Investing comparison
Fidelity vs Charles Schwab
Updated
Data as of
Fidelity checked Charles Schwab checked
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Fidelity
Investing app
Visit site for Fidelity Investments (opens in a new tab)
Charles Schwab
Investing app
Visit site for Charles Schwab (opens in a new tab)
Before you compare: This compares features and fees from each company's own pages. It isn't investment advice, and investing involves risk, including loss of money.
Short answer
- Pick Fidelity if you want a managed portfolio with no minimum (Charles Schwab lists $5,000).
- The biggest difference is the managed portfolio minimum: Fidelity lists no minimum, and Charles Schwab lists $5,000.
Full disclosure: Taylor Price, who runs Priceless Tay, owns Fifecta, so keep that in mind as you read this comparison.
Fidelity vs Charles Schwab at a glance
- Fidelity
- Rating
- 4.8 of 5App Store, 3,378,991 ratings
- Platforms
- 2iOS, Android
- Charles Schwab
- Rating
- 4.8 of 5App Store, 1,211,167 ratings
- Platforms
- 2iOS, Android
What it costs
- Fidelity Investments
Fidelity Go, Fidelity's robo advisor, lists a gross advisory fee of $0 for balances under $25,000 and 0.35% a year for $25,000 and above.
Source
fidelity.com/why-fidelity/pricing-fees, checked . - Charles Schwab
Schwab Intelligent Portfolios, Schwab's robo-advisor, lists no advisory fee and no commissions. You still pay the operating expenses of the ETFs in the portfolio.
Source
schwab.com/pricing, checked .
Bars show only when every app here lists a yearly price, so these prices sit side by side without them. Prices are list prices from each app's own page, before tax and any offer. Investing fees appear as each company states them. A yearly advisory fee is a percent of your balance, not a monthly price, so it never gets a bar or a price tag.
Fidelity Investments and Charles Schwab, side by side
| Detail | Fidelity | Charles Schwab |
|---|---|---|
| Account minimumDiffers | FidelityFidelity lists no account fees and no minimums to open a retail brokerage account, including IRAs. Fidelity Go, its robo advisor, lists no account minimum. Sourcefidelity.com/why-fidelity/pricing-fees, checked . | Charles SchwabSchwab lists a $0 account minimum and $0 opening and maintenance fees for brokerage accounts and IRAs. Schwab Intelligent Portfolios has a $5,000 minimum. Sourceschwab.com/pricing, checked . |
| Stock and ETF commissionsDiffers | FidelityFidelity lists $0 commission for online US stock, ETF and option trades. Online option trades have a $0.65 per contract fee. Sourcefidelity.com/why-fidelity/pricing-fees, checked . | Charles SchwabSchwab lists a $0 online commission for listed stocks and ETFs. Options are $0 plus $0.65 per contract. Sourceschwab.com/pricing, checked . |
| Account typesDiffers | FidelityFidelity lists these account types: Brokerage account, Traditional IRA, Roth IRA, Rollover IRA, Health savings account (HSA), 529 college savings plan, Cash management account and Crypto account. Sourcefidelity.com/open-account/overview, checked . | Charles SchwabCharles Schwab lists these account types: Brokerage (Individual and Joint), IRA (Traditional, Roth, or Rollover), Schwab One Custodial (UGMA/UTMA), 529 College Savings, Education Savings, Inherited IRA/Inherited 401(k), SEP-IRA, SIMPLE-IRA, Individual 401(k) Plan and Schwab One Trust. Sourceschwab.com/pricing, checked . |
| Fractional sharesDiffers | FidelityFidelity says you can own fractions of US stocks and ETFs, starting at $1. Sourcefidelity.com/trading/fractional-shares, checked . | Charles SchwabSchwab says you can own fractional shares of most U.S.-listed stocks and ETFs for as little as $1. Sourceschwab.com/fractional-shares-stock-slices, checked . |
| Automatic investingDiffers | FidelityFidelity says you can use recurring investments to automatically add fractional shares. Sourcefidelity.com/trading/fractional-shares, checked . | Charles SchwabSchwab says its robo-advisor builds, monitors and automatically rebalances a diversified portfolio. Sourceschwab.com/intelligent-portfolios, checked . |
