If you want to start investing and keep more of your returns, low fees matter more than almost anything else. A Fidelity investment account is one of the most popular ways to do that, with $0 commissions on stock and ETF trades and no account fees on standard retail accounts as of June 2026.
But "Fidelity investment account" is not one single thing. Fidelity offers several account types, and picking the right one depends on your goals: a regular brokerage account, retirement accounts, an everyday cash account, and a hands-off robo-advisor. This guide breaks down each one in plain language, names real fees, and shows you how to open one.
Fidelity Investment Account Types at a Glance
Here is a quick summary of the main Fidelity account types and who each one fits.
| Account type | Best for | Tax treatment | Cost to use |
|---|---|---|---|
| Brokerage (The Fidelity Account) | General investing, any goal | Taxable | $0 commissions |
| Roth IRA | Retirement, tax-free growth | Tax-free withdrawals in retirement | $0 to open |
| Traditional IRA | Retirement, upfront deduction | Tax-deferred | $0 to open |
| Cash Management Account (CMA) | Everyday spending and saving | Taxable | No monthly fee |
| Fidelity Go | Hands-off, automated investing | Depends on account | $0 advisory fee under $25,000 |
Most of these have no account minimum and no annual maintenance fee, which is part of why Fidelity is a common first stop for new investors.
The Fidelity Brokerage Account
The standard taxable brokerage account, called The Fidelity Account, is the workhorse. You can buy and sell stocks, ETFs, mutual funds, options, and bonds inside it.
As of June 2026, online U.S. stock and ETF trades cost $0 in commissions. There is no account minimum to open it, no minimum trade size, and no per-share fee. Options trades are also $0 commission but carry a $0.65 per-contract fee.
A brokerage account has no contribution limits and no withdrawal restrictions, so it is flexible. The tradeoff is that gains are taxable in the year you sell at a profit or receive dividends. It is a good fit for goals outside of retirement, like a house down payment in 10 years or simply growing extra savings.
Roth and Traditional IRAs
If your goal is retirement, an IRA usually beats a plain brokerage account because of the tax breaks. Fidelity offers both Roth and Traditional IRAs with $0 to open and the same $0 stock and ETF commissions.
A Roth IRA is funded with after-tax money, and qualified withdrawals in retirement are tax-free. A Traditional IRA may give you a tax deduction now, and you pay taxes when you withdraw later. For 2026, the IRS contribution limit is the figure published on irs.gov, so confirm the current cap before you max it out.
The right choice depends on whether you expect to be in a higher or lower tax bracket in retirement. Many younger investors lean Roth because their tax rate is likely lower now than it will be later, but if you are unsure, comparing a Roth vs Traditional IRA side by side can help. This is general information, not personalized advice.
Cash Management Account (CMA)
The Fidelity Cash Management Account is built for everyday money, not investing. It works like a checking account with a debit card, free ATM withdrawals (with domestic ATM fees reimbursed), check writing, and no monthly fee.
The CMA is handy because it pairs cleanly with your brokerage account, so you can move cash to invest in a couple of clicks. Uninvested cash can also sit in a money market position. As of June 4, 2026, Fidelity's SPAXX money market fund showed a 3.28% 7-day yield, though that rate changes with the market.
Fidelity Go (Robo-Advisor)
If you would rather not pick investments yourself, Fidelity Go is the automated option. You answer a few questions about your goals and risk tolerance, and it builds and manages a diversified portfolio for you.
As of June 2026, Fidelity Go charges a $0 advisory fee for balances under $25,000. Above that, it charges 0.35% per year. The underlying funds it uses are Fidelity Flex funds, which carry no separate expense ratio, so your all-in cost stays low for a managed account.
Fidelity Fees You Should Know
Fidelity is known for low costs, but a few fees still apply. Knowing them up front saves surprises.
- Stock and ETF online commissions: $0
- Options: $0 commission plus $0.65 per contract
- Broker-assisted trades: $32.95 flat per trade
- Outgoing account transfer (ACAT out): $0, which is unusual since many brokers charge $50 to $75
- Outgoing domestic wire: $10
Many Fidelity index mutual funds also have ultra-low expense ratios. The Fidelity 500 Index Fund (FXAIX) charges about 0.015% per year as of June 2026, and Fidelity's ZERO funds, like FZROX, carry a 0.00% expense ratio. Terms and pricing can change, so confirm current figures on fidelity.com.
