Fidelity is a popular financial services firm that provides investment accounts and pensions with access to thousands of stocks, ETFs and mutual funds to clients based in the US, Europe and Asia. Fees vary by asset and account country, but are generally competitive, with zero-commission trading available on US stocks.
Wealthfront is a leading US robo advisor, regulated by the Securities and Investment Commission (SEC). The low fees and choice of investment profiles makes it stand out from rivals. The brokerage is also trusted by 640,000+ customers with over $43 billion in AUM.
Bonus Offer
None
Comment by Reviewer
"Fidelity is a great match for long-term investors who want an affordable platform to build their pension or investment portfolios. The SEC and FCA oversight are also good signs that the brokerage is regulated and trustworthy."
"Wealthfront is a good option for long-term investors looking for a hands-off approach to trading. We like the choice of trading accounts, retirement solutions, individual savings profiles all within a sleek and modern interface."
Pros
Excellent list of stocks and funds to choose from
Very competitive pricing compared to largest rivals
Good list of account types to suit various types of investor
Uninvested cash is automatically put into a money market fund
Trusted global brand with strong regulation from SEC & FCA
Tax-efficient vehicles are available including ISAs
Automated investment opportunities through robo advisors with financial advice, planning and automatic portfolio rebalancing
A choice of accounts to suit different trading goals including retirement investing (IRAs) and individual investing solutions
Transparent and competitive pricing model with no account opening fees, inactivity charges or commissions
Trustworthy broker registered with the US SEC alongside fund insurance from FDIC and SIPC
Direct indexing (a feature where individual shares in an ETF are purchased separately)
User-friendly platform with mobile app compatibility on iOS & Android devices
Competitive 0.25% annual advisory fee for AUM
Low advisory fees and ETF expense ratios
ESG/Socially Responsible friendly
Tax-efficient trading strategies
Promotions for new clients
Cons
No forex or CFD trading
There is no demo account
Less suitable for short-term day trading
Presentation of data is overly complicated
No trading platform for non-US clients
The $1000 minimum deposit for international clients is high
Limited human component to advisory service
Poor customer support with no live chat
The brand accepts US clients only
Less suitable for short-term trading
No large-balance discounts
Awards
Boring Money Best Buy 2021 – Pension
Boring Money Best for Beginners Pension 2021
Boring Money Best for Beginners ISA 2021
Boring Money Best for Low - Cost Pension 2021
Online Personal Wealth Awards - Best Retirement Adviser 2021
Shares Awards 2020 - Best Execution-Only Stockbroker of the Year
Instruments
ETFs, Mutual Funds, ISAs, Pensions, Stocks, Indices
Wealthfront supports investing in Bitcoin and Ethereum via statutory trusts. Cryptocurrency cannot exceed 10% of your total portfolio to protect against significant volatility, so if you are an active crypto trader, this isn't the best broker.