| Managed portfolios (robo)Differs | FidelityFidelity Go is Fidelity's robo advisor, with digital managed accounts and no minimum to open (the balance must be at least $10 to be invested). Sourcefidelity.com/why-fidelity/pricing-fees, checked . | Charles SchwabSchwab Intelligent Portfolios is Schwab's robo-advisor. You can open an account with a minimum of $5,000. Sourceschwab.com/intelligent-portfolios, checked . |
| ProtectionDiffers | FidelityFidelity is a member of SIPC, which protects securities customers up to $500,000 (including $250,000 for claims for cash). Fidelity adds excess of SIPC coverage with a $1 billion aggregate limit, no per-customer limit on securities and a $1.9 million per-customer limit on cash awaiting investment. Sourcefidelity.com/why-fidelity/safeguarding-your-accounts, checked . | Charles SchwabCharles Schwab & Co., Inc. is a member of SIPC. Schwab says its clients also get excess SIPC coverage for securities and cash, with a $600 million aggregate limit for the excess portion. Sourceschwab.com/legal/account-protection, checked . |
| Platforms | FidelityFidelity Investments lists iOS and Android. Sourcefidelity.com/mobile/overview, checked . | Charles SchwabCharles Schwab lists iOS and Android. Sourceschwab.com/mobile, checked . |
| App store ratingDiffers | FidelityFidelity Investments has 4.8 out of 5 on the App Store from 3,378,991 ratings. SourceApp Store listing, checked . | Charles SchwabCharles Schwab has 4.8 out of 5 on the App Store from 1,211,167 ratings. SourceApp Store listing, checked . |
Store ratings are a dated snapshot from each listing, not our score. A row shows only when both apps have a current official source for it. How we source and date this data. Spotted a change? Tell us if something changed.
Weighing a third option? Add up to two more apps and compare up to four side by side.
Screen by screen
Pick a task to see what each app shows for it. App Store and Google Play images are the apps' own marketing, so they can show sample data and staged layouts. Help center images come from the app's support articles. See every app's screens.
Home
Fidelity Investments
App Store marketing imageApp Store image with the headline "All-in-one app" showing the home screen with market indexes and $44,750.00 in Fidelity accounts.App Store listing, as of 
App Store marketing imageThe Home tab: DJIA, NASDAQ and S&P 500 cards, Fidelity accounts at $44,750.00 up $275.00 (+0.31%) today, a one-month line chart and the tab bar with Home, Investing, Transact, Planning and Discover.App Store listing, as of 
App Store marketing imageFidelity accounts $44,750.00, up $275.00 (+0.31%) today, with 1M, YTD, 1Y and 3Y tabs and a one-month line chart from Aug 1 to Aug 31.App Store listing, as of 
App Store marketing imageThe tab bar: Home, Investing, a green Transact button, Planning and Discover.App Store listing, as of
Charles Schwab
App Store marketing imageApp Store image with the headline "Manage your financial life in one app" showing a Summary screen with a $460,847.83 total value.App Store listing, as of 
App Store marketing imageThe Summary tab: Total Value $460,847.83 with a 1Y change of +$101,123.75 (28.11%), a line chart, Transfer, Deposit, Orders and Insights buttons, and an Investment list of brokerage and retirement accounts.App Store listing, as of 
App Store marketing imageTotal Value $460,847.83, 1Y Change +$101,123.75 (28.11%) and a rising line chart from Aug '25 to Jun.App Store listing, as of
Accounts
Fidelity Investments
App Store marketing imageApp Store image with the headline "Help maximize your money" showing an Account screen with balances, activity and performance.App Store listing, as of 
App Store marketing imageAn Account screen: Balances with $500.00 available to trade and $350.00 available to withdraw, an Activity card for a filled buy of 10 shares and Performance returns against market indexes.App Store listing, as of 
App Store marketing imageBalances: Available to trade $500.00, Settled cash $350.00 and Available to withdraw $350.00.App Store listing, as of
Charles Schwab
App Store marketing imageApp Store image with the headline "Track your portfolio" showing a brokerage account's positions.App Store listing, as of 
App Store marketing imageA Brokerage account on Positions: Account Value $10,206.20, day change -$26.07 (-0.25%), unrealized gain $5,000.13, and a table of six holdings with quantity, price and price change.App Store listing, as of 