How Fidelity Compares to Robinhood and Public
Fidelity is not the only commission-free option. Robinhood and Public both offer $0 commission stock and ETF trading too, and both have clean, beginner-friendly mobile apps.
Robinhood is known for its simple interface, fractional shares, and a paid Gold tier with extras. If you mainly want a fast, mobile-first app to buy a few stocks or ETFs without a learning curve, Robinhood is one of the easiest places to start your first trade today.
Robinhood
Robinhood
Robinhood is a trading platform that brings stocks, ETFs, options, futures, prediction markets, crypto, and retirement accounts together in one app.
Standout feature
One platform for stocks, ETFs, options, futures, prediction markets, and crypto
Fees
$0 commission on stocks, ETFs, and options.
Pros
Zero-commission trading on stocks, ETFs, and options
Cons
Best perks (high APY, lower margin rates) require Gold subscription ($5/month)
Public also offers fractional investing, plus access to stocks, ETFs, bonds, and a high-yield cash account, with a focus on a polished mobile experience. If you want a modern, design-forward app that still covers multiple asset classes in one place, Public is worth a look as a beginner-friendly home for your investments.
Public
Public
Investing for those who take it seriously. Invest in stocks, bonds, options, crypto & more.
Standout feature
A 5%+ yield Bond Account paired with 3.3% APY on cash — Public is one of the only consumer apps where idle and conservative money is treated as seriously as the equity portfolio.
Fees
Free
Pros
• Invest in stocks, bonds, crypto & more• Earn 3.3% APY* on your cash with no fees• 1% match when you transfer your portfolio• Lock in a 5%+ yield with a Bond Account
Cons
Customer support is in-app and email only, no phone
Where Fidelity tends to pull ahead is the depth of account types (its CMA, robo-advisor, and broad IRA support), its in-house ZERO-fee index funds, and strong customer service and research tools. If you want one platform for retirement, taxable investing, and everyday cash, Fidelity is hard to beat. If you mainly want a fast, mobile-first app to buy a few stocks or ETFs, Robinhood or Public may feel simpler to start. There is no single right answer, only the best fit for how you plan to invest.
How to Open a Fidelity Investment Account
Opening an account takes about 10 minutes online. Here is the basic process.
- Go to fidelity.com and choose the account type you want (brokerage, Roth IRA, Traditional IRA, CMA, or Fidelity Go).
- Enter your personal details, including your Social Security number, employment info, and bank account for funding.
- Review and agree to the terms, then submit.
- Link your bank and transfer money in. There is no minimum to open a standard account.
- Place your first trade, or let Fidelity Go invest for you. If you are not sure how to begin, a plain-language guide for beginners can walk you through your first purchase.
If you want to keep an eye on your overall financial picture as you invest, a budgeting and tracking app like Monarch Money can connect your investment and bank accounts in one dashboard. And if you are also working on your credit while you build wealth, you can track your credit score for free with Creditship.ai. All terms and pricing referenced here are current as of June 2026 and can change, so verify details directly with each provider before you open an account.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is a Fidelity investment account free to open?
Yes. Standard Fidelity brokerage accounts, Roth IRAs, Traditional IRAs, and the Cash Management Account have no fee to open and no account minimum as of June 2026. You only pay for specific services like options contracts or broker-assisted trades.
Which Fidelity account is best for beginners?
It depends on your goal. For general investing, the standard Fidelity brokerage account works well. For retirement, a Roth or Traditional IRA gives you tax advantages, and if you prefer a hands-off approach, Fidelity Go manages a portfolio for you with a $0 advisory fee under $25,000.
Does Fidelity charge commissions on stocks and ETFs?
No. Online U.S. stock and ETF trades are $0 commission as of June 2026. Options trades are also commission-free but carry a $0.65 per-contract fee, and broker-assisted trades cost a flat $32.95.
Can I have more than one Fidelity account?
Yes. Many people hold several Fidelity accounts at once, such as a taxable brokerage account, a Roth IRA, and a Cash Management Account. They share one login, which makes moving money between them and tracking your full balance simple.
