Fidelity $75 fee for Vanguard Funds

[Eleanor852]

Hello all. I use Fidelity for everything and wanted to buy into Vanguard funds as per advice.
The fee is $75 for each fund.
Does anyone else use Fidelity and pay this fee or alternatively, can anyone recommend Fidelity funds that are comparable to the 3 VTSAX, VTIAX and VBTLX funds?
Thank you in advance.

[KT785]

Just buy the ETF equivalents of those funds (VTI, VXUS, and BND). No fee to purchase Vanguard ETFs at Fidelity, and you can now purchase fractional shares (at least via Fidelity’s mobile app).

KT785

[infotrader]

(3) Fidelity funds similar to specific Vanguard funds? - Bogleheads.org

[link formatted by admin LadyGeek]

[jjunk]

VTSAX -> FSKAX
VTIAX -> FSPSX (or FZILX)
VBTLX -> FXNAX

Alternatively, you can use the free trade iShares ETFs as well.

[BroIceCream]

In my taxable account, I exclusively fidelity/ishares ETFs or MFs. However in my Fidelity 401K, I prefer mutual funds so I can put my payroll contributions on autopilot, and not worry about manual ETF purchases there.

Out of my positions in 401K, I do have two Vanguard funds, due to a lack of an "inexpensive" fidelity MF equivalent for these two specific factors.
Intl Large Value (VTRIX)
Intl Small Blend (VFSAX)

Based upon the quantity I have in those two funds, a $75 initial fee is not significant.
My subsequent b-weekly payroll purchases into these two funds (or any sales if I need to rebalance), have no fees.

[123]

I have paid the $75 fee on a couple of traditional IRA accounts. I decided that a Vanguard LifeStrategy fund was a perfect 100% holding in each account so all it took was a single very large purchase in each account and the fee was immaterial in the total scheme of things. Because I am basically cheap I would seek an alternate fund/ETF if I expected to make multiple purchases in an account rather than pay $75 each time.

[Explorer]

I have paid the $75 fee on a couple of traditional IRA accounts. I decided that a Vanguard LifeStrategy fund was a perfect 100% holding in each account so all it took was a single very large purchase in each account and the fee was immaterial in the total scheme of things. Because I am basically cheap I would seek an alternate fund/ETF if I expected to make multiple purchases in an account rather than pay $75 each time.

You all may be knowing this: you only pay $75 on the purchases... the sells are no cost.

[1789]

Just buy the ETF equivalents of those funds (VTI, VXUS, and BND). No fee to purchase Vanguard ETFs at Fidelity, and you can now purchase fractional shares (at least via Fidelity’s mobile app).

KT785

+1

[matti]

Hello all. I use Fidelity for everything and wanted to buy into Vanguard funds as per advice.
The fee is $75 for each fund.
Does anyone else use Fidelity and pay this fee or alternatively, can anyone recommend Fidelity funds that are comparable to the 3 VTSAX, VTIAX and VBTLX funds?
Thank you in advance.

Hello. This summer, my employer switched from Vanguard to Fidelity as its retirement account custodian. So, I ended up paying the $75 fee to buy the Vanguard fund I have my retirement dollars in (VFORX) (via Fidelity BrokerageLink). I didn't know about the no-fee ETF option, as others have noted in this post, however! (I sure learn a lot on this site!)

[infotrader]

Hello all. I use Fidelity for everything and wanted to buy into Vanguard funds as per advice.
The fee is $75 for each fund.
Does anyone else use Fidelity and pay this fee or alternatively, can anyone recommend Fidelity funds that are comparable to the 3 VTSAX, VTIAX and VBTLX funds?
Thank you in advance.

Hello. This summer, my employer switched from Vanguard to Fidelity as its retirement account custodian. So, I ended up paying the $75 fee to buy the Vanguard fund I have my retirement dollars in (VFORX) (via Fidelity BrokerageLink). I didn't know about the no-fee ETF option, as others have noted in this post, however! (I sure learn a lot on this site!)

I have accounts with both, but in Fidelity, I only buy their funds and ETFs (with my IRA account).
With my plan, the Fidelity BrokerageLink does not allow ETFs and Vanguard funds (it is not part of FundsNetwork), so I only buy Fidelity funds which I can find Vanguard equivalents for all the things I want to buy.

