Fidelity Investments 4+

Updated review: Thanks for listening, Fidelity.

Old review:
“Fidelity has always felt customer-oriented and professional. Unfortunately, this apps User Interface (UI) fails to live up to that standard. In an increasingly digital age where attention spans are minimal and trading is readily accessible, Fidelity needs something with a greater focus on an active retail investor. Recent events have proved without a shadow of a doubt that the retail investor plays a large role in the marketplace today. This is unlikely to change. Fidelity’s current UI caters to an individual with multiple, minimally active accounts (accounts that may even be managed by Fidelity itself). Though this isn’t inherently bad, an overabundance of information can negate a customer’s ease of use. I would love to see a cleaner, quicker UI with much better access to brokerage.”

Update:
Recent UI and options level improvements have caused me to revisit this old review. Fidelity’s mobile app has finally made a shift to a cleaner, quicker UI that is more in line with other broker’s offerings. Though I feel the charting could still be improved upon, this new app is far superior to what was, and proves that Fidelity is listening to user feedback.

Good but not great

Its one of the best I have come across so far but it has its flaws as well. First and most importantly theres no after-hours quoting on the app. Their IT department disregarded the most important feature? Anyways, also you have to sign a lot of paperwork to start trading normally. Any type of trade needs to be applied for and authorized pretty much. Many leveraged ETF's are not available. Pre-markets orders start from 7am whereas even a crappy online brokerage running from garage such as Webull allows 4am trading. Last but not least it would be nice of they gave credit in certain amount to start trading right away when you make a deposit.
What I do like about Fidelity is that I know my money is safe with them and they have live customer service although sometimes you have to wait a lot to talk to a representatives. Still better than the crappy customer service Webull ( over-messaging ) or Ameritrade ( rude) or Interactive Brokers ( INDIA outsourced) provided. The app is great with customized news feed and detailed info of your stocks. The HEAT MAP is probably the best feature! I love it! The streaming is also smooth. Oh, I have to say the execution of the trades are FLAWLESS! The best trade executions I have seen so far. Like I said in the beginning one of the best brokerages out there.

UI upgrade is more of a downgrade

I lost many research options and stock information in the app’s new format that I was forced to use effective June 2024. I don’t have my notes in the stock profile anymore, missing detail analyst ratings with just an average rating given, app using a hyphen for delete action instead a garbage can or word delete.

I find myself using the website more now for the information I need. Similar issues apply to my account portfolio viewing. The advanced chart is gone and current chart period in days or months can’t be viewed or segmented with new chart displaying month, YTD, 1 year, and 3 years. I can’t customize any of the viewing as previously allowed in Classic view, I’m being managed instead by Fidelity developers to see what they think I should see. Forced “Planning” tab for personal financial goals is more important than my “watch lists,” because apparently everyone needs Fidelity guidance in paying their bills rather focusing on investing.

The new UI is now simply unhelpful and I haven’t found one positive thing yet in the new format. Such a disappointment in Fidelity’s decision to use this new UI format. I was 100% happy with the previous Classic UI format that had helpful investing and customization options. Unsure who was used in the testing this UI, but I hope it was actual customers that used the app regularly for investing.

Developer Response ,

Hi Indy711. Thank you for sharing your thoughts with us. We're sorry to learn of your feelings about the new mobile app experience, but we want to assure you that our teams are passing along all customer feedback we receive for further review as we continue to make updates over time.