App Store marketing imageAn Investment list with value and day change: Brokerage Account $45,921.11, Retirement Account $48,481.40 and another Brokerage Account $1,062.45.App Store listing, as of
Reports and insights
Fidelity Investments
App Store marketing imagePerformance with 1D to All tabs: a 1-year cumulative pre-tax return of +4.44% next to the Dow Jones U.S. Total Stock Market Index at -4.64% and the S&P 500 Index at +4.44%.App Store listing, as of
Charles Schwab
App Store marketing imageInsights and Education with New To Investing, Retirement, Taxes and Trading filters and The latest commentary: a Schwab Market Update story titled "Stocks Up Ahead of Nvidia" and more articles.App Store listing, as of
Investments
Fidelity Investments
App Store marketing imageApp Store image with the headline "Set your investing on repeat" showing a recurring investment confirmation.App Store listing, as of 
App Store marketing imageA Confirm screen with a check mark: Recurring investment scheduled for NXTR, $500.00 every 2 weeks on Tuesday, with Manage and Done buttons.App Store listing, as of 
App Store marketing imageTrader+ Mobile mode Portfolio on Positions for All accounts: a table of symbols with last price, change, today's gain or loss and bid, colored green and red.App Store listing, as of 
App Store marketing imageA Fidelity Crypto quote for BTC/USD at $117,130.91: a one-day chart, a Detailed quote with last, bid, ask and volume, and a Trade button.App Store listing, as of 
App Store marketing imageA Buy EJS market order for 1 share: estimated cost $14.00, $123.00 available to trade, a number pad and a Review button.App Store listing, as of 
App Store marketing imageA Markets row with DJIA +74.12 (+0.37%), NASDAQ -10.22 (-0.06%) and S&P 500 -8.67 (-0.19%) cards.App Store listing, as of
Charles Schwab
App Store marketing imageApp Store image with the headline "Trade intuitively" showing a stock and ETF trade ticket.App Store listing, as of 
App Store marketing imageApp Store image with the headline "Stay on top of the market" showing a Markets screen with an indices chart.App Store listing, as of 
App Store marketing imageThe Trade ticket on Stock/ETF for a brokerage account: a ZQVX quote with bid and ask, Action, Shares or Dollars, Quantity, a Limit order type, Price and a Review Order button.App Store listing, as of 
App Store marketing imageThe Markets tab: an Indices line chart with 1 Day, 5 Day, 1 Month and 1 Year tabs and four indexes with values and gains, plus View More Indices.App Store listing, as of 
App Store marketing imageA dark Watchlist with Basic, Custom and Heatmap views listing nine stocks with prices and daily changes in green and red.App Store listing, as of
Transfer and send
Fidelity Investments
No official screen found yet
Charles Schwab
App Store marketing imageFour round buttons: Transfer, Deposit, Orders and Insights.App Store listing, as of
Settings and security
Fidelity Investments
No official screen found yet
Charles Schwab
App Store marketing imageA Good Morning login screen with a Login ID field, a Remember Login ID toggle and a Continue button, with Fingerprint, Face ID and Passcode labels placed over it.App Store listing, as of
AI assistant
Fidelity Investments
App Store marketing imageFidelity Assistant answering "How can I contact Fidelity?" with around-the-clock support and buttons to chat live online, see live chat hours or connect by phone, above a Type or ask us something field.App Store listing, as of
Charles Schwab
No official screen found yet
Other screens
Fidelity Investments
App Store marketing imageApp Store image with the headline "Connect with a dedicated advisor" showing a Your team screen.App Store listing, as of 
App Store marketing imageThe Your team screen: a lead advisor, a partner and Investment Mgmt Consultants, a 24-hour service team note and an Investment strategy card with a View our recommendations button.App Store listing, as of
Charles Schwab
No official screen found yet
Who it's for
Pick the tab that sounds like you. Every answer comes from the app's own pages, and its source opens from the Source link.
