tl;dr: Fidelity is the default pick for buy-and-hold investing and retirement accounts: $0 online stock and ETF commissions, no account minimums or retail account fees, index funds with a 0% expense ratio and fractional shares from $1. Options cost $0.65 a contract, margin is expensive and crypto is limited, so active traders and coin buyers have better options. Last verified November 14, 2026. See how we review
Fidelity review: fees, ZERO funds, Fidelity Go and who it suits
What Is Fidelity?
Fidelity: A $0-Commission Broker Built for Long-Term Investors
Fidelity Investments is one of the largest US brokers. Its brokerage account covers stocks, ETFs, options, bonds, CDs and mutual funds, and it also offers IRAs, an HSA, 529 plans, custodial and teen accounts, a robo-advisor called Fidelity Go and a crypto account.
Key numbers (as of November 2026):
Online US stocks and ETFs: $0 commission
Options: $0 commission plus $0.65 per contract
Account minimum: none; no account fees on retail brokerage accounts and IRAs
Fidelity ZERO index funds: 0% expense ratio
Fractional shares: from $1.00
Fidelity Go: $0 advisory fee under $25,000, 0.35% a year above
Margin: 10.825% base rate
Tell me more...
Fidelity Features and Benefits
1. What does Fidelity charge to trade?
Nothing in commission for online US stocks and ETFs, and there is no account minimum to open.
Options cost $0.65 per contract, plus an options regulatory fee.
A limited number of ETFs carry a $100 transaction-based service fee.
Moving your account out to another broker costs $0.
2. Are Fidelity ZERO funds really free?
Four Fidelity index funds charge a 0% expense ratio: ZERO Total Market, ZERO International, ZERO Extended Market and ZERO Large Cap. Fidelity says they are available to individual retail investors who buy through a Fidelity brokerage account.
Other fund expenses and any fees on non-Fidelity funds still apply.
Fidelity funds carry no transaction fee, and there is no minimum to invest in them.
3. Can you invest with $1?
Yes. Fractional orders start at $1.00 on NYSE and Nasdaq-listed US stocks and ETFs, in dollar amounts or in shares to three decimal places.
Fractional orders only execute during regular market hours.
Sell orders carry a small assessment fee of $0.01 to $0.03 per $1,000 of principal.
4. Is Fidelity Go worth it?
It is a fair choice if you want hands-off investing. Fidelity Go charges nothing under $25,000 and 0.35% a year at $25,000 and above, with no trading, transaction or rebalancing fees.
There is no minimum to open an account; you need $10 to start investing.
At $25,000 you can schedule unlimited calls with Fidelity advisors.
Underlying fund expenses still apply.
5. What about cash and the Cash Management Account?
Opening an account sets up a core position for uninvested cash. For non-retirement accounts the options are SPAXX, FZFXX and FCASH. Fidelity listed an FCASH rate of 1.94% as of September 18, 2026, and rates change, so check the current rate before you decide.
The Cash Management Account offers unlimited ATM fee reimbursements, no foreign debit transaction fees and fee-free checkwriting and bill pay.
Accounts opened after September 28, 2026 can hold only certain fixed income, CDs and Fidelity money market funds.
6. Should you buy crypto on Fidelity?
Only if you want a small, simple menu. Fidelity Crypto offers Bitcoin, Ethereum and Solana directly, and brokerage accounts can hold the FBTC, FETH and FSOL funds.
Fidelity’s crypto page does not state a trading fee, a minimum or a full coin list.
Crypto is not FDIC or SIPC insured.
For more coins and clear fees, see our Best Crypto Exchanges & Apps (2026).
7. What accounts can you open?
Fidelity’s account list is one of the broadest around.
Traditional, Roth, Rollover and SEP IRAs, plus a Roth IRA for Kids.
HSA, 529, custodial accounts and the Fidelity Youth account for ages 13 to 17.
Self-employed 401(k), SIMPLE IRA and Fidelity Go versions of the IRAs.
Ready to try Fidelity?
Trade stocks and ETFs for $0 commission. Open a Fidelity account through our link.
Pros and Cons of Fidelity
Pros
$0 online commissions on US stocks and ETFs, with no account minimum or retail account fees.
ZERO index funds with a 0% expense ratio.
Fractional shares from $1.00.
A wide range of accounts, from IRAs and HSAs to 529s and teen accounts.
Fidelity Go charges $0 under $25,000.
SIPC coverage plus excess-of-SIPC protection for securities.
Cons
Crypto is limited and Fidelity does not state its fees on the crypto page.
Options cost $0.65 per contract.
Margin starts at a 10.825% base rate.
