Jeremy Biberdorf
By: Jeremy Biberdorf
Jan 11, 2024

Fidelity Active Trader Pro Review 2024

Jeremy Biberdorf
By: Jeremy Biberdorf
Jan 11, 2024

Disclosure

Disclosure: This page may contain affiliate links. This means we earn a small commission (at no additional cost to you) if you purchase a product through our links.
Disclosure: This page may contain affiliate links. This means we earn a small commission (at no additional cost to you) if you purchase a product through our links.
Fidelity Active Trader Pro logo

1.5/5

1.5 rating based on 5 ratings

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In a Nutshell: Fidelity Active Trader Pro is a trading platform offered by Fidelity Investments, tailored for active and advanced traders. This comprehensive review examines its functionalities, usability, and how it compares to other trading platforms.

We dive into the nuances of Active Trader Pro, exploring its features and whether it aligns with the demands of modern trading strategies, especially for those who trade frequently.

Service TypeFees
Trading PlatformFree for Fidelity Users

What is Fidelity Active Trader Pro?

Fidelity Active Trader Pro is a trading platform designed to meet the needs of active traders. It offers a range of advanced features including real-time analytics, customizable charting tools, and direct market access. The platform is available on both PC and Mac and is tailored to provide a dynamic trading experience with robust tools for market analysis, trade execution, and portfolio management.

Fidelity positions Active Trader Pro as a competitive tool in the fast-paced world of online trading, aiming to cater to both seasoned traders and those who are becoming more actively involved in managing their investments.

Pros & Cons
Pros
  • Free to all Fidelity customers with a robust set of features.
  • Advanced charting capabilities with over 100 technical indicators.
  • Direct access to Fidelity’s research and educational resources.
Cons
  • Limited to Fidelity customers, lacking broad accessibility.
  • User interface feels outdated compared to modern platforms.
  • No web or mobile version, limiting accessibility on the go.
  • Lacks comprehensive hotkey functions for rapid trading.
  • No paper trading capability for strategy testing.
  • Some traders may find necessary features missing.

Pricing & Plans

Fidelity Active Trader Pro is available for free to all Fidelity customers. There are no initial costs or ongoing subscription fees for downloading or using the platform. It comes enabled with free real-time quotes and level 2 quotes, making it an economically appealing option for Fidelity customers.

Is Fidelity Active Trader Worth it?

Limited Accessibility and User Interface Concerns

The platform is exclusive to Fidelity customers, which limits its accessibility to a broader audience. The user interface, while functional, may seem outdated compared to newer trading platforms, potentially impacting the user experience.

Lack of Versatility and Mobility

The absence of a web or mobile version restricts the platform’s use to desktop environments, hindering traders who prefer to monitor markets or trade on the move.

Feature Limitations

While Fidelity Active Trader Pro offers a range of tools, it lacks some advanced functionalities such as comprehensive hotkey capabilities and paper trading, which are critical for many active traders.

Reasons to Avoid Fidelity Active Trader Pro

Given its limited accessibility, dated interface, and lack of certain key features, Fidelity Active Trader Pro might not be the best choice for traders seeking a more versatile, modern, and comprehensive trading platform. Its constraints in terms of accessibility and advanced features make it less appealing, especially for non-Fidelity customers or those who prioritize mobile trading.

Negative Experiences With the Platform

I was reading through some Reddit reviews of Active Trader Pro, and this one in particular caught my attention:

“I use Active Trader Pro on a daily basis on a MacBook Pro and it is undeniably the worst application I have ever used. Not just the worst financial app, but of any app, period. The UI is unreliable, buggy, incredibly slow, and frequently freezes and crashes. I’ve had it get so locked up that I couldn’t even kill ATP off using Macs “Force Quit” option. I’ve legitimately had to restart my laptop just to get it to function again. As an app from a company that has the resources and prestige of Fidelity ATP is a massive disappointment.
It seems even with the latest updates ATP has only gotten worse over time. At this point, I am starting to get so fed up with it that as I roll out of positions I am seriously considering starting to transfer all my funds out of Fidelity and moving on to a new brokerage firm. I am sure none of this comes as surprise as ATPs failure to support Macs is widely known and talked about. I struggle to understand how a company like Fidelity continues to deliver such a dismal application to clients. The only explanation I can think of is that Fidelity either just does not care or has major lack of technical expertise in applications development, both conclusions are equally concerning. Does Fidelity have any current roadmap to produce a version of ATP that is meaningfully improved to what is currently available?”

