Fidelity Active Trader Pro – The Ultimate Desktop Platform for Active Stock Traders
Fidelity Active Trader Pro is a robust, professional desktop trading platform built specifically for active investors and day traders. Offered exclusively to Fidelity customers at no additional cost, this platform delivers institutional-grade tools typically reserved for professional trading desks. With its advanced charting packages, real-time streaming market data, and integrated research ecosystem, Active Trader Pro empowers you to execute complex strategies, analyze market movements in depth, and manage your portfolio with precision—all from a single, customizable interface.
What is Fidelity Active Trader Pro?
Fidelity Active Trader Pro is a downloadable desktop application that transforms your computer into a professional trading workstation. It's not a simple web portal or mobile app; it's a comprehensive platform designed for high-volume, active market participants who need speed, depth, and control. The platform consolidates real-time quotes, advanced technical analysis, news, research, and order execution into multiple, fully customizable windows and workspaces. It connects directly to your Fidelity brokerage account, providing a seamless bridge between deep market analysis and immediate trade execution, making it a cornerstone tool for serious stock market traders.
Key Features of Fidelity Active Trader Pro
Advanced Charting and Technical Analysis
Access over 115 technical studies and drawing tools on highly customizable charts. Create multi-chart layouts, compare symbols, and backtest trading ideas with ease. The charting engine supports various timeframes and chart types (candlestick, bar, line) essential for detailed technical analysis and strategy development.
Real-Time Streaming Quotes and Market Data
Receive NASDAQ Level II quotes, real-time time & sales data, and dynamic option chains to see the full market depth and order flow. This real-time streaming is critical for day traders and scalpers who make decisions based on live bid/ask spreads and trading volume.
In-Depth Integrated Research and Screeners
Leverage powerful stock, ETF, and mutual fund screeners with hundreds of filters. Access exclusive Fidelity equity research reports, analyst ratings, and earnings data directly within the platform, allowing for fundamental analysis without switching between applications.
Customizable Trading Layouts and Hotkeys
Design multiple trading workspaces tailored to different strategies (e.g., one for scanning, one for charting, one for order entry). Program keyboard hotkeys for lightning-fast order entry, cancellation, and modification, drastically improving execution speed for active trading.
Directed Trading and Advanced Order Types
Route orders directly to specific market centers (like ARCA or NASDAQ) for potential price improvement. Utilize advanced conditional and bracket orders to automate entry and exit strategies, including OTO (One-Triggers-Other) and OCO (One-Cancels-Other) orders for sophisticated risk management.
Who Should Use Fidelity Active Trader Pro?
This platform is ideal for active retail traders, including day traders, swing traders, and technically-focused investors who execute multiple trades per week or month. It's perfect for traders who rely heavily on chart patterns, technical indicators, and real-time data to inform their decisions. While powerful, it has a steeper learning curve than Fidelity's basic website or mobile app, making it best suited for users with some trading experience who are ready to leverage professional tools. It is less ideal for casual, buy-and-hold investors who only check their portfolios occasionally.
Fidelity Active Trader Pro Pricing and Free Tier
One of the most significant advantages of Fidelity Active Trader Pro is its pricing: it is completely free for all Fidelity brokerage customers who meet certain activity thresholds, which are relatively easy to attain for active traders (like executing a minimum number of trades per year). There are no monthly subscription fees, platform access fees, or hidden costs for the software itself. Real-time market data packages are also provided at no extra charge when you maintain a minimum account balance or trading activity. This makes it an exceptionally cost-effective solution for traders seeking professional-grade tools without the high fees associated with platforms like Bloomberg Terminal or Thomson Reuters Eikon.
Common Use Cases
- Day trading stocks and ETFs with real-time Level II data and hotkeys
- Swing trading using advanced technical analysis and multi-timeframe charting
- Screening for potential trade opportunities with fundamental and technical filters
- Managing complex multi-leg options strategies with dynamic options chains
Key Benefits
- Eliminates costly platform fees, providing professional tools at zero extra cost
- Increases trade execution speed and precision with customizable layouts and direct order routing
- Enhances market analysis with integrated real-time data, news, and proprietary Fidelity research
- Improves risk management through advanced conditional and bracket order types
Pros & Cons
Pros
- Completely free for qualifying Fidelity customers with no subscription fees
- Offers institutional-grade features like NASDAQ Level II and directed trading
- Highly customizable interface with multiple monitor support
- Integrates powerful research and screening tools directly into the trading workflow
Cons
- Only available to customers with a Fidelity brokerage account
- Desktop-only application requires download and installation
- Steeper learning curve compared to basic web-based trading platforms
- Can be resource-intensive on older computer hardware
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Fidelity Active Trader Pro free to use?
Yes, Fidelity Active Trader Pro is free for eligible Fidelity brokerage customers. There is no monthly subscription fee for the platform itself. Eligibility typically requires executing a minimum number of trades in a rolling 12-month period, which most active traders will easily meet.
Is Fidelity Active Trader Pro good for day trading?
Absolutely. It is one of the best free platforms for day trading stocks. Its real-time streaming quotes (including Level II data), fast order execution with hotkeys, and advanced charting are specifically designed for the speed and analysis required by active day traders in the stock market.
Can I use Active Trader Pro on a Mac?
Fidelity Active Trader Pro is natively built for Windows. However, Mac users can run it using virtualization software like Parallels Desktop or VMware Fusion, which allows the Windows application to operate on macOS. Fidelity does not offer a native macOS version.
How does Active Trader Pro compare to Thinkorswim or TradeStation?
Active Trader Pro holds its own as a powerful, free alternative. While Thinkorswim (from TD Ameritrade, now Charles Schwab) is renowned for its charting and paper trading, and TradeStation for its advanced automation, Active Trader Pro excels by offering professional features like directed trading and integrated Fidelity research at no cost, making it a top-tier choice for cost-conscious active traders.
Conclusion
Fidelity Active Trader Pro stands out as a premier tool for the active stock market trader seeking professional-grade capabilities without the professional price tag. By offering advanced charting, real-time market data, directed trading, and sophisticated order types entirely for free, Fidelity provides a compelling advantage. While it requires a Fidelity account and has a learning curve, for traders who meet the activity requirements, it represents an unparalleled value proposition in the retail trading space. If you are an active trader looking to elevate your analysis and execution within a single, powerful desktop environment, downloading and mastering Fidelity Active Trader Pro should be a top priority.