Written by StockBrokers.com
In this head to head comparison of Fidelity International vs Vanguard UK Investor, we will compare the trading platforms, mobile apps, investment options, costs, market research, and more. Let's dive in.
Alongside the cost per trade, most UK online brokers also charge a monthly, quarterly, or annual management fee, which varies based on the account type and balance. Based on our thorough review, Vanguard UK Investor offers better pricing than Fidelity International for share dealing.
Assuming a £30,000 portfolio size, here are the total annual costs for share dealing with both brokers, given different monthly activity scenarios.
5 trades per year - Fidelity International would cost £127.50 per year, while Vanguard UK Investor would cost N/A per year.
12 trades per year - Fidelity International would cost £108 or £180 per year, while Vanguard UK Investor would cost N/A per year.
36 trades per year - Fidelity International would cost £144 or £360 per year, while Vanguard UK Investor would cost N/A per year.
120 trades per year - Fidelity International would cost £270 or £990 per year, while Vanguard UK Investor would cost N/A per year.
3 fund trades per year - Fidelity International would cost £1000 per year, while Vanguard UK Investor would cost £500 per year.
What type of trader are you?
New to the world of investing? See our picks for the Best UK Trading Platforms for Beginners. More experienced traders should read our guide to the Best UK Trading Platforms for Active Traders.
Fidelity International and Vanguard UK Investor cater to different investor needs. Fidelity International offers share trading, which is something Vanguard UK Investor does not provide. Both platforms allow trading of Exchange-Traded Funds (ETFs) and funds, but only Fidelity offers the option to invest in investment trusts. Additionally, Fidelity provides advisor services for those seeking professional guidance, a feature not available with Vanguard UK Investor. Despite both lacking options for crypto trading, spread betting, and CFD trading, Fidelity International stands out for its broader investment choices.
When it comes to user reviews, Fidelity International scores 4.5 out of 5 stars from UK.StockBrokers.com for its investment options, ranking it as a solid choice at #12 out of 21 reviewed brokers. Vanguard UK Investor, on the other hand, receives a lower rating of 3.5 stars, placing it at #18. This makes Fidelity International seem more appealing for investors looking for a platform with more varied account options in the UK market.
| Feature |
Fidelity International
|
Vanguard UK Investor
|
|---|---|---|
| Share Trading | Yes | No |
| CFD Trading | No | No |
| ETFs | Yes | Yes |
| Funds | Yes | Yes |
| Bonds - Government (Gilts) | No | No |
| Investment Trusts | Yes | No |
| Spread Betting | No | No |
| Crypto Trading | No | No |
| Advisor Services | Yes | No |
| Investment Choices |
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Low-cost US and UK shares.
Professional’s Gateway to the World’s Markets.
Fidelity International stands out for UK investors seeking comprehensive charting tools and trading features. With the ability to display corporate events such as earnings, splits, and dividends directly on charts, Fidelity provides insightful data that Vanguard UK Investor does not. Additionally, Fidelity offers users five drawing tools and access to 21 technical indicators for more sophisticated chart analysis, whereas Vanguard UK Investor provides none in these areas. Although both platforms offer browser-based trading access, only Fidelity allows for index and stock overlays on charts and the ability to create stock price alerts, giving investors deeper insights and more timely information.
While both Fidelity International and Vanguard UK Investor lack real-time market data and the ability to add personal notes to charts, Fidelity offers a more enriched trading experience tailored to investors keen on maximizing market opportunities through technical analysis. Given these features, Fidelity International's trading tools are designed to enhance the user experience significantly, providing powerful insights that UK investors might find useful when making informed investment decisions. In comparison, Vanguard UK Investor's limited offering may appeal more to those who prefer simplicity over advanced functionality.
