UBS vs. Vanguard, Fidelity, and Schwab: Highlights
• UBS, Fidelity, Schwab, and Vanguard provide investment accounts in both brokerage and advisory forms.
• Robo accounts and financial planning are available at all four companies.
• Self-directed brokerage accounts can be opened at Vanguard, Schwab, and Fidelity.
Before starting your next financial account, it’s important to look at Vanguard, UBS, Fidelity Investments, and Charles Schwab. These four major players offer more than just investing.
UBS vs Fidelity & Others: Cost
| Broker Fees |
Stock/ETF
Commission |
Mutual Fund
Commission |
Margin
Rate |
Maintenance
Fee |
Annual IRA
Fee |
|
Charles Schwab
|
$0
|
$49.95 ($0 to sell)
|
12.575%
|
$0
|
$0
|
|
Fidelity
|
$0
|
$49.95
|
12.575%
|
$0
|
$0
|
|
Vanguard
|
$0
|
$20
|
12.75%
|
$20*
|
$20*
|
|
UBS
|
varies
|
varies
|
varies
|
$170
|
$170
|
UBS vs Vanguard & Others: Services
Find a Financial Advisor
If you are looking for a professional money management service in your area, you can
find a Financial Advisor on the Wiser Advisor
(or read
Wiser Advisor review).
Visit Wiser Advisor
Financial Planning
A variety of financial-planning services are on offer at all four investment firms in this comparison. UBS requires a steep $1 million to join its program, but like many things at UBS, this may be flexible. The other three firms have lower requirements. Vanguard’s starts at $50,000 for one of its programs, while Fidelity and Schwab have even lower minimums. For instance, digital planning at either company has no asset requirement. UBS, Schwab, and Fidelity run local offices where you can receive in-person financial guidance. Vanguard does not maintain physical branches.
The cost for financial planning changes depending on factors like how you obtain the plan and your relationship status with the firm. Basic planning tools at Schwab and Fidelity are free.
Winner: Tie between Schwab and Fidelity
Investing
After a financial plan is made, the next step is to invest. All four institutions have both brokerage and advisory accounts. UBS is a traditional-only firm, so accounts must be opened with local advisors (and not every area has a UBS office). Because UBS is a full-service provider, it has the widest range of tradable assets, which include hedge funds and private real estate in addition to standard products like stocks and bonds.
Fidelity is the only firm here with cryptocurrency trading, while Schwab has futures and forex. Vanguard doesn’t offer OTC or international equities, whereas Schwab and Fidelity do.
All four firms have robo accounts where computer algorithms manage your money with a focus on exchange-traded funds. UBS requires a $10,000 minimum for its robo service. Fidelity’s robo platform has no minimum at all.
Since these four companies are top choices in the financial world, they have a large selection of account types to accommodate different tax needs, like custodial accounts, IRAs, and education savings.
Winner: Tie between Schwab and Fidelity
Cash Management
These four financial giants offer more than just investing. They also have various cash-management
products, though the extent of these products differs greatly. Vanguard’s entry is the simplest: a
hybrid account with a limited set of money market funds and an FDIC sweep.
Fidelity’s equivalent account is more capable, as you can trade other securities inside it. Plus,
Fidelity provides a debit card and checks, which Vanguard lacks. Fidelity also has Bloom accounts,
which are hybrid accounts with features like round-ups and cash back. However, Bloom has no FDIC
sweep.
UBS and Schwab both have their own banks, supplying FDIC-insured accounts plus money market funds. UBS includes a savings account, while Schwab has both checking and savings. Schwab’s checking product offers unlimited ATM fee refunds worldwide, a rare advantage.
Winner: Schwab
Margin
Margin trading is offered at all four companies (in their brokerage accounts). Schwab stands out by clearly showing each ticker’s maintenance requirement on its platforms, and it matches Fidelity for the lowest entry-level margin rate at 12.575%. Schwab also negotiates rates for balances over $500k.
Winner: Schwab
Websites
Each firm in this survey has a website. But the quality of trading features varies. UBS and Vanguard have simpler websites, while Fidelity and Schwab supply more sophisticated trading interfaces, such as complex order types and strong charting. Tools like technical indicators and drawing features are included, and both use digital assistants to deliver an upgraded experience. Schwab’s site even has a browser-based platform that brings in a price ladder and more.
Winner: Schwab
Mobile Apps
Fidelity has a Bloom app for Bloom customers that focuses on cash management, plus a standard Fidelity app that handles a full range of investing features, like real-time market news and remote check deposit.
Schwab also has two apps. Instead of a cash app, it offers a thinkorswim app filled with advanced trading functions. Orders for forex and futures can be placed, and the charting component is rich with options.
The UBS and Vanguard apps are simpler, missing most advanced features. Vanguard’s app only uses line charts, and UBS has a similar setup.
Vanguard’s app has the fewest tools. There aren’t any charts, and you can’t trade options at all.
Winner: Schwab
Desktop Programs
UBS and Vanguard only have mobile apps. Fidelity and Schwab, in contrast, offer desktop software that supports more specialized trading. These platforms feature direct-access routing, Level II quotes, complex order choices, and robust charting tools. Schwab’s platform also provides complimentary paper trading.
Winner: Schwab
Bonus Services
Systematic Mutual Fund Purchases: Offered at Vanguard, Schwab, and Fidelity (Vanguard requires Vanguard funds).
DRIP: Stock and ETF dividends can be automatically reinvested at Schwab, Vanguard, and Fidelity.
Extended Hours: All four firms have some type of extended trading. UBS limits it to institutional clients, and Vanguard has only after-hours. Schwab runs overnight trading on certain ETFs.
Fully-Paid Stock Lending: Available at Vanguard, Fidelity, and Schwab.
Fractional Shares: Fidelity supports thousands of assets (Vanguard only for Vanguard ETFs, Schwab for S&P 500 securities).
Initial Public Offerings: UBS, Fidelity, and Schwab let customers buy IPO shares.
IRA Lineups: All four provide IRAs. Vanguard and UBS may charge certain fees.
Winner: Tie between Schwab and Fidelity
Our Recommendations
Mutual Funds: Schwab has the best fund filter, while Fidelity leads with the biggest selection. Vanguard is third.
Long-Term Investors & Retirement Savers: UBS, Fidelity, or Schwab with a financial advisor are good choices.
Frequent Stock Trading: Fidelity or Schwab with either one’s desktop program.
Small Investors: UBS is the least friendly for small accounts. Fidelity is number one thanks to its large fractional lineup starting at $1.
Beginners: We suggest an advisory account (with a human advisor) at any of the four.
Find a Financial Advisor
If you are looking for a professional money management service in your area, you can
find a Financial Advisor on the Wiser Advisor
(or read
Wiser Advisor review).
Visit Wiser Advisor
Judgment
Ultra-high-net-worth clients would do well with UBS. Everyone else should go to Charles Schwab.
Charles Schwab: $0 commissions + satisfaction guarantee at Charles Schwab.
Visit Schwab Website
Fidelity: Currently, no promotions.
Visit Fidelity Website
Updated on 3/23/2025.
Chad Morris is a financial writer with more than 20 years experience
as both an English teacher and an avid trader. When he isn’t writing
expert content for Brokerage-Review.com, Chad can usually be found
managing his portfolio or building a new home computer.
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