[matti]

Thanks.

I did look at Fidelity's Vanguard equivalents, but I've been so comfortable with Vanguard funds over the years that I decided to pay the fee to stick with them. This was not the most cost-efficient decision, but it made me feel comfortable.

[prioritarian]

Hello all. I use Fidelity for everything and wanted to buy into Vanguard funds as per advice.
The fee is $75 for each fund.
Does anyone else use Fidelity and pay this fee or alternatively, can anyone recommend Fidelity funds that are comparable to the 3 VTSAX, VTIAX and VBTLX funds?
Thank you in advance.

Fidelity has equity indices that are "infinitely" cheaper than these Vanguard funds or any well-traded ETF.

VTIAX ER 0.11%
FZILX ER 0%

VTSAX ER 0.04%
90% FNILX+ 10% FZIPX ER 0%


Fidelity also has a bond fund that is 50% cheaper than the Vanguard fund.
VBTLX ER 0.05%
FXNAX ER 0.025%

[illumination]

Most of my investments are in Vanguard funds, so I'm not anti-Vanguard, but I do think it's weird this allegiance to them to the point where people would pay a fee like that.

Buy the Vanguard ETF instead or buy the Fidelity mutual funds. No reason to pay that exorbitant fee, and my understanding is that unless future purchases are set up to be automatic, each new purchase also pays that same $75 commission? I honestly think Fidelity has better mutual funds than Vanguard anyway. Their fees almost across the board are lower.

I do though firmly believe you shouldn't buy mutual funds in taxable just over the portability concern and ETFs being slight more tax efficient anyway.

[SmileyFace]

If you want funds - go with the Fidelity funds mapped above. They track nearly the same and have the same or better expense ratios.
If it is in an IRA you can look at the "Zero" Expense ratio funds at Fidelity as an alternative.
If you are okay with ETFs look at iShares:

Hello all. I use Fidelity for everything and wanted to buy into Vanguard funds as per advice.
The fee is $75 for each fund.
Does anyone else use Fidelity and pay this fee or alternatively, can anyone recommend Fidelity funds that are comparable to the 3 VTSAX, VTIAX and VBTLX funds?
Thank you in advance.

Fidelity has equity indices that are "infinitely" cheaper than these Vanguard funds or any well-traded ETF.

VTIAX ER 0.11%
FZILX ER 0%

VTSAX ER 0.04%
90% FNILX+ 10% FZPIX ER 0%


Fidelity also has a bond fund that is 50% cheaper than the Vanguard fund.
VBTLX ER 0.05%
FXNAX ER 0.025%

I believe you mean FZIPX in place of FZPIX - but for the OP - why not just FZROX in place of VTSAX (instead of FNILX and FZPIX). Far simpler and tracks VTSAX almost identically.

OP: if you are okay with ETFs look at iShares. ITOT for VTSAX, etc.

[SmileyFace]

Hello all. I use Fidelity for everything and wanted to buy into Vanguard funds as per advice.
The fee is $75 for each fund.
Does anyone else use Fidelity and pay this fee or alternatively, can anyone recommend Fidelity funds that are comparable to the 3 VTSAX, VTIAX and VBTLX funds?
Thank you in advance.

The equivalent Fidelity Funds are listed in the bogleheads wiki here:
https://www.bogleheads.org/wiki/Three-f ... head-style
(the iShares ETF equivalents I mentioned above are listed there as well)

[heyyou]

Just buy the store brand wherever you are shopping for index funds.

[ruralavalon]

Hello all. I use Fidelity for everything and wanted to buy into Vanguard funds as per advice.
The fee is $75 for each fund.
Does anyone else use Fidelity and pay this fee or alternatively, can anyone recommend Fidelity funds that are comparable to the 3 VTSAX, VTIAX and VBTLX funds?
Thank you in advance.

Don't use Vanguard funds, because of the $75 fee.

(3) Fidelity funds similar to specific Vanguard funds? - Bogleheads.org

[link formatted by admin LadyGeek]

Also see the wiki article Fidelity.

In an account at Fidelity you can used the similar Fidelity index funds, Vanguard ETFs, or BlackRock iShares ETFs.

