Interactive Brokers vs Fidelity (2026)
Interactive Brokers and Fidelity both charge $0 to transfer out and have no account minimum. IBKR lists margin from 5.38% on Pro and 6.38% on Lite against Fidelity's 12.075% under $25,000, and IBKR says it reaches 175 markets. Fidelity holds idle cash in a money market core position, while IBKR pays nothing on the first $10,000 of cash and has more platforms and settings to learn.
By Wealthy Pot Editorial · Facts checked October 19, 2026
| Feature | Interactive Brokers | Fidelity |
|---|---|---|
| Type | Advanced | Full-service |
| Stock/ETF commission | $0 (IBKR Lite); from $0.005/share (Pro) | $0 |
| Options per contract | $0.65/contract ($1 minimum) | $0.65/contract |
| 10-contract options trade, open + close | $13 ($312 a year at 2 a month) | $13 ($312 a year at 2 a month) |
| Rate on uninvested cash | 0% on the first $10,000; 2.38% above (Lite) | 3.48% 7-day yield if you pick SPAXX (no default named) |
| Margin rate on $10,000 | 6.38% | 12.075% |
| Transfer out (full account) | $0 | $0 |
| Paid tier | None | None |
| Account minimum | $0 | $0 |
| Fractional shares | Yes | Yes |
| Account types | Taxable, joint, IRA, Roth, SEP, SIMPLE, custodial, trust | IRA, Roth, SEP, SIMPLE, solo 401(k), HSA, 529, youth |
| Platforms | Web, iOS, Android, Desktop | Web, iOS, Android, Desktop |
Options, cash and margin rows are our arithmetic from each broker's published commissions, default cash rate and margin rates (commissions only, before small regulatory and exchange fees). Rates change with the Federal Reserve's rate.
Key differences
The margin gap matters for anyone who borrows. On a hypothetical $10,000 debit balance held a year, Fidelity's 12.075% costs $10,000 x 12.075% = $1,207.50, IBKR Lite's 6.38% costs $638, and IBKR Pro's 5.38% costs $538. IBKR Pro charges per share on stocks, from $0.005 with a $1.00 minimum on the Fixed plan, and its SmartRouting does not take payment for order flow on stocks. IBKR Lite charges $0 on US exchange-listed stocks and ETFs but routes those orders to market makers that pay for the flow. Fidelity takes payment for order flow on options and equity orders.
Cash works the other way. IBKR pays 0% on the first $10,000; above that Pro pays 3.38% and Lite 2.38%, scaled down for accounts worth under $100,000. Hypothetically, a Lite account worth $50,000, all in cash, earns 2.38% x 0.5 = 1.19% on $40,000, about $476 a year if the rate held. The same $50,000 in Fidelity's SPAXX at its 3.48% 7-day yield (September 30, 2026) would earn $50,000 x 3.48% = $1,740. A $10,000 balance earns nothing at IBKR on either plan. See our money market fund comparison.
For international investors, IBKR lists 175 markets in 29 currencies and fractional shares in 24,047 US, Canadian and European stocks and ETFs; Fidelity offers 25 countries, in non-retirement accounts only. IBKR also offers US futures from $0.85 a contract plus exchange fees, and says over 20,000 funds have no transaction fee. Fidelity offers HSAs and 529s, which IBKR does not list, and says it has 215 Investor Centers; IBKR has no branches. In August 2020 the SEC, FINRA and CFTC penalized IBKR $38 million in total over anti-money-laundering failures.
Where Interactive Brokers wins
- $0 to transfer out, full or partial
- Margin from 5.38% on Pro and 6.38% on Lite, published for every balance
- 175 markets in 29 currencies, by IBKR's count
- Fractional shares in 24,047 US, Canadian and European stocks and ETFs
- Excess SIPC cover of up to $30 million per account
- Phone support around the clock on weekdays
Where Fidelity wins
- $0 to transfer out, close an IRA or send a domestic wire
- Money market core positions in taxable accounts, with SPAXX at 3.48% (7-day yield, September 30, 2026)
- Fractional shares in NYSE and Nasdaq-listed stocks and ETFs from $1
- Online trading in 25 countries and 16 currencies
- Excess of SIPC coverage with a $1.9 million per-customer cash limit
Which should you choose?
Pick Interactive Brokers if
- You want to buy stocks or ETFs on foreign exchanges from one US account.
- You borrow on margin and want a published rate of 5.38% (Pro) or 6.38% (Lite).
- You want to be able to leave without a transfer fee.
- You trade during the night: 10,000+ US stocks and ETFs from 8:00 PM to 3:50 AM ET.
Pick Fidelity if
- You hold funds or ETFs for the long run and want $0 transfer-out, IRA closing and annual IRA fees.
- You want a money market fund as the core position for idle cash rather than a bank sweep.
- You want branches: Fidelity says it has 215 Investor Centers.
- You buy foreign shares on their home exchange in a taxable account (25 countries).
Interactive Brokers vs Fidelity: FAQ
Is Interactive Brokers cheaper than Fidelity for options?
Per contract, IBKR Lite and Fidelity both charge $0.65, with US exercise and assignment at $0. IBKR adds a $1.00 minimum per options order, so a one-contract order costs $1.00 there, and Lite's flat rate covers the first 1,000 US contracts a month. IBKR Pro charges $0.65, $0.50 or $0.25 a contract depending on the premium, plus exchange and OCC fees. See our options platform guide.
Which pays more on cash, Interactive Brokers or Fidelity?
On small balances, Fidelity: IBKR pays 0% on the first $10,000 of cash and a reduced rate when the account is worth under $100,000, while Fidelity's SPAXX core position had a 3.48% 7-day yield on September 30, 2026. At $100,000 or more of account value, IBKR Pro pays 3.38% and Lite 2.38% on cash above $10,000.
Can I move from Fidelity to Interactive Brokers for free?
Fidelity charges $0 to transfer assets out and $0 to close an IRA, and IBKR charges $0 for outgoing ACATS transfers, full or partial, so neither side lists a transfer-out fee. IBKR lists no IRA closing fee on its fee pages, but its IRA agreement reserves the right to charge fees.
Compare these against every option in our online brokers comparison.
We summarize each company's published terms and pricing, not user reviews or our own testing. Facts come from our full reviews of both brokers, each checked against the broker's own fee schedule, rate and disclosure pages on October 19, 2026 with every source listed. Some outbound links may be affiliate links. That never affects our comparisons. Nothing here is investment advice.