentication, money transfer lock, security text alerts, and biometric security.
Fidelity is confident in their security and offers the Fidelity Customer Protection Guarantee, which states the company will reimburse you for losses should unauthorized activity occur in your accounts.
Fidelity Investments customer experience
Fidelity generally offers a good customer experience. Support is available 24/7 by phone, while customers can also get help online or at a local investor center.
Its website and app are well equipped, although beginners may find the number of tools and features a little overwhelming.
Fidelity Investments reviews: What real customers are saying?
Fidelity has rave reviews from customers.
Many say they have moved over as much money as they could to Fidelity from other brokerages. Some say that Fidelity has been a dream to work with, has great customer service, and great technology.
One concern users voice is the limitations on depositing and withdrawing cash. Others complain about frozen funds and the amount of time it takes to withdraw funds.
Fidelity Investments: Mobile app
Fidelity’s mobile app is rated 4.8 out of 5 stars on the App Store and 4.6 on Google Play. You can use it for everyday account management as well as investing, with features such as trading, money transfers and automated investing.
The app also gives you access to Fidelity’s research and planning tools, making it a fairly comprehensive option for managing your finances on the go.
The bottom line
Fidelity stands out for its low fees, broad investment options, strong research tools, and highly rated app. The main drawbacks are the $5,000 minimum for managed portfolios and a modest cash-sweep yield.
If you're unsure whether Fidelity is right for you, Unbiased can connect you with a qualified financial advisor.
Frequently asked questions
Is Fidelity Investments legit?
Yes. Fidelity is an established, regulated financial services company that serves millions of investors.
Is Fidelity Investments a fiduciary?
Fidelity acts as a fiduciary when providing advice through its registered investment advisory services, but not for self-directed brokerage accounts.
Is Fidelity Investments safe?
Yes, Fidelity is generally considered safe. Its security controls help protect your account, while SIPC coverage protects eligible assets if the brokerage fails, but not against market losses.
Is Fidelity Bank the same as Fidelity Investments?
No. Fidelity Bank and Fidelity Investments are separate companies offering different financial services.
Is Fidelity Investments good for beginners?
Yes. Fidelity offers $0-minimum accounts, commission-free trading, fractional shares, educational tools, and automated investing.
Fact checked 08/26/2026