Invest · Broker review
Fidelity International
Global asset manager with direct investor access — strong funds, higher FX
$65 more per $10,000 than Interactive Brokers (FX cost only)
Not financial advice.This is a comparison of FX costs only. We don't recommend specific investments. Always consult a qualified financial adviser before investing.
Verdict
Fidelity International is a trusted global brand with strong active fund management, an ISA/SIPP wrapper for UK clients, and a well-designed online platform. Its FX cost (0.75%) is higher than IBKR but lower than HL. Best for investors who value Fidelity's actively managed fund range or want a globally trusted brand.
Full review
Fidelity International is the international arm of Fidelity, the Boston-based financial services giant founded in 1946. Unlike Fidelity's US business (which is one of America's largest brokers), Fidelity International operates independently from its UK headquarters and serves investors in the UK, Germany, Ireland, continental Europe, and Asia-Pacific as a separate entity. It manages hundreds of billions in assets globally and is one of the oldest established investment management companies in the world.
In the UK, Fidelity's self-directed investment platform combines active fund management (through Fidelity's own range of actively managed funds) with a full ISA, SIPP, and GIA service offering access to thousands of third-party funds, investment trusts, ETFs, and shares. The Fidelity Personal Investing platform is primarily marketed to UK investors and is strong on research, fund selection, and financial planning tools.
The fee structure charges 0.35% per year on fund holdings (0.20% above £250,000), with a maximum annual charge and a separate share dealing fee of £10 per online trade. There is a minimum service fee of £45/year for accounts holding only shares. This pricing is moderately competitive — cheaper than HL for fund-heavy portfolios, more expensive than InvestEngine for ETF-only portfolios.
Fidelity's own active funds include some of the most-analysed and widely respected strategies in UK retail investing: Special Situations, Special Values, and Asia Pacific Opportunities, among others. For investors who want a blend of Fidelity's actively managed funds alongside index ETFs and shares in a single account, the platform's combination of in-house depth and third-party breadth is genuinely comprehensive.
Customer service quality is consistently rated among the best in the UK platform market. The website's research tools (fund factsheets, comparison tools, portfolio analytics) are thorough. For UK investors who want a long-established, trusted platform with comprehensive fund and share access and high-quality service, Fidelity International is a top-tier choice.
FX cost breakdown
FX cost comparison on $10,000 investment
Pros & cons
Pros
- Global brand with 45+ years of track record
- ISA and SIPP for UK investors
- Access to own and third-party active funds
- Available in UK, Singapore, India, Australia, and more
- Reasonable research and tools
Cons
- 0.75% FX charge — above mid-market
- Annual platform fee (0.35% for investments, capped at £90 for shares)
- More expensive than DIY neo-brokers for equity trading
Who can use it
Markets available
Supported corridors
Regulated by
Invest by market & home country
See how Fidelity International compares for your specific home country and target market — with FX cost, regulation, and tax notes.
US stocks
S&P 500
By country →
global ETFs
MSCI World / FTSE All-World
By country →
UK stocks
FTSE 100
By country →
emerging markets
MSCI Emerging Markets
By country →
Indian stocks
Nifty 50
By country →
European stocks
EURO STOXX 50
By country →
bonds and fixed income
Bloomberg Global Aggregate
By country →
REITs
FTSE NAREIT All REITs
By country →