[tfb]

Hello all. I use Fidelity for everything and wanted to buy into Vanguard funds as per advice.
The fee is $75 for each fund.

The fee used to be $75. It's $49.95 now.

[retired@50]

Hello all. I use Fidelity for everything and wanted to buy into Vanguard funds as per advice.
The fee is $75 for each fund.

The fee used to be $75. It's $49.95 now.

Even at $49.95, it's still very un-Boglehead to pay this much. Use Vanguard ETFs or Fidelity mutual funds and spend the $50 on something useful.

Regards,

[infotrader]

Hello all. I use Fidelity for everything and wanted to buy into Vanguard funds as per advice.
The fee is $75 for each fund.

The fee used to be $75. It's $49.95 now.

Even at $49.95, it's still very un-Boglehead to pay this much. Use Vanguard ETFs or Fidelity mutual funds and spend the $50 on something useful.

Regards,

I agree. It is very un-BH to do it.
Although I have a flagship account with Vanguard, I don't buy their MF anymore.
I still have 2 funds: about 100 dollars in VHCOX (capital opportunity, just in case I want to buy it again) and VGHAX (health care, I have been trying to replace it with VHT and PRHSX).
At Vanguard, I buy ishares, vanguard ETFs. At Fidelity, ishares, vanguard, and fidelity etfs.
I can basically close my vanguard account, but leave it for now since there are still a few things I want to buy in Vanguard that are not available at Fidelity or have very high initial minimum.

[Explorer]

Hello all. I use Fidelity for everything and wanted to buy into Vanguard funds as per advice.
The fee is $75 for each fund.

The fee used to be $75. It's $49.95 now.

When I tried to place an order for a VG mutual fund at Fido, it still shows $75 commission. What am I missing?

[UpperNwGuy]

Why would anybody pay money to buy a Vanguard mutual fund at Fidelity? That makes no sense.

Buy a Fidelity mutual fund, or buy a Vanguard ETF. A third option would be to buy an iShares ETF.

But don't buy a Vanguard mutual fund. They're not "better" than the other three alternatives.

[F150HD]

Some folks keep saying buy ETFs but many (most? all?) cannot buy ETFs in tax-deferred space at Fidelity despite all the suggestions to do so.

Maybe OP should differentiate between asking about taxable and tax deferred.

[rgs92]

I paid it for convenience a couple of times to buy some big chunks (hundreds of thousands of dollars) of VBIAX // vanguard balanced index fund admiral class.
There was no equivalent in Fidelity, and I liked the 7-basis=point ER. I liked it better than the Fidelity Freedom Index funds (though now I own some of these also).
You just don't want to make a habit of it.

[tfb]

Hello all. I use Fidelity for everything and wanted to buy into Vanguard funds as per advice.
The fee is $75 for each fund.

The fee used to be $75. It's $49.95 now.

When I tried to place an order for a VG mutual fund at Fido, it still shows $75 commission. What am I missing?

Sorry. Fidelity's fee for other transaction-fee funds is lowered to $49.95. I guess the fee for Vanguard funds is still $75.

[F150HD]

Hello all. I use Fidelity for everything and wanted to buy into Vanguard funds as per advice.
The fee is $75 for each fund.
Does anyone else use Fidelity and pay this fee or alternatively, can anyone recommend Fidelity funds that are comparable to the 3 VTSAX, VTIAX and VBTLX funds?
Thank you in advance.

SCV threads have discussed this issue before

viewtopic.php?p=4287264#p4287264

[infotrader]

Why would anybody pay money to buy a Vanguard mutual fund at Fidelity? That makes no sense.

Buy a Fidelity mutual fund, or buy a Vanguard ETF. A third option would be to buy an iShares ETF.

But don't buy a Vanguard mutual fund. They're not "better" than the other three alternatives.

I think that Vanguard is part of the BHness, so you need to buy Vanguard stuff no matter what.

[Chip]

Some folks keep saying buy ETFs but many (most? all?) cannot buy ETFs in tax-deferred space at Fidelity despite all the suggestions to do so.

Maybe OP should differentiate between asking about taxable and tax deferred.

????

