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Software · head to head

Bitstamp vs Fidelity

Bitstamp logo

Bitstamp

Software

The original crypto exchange since 2011

From
Free
Rated
-
Fidelity logo

Fidelity

Software

Building a better financial future

From
On request
Rated
-

The short version

  • Only Bitstamp has a free tier, so it costs nothing to try first.
  • Each has a real cost: Bitstamp trading fees are higher than some competitors; Fidelity options trades carry a 0.65 USD per contract fee on top of zero commission
  • They diverge on capability: Bitstamp covers Spot Trading, Fidelity covers Commission-free trading.

Where they differ

Only the attributes on which Bitstamp and Fidelity actually diverge.

Attributes where Bitstamp and Fidelity differ
AttributeBitstampFidelity
Starting priceFreeOn request
Pricing modelfreemiumtransaction
Free tierYesNo
PlatformsWeb, Mobile iOS, Mobile AndroidWeb, IOS, Android
Founded20111946

Identical on both: user rating (Not yet rated), category (Unknown).

What each one covers

Drawn from each product's published feature list. An absence here means we hold no record of it - not that the product lacks it.

Only in Bitstamp

  • Spot Trading
  • Staking
  • Instant Orders
  • API Trading
  • SEPA
  • SWIFT
  • Credit Card
  • Ios support

Only in Fidelity

  • Commission-free trading
  • Retirement planning
  • Advisory services
  • Research tools
  • Bank accounts
  • Investment accounts
  • IOS support

Both cover

  • Web support
  • Android support

What people use each for

The jobs each tool is most often brought in to do.

Bitstamp

  • Exchangesnot Fidelity
  • Tradingnot Fidelity
  • Compliancenot Fidelity

Fidelity

  • Commission free trading of US stocks and ETFsnot Bitstamp
  • Holding IRAs, 401(k) plans and taxable brokerage accountsnot Bitstamp
  • Trading bonds, options and mutual funds from one accountnot Bitstamp

Where each one falls short

Documented limitations, not opinions. Every one is a constraint you would hit in normal use.

Bitstamp

  • Trading fees are higher than some competitors
  • Limited selection of newer or smaller altcoins compared to larger exchanges
  • Customer service response times can be slow during high-volume periods

Fidelity

  • Options trades carry a 0.65 USD per contract fee on top of zero commission
  • Non Fidelity mutual funds carry a 49.95 USD transaction fee per purchase
  • Secondary market bonds cost 1.00 USD per bond, while new issues are free
  • A foreign settlement fee of 50 USD applies per trade
  • Margin rates are tiered by debit balance, from 11.825 percent below 25,000 USD down to 7.50 percent at 1 million USD or more, against a base rate of 10.575 percent effective 12 December 2025
  • Margin liquidation by the broker costs 32.95 USD per liquidation

Pricing, plan by plan

Bitstamp

Free
  • StandardFree
    • Spot trading
    • Staking
    • Instant orders

Fidelity

On request
  • Brokerage$undefined/month
    • Commission-free trading
    • Research tools
  • Advisory$undefined/month
    • Personal advisor
    • Wealth management

Which should you pick?

Choose Bitstamp if

  • You need spot trading.
  • You want to start without paying.
  • You work on Web, Mobile iOS, Mobile Android.
  • You also want staking.

Choose Fidelity if

  • You need commission-free trading.
  • You work on Web, IOS, Android.
  • You also want retirement planning.

Questions people ask

Is Bitstamp or Fidelity better?
Neither clearly leads. Bitstamp starts at Free and Fidelity at On request, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
Which is cheaper, Bitstamp or Fidelity?
Bitstamp has a free tier; the other does not. Paid plans start at Free for Bitstamp and On request for Fidelity.
Does Bitstamp or Fidelity run on more platforms?
Bitstamp runs on Web, Mobile iOS, Mobile Android. Fidelity runs on Web, IOS, Android.
Can I use Bitstamp for free?
Yes. Bitstamp has a free tier, so you can try it without paying. Fidelity starts at On request.
What is Bitstamp best used for?
Bitstamp is most often used for exchanges, trading, compliance. Of those, exchanges and trading are not what Fidelity is typically brought in for.
What can Bitstamp do that Fidelity cannot?
Bitstamp covers Spot Trading, Staking, Instant Orders, API Trading. Fidelity covers Commission-free trading, Retirement planning, Advisory services, Research tools. Both handle Web support, Android support.

Answered from the vendors’ own pages

Bitstamp: When was Bitstamp founded?

Bitstamp was founded in August 2011 in Slovenia by Nejc Kodrič and Damjan Merlak.

Source
Bitstamp: Where is Bitstamp registered?

Bitstamp is registered in Luxembourg and was recognized by Luxembourg as a virtual currency exchange in 2016.

Source
Bitstamp: How many cryptocurrencies does Bitstamp list?

Bitstamp lists approximately 107 cryptocurrencies with close to 230 spot trading pairs including USD, EUR, GBP, and stablecoin base currencies.

Source
Bitstamp: Who owns Bitstamp?

Bitstamp is owned by Robinhood, which acquired the exchange to expand its cryptocurrency trading capabilities.

Source
Bitstamp: How many customers does Bitstamp have?

Bitstamp is trusted by more than 5 million customers worldwide.

Source
Bitstamp: How does Bitstamp store customer cryptocurrencies?

Bitstamp keeps most client crypto in cold storage for security and offers additional security features including 2FA and withdrawal-address whitelisting.

Source

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