This may have you considering an alternative option. Luckily, there are many that I have reviewed and recommended. Keep reading to learn more.

Alternatives to Fidelity Active Trader Pro

1. Seeking Alpha

Seeking Alpha logo

Seeking Alpha offers a platform combining extensive research tools with a community-driven approach, ideal for investors seeking in-depth analyses and diverse market opinions. Discover more about the Seeking Alpha by reading my full review.

Benefits

  • Comprehensive stock and ETF research.
  • Community insights and expert opinions.
  • Advanced portfolio management tools.
  • Real-time news and market analysis.

Services Overview

Seeking Alpha stands out with its crowd-sourced analysis, offering a wealth of information on stocks, ETFs, and market trends. Its advanced tools help investors make informed decisions.

Company Background

Founded in 2004, Seeking Alpha has grown into a leading platform for investment research. It is known for its unique blend of user-generated content and expert financial analysis.
Learn More About Seeking Alpha

2. TradingView

TradingView logo

TradingView combines advanced charting tools with a social network for traders, making it a preferred choice for those who value community insights alongside technical analysis. Read my TradingView review for a closer look at all the details.

Benefits

  • Real-time data and global market coverage.
  • Advanced charting and analysis tools.
  • Collaborative community of traders.
  • Customizable interface with multiple timeframes.

Services Overview

TradingView offers a versatile platform with a range of chart types and technical indicators. Its social networking aspect allows traders to share insights and strategies.

Company Background

Launched by the creators of MultiCharts, TradingView is a cloud-charting and social networking software that has gained popularity among traders for its comprehensive analysis tools and vibrant community.
Learn More About TradingView

3. Trade Ideas

Trade Ideas logo

Trade Ideas provides AI-driven market analysis, catering to traders who prefer automated insights and real-time data for making trading decisions. Check out my detailed review of Trade Ideas for a deeper analysis of the platform.

Benefits

  • AI-powered stock scanning and analysis.
  • Real-time market insights.
  • Advanced analytical tools combining traditional and AI methods.
  • User-friendly interface with customization options.

Services Overview

Established in 2003, Trade Ideas offers a platform focused on stock scanning, automated trading, and AI-enhanced market analysis, primarily for the US and Canadian markets.

Company Background

Trade Ideas has been at the forefront of integrating AI technology in stock market analysis. It’s designed for traders who need rapid and comprehensive market insights.
Learn More About Trade Ideas

4. Bookmap

Bookmap logo

Bookmap specializes in day trading with a focus on real-time market data visualization, offering tools for a deep understanding of market liquidity and trends. I have a full review of Bookmap if you are interested in learning more.

Benefits

  • Unique real-time data visualization tools.
  • In-depth market analysis features.
  • One-click trading functionality.
  • Comprehensive market data from multiple providers.

Services Overview

Bookmap is designed for day traders, providing a detailed view of market dynamics with innovative visualization tools like volume dots and price levels, aiding in informed trading decisions.

Company Background

Launched in 2014, Bookmap was developed by a team combining trading expertise and software development skills. It focuses on providing traders with real-time market insights.
Learn More About Bookmap

Final Thoughts

Fidelity Active Trader Pro, with a rating of 1.5/5, falls short in meeting the diverse needs of today’s traders, especially when compared to some other platforms. These alternatives offer more advanced, user-friendly, and versatile features, catering to a wide range of trading styles and preferences.

Frequently Asked Questions

It’s more suited for beginners or Fidelity customers but may not meet the needs of advanced traders requiring more sophisticated tools.

No, it lacks a mobile version, restricting its use to desktop environments.

Yes, it provides real-time data, but the platform’s other limitations might overshadow this feature.

The platform is free for Fidelity customers, with no additional costs for use.

It does not offer paper trading capabilities, limiting the ability to test strategies without risk.

While it offers advanced charting tools, some users may find the interface outdated compared to more modern platforms.

Its interface and functionalities are more beginner-friendly compared to some advanced platforms.

Integration capabilities are limited, primarily focusing on Fidelity’s own tools and resources.

Fidelity offers reliable customer support, but the platform may lack specific technical support offered by specialized trading platforms.

While updates occur, the platform may not evolve as rapidly as other trading platforms in the market.

Jeremy Biberdorf

About the Author:

Jeremy Biberdorf is the founder of Modest Money. He’s a father of 2 beautiful girls, a dog owner, a long-time online entrepreneur and an investing enthusiast.