COMPARISON
Fidelity vs Charles Schwab: which broker should you use in 2026?
Fidelity and Schwab are both top-tier US brokers. For most long-term investors, the “winner” is decided by eligibility, product access, and which platform makes it easiest to keep investing without friction.
Educational content only. Not personalized investment advice.
Eligibility, pricing, and product availability can change by country and account type. Verify current terms on each broker’s official site.
Shortcut: if you’re US-based and want a clean “set-and-hold” investing experience, either can work. If you are non-US, Schwab is more commonly used as a US broker option (depending on country), while Fidelity is often harder to access.
Disclosure: We may earn a commission if you open an account using our links. You do not pay extra.
Note: Fidelity links may be non-affiliate depending on availability.
TL;DR verdict
- Best “all-around” long-term broker feel: Fidelity (research, funds lineup, platform polish).
- Best if you want a Schwab-style ecosystem + international pathways: Schwab (strong brokerage + well-known global-facing offering, depending on country).
- In practice: if you are non-US, eligibility decides first; if you are US-based, features like cash management, fund lineup, and UX decide.
- Most investors overthink this: the main outcome driver is consistent investing + low drag, not which big US broker logo you pick.
IMPORTANT
Before comparing: can you open/keep these accounts from your country?
Many readers find this page from outside the US. If account eligibility is unclear, the “best broker” decision is solved: use a broker you can reliably keep long-term.
STEP 1
Confirm residency eligibility for each broker entity.
STEP 2
If you’re EU/UK retail, expect UCITS reality (PRIIPs/KID).
STEP 3
If you need a scalable default, compare against IBKR as a “core broker.”
Non-US path: Best broker for long-term ETFs (non-US) · IBKR review · UCITS vs US ETFs
Fidelity vs Schwab: which is better?
Neither is universally “best.” The better choice depends on your country eligibility and what you value: platform simplicity, support, and long-term holding vs global access and execution tools. Use the decision rules below and the comparison table to pick quickly.
Educational content only. Not personalized investment advice.
Quick decision rules
CHOOSE FIDELITY IF
- You are eligible (typically easiest if US resident) and want a strong “home base” platform.
- You value research tools, support, and a broad low-cost fund lineup.
- You prefer a more modern long-term investing experience over advanced trading complexity.
CHOOSE SCHWAB IF
- You are eligible and want Schwab’s ecosystem + cash management style.
- You want a large, stable US broker with a long track record and broad product offering.
- You are non-US and Schwab is the practical US broker option available to you (country-dependent).
If you’re non-US and deciding between “US broker vs global broker”, also read: Fidelity vs IBKR.
Fidelity vs Schwab: practical comparison
| Category | Fidelity | Charles Schwab |
|---|---|---|
| Eligibility (non-US) | Often limited; verify by residency. | More commonly used by some non-US investors, depending on country/entity. |
| Fees (long-term) | Competitive for investing; key is keeping drag low. | Competitive for investing; key is keeping drag low. |
| ETFs + funds lineup | Very strong; good “core portfolio” options. | Very strong; broad offering + Schwab funds ecosystem. |
| Research + education | Strong research experience (common advantage cited by long-term investors). | Strong as well; robust brokerage resources. |
| Cash management | Depends on account setup; evaluate how idle cash is treated. | Often chosen for integrated cash/banking style features. |
| Best fit | US-eligible investors who want a “home base” with strong investing tooling. | Investors who want Schwab’s ecosystem and/or have country access where Schwab is the practical option. |
Non-US investors: if FX is your biggest leak, prioritize a broker built for multi-currency workflows: Best broker for cheapest FX (Europe → USD).
What actually decides outcomes (stop over-optimizing)
1) Eligibility + paperwork
If you can’t open/keep the account, nothing else matters. For cross-border investors, paperwork and access are the real “features.”
2) ETF wrapper + access
If you’re EU/UK retail, US-domiciled ETF access can be restricted. In that case, you’ll often use UCITS alternatives and a broker that supports that workflow cleanly.
3) Behavior friction
The better broker is the one that makes it easiest to invest consistently for years without tinkering. A “slightly better feature set” doesn’t matter if the platform makes you procrastinate.
If your goal is recurring investing behavior, use: Best broker for recurring investing (Europe).
Pick based on your scenario
US-BASED LONG-TERM INVESTOR
Fidelity (often edges on “home base” feel)
If you want a strong “investing-first” experience with a broad lineup, Fidelity is a common default. Schwab can be just as valid if you prefer its ecosystem.
NON-US / INTERNATIONAL PATHWAYS
Schwab (country-dependent)
If you are outside the US and you specifically want a US broker, Schwab is commonly considered a practical route (depending on residency). Always verify eligibility before committing.
If you are non-US and want the “global core broker” alternative, compare against IBKR: Interactive Brokers review.
MONEY GUIDES
If you hit constraints (UCITS rules, non-US eligibility, FX drag), these decision pages are the correct next step:
Default sequence: access rules → FX workflow → recurring investing.
CLUSTER
Next steps: compare and choose
Strengths, frictions, and who Fidelity fits (especially for non-US investors).
Another US heavyweight. Best fit depends on eligibility and workflow.
The non-US framework: access rules, withholding, and long-run practicality.
If this is a core account, optimize for stability, costs, and repeatability.
CLUSTER
Next steps: paperwork, taxes, and costs
The form that impacts US dividend withholding for non-US investors.
How withholding works and what actually changes your long-run tax drag.
Don’t overfocus on commissions. Spread and friction matter too.
If you convert currency repeatedly, FX leakage behaves like a recurring fee.
FAQ: Fidelity vs Schwab
Which is better for long-term investing: Fidelity or Schwab? +
Is Schwab easier than Fidelity for non-US investors? +
Do I need to worry about US ETF access rules in Europe? +
What feature matters most for long-term results? +
If I’m non-US, should I use a global broker instead? +
What’s the simplest way to decide between them? +
Bottom line If you’re eligible for both, choose the platform you’ll use consistently. If you’re non-US, eligibility and cross-border workflow decide first.
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Educational content only. Not personalized investment advice. Eligibility, fees, and product access can change. Always confirm current terms and your local rules before opening an account or buying securities.