Just me
Budgeting on your own? These are the basics people ask about first.
Is there support from the app's makers if I need help?
Fidelity: Yes. Phone (24/7), chat (Fidelity Assistant 24/7, live chat with an associate) and Investor Centers.
Source
In their words: “For any customer service questions, call us 24/7 at: 800-343-3548” fidelity.com/customer-service/contact-us, checked .Charles Schwab: Yes. Phone, chat and branches.
Source
In their words: “Reach out to Charles Schwab customer service by phone, chat, or visit your local branch.” schwab.com/contact-us, checked .
Partners
Sharing money with a partner? Here's how each app handles a second person.
Can my partner use their own login details?
Fidelity: Joint accounts, yes. The source doesn't say your partner gets a separate login.
Source
In their words: “Each owner of a joint account may act as if they were the sole owner of the account, with no further notice or approval necessary from any joint owner.” fidelity.com/bin-public/060_www_fidelity_com/documents/customer-service/updated-agreements/Updated-Fidelity-Account-Customer-Agreement.pdf, checked .Charles Schwab: Joint accounts, yes. The source doesn't say your partner gets a separate login.
Source
In their words: “Schwab offers individual accounts if you're investing on your own, and joint accounts if you're planning and investing with a partner.” schwab.com/brokerage, checked .
Family
Bringing in more of the household? Here's what each app says about families and kids. See apps with custodial accounts for kids.
Does it have accounts or features for kids or teens?
Fidelity: Yes. It has accounts or features for kids or teens.
Source
In their words: “The only brokerage account teens ages 13–17 can own independently” fidelity.com/go/youth-account/overview, checked .Charles Schwab: Yes. It has accounts or features for kids or teens.
Source
In their words: “A Schwab One Custodial Account lets you invest in your child's future while teaching them how to build it.” schwab.com/custodial-account, checked .
Freelancer
Paid on an uneven schedule or running a side hustle? Here's what each app offers. See apps with a SEP IRA or Solo 401(k).
Can I export my transactions for tax prep?
Fidelity: Yes. You can export your transactions for tax prep.
Source
In their words: “It's easier than ever to view your tax forms and upload them directly to your preferred tax preparation service.” fidelity.com/tax-information/overview, checked .Charles Schwab: Yes. You can export your transactions for tax prep.
Source
In their words: “On this page you can direct Charles Schwab & Co., Inc. and its affiliates ("Schwab", "we" or "us") to allow third-party tax preparation software providers” schwab.com/legal/taxprep-third-party-terms, checked .
Business
Running a small business? Here's what each app says about business money.
Can I export my transactions for tax prep?
Fidelity: Yes. You can export your transactions for tax prep.
Source
In their words: “It's easier than ever to view your tax forms and upload them directly to your preferred tax preparation service.” fidelity.com/tax-information/overview, checked .Charles Schwab: Yes. You can export your transactions for tax prep.
Source
In their words: “On this page you can direct Charles Schwab & Co., Inc. and its affiliates ("Schwab", "we" or "us") to allow third-party tax preparation software providers” schwab.com/legal/taxprep-third-party-terms, checked .
A question shows only when every app here has a current official source that answers it. We only say no when the app's own page does.
Which fits your Money Type?
There are four Money Types: Strategist, Spender, Saver and Scrambler. Each card matches one type to what the sources say about these two apps.
StrategistNeither app's sources confirm a feature we match to this type yet, so the quiz is the better place to start.
First fix: Save the Raise.
SpenderNeither app's sources confirm a feature we match to this type yet, so the quiz is the better place to start.
First fix: Sleep on It.
SaverNeither app's sources confirm a feature we match to this type yet, so the quiz is the better place to start.
First fix: Put It to Work.
ScramblerNeither app's sources confirm a feature we match to this type yet, so the quiz is the better place to start.