Non-Fidelity transaction-fee mutual funds cost $49.95 per purchase.
Representative-assisted bond trades carry a $19.95 minimum markup.
Fractional orders execute only during regular market hours.
Is Fidelity Safe?
Fidelity’s securities are protected by SIPC and an additional excess-of-SIPC policy, but neither covers market losses.
SIPC: up to $500,000 of securities, including $250,000 for cash claims.
Excess of SIPC: Fidelity’s policy has a $1 billion aggregate limit, no per-customer dollar limit on securities and a $1.9 million per-customer limit on cash awaiting investment.
What is not covered: investment losses, and crypto, which is not FDIC or SIPC insured.
Account security: Turn on two-factor authentication in your security settings.
Who Should Use Fidelity?
Best for:
Buy-and-hold investors who want low costs and index funds.
IRA, rollover and HSA savers.
Beginners starting with $1 fractional shares.
Parents opening custodial, teen or 529 accounts.
Not ideal for:
Crypto buyers who want a wide coin list and clear fees.
Margin borrowers, because rates are high.
Active options traders watching the $0.65 per-contract cost. Try Webull.
Fidelity Alternatives Worth Exploring
Platform | Best For | Stock/ETF commission | Options per contract | Crypto |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Fidelity | Long-term investing and IRAs | $0 | $0.65 per contract | Bitcoin, Ethereum, Solana |
Active traders | $0 | $0 (index options $0.50) | 1% spread | |
Stocks plus crypto | See review | See review | See review | |
Multi-asset investing | See review | See review | See review | |
Automated long-term investing | $0 (+$3/mo under $10K) | See review | Via Bakkt |
Comparing brokers? See our Brokerage & Crypto Reviews hub and Best Crypto Exchanges & Apps (2026).
Lowcountry Ledger’s Take: Fidelity is the safest default for most long-term investors and retirement savers: free trades, no account fees and 0% expense ratio index funds. Skip it as your crypto home or if you borrow on margin.
Ready to try Fidelity?
Open a Fidelity account through our link and trade stocks and ETFs for $0 commission.
Fidelity & Investing Glossary
Key terms
Expense ratio: the yearly fund cost as a percentage of your investment; ZERO funds charge 0%.
Fractional shares: buying part of a share by dollar amount.
Core position: where uninvested cash sits in your account.
SIPC: protects securities customers if a broker fails, up to $500,000.
Excess of SIPC: extra private coverage that applies after SIPC is exhausted.
Margin: borrowing against your portfolio; losses can exceed your deposit.
Robo-advisor: automated portfolio management, like Fidelity Go.
Fidelity FAQ
1. Is Fidelity free?
Online US stock and ETF trades are $0 with no account minimum or retail account fees. Options cost $0.65 per contract, and margin and some mutual funds carry costs.
2. Is Fidelity safe?
Securities are protected by SIPC up to $500,000 plus Fidelity’s excess-of-SIPC policy. Neither covers market losses, and crypto is not FDIC or SIPC insured.
3. What are Fidelity ZERO funds?
Four index funds with a 0% expense ratio for retail investors who buy through a Fidelity brokerage account.
4. Is Fidelity Go worth it?
It charges $0 under $25,000 and 0.35% a year above, with no trading or rebalancing fees, which suits hands-off investors.
5. Can I buy crypto on Fidelity?
Yes: Bitcoin, Ethereum and Solana directly, plus crypto funds in a brokerage account. Fidelity does not state its crypto fees on that page.
6. Can I start investing with $1?
Yes. Fractional share orders start at $1.00.
7. Does Fidelity charge to transfer out?
Fidelity lists $0 for account transfers.
8. Fidelity or Webull?
Fidelity suits long-term investing and IRAs; Webull suits active trading. Read our Webull review.
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This newsletter & site is intended for informational purposes only and should not be interpreted as investment, legal, or tax advice. The views and opinions expressed are those of the author alone and do not necessarily represent the views of any business, employer, or affiliated entity. Investing carries inherent risks, including the possible loss of principal. Past performance is not indicative of future results. Readers are encouraged to conduct their own research and seek advice from qualified professionals before making any investment, legal, or financial decisions. While the information provided is believed to be accurate, no guarantee is made as to its completeness or reliability. The author and publisher disclaim any liability for decisions made or actions taken based on the content of this newsletter. This publication does not constitute an offer to buy or sell any security. Some of the links included in this newsletter may be affiliate links, meaning the author could earn a commission if you click through and make a purchase or sign up. By subscribing to or continuing to read this newsletter, you acknowledge and agree to these terms and conditions.
