Fidelity's fee structure depends on the account type and services you use

Fidelity does charge fees, but not all accounts or services carry them. The main fee categories are account maintenance fees, trading commissions, advisory fees, and fund expense ratios. Whether you pay anything depends on which Fidelity product you open and how you use it. Some accounts have no account fees at all, while others charge only when you perform certain actions like trading stocks or using a financial advisor.

The good news is that Fidelity publishes its fee schedule openly, and you can see the exact cost before you commit to a service. Understanding which fees explore to your situation helps you choose the right account type and avoid surprises.

Key Takeaways

  • Fidelity charges no account maintenance fee on most brokerage accounts, but some specialized accounts like IRAs may have annual fees depending on the type.
  • Stock and ETF trades through Fidelity's brokerage platform carry no commission, but mutual fund trades and options trading may have different costs.
  • Mutual funds and ETFs held in any Fidelity account charge expense ratios (annual percentages), which are deducted automatically and vary by fund.
  • Fidelity's advisory services—robo-advisor and human advisor accounts—charge annual fees based on assets under management, typically ranging from 0.35% to 1% per year.
  • Inactive accounts, wire transfers, and certain other services may carry separate fees that Fidelity discloses in its fee schedule.

Account maintenance fees and when they explore

Most Fidelity brokerage accounts—including individual taxable accounts and IRAs—have no annual account maintenance fee. You can open and hold the account without paying Fidelity straightforward for having it open. This applies whether you trade actively or leave the account untouched for months.

Some specialized accounts do charge annual fees. Fidelity's Advisor Accounts (accounts managed by a Fidelity advisor) and certain retirement plan accounts may have annual maintenance fees. The amount varies by account type and your relationship with Fidelity. Before opening any account, Fidelity will show you the fee schedule so you know what to expect.

Inactive accounts—those with no trades or activity for a set period—do not trigger additional fees at Fidelity. Your money sits safely in the account whether you trade or not.

Trading commissions on stocks, ETFs, and mutual funds

Fidelity charges no commission when you buy or sell stocks or exchange-traded funds (ETFs) through its brokerage platform. This applies to U.S.-listed stocks, most international stocks, and ETFs. You pay nothing per trade, no matter how many shares you buy or sell.

Mutual funds work differently. Fidelity offers thousands of mutual funds, including its own Fidelity-branded funds and funds from other companies. Fidelity charges no transaction fee when you buy or sell Fidelity mutual funds. When you trade mutual funds from other companies, Fidelity may charge a transaction fee—typically $49.95 per trade—though some funds are on Fidelity's no-transaction-fee list.

Options trading (buying and selling options contracts) carries a per-contract fee, usually $0.65 per contract. This is separate from any commission and applies each time you open or close an options position.

Expense ratios: the ongoing cost of owning funds

Every mutual fund and ETF charges an expense ratio—an annual percentage fee deducted automatically from the fund's value. This is not a Fidelity fee; it is the fund company's fee for managing the fund. Fidelity does not add anything on top. The expense ratio ranges from under 0.05% per year for low-cost index funds to 1% or more per year for actively managed funds.

When you own a fund in a Fidelity account, the expense ratio is deducted daily from the fund's price. You do not write a check; it happens automatically. A fund with a 0.10% expense ratio on a $10,000 investment costs about $10 per year. A fund with a 0.75% expense ratio on the same $10,000 costs about $75 per year.

Fidelity's own index funds and ETFs typically have low expense ratios because they track market indexes rather than relying on active management. You can compare expense ratios on Fidelity's website before you buy any fund.

Advisory fees for managed accounts and robo-advisors

If you use Fidelity's robo-advisor service (automated portfolio management), you pay an annual advisory fee based on the assets in that account. Fidelity's robo-advisor charges 0.35% per year on accounts under $25,000 and 0.25% per year on larger accounts. This fee is deducted automatically from your account quarterly.

Fidelity also offers accounts managed by human financial advisors. These accounts typically charge between 0.50% and 1.00% per year, depending on the service level and account size. Some advisor accounts may also charge a flat annual fee instead of a percentage. Fidelity will disclose the exact fee structure before you open the account.

These advisory fees are separate from expense ratios on the funds held in the account. If your robo-advisor account holds a fund with a 0.10% expense ratio, you pay both the 0.35% advisory fee and the 0.10% fund expense ratio.

Other fees: wire transfers, paper statements, and special services

Fidelity charges a fee for outgoing wire transfers (moving money out of your Fidelity account to another bank). The fee is typically $25 per wire. Incoming wire transfers are free. If you transfer securities to or from another brokerage, Fidelity may charge an account transfer fee, usually around $50.

Paper statements cost money if you request them; electronic statements are free. Certain services like expedited processing, research reports, or specialized trading tools may carry additional fees. Fidelity's fee schedule lists all of these, and you can review it before you incur any charges.

Margin accounts (accounts where you borrow money to invest) charge interest on the borrowed amount. This is not a Fidelity fee but a borrowing cost, similar to interest on a loan. The interest rate varies based on the amount borrowed and current market rates.

How to find Fidelity's complete fee schedule

Fidelity publishes a detailed fee schedule on its website under "Pricing" or "Fees and Commissions." You can also request a printed copy by phone or through your account. The schedule breaks down every fee by account type and service, with dollar amounts or percentages clearly stated.

When you open an account, Fidelity provides a summary of fees that explore to that specific account. Before you make your first trade or transfer money, you can review exactly what you will and will not pay. If you have questions about a specific fee, Fidelity's customer service can explain it in detail.

Many fees are avoidable by choosing the right account type or service. For example, if you want to avoid advisory fees, you can open a standard brokerage account and manage it yourself. If you want to minimize fund costs, you can choose low-cost index funds and ETFs.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does Fidelity charge a fee just to have a brokerage account open?

No. Most Fidelity brokerage accounts have no annual account maintenance fee. You can open an account, leave money in it, and never trade, and Fidelity will not charge you for holding the account. Some specialized accounts, like certain advisor-managed accounts, do charge annual fees, but Fidelity discloses these upfront.

Why do I see a percentage deducted from my mutual fund every day?

That is the fund's expense ratio, not a Fidelity fee. Every mutual fund and ETF charges an annual percentage to cover management and operating costs. The amount is deducted automatically each day and is built into the fund's price. You can see the expense ratio before you buy any fund on Fidelity's website.

Do I pay a commission when I buy or sell stocks on Fidelity?

No. Fidelity charges no commission on stock trades or ETF trades. You pay nothing per trade, no matter the size. This applies to U.S. stocks, most international stocks, and ETFs. Mutual funds from other companies may carry a transaction fee, but Fidelity's own mutual funds do not.

What is the fee for moving money out of my Fidelity account?

Outgoing wire transfers cost $25. Transferring securities to another brokerage typically costs around $50. Moving money between Fidelity accounts or transferring money in from another bank is usually free. Check Fidelity's fee schedule or call customer service to confirm the exact cost for your situation.

Does Fidelity charge more if I use a robo-advisor?

Yes, robo-advisor accounts charge an annual advisory fee on top of any fund expense ratios. Fidelity's robo-advisor charges 0.35% per year on smaller accounts and 0.25% on larger accounts. This is separate from what the funds themselves charge. If you manage your own account without an advisor, you pay no advisory fee.