[Music] when it comes to opening a rock Ira there's often a heated debate over which platform is the best Vanguard Fidelity or Charles schw these three investment JS dominate the landscape each offering a wide range of financial products and services from Banking and investment products to financial planning and advisory Services these companies are well positioned to meet the needs for both new and seasoned investors however the differences in fees features and service offerings can significantly impact your decision depending on your personal financial goals if you're feeling uncertain about where to begin you can also explore personalized Financial guidance using tools like smart assets free financial advisor matching service let's start by breaking down each provider Vanguard has earned its reputation by off offing low fee investment products like mutual funds and exchange traded funds or ETFs even non Vanguard clients can purchas Vanguard funds through a brokerage account Fidelity on the other hand is best known for its personal investment products particularly brokerage accounts that let you trade stocks bonds and other Financial assets Fidelity has also carved out a niche by offering investment education and charging very few fees Charles Schwab often just called Schwab is perhaps the most well-rounded of the three although it's not as recognized for funds as Vanguard Schwab offers a combination of both passively and actively managed funds Schwab also allows you to trade individual stocks and provides free Robo advisor Services making it a comprehensive choice for investors one of the critical factors to consider is fees which can vary subtly across these platforms over the past few years most brokerage platforms have eliminated transaction fees and Vanguard Fidelity and show up are no exceptions if you trading stocks mutual funds or ETFs you won't have to pay commissions or trading fees however options trading fees still applying Vanguard charges $1 per contract while Fidelity and Sh charges $65 though the difference might seem minor it adds up especially for frequent Traders additionally mutual fund transactions May incur cost up to $49.95 at any of these platforms though in-house funds are typically free to trade Beyond fees let's talk about the different services and features each of these institutions offer standard account types such as 401ks individual retirement accounts or IRAs joint accounts custodial account and 529 plans for educational savings however Vanguard often cat to investors who prefer passive income strategies via Mutual index and exchange traded funds Fidelity provides more flexibility with its robust lineup of fee free funds and tools that make passive investing simple schop shines with its free Robo advisor sh intelligent portfolios which builds a lowcost Investment Portfolio based on your preferences Fidelity also has a similar Robo advisor called Fidelity go while vanguard's Robo advisor service Vanguard personal advisor Services Blends automated Investments with personalized Financial advice for a 3% management fees as we dive deeper into the platforms online and mobile experiences schw Fidelity and Vanguard offer userfriendly websites and mobile apps though some platforms are rated higher than others sh's app has a 4.8 star rating on the Apple Store but only 2.2 stars on Google Play showing some inconsistencies in its mobile performance vanguard's app has improved recently now rated 3.5 stars on Google Play and 4.7 stars on Apple Fidelity however offers the most streamlined online and mobile experience scoring 4.8 stars on Apple and 4.5 on Google Play If ease of use on the go is important to you Fidelity stands out so so who should use which platform Vanguard remains a go-to option for anyone interested in long-term lowcost investing especially through its vast selection of index funds Fidelity is idle for both new and experienced investors who want access to top-notch educational resources and flexible trading schw is excellent for investors who value a comprehensive service Suite including free Robo advisors and financial advisors for personalized planning though each platform serves a similar purpose they offer slightly different advantages that can align better with your specific investment style one aspect often overlooked is the strength of customer service and physical branches Schwab leads the pack with nearly 400 branches across the US followed by Fidelity with around 25 Branch Vanguard however has no brick and motor branches focusing more on digital and phone-based customer service which may be a deal breaker for those who value face-to-face interaction as you consider opening a Roth IRA you'll also want to evaluate these platforms on more detailed factors for example Fidelity excels in offering the lowest fees including no expense ratio funds and low cost options contracts it also offers one of the most comprehensive educational platforms with resources catering to both beginners and season Trad ERS on the other hand Vanguard boasts the best Target date and indexed fund offerings making it a favorite for Passive long-term investors Schwab though takes the crown for research tools and access to financial advisors thanks to its acquisition of TDM trade a leader in investment research so when comparing these three investment powerhouses Vanguard Fidelity and Schwab your decision should be guided by your investment goals level of expertise and service preferences whether you're seeking low fees excellent customer support or a platform rich with Educational Tools each company offers something unique for investors of all experience levels ultimately you can't go wrong with any of these choices but understanding the nuances will help you make the best decision for your financial future