First fix: Bills First.
Not sure which one you are? Take the free Money Types quiz. It takes about two minutes.
Full disclosure: Taylor Price, who runs Priceless Tay, owns Fifecta, so keep that in mind as you read this comparison.
Another option: Fifecta
If neither Fidelity nor Charles Schwab feels right, here is one more option to look at. Fifecta gives every paycheck a plan with FUNDS, and it starts from your Money Type, so the plan matches how you already handle money.
FAQ
How much does Fidelity charge?
Fidelity Go, Fidelity's robo advisor, lists a gross advisory fee of $0 for balances under $25,000 and 0.35% a year for $25,000 and above. We checked this on Nov 3, 2026.
How much does Charles Schwab charge?
Schwab Intelligent Portfolios, Schwab's robo-advisor, lists no advisory fee and no commissions. You still pay the operating expenses of the ETFs in the portfolio. We checked this on Nov 3, 2026.
What is Fidelity's app store rating?
Fidelity Investments has 4.8 out of 5 on the App Store from 3,378,991 ratings. That's a snapshot from the store listing on Nov 3, 2026, not our score.
What is Charles Schwab's app store rating?
Charles Schwab has 4.8 out of 5 on the App Store from 1,211,167 ratings. That's a snapshot from the store listing on Nov 3, 2026, not our score.
More comparisons
Similar comparisons
Keep comparing
- See Fidelity alternatives, closest category first.
- See Charles Schwab alternatives, closest category first.
- Browse our guide to the low-cost brokerage accounts.
- Want the bigger picture? Compare more money apps.
Full disclosure: Taylor Price, who runs Priceless Tay, owns Fifecta, so keep that in mind as you read this comparison.
Want a plan built on your Money Type?
Fifecta gives every paycheck a plan with FUNDS, so you know where each dollar goes.
Sources and confidence
- Last checked
- Sourced facts
- 20 facts, each linked and dated
Fidelity Investments10 sourced facts, last checked Nov 3, 2026
- Management or subscription feefidelity.com/why-fidelity/pricing-fees, as of Nov 3, 2026
- Account minimumfidelity.com/why-fidelity/pricing-fees, as of Nov 3, 2026
- Stock and ETF commissionsfidelity.com/why-fidelity/pricing-fees, as of Nov 3, 2026
- Account typesfidelity.com/open-account/overview, as of Nov 3, 2026
- Fractional sharesfidelity.com/trading/fractional-shares, as of Nov 3, 2026
- Automatic investingfidelity.com/trading/fractional-shares, as of Nov 3, 2026
- Managed portfolios (robo)fidelity.com/why-fidelity/pricing-fees, as of Nov 3, 2026
- Protectionfidelity.com/why-fidelity/safeguarding-your-accounts, as of Nov 3, 2026
- Platformsfidelity.com/mobile/overview, as of Nov 3, 2026
- App store ratingApp Store listing, as of Nov 3, 2026
Charles Schwab10 sourced facts, last checked Nov 3, 2026
- Management or subscription feeschwab.com/pricing, as of Nov 3, 2026
- Account minimumschwab.com/pricing, as of Nov 3, 2026
- Stock and ETF commissionsschwab.com/pricing, as of Nov 3, 2026
- Account typesschwab.com/pricing, as of Nov 3, 2026
- Fractional sharesschwab.com/fractional-shares-stock-slices, as of Nov 3, 2026
- Automatic investingschwab.com/intelligent-portfolios, as of Nov 3, 2026
- Managed portfolios (robo)schwab.com/intelligent-portfolios, as of Nov 3, 2026
- Protectionschwab.com/legal/account-protection, as of Nov 3, 2026
- Platformsschwab.com/mobile, as of Nov 3, 2026
- App store ratingApp Store listing, as of Nov 3, 2026
- Reference: sipc.org/for-investors/what-sipc-protects, checked Oct 24, 2026.
Each fact links to the official page it came from, with the date we checked it. Once a fact is older than 30 days, it comes off the page until we check it again. How we source, date and index this data.
This is education, not financial advice.