Perhaps you're talking about 401ks? I'm pretty sure my regular IRAs at Fidelity are tax deferred and I own ETFs in them.

[UpperNwGuy]

Why would anybody pay money to buy a Vanguard mutual fund at Fidelity? That makes no sense.

Buy a Fidelity mutual fund, or buy a Vanguard ETF. A third option would be to buy an iShares ETF.

But don't buy a Vanguard mutual fund. They're not "better" than the other three alternatives.

I think that Vanguard is part of the BHness, so you need to buy Vanguard stuff no matter what.

I think you're right.

[tj]

Why would anybody pay money to buy a Vanguard mutual fund at Fidelity? That makes no sense.

Buy a Fidelity mutual fund, or buy a Vanguard ETF. A third option would be to buy an iShares ETF.

But don't buy a Vanguard mutual fund. They're not "better" than the other three alternatives.

I think that Vanguard is part of the BHness, so you need to buy Vanguard stuff no matter what.

I think you're right.

I think that's silly. You can be BH at several brokerages.

[ruralavalon]

Eleanor 852 has all accounts at Fidelity. So they should buy the best funds available there without extra transaction fees. So that would be Fidelity index funds, Vanguard ETFs or BlackRock iShares ETFs.

I personally do think that Vanguard has better funds, but also think that avoiding extra transaction fees is critical.

[UpperNwGuy]

Why would anybody pay money to buy a Vanguard mutual fund at Fidelity? That makes no sense.

Buy a Fidelity mutual fund, or buy a Vanguard ETF. A third option would be to buy an iShares ETF.

But don't buy a Vanguard mutual fund. They're not "better" than the other three alternatives.

I think that Vanguard is part of the BHness, so you need to buy Vanguard stuff no matter what.

I think you're right.

I think that's silly. You can be BH at several brokerages.

Of course. I engage in boglehead investing practices using accounts at Vanguard, Fidelity, and Schwab.

[backpacker61]

Just buy the store brand wherever you are shopping for index funds.

+1

[rkhusky]

Fidelity funds distribute capital gains. Most Vanguard funds do not. Should check to see whether tax costs out-weigh purchase fees.

[F150HD]

Some folks keep saying buy ETFs but many (most? all?) cannot buy ETFs in tax-deferred space at Fidelity despite all the suggestions to do so.

Maybe OP should differentiate between asking about taxable and tax deferred.

????

Perhaps you're talking about 401ks? I'm pretty sure my regular IRAs at Fidelity are tax deferred and I own ETFs in them.

????

workplace 457/403/401 seen comments on this board of folks having only access to funds, not ETFs

I do not have ETF access thru my workplace plan.

[prioritarian]

Some folks keep saying buy ETFs but many (most? all?) cannot buy ETFs in tax-deferred space at Fidelity despite all the suggestions to do so.

Maybe OP should differentiate between asking about taxable and tax deferred.

????

Perhaps you're talking about 401ks? I'm pretty sure my regular IRAs at Fidelity are tax deferred and I own ETFs in them.

????

workplace 457/403/401 seen comments on this board of folks having only access to funds, not ETFs

I do not have ETF access thru my workplace plan.

Fidelity pioneered "BrokerageLink" which allows people with 403bs, 401as, and 457bs to trade. If your governmental or non-profit organization does not allow "BrokerageLink", it's entirely their choice and increasingly rare (based on the many educators and profs who are friends or family).

[AerialWombat]

This is what prevents me from moving my Vanguard account to Fidelity. I do purchase VTEB in Fido, but there’s nothing else in the world exactly like VWITX and VWALX.

[ruralavalon]

Hello all. I use Fidelity for everything and wanted to buy into Vanguard funds as per advice.
The fee is $75 for each fund.
Does anyone else use Fidelity and pay this fee or alternatively, can anyone recommend Fidelity funds that are comparable to the 3 VTSAX, VTIAX and VBTLX funds?
Thank you in advance.

What type of accounts do you have at Fidelity (401k, traditional IRA, Roth IRA, taxable brokerage account, etc.)?

