| Feature |  Fidelity | Vanguard |
|---|---|---|
| Stock & ETF Commission | $0Tie | $0Tie |
| Account Minimum | $0Tie | $0Tie |
| Mutual Fund Minimum | $0 (most funds)✓ Better | $3,000 (most funds) |
| Zero-Fee Index Funds | Yes (0% expense ratio)✓ Better | No (0.03% minimum) |
| Fractional Shares | Yes ($1 min)✓ Better | ETFs only (full shares) |
| Mobile App | 4.8/5 — Modern✓ Better | 3.9/5 — Dated |
| Website/Platform | Modern, intuitive✓ Better | Dated, functional |
| Customer Service | 24/7 phone & chat✓ Better | Phone (limited hours) |
| Research Tools | 5.0/5✓ Better | 3.8/5 |
| ETF Selection | Excellent (all major ETFs)Tie | Excellent (Vanguard ETFs best)Tie |
| Investor Ownership | No (private company) | Yes (owned by fund shareholders)✓ Better |
| Robo-Advisor | Fidelity Go (free <$25K)✓ Better | Vanguard Digital Advisor ($3K min) |
| Physical Branches | Yes (200+)✓ Better | No |
⚖ WiseIQ Verdict: Fidelity Wins
Fidelity wins for most investors. It matches Vanguard's low costs (and beats them with zero-expense-ratio funds), while offering a far superior platform, better customer service, and fractional shares. Vanguard is only better if you specifically want to invest in Vanguard's flagship mutual funds (which require $3,000 minimums).
Best for Fidelity: Most investors — especially beginners, retirement savers, and anyone who values a modern platform and strong customer service.
Best for Vanguard: Investors who specifically want Vanguard's flagship mutual funds (VTSAX, VFIAX) and are comfortable with a dated platform.
Category Ratings Comparison
Detailed Breakdown
Fees and Commissions
Both Fidelity and Vanguard charge $0 commissions on stock and ETF trades — the industry standard since 2019. The key fee differences are in options contracts, mutual fund fees, and account-level charges. See the comparison table above for specifics.
Investment Selection
The breadth of available investments varies between the two brokerages. Both offer stocks, ETFs, and options. Differences in mutual fund availability, cryptocurrency access, and fractional share minimums are highlighted in the comparison table.
Platform and Mobile App
Platform quality is a major differentiator for active traders. Both brokerages offer web and mobile platforms, but the depth of charting tools, research integration, and overall user experience differ. See the category ratings above for a direct comparison.
Who Should Choose Fidelity?
Fidelity wins for most investors. It matches Vanguard's low costs (and beats them with zero-expense-ratio funds), while offering a far superior platform, better customer service, and fractional shares. Vanguard is only better if you specifically want to invest in Vanguard's flagship mutual funds (which require $3,000 minimums).
Frequently Asked Questions
WiseIQ evaluates brokerages across 6 categories: commissions and fees, investment selection, research and tools, mobile app, customer service, and ease of use. Ratings are based on hands-on testing, fee schedule analysis, and comparison with industry peers. Updated April 2026.