Fidelity and Vanguard both sell low-cost index funds and hold IRAs and brokerage accounts. Neither is a trading app. The decision is which website you can stand to use for twenty years, and where your existing accounts sit.
| Feature | Fidelity | Vanguard |
|---|---|---|
| What it is | Brokerage and fund company | Fund company and brokerage |
| Best for | An all-in-one brokerage you use often | A buy-and-hold index portfolio |
| US stock and ETF commissions | Online trades are $0 | Online trades are $0 |
| Index funds | Own funds plus everyone else's ETFs | Own funds plus everyone else's ETFs |
| Account extras | Cash management, HSA, active trader tools | Fewer extras, narrower focus |
| Where to check fees | fidelity.com | investor.vanguard.com |