VS
eToro vs Fidelity: Which Is Better in 2026?
eToro (real stocks + CFDs + crypto) and Fidelity (real stocks + funds) compared head-to-head on cost, minimums, markets and safety.
eToro comes out ahead. eToro scores 4.7/5 with $0 (real stocks) commission, a $50 minimum and yes fractional shares, plus best overall and copy trading.
| Feature | eToro | Fidelity |
|---|---|---|
| Overall score | 4.7 / 5 | 4.5 / 5 |
| Asset type | Real stocks + CFDs + crypto | Real stocks + funds |
| Stock commission | $0 (real stocks) | $0 |
| Minimum deposit | $50 | $0 |
| Fractional shares | Yes | Yes |
| Markets | US, UK, EU + 20 exchanges | US |
| Regulation | FCA, CySEC, ASIC, FinCEN, MFSA | SEC, FINRA |
| Platforms | eToro app + web | Fidelity app + web |
Which one should you actually pick?
eToro. Beginners who want stocks, ETFs and crypto in one app, and anyone curious about copying other investors.
Fidelity is not the wrong answer for everyone. US investors who want a large, established broker with genuinely good research and a deep fund range. Where it struggles: Investors outside the United States, who will generally find access restricted or unavailable.
The honest framing is that these two are not interchangeable. eToro gives you Real stocks + CFDs + crypto with access to US, UK, EU + 20 exchanges, while Fidelity gives you Real stocks + funds across US. If you already know which markets you want to hold, that single line decides it faster than any score.
What each one really costs
On the headline number, eToro charges $0 (real stocks) and Fidelity charges $0. That is the figure both of them advertise, and it is the least useful one for predicting what you will pay.
Where eToro actually charges you:
- $0 commission on real stocks and ETFs.
- Currency conversion applies if you fund in anything other than USD, which catches most UK and EU investors.
- A flat withdrawal fee, so batch withdrawals rather than taking small amounts out often.
- Inactivity fee after twelve months with no login.
Where Fidelity actually charges you:
- No commission on US stock and ETF trades.
- No account minimum, with fractional shares supported.
- Its own index funds carry very low expense ratios; third-party funds vary.
- Regulatory pass-through fees apply on sales, as at every US broker.
For a portfolio under a few thousand, currency conversion and withdrawal fees will almost always cost you more over a year than the commission difference. Work out how you will fund the account and how often you expect to take money out, then compare on that rather than on the per-trade rate.
Is your money safe with either?
eToro is regulated by FCA, CySEC, ASIC, FinCEN, MFSA. Fidelity is regulated by SEC, FINRA. Both are covered by real regulators, so the question is not whether one is legitimate, but which entity your particular account sits under, because that decides your compensation scheme.
Regulated by the FCA in the UK, CySEC in Cyprus, ASIC in Australia and MFSA in Malta, so which entity holds your account depends on where you live. UK clients fall under FSCS protection up to £85,000; EU clients under the local investor compensation scheme, typically €20,000. That covers the broker failing, not your investments falling.
Regulated by the SEC and FINRA, with SIPC protection covering client securities up to $500,000, including $250,000 for cash. Fidelity is among the largest asset managers in the world, which does not remove risk but does mean an exceptionally long operating history. SIPC protects against broker failure, not market losses.
Worth being clear about what that protection is: compensation schemes cover the broker failing and being unable to return your assets. They do not cover your investments losing value. Nothing here removes market risk.
Frequently asked questions
Read the full reviews
Other comparisons