| Feature |
Fidelity International
|
Vanguard UK Investor
|
|---|---|---|
| Web Platform | Yes | Yes |
| Stock Alerts | Yes | No |
| Charting - Indicators / Studies | 21 | 0 |
| Charting - Drawing Tools | 5 | 0 |
| Charting - Notes | No | No |
| Charting - Display Corporate Events | Yes | No |
| Charting - Stock Overlays | Yes | No |
| Charting - Index Overlays | Yes | No |
Fidelity International and Vanguard UK Investor both provide Individual Savings Accounts (ISAs) and Self-Invested Personal Pensions (SIPPs), making them suitable choices for UK investors planning for retirement. Fidelity International offers a user-friendly platform with various investment options to manage your ISA and SIPP effectively. Similarly, Vanguard UK Investor also enables access to both ISAs and SIPPs, with a straightforward approach focusing on simplicity and low-cost index and mutual funds. Both brokers cater to UK residents looking to invest tax-efficiently and prepare for retirement, but your choice may depend on specific investment needs and preferences in fund selection and platform usability.
Dive deeper: Best SIPP Providers, Best Stocks and Shares ISA Providers.
Comparing the mobile apps of Fidelity International and Vanguard UK Investor for UK investors, both brokers offer apps for iPhone and Android devices, helping users manage their investments on the go. According to UK.StockBrokers.com, Fidelity International's mobile app earns a 4-star rating, ranking 15th out of 21 brokers, while Vanguard UK Investor's app is rated 3.5 stars, placing it 19th. This suggests Fidelity offers a slightly more user-friendly experience compared to Vanguard in the mobile app department, providing UK investors with efficient tools to handle their portfolios more effectively.
Dive deeper: Best Stock Trading Apps UK.
For beginner investors in the UK seeking educational resources, Fidelity International stands out compared to Vanguard UK Investor. Fidelity International provides access to educational client webinars and archives them for later viewing, while Vanguard lacks live webinars but does offer on-demand access. Fidelity also covers a broader range of topics, providing insights into share trading and funds as well as retirement planning, whereas Vanguard focuses on funds and retirement only. In terms of ratings, Fidelity shines with a 5-star evaluation for beginner education from UK.StockBrokers.com, ranking 7th out of 21 brokers, whereas Vanguard holds a 3.5-star rating and is positioned 17th. This makes Fidelity International a more comprehensive option for those just starting their investment journey.
| Feature |
Fidelity International
|
Vanguard UK Investor
|
|---|---|---|
| Client Webinars | Yes | No |
| Client Webinars (Archived) | Yes | Yes |
| Education (Share Trading) | Yes | No |
| Education (Funds) | Yes | Yes |
| Education (Retirement) | Yes | Yes |
| Education |
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Dive deeper: Best UK Trading Platforms for Beginners.
When comparing market research features between Fidelity International and Vanguard UK Investor, both platforms offer research reports for funds and allow users to view portfolio allocation by asset class. Fidelity International stands out by providing shares research and bonds research, services not offered by Vanguard UK Investor. While both offer research on ETFs and funds, neither platform provides CFDs research. This makes Fidelity International a more comprehensive option for investors interested in a wider array of research tools, particularly those focused on shares and bonds, compared to Vanguard UK Investor.
| Feature |
Fidelity International
|
Vanguard UK Investor
|
|---|---|---|
| Research - Shares | Yes | No |
| Research - CFDs | No | No |
| Research - ETFs | Yes | Yes |
| Research - Bonds | Yes | No |
| Research - Funds | Yes | Yes |
| Fund Research - Research Reports | Yes | Yes |
| Portfolio Allocation Breakdown | Yes | Yes |
Which broker is better overall, Fidelity International or Vanguard UK Investor? After collecting more than 900 data points over a 10-week period, we found Fidelity International to be a better trading platform overall.
Fidelity offers thousands of investments to choose from and also offers financial advice for those wanting more direction. It's best suited to traditional investors who hold a range of accounts through the platform, enjoy the great research material available and who may also use Fidelity for financial advice. The platform can be expensive for those with portfolios of less than £20,000 and those with portfolios above £40,000.