[F150HD]

Fidelity pioneered "BrokerageLink" which allows people with 403bs, 401as, and 457bs to trade. If your governmental or non-profit organization does not allow "BrokerageLink", it's entirely their choice and increasingly rare (based on the many educators and profs who are friends or family).

have used BLink for a few years, its awesome. Only funds are available to me. No ETFs. Maybe that will change in time, dunno.

Fido has a decent fund selection though so its not a huge issue to me currently.

Thanks.

[HomeStretch]

Hello all. I use Fidelity for everything and wanted to buy into Vanguard funds as per advice.
The fee is $75 for each fund.

The fee used to be $75. It's $49.95 now.

Is the $49.95 fee a recent change not yet reflected in Fidelity’s fee disclosure?

https://fundresearch.fidelity.com/mutua ... /922908728
Fidelity’s fee footnote for non-Fidelity funds says the fee for online purchases is either $49.95 or $75 then says to check the particular fund’s fee disclosure. VTSAX’s fee, linked above for example, is shown as $75. VBTLX fee is also disclosed as $75.

[tfb]

Hello all. I use Fidelity for everything and wanted to buy into Vanguard funds as per advice.
The fee is $75 for each fund.

The fee used to be $75. It's $49.95 now.

Is the $49.95 fee a recent change not yet reflected in Fidelity’s fee disclosure?

https://fundresearch.fidelity.com/mutua ... /922908728
Fidelity’s fee footnote for non-Fidelity funds says the fee for online purchases is either $49.95 or $75 then says to check the particular fund’s fee disclosure. VTSAX’s fee, linked above for example, is shown as $75. VBTLX fee is also disclosed as $75.

It's used to be $75 for all transaction-fee funds. Then it changed to $49.95 for some funds. I thought it was $49.95 for all funds. Apparently Vanguard funds are still $75.

[eldplanko]

Went through this recently with FIDO, if you go the vanguard ETF route, depending on how much the transaction is, make sure they don’t get you on the spread... a few cents on a big transaction quickly adds up to $75.

[prioritarian]

Fidelity pioneered "BrokerageLink" which allows people with 403bs, 401as, and 457bs to trade. If your governmental or non-profit organization does not allow "BrokerageLink", it's entirely their choice and increasingly rare (based on the many educators and profs who are friends or family).

have used BLink for a few years, its awesome. Only funds are available to me. No ETFs. Maybe that will change in time, dunno.

Fido has a decent fund selection though so its not a huge issue to me currently.

Thanks.

The decisions to only allow funds is not part of brokerage link per se. You may want to ask your HR/Retirement Benefits people to change this decision. (Note: I have even traded vehicles that use leverage in my 457b account which is kind of weird.)

[F150HD]

Fidelity pioneered "BrokerageLink" which allows people with 403bs, 401as, and 457bs to trade. If your governmental or non-profit organization does not allow "BrokerageLink", it's entirely their choice and increasingly rare (based on the many educators and profs who are friends or family).

have used BLink for a few years, its awesome. Only funds are available to me. No ETFs. Maybe that will change in time, dunno.

Fido has a decent fund selection though so its not a huge issue to me currently.

Thanks.

The decisions to only allow funds is not part of brokerage link per se. You may want to ask your HR/Retirement Benefits people to change this decision. (Note: I have even traded vehicles that use leverage in my 457b account which is kind of weird.)

tried that in past, to no avail. Now that one can buy partial ETF shares....maybe things will slowly change.

[prioritarian]

Fidelity pioneered "BrokerageLink" which allows people with 403bs, 401as, and 457bs to trade. If your governmental or non-profit organization does not allow "BrokerageLink", it's entirely their choice and increasingly rare (based on the many educators and profs who are friends or family).

have used BLink for a few years, its awesome. Only funds are available to me. No ETFs. Maybe that will change in time, dunno.

Fido has a decent fund selection though so its not a huge issue to me currently.

Thanks.

The decisions to only allow funds is not part of brokerage link per se. You may want to ask your HR/Retirement Benefits people to change this decision. (Note: I have even traded vehicles that use leverage in my 457b account which is kind of weird.)

tried that in past, to no avail. Now that one can buy partial ETF shares....maybe things will slowly change.

Things are definitely changing -- I know a lot of educators/academics who have recently seen Fidelty become their primary custodian specifically due to the availability of brokeragelink.