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Built for final-shortlist moments: select brokers, scan the trade-offs, then open the profile for deeper source notes.
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The comparison reads the same evidence fields used by broker profiles, so users can scan scores, regulation, costs, platforms, withdrawals, and caveats side by side.
Broker 1
Broker 2
| VS field |  |  |
|---|---|---|
Decision summary | ||
| Overall score | 88 | 91 |
| Trust score | 92 | 100 |
| Cost score | 90 | 89 |
| Platform score | 78 | 94 |
| Withdrawal score | 80 | 89 |
| Best for | U.S. long-term investors · retirement investors · index-fund and ETF investors | Evidence supports Fidelity as a U.S.-focused, highly regulated multi-asset broker for stocks, ETFs, mutual funds, bonds/CDs, options, cash management, managed portfolios, and sepa… |
| Watch out | you are not a U.S. citizen/legal permanent resident with a U.S. mailing address for U.S. account opening · you need forex, CFDs, futures, or crypto trading · you need guaranteed n… | Needs verification |
Trust & regulation | ||
| Regulators | Vanguard Marketing Corporation / Vanguard Brokerage Services is a FINRA-regulated broker-dealer and SIPC member; SEC number appears in FINRA BrokerCheck. Source | Fidelity Brokerage Services LLC is SEC registered and regulated by FINRA; FBS and NFS are members of NYSE and SIPC. Source |
| License numbers | CRD#: 7452; SEC#: 8-21570 Source | FBS CRD# 7784 / SEC# 8-23292; NFS CRD# 13041 / SEC# 801-50706, 8-26740. Source |
| Regulated entities | Brokerage assets are held through Vanguard Brokerage Services, a division of Vanguard Marketing Corporation, member FINRA and SIPC. Advice services are provided by Vanguard Advisers, Inc., a registered investment advisor, or by Vanguard National Trust Company, a federally chartered, limited-purpose trust company. Source | Primary securities brokerage entities are Fidelity Brokerage Services LLC (FBS) and National Financial Services LLC (NFS), each member NYSE/SIPC; advisory and crypto entities differ by product. Source |
| Negative balance protection | No CFD/forex negative balance protection found; Vanguard margin disclosure says clients can lose more than deposited and are responsible for any shortfall after forced liquidation. Source | Not applicable/not disclosed as a CFD-style negative balance protection policy; margin trading can create debt/interest obligations. Source |
| Investor compensation | SIPC coverage up to $500,000 including $250,000 cash; certain bank sweep deposits are FDIC insured subject to limits. Source | SIPC coverage up to $500,000/$250,000 cash plus Fidelity excess SIPC; FDIC sweep coverage may apply to eligible cash programs; important exclusions apply. Source |
| Restricted countries | Vanguard states U.S. account opening requires U.S. citizenship or legal permanent residence with a U.S. mailing address; site products/services are intended for U.S. residents. Source | U.S.-persons focused; sanctioned countries/prohibited parties restricted; no exhaustive country availability list found. Source |
Costs & account conditions | ||
| Minimum deposit | $0 to open a Vanguard Brokerage Account; mutual funds vary by fund; Vanguard ETFs $1 per share; Digital Advisor requires $100 per brokerage account. Source | $0 to open a retail brokerage account; Fidelity states no account minimum and ability to invest with as little as $1; exceptions apply by account/product. Source |
| Spread from | Not applicable as a forex/CFD spread field; Vanguard is not presented as a forex/CFD broker. ETF shares trade on the secondary market at market prices that may be above or below NAV. Source | Not applicable to Fidelity's core U.S. stock/ETF brokerage model; securities trade by exchange/market prices rather than quoted CFD/FX spreads. Source |
| Commission | $0 online stocks, ETFs and Vanguard mutual fund trades; options $0 + $1 per contract; broker-assisted commission may apply. Source | $0 online U.S. stock and ETF trades; $0 online options commission plus $0.65/contract; other product/service fees apply. Source |
| Maximum leverage | Vanguard supports margin loans, but maximum leverage is security- and account-dependent. Current minimum margin maintenance requirement is 35% for most marginable securities. Source | No universal maximum leverage ratio disclosed for Fidelity retail brokerage; margin borrowing is available subject to approval and margin requirements/rates rather than a single max leverage figure. Source |
| Deposit fee | Vanguard does not charge for Electronic Bank Transfers; wire transfers are $10 where applicable; physical certificate deposits can cost $100 per CUSIP. Source | $0 Fidelity fee for EFT and Fidelity does not charge wire fees; external banks may charge. Source |
| Withdrawal fee | ACH/electronic bank transfers are not charged by Vanguard; wires are $10 where applicable; full account closure/transfer-out may be $100. Source | $0 Fidelity fee for EFT and domestic bank wire withdrawals; foreign exchange wire up to 3% of principal; receiving bank may charge. Source |
| Inactivity fee | No distinct inactivity fee found in official fee schedule; annual account service fee may apply instead. Source | No explicit inactivity-fee line found in official fee schedule; official account pages state no retail brokerage account fees/no account or subscription fees. Treat as needs manual confirmation before publishing as '$0 inactivity fee'. Source |
Markets, platforms & payments | ||
| Tradable assets | Vanguard Brokerage Account can hold mutual funds, ETFs, stocks, bonds, options, CDs and cash/money market products. Source | Stocks, ETFs, mutual funds, options, crypto, fixed income, bonds and CDs; Fidelity says stocks include domestic and international. Source |
| Trading platforms | Vanguard supports online brokerage trading through its website and mobile app for account management, deposits/withdrawals and buying/selling investments. Source | Fidelity.com, Fidelity mobile app, Fidelity Trader+ Web/Desktop/Mobile mode, and legacy Active Trader Pro Classic. Source |
| Account types | Vanguard supports individual/joint brokerage accounts, IRAs, custodial accounts, 529 plans, cash management and advice/robo-advisor services. Source | Broad account menu including taxable brokerage, retirement/IRA, cash management, HSA, custodial/youth, education, trust/business, managed and crypto accounts. Source |
| Deposit methods | Funding methods include bank transfer, check/mobile check deposit, and asset transfers/rollovers. Source | EFT/ACH, bank wire, check/mobile check, direct deposit, recurring deposit, Fidelity-to-Fidelity/account transfer, transfer of assets, and eligible payment apps. Source |
| Withdrawal methods | Withdrawals/transfers can be initiated from settlement fund; fee schedule covers electronic bank transfers/ACH and wire transfers. Source | EFT/ACH, bank wire, paper check, Fidelity-to-Fidelity transfers, third-party/person-to-person transfers and eligible debit card/ATM access. Source |
| Withdrawal processing time | Securities settle T+1 before proceeds can be withdrawn; electronic bank transfer/check funding may have a 7-calendar-day hold; incoming digital asset transfers may take as little as 5–7 days. Source | EFT withdrawals 1-3 business days; bank wire same day if submitted by 4 p.m. ET; paper check about 5-6 days. Source |
BrokerVS provides broker comparison research only. Scores and evidence can vary by country, account type, and legal entity; users should verify source links before opening an account.