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Vanguard UK Investor
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Both Fidelity International and Vanguard UK Investor do not offer crypto trading, making them comparable options for investors focused on traditional investment assets.
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↓×Compare
0 of 5| Overall Rating | Fidelity International | Vanguard UK Investor | |
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| Review | Fidelity International Review | Vanguard UK Investor Review | |
| Winner | check_circle |
| Investments | Fidelity International | Vanguard UK Investor | |
|---|---|---|---|
| ISA | Yes | Yes | |
| SIPP | Yes | Yes | |
| Share Trading | Yes | No | |
| CFD Trading | No | No | |
| Funds | Yes | Yes | |
| ETFs | Yes | Yes | |
| Bonds - Corporate | No | No | |
| Bonds - Government (Gilts) | No | No | |
| Investment Trusts | Yes | No | |
| Spread Betting | No | No | |
| Crypto Trading | No | No | |
| Advisor Services | Yes | No |
| Trading Fees | Fidelity International | Vanguard UK Investor | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Minimum Deposit | £1000 | £500 | |
| Share Trading: 0-9 Deals/ Month | £1.50 or £7.50 | N/A | |
| Share Trading: 10-19 Deals/ Month | £1.50 or £7.50 | N/A | |
| Share Trading: 20+ Deals/ Month | £1.50 or £7.50 | N/A | |
| 5 trades per year (£30k portfolio) | £127.50 | N/A | |
| 12 trades per year (£30k portfolio) | £108 or £180 | N/A | |
| 36 trades per year (£30k portfolio) | £144 or £360 | N/A | |
| 120 trades per year (£30k portfolio) | £270 or £990 | N/A | |
| 3 fund trades per year (£30k portfolio) | £105 | £108 | |
| Annual Custody Fee: £0 - £250,000 | £90 - £875 | Under £32,000: £48 / Over £32,000: 0.15% | |
| Annual Custody Fee: £250K-£500K | £500 - £1,000 | £375 | |
| Annual Custody Fee: £500,000 - £1m | £1,000 - £2,000 | £375 | |
| Annual Custody Fee: £1m and over | £2,000 | £375 | |
| Bonds - Corporate - Fee | N/A | N/A | |
| Bonds - Government (Gilts) - Fee | N/A | N/A | |
| ETFs - Fee | £7.50 | 0.02% to 0.14% | |
| Investment Trusts - Fee | £7.50 | N/A | |
| Telephone Dealing Fee | £30 | N/A |
| Broker Screenshots | Fidelity International | Vanguard UK Investor | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Website Gallery (click to expand) |
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| Education Gallery (click to expand) |
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| Platforms & Tools | Fidelity International | Vanguard UK Investor | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Web Platform | Yes | Yes | |
| iPhone App | Yes | Yes | |
| Android App | Yes | Yes | |
| Stock Alerts | Yes | No | |
| Charting - Indicators / Studies | 21 | 0 | |
| Charting - Drawing Tools | 5 | 0 | |
| Charting - Notes | No | No | |
| Charting - Display Corporate Events | Yes | No | |
| Charting - Stock Overlays | Yes | No | |
| Charting - Index Overlays | Yes | No |
| Research | Fidelity International | Vanguard UK Investor | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Research - Shares | Yes | No | |
| Research - CFDs | No | No | |
| Research - Funds | Yes | Yes | |
| Fund Research - Research Reports | Yes | Yes | |
| Research - ETFs | Yes | Yes | |
| Research - Bonds | Yes | No | |
| Portfolio Allocation Breakdown | Yes | Yes |
| Education | Fidelity International | Vanguard UK Investor | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Education (Share Trading) | Yes | No | |
| Education (Funds) | Yes | Yes | |
| Education (Retirement) | Yes | Yes | |
| Client Webinars | Yes | No | |
| Client Webinars (Archived) | Yes | Yes |
| Overall Summary | Fidelity International | Vanguard UK Investor | |
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| Review | Fidelity International Review | Vanguard UK Investor Review | |
| Winner | check_circle |
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