The verdict
Fidelity takes it, 3–0 on rounds.
On the published figures and the independent review sites, Fidelity takes 3 of 6 rounds. Treat that as a starting point and check the current figures on both pages, because prices and plans move.
Choose Fidelity if…
- • You want Fidelity's edge on what borrowing on margin costs and what stockbrokers.com scored it
Choose E*Trade if…
- • You have a reason to pick E*Trade that is not on this list
Round by round
- Round 1What borrowing on margin costsFidelity winsFidelity8/10
10.625%
Margin interest rate ($50,000–$99,999)
- margin rate on a 50,000 dollar balance, 18 September 2026
Source: investingintheweb.com ↗
E*Trade5/1011.70%
Margin rate for $50,000 to $99,999.99
- 12.45%, against 12.075%
Source: investingintheweb.com ↗
Fidelity wins this round on independent review-site data, not on its own claims.
- Round 2What StockBrokers.com scored itFidelity winsE*Trade5/10
4.5 out of 5 stars
StockBrokers.com rating
- 4.5 out of 5 stars, against 5 out of 5 stars
Source: stockbrokers.com ↗
Fidelity wins this round on independent review-site data, not on its own claims.
- Round 3What customers say on TrustpilotFidelity winsE*Trade5/10
1.1 out of 5
TrustScore from 769 reviews on Trustpilot
- 1.1 out of 5, against 1.3 out of 5
Source: trustpilot.com ↗
Fidelity wins this round on independent review-site data, not on its own claims.
- Round 4What an options contract costsTieE*Trade7/10
65 cents
per options contract, 50 cents at 30 or more trades a quarter
Source: work-club.com ↗
Nothing to separate them here.
- Round 5What a stock trade costsTie
Nothing to separate them here.
- Round 6What it takes to open an accountTie
Nothing to separate them here.
Side by side
- margin rate on a 50,000 dollar balance, 18 September 2026
- StockBrokers.com rating
- 1.3 out of 5, against 1.5 out of 5
- 65 cents, against 0 cents
- 1.3 out of 5, against 3.9 out of 5
- 1,169 reviews, against 14,081 reviews
- 12.45%, against 12.075%
- 4.5 out of 5 stars, against 5 out of 5 stars
- 1.1 out of 5, against 1.3 out of 5
- 12.45%, against 11.825%