Fidelity

Great research tools
Branch offices
Perks for big investors
Wide range of investment products

Minimum opening balance of $2,500
High commissions rates

Our Analysis

February 2009. We found the best reviews of Fidelity at Kiplinger's Personal Finance and Barron's, which annually rank online brokers after trying them out. J.D. Power and Associates measures customer satisfaction with Fidelity and other online brokers by surveying "self-directed" investors, those who do rely upon a broker for trading advice.

Fidelity offers excellent online research and analytical tools, a wide range of investment products, and branch offices where you can get advice from a professional. One of Fidelity's strengths is the many no-load, no-transaction-fee mutual funds it offers. Fidelity's customer service is consistently rated excellent. The commissions are high ($20 base rate) compared with no-frills outfits, and you'll need $2,500 to get started. There are perks for various account-balance tiers. Investors with balances of $1 million or more, for example, get their own account executive. If you're looking for a broker with both good customer service and low commissions, reviewers suggest TradeKing.

Where To Buy

Open an Account at
Fidelity

Our Sources

1. Kiplinger Personal Finance

Kiplinger's Personal Finance evaluates a dozen brokerages by opening accounts and trying them out. Editors name Fidelity the best overall online broker of the 12. This review highlights the research and analysis tools on Fidelity's website, its range of investment products and its customer service.

Review: Best of the Online Brokers, Thomas M. Anderson, Nov. 2008

2. Barron's

Barron's rates 23 online brokers with a detailed evaluation of each site's pros and cons, plus individual ratings in eight areas, including usability, analysis tools and customer service. Fidelity ranks fifth of the 23, but it is named best overall broker for buy-and-hold investors, and among the best for options traders and international traders.

Review: Making It Click: Annual Ranking of the Best Online Brokers, Theresa W. Carey, March 17, 2008

3. J.D. Power & Associates

This 10th annual customer-satisfaction survey, based on the responses of almost 6,000 investors, puts Fidelity sixth among 15 online investment firms. Brokers are evaluated according to seven factors including trading charges and fees, trade execution and customer service.

Review: 2008 Self-Directed Investor Satisfaction Survey, Editors of J.D. Power and Associates, Oct. 28, 2008

4. ConsumerReports.orgDetails/Subscribe

Consumer Reports' Money Lab evaluates 19 online brokers by opening accounts and trying them out. Each broker is rated against seven criteria, including fees, research tools and customer service. Fidelity is one of the brokers included in this report.

Review: Online Brokers: Better Prices, More Services, Editors of Consumer Reports, June 2007