Platform Comparison

Fidelity vs M1 Finance

Compare Fidelity and M1 Finance on fees, DRIP, fractional shares and research for dividend investing.

Higher Rated
FD

Fidelity

4.9

The gold standard for dividend investors seeking zero commissions, exceptional research, and automatic DRIP.

M1

M1 Finance

4.7

The ultimate set-it-and-forget-it platform with pie-based portfolios, automatic rebalancing, and free dividend reinvestment.

Fidelity vs M1 Finance: Fees, Minimums & DRIP Compared

FeatureFidelityM1 Finance
Our Rating4.9/54.7/5
Trading Commissions$0$0
Account Minimum$0$100
Fractional SharesYesYes
DRIPAutomaticFree + Smart
Research ToolsExcellentBasic
Best ForLong-Term Dividend InvestorsHands-Off Dividend Investors

Fidelity vs M1 Finance: Pros and Cons

Fidelity

Pros

  • + Completely free trading for stocks, ETFs, and options
  • + Automatic dividend reinvestment on all eligible securities
  • + Industry-leading research and screening tools
  • + Fractional shares starting at $1
  • + Excellent customer service with 24/7 phone support

Cons

  • - Platform interface can feel overwhelming for complete beginners
  • - Mobile app less intuitive than newer competitors
  • - Some advanced features require desktop platform
  • - Mutual fund minimums can be high ($0-$2,500 depending on fund)

M1 Finance

Pros

  • + Commission-free trading on stocks and ETFs
  • + Unique pie-based portfolio system for easy allocation management
  • + Dynamic rebalancing automatically invests new deposits into underweight positions
  • + Fractional shares let you invest any dollar amount
  • + Three dividend reinvestment options including true DRIP

Cons

  • - Limited trading window (9:30 AM EST only, 3 PM with premium)
  • - $3/month platform fee if account balance under $10,000
  • - No options, mutual funds, bonds, or forex trading
  • - Customer service limited to weekday market hours only

Which Is Better for Dividend Investors: Fidelity or M1 Finance?

Choose Fidelity if you...

  • Are in Fidelity's core audience: long-term dividend investors
  • Need automatic dividend reinvestment
  • Prefer a higher-rated overall platform

Choose M1 Finance if you...

  • Are in M1 Finance's core audience: hands-off dividend investors

Want the full breakdown of fees, DRIP, and research tools? Read our Fidelity review and M1 Finance review.

Investment Disclaimer

Investing involves risk, including possible loss of principal. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This content is for informational purposes only and should not be considered investment advice.