Compare Fidelity and Stash on fees, DRIP, fractional shares and research for dividend investing.
Updated August 26, 2026
Fidelity and Stash both let you start investing with pocket change, but their business models point in opposite directions. Fidelity (4.9/5) is our top-rated brokerage — $0 commissions, automatic dividend reinvestment, and fractional shares from $1, all with no monthly fee. Stash (4.0/5) is a beginner app that charges $3–$9 a month and sweetens the deal with its unique Stock-Back debit card, which pays rewards in fractional shares instead of cash back.
For dividend investors, the subscription is the story. Stash Growth’s $3/month is $36 a year — a 3.6% drag on a $1,000 balance, more than most dividend portfolios yield. Stash’s dividend reinvestment also takes 3–4 business days to process, while Fidelity reinvests automatically on the payment date. Stash’s one real edge is that Stock-Back card: every swipe buys you slivers of stock, something Fidelity has no answer to.
The gold standard for dividend investors seeking zero commissions, exceptional research, and automatic DRIP.
A beginner-friendly investing app with the unique Stock-Back card that rewards your spending with fractional shares instead of cash back.
| Feature | Fidelity | Stash |
|---|---|---|
| Our Rating | 4.9/5 | 4/5 |
| Trading Commissions | $0 | N/A |
| Account Minimum | $0 | $0 |
| Fractional Shares | Yes | N/A |
| DRIP | Automatic | Automatic |
| Research Tools | Excellent | Basic |
| Best For | Long-Term Dividend Investors | Stock-Back Enthusiasts |
Want the full breakdown of fees, DRIP, and research tools? Read our Fidelity review and Stash review.
Fidelity for almost everyone. You get automatic DRIP, $1 fractional shares, and the industry’s best dividend research without paying rent on your own portfolio — on a small balance, Stash’s $36–$108 annual fee can eat more than your dividends earn. Stash is only worth it if the Stock-Back card and its round-up automation are genuinely what get you investing; even then, treat it as a starter app and move to Fidelity once the balance grows enough for the monthly fee to sting.
Fidelity for most beginners: no monthly fee, fractional shares from $1, automatic dividend reinvestment, and top-tier research to grow into. Stash is easier to start with and its Stock-Back card is fun, but the $3–$9 monthly fee is a heavy percentage cost on a small balance. Fidelity rates 4.9/5 in our reviews versus Stash’s 4.0/5.
Stash charges $3/month (Growth) or $9/month (Stash+) — $36 to $108 a year — after discontinuing its old $1 Beginner tier. Fidelity charges no monthly fee, $0 stock and ETF commissions, and free dividend reinvestment. On a $1,000 account, Stash Growth costs 3.6% annually; Fidelity costs 0%.
Yes. Dividends reinvest automatically in Stash’s Smart Portfolio, retirement, and custodial accounts, and you can toggle DRIP on for your personal DIY portfolio. The catch: reinvestment can take 3–4 business days. Fidelity reinvests dividends on the payment date, into fractional shares, at no cost.
The Stock-Back card is a debit card that pays rewards as fractional shares — often of the company you shopped at — at a 0.125% base rate, double on Stash+, and up to 5% at partner merchants. Fidelity has no debit-card equivalent, though its 2% cash-back Visa credit card can deposit rewards straight into a brokerage account, where you can buy dividend stocks with them.
Not sure these are the right fit? Explore more comparisons.
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.