Fidelity Investments is better suited for individual investors seeking a wide range of investment options, lower account minimums, and comprehensive customer support. State Street Global Advisors is more appropriate for institutional investors or those interested in ETFs and direct indexing with higher investment thresholds.
| Attribute | Fidelity Investments | State Street Global Advisors |
|---|---|---|
| Assets Under Management (AUM) | $5.8 trillion (discretionary); $15.1 trillion (administration) as of December 2024 | US $4.72 trillion as of December 31, 2024 |
| Investment Products Offered | Mutual funds, ETFs, Individual stocks, Bonds & CDs, Options, Annuities, Index funds, Retirement plans, Life insurance, Checking accounts, Credit cards, Cryptocurrency trading (institutional & 401(k)) | ETFs, Mutual Funds, Direct Indexing, Commingled funds, Customized investment strategies, Cash management solutions |
| Expense Ratios | Low-cost index funds and actively managed funds. Fidelity ZERO index funds have no expense ratio. | Average ETF expense ratio: 0.27%. SPDR Portfolio S&P 500 ETF (SPLG): 0.02% |
| Advisory Services Offered | Financial planning, Retirement planning, Wealth management, Investment management. Fidelity Wealth Services (various levels). Digital, discretionary investment management. | Customized investment strategies for institutions. Model portfolios. Partnership with Ethic Inc. IncomeWise (deferred lifetime income product). |
| Research and Analysis Resources | Extensive research and education resources. Financial data, competitor analysis, news, third-party research reports, SEC filings, market commentary. | In-depth market research and insights. Partnership with academics from Harvard, MIT, and Boston College through State Street Associates. |
| Customer Service Quality and Accessibility | 24/7 phone line, Chatbot, Investor centers. | Complaint management process (acknowledgment within 24 hours, written response within 14 business days). Phone support for vision/mobility issues. National Relay Service for deaf/hard of hearing. |
| Technological Platform and Mobile App Features | Easy-to-use platform, customizable for advanced traders. Mobile platform. Active Trader Pro platform. | State-of-the-art technologies (data analytics, AI). Online portals and mobile apps for client communication. |
| Account Minimums | No minimum for many accounts. Fidelity Wealth Services: $50,000. Fidelity Personalized Planning & Advice: $25,000. | Retail funds in Australia: $25,000. Direct indexing: $100,000. |
| Commission Fees | $0 for online U.S. stock, ETF, and option trades. Options: $0.65 per-contract. New issue bonds/CDs: $0. Secondary bond issues: $1.00 per bond. | Information limited in search results. |
| Range of Account Types | Individual and joint accounts. Retirement accounts (Traditional, Roth, Rollover, SEP-IRA, SIMPLE IRAs). HSAs. 529 college savings plans. | Not available |
| ESG Investing Options | Diverse funds with strong ESG profiles. Thematic offerings. Fidelity US Sustainability Index Fund (FITLX). Fidelity International Sustainability Index Fund (FNIDX). Fidelity Sustainable Multi-Asset Fund. | Focused on ESG investing. Various ESG ETF options. Fund- and portfolio-level ESG reporting. Robust stewardship program. Opt-in Sustainability Stewardship Service. |
| Educational Resources for Investors | Variety of tools for retirement planning and financial life. Web workshops. eLearning. Articles, videos, webinars, recorded webinars. Interactive coaching sessions with the Trading Strategy Desk. | Financial literacy content and investment education tools. SPDR University (research and educational materials). Partnership with Raiz. |