Compare
Fidelity vs Lightspeed
The same facts side by side. Swap a broker from the menu under its logo; the best value in each row is marked.
- Fidelity leads
- 3
- Lightspeed leads
- 4
- Level
- 2
Of 9 scored facts, Fidelity leads on 3, Lightspeed on 4, and 2 are level. Countries and the offer are not scored.
Head-to-head
The best value in each row is marked; rows where every broker matches carry no mark.| Fact |  Fidelity |  Lightspeed |
|---|---|---|
| Fee per contract | $0.65 per contract | $0.50 per contractBest |
| Fidelity, Buy to close at $0.65 or less costs $0 | Lightspeed, Web and mobile orders have a $1 minimum; other fees apply | |
| Exercise and assignment | FreeBest | $15 |
| Approval | Naked | Naked |
| Fidelity, Up to naked short options | Lightspeed, Up to naked short options | |
| 0DTE | Yes | Not published |
| Index options (SPX) | Yes | Yes |
| Options on futures | No | YesBest |
| Spreads in an IRA | Yes | Not published |
| Portfolio margin | Not published | Yes |
| Margin rate | 10.63% | 10.00%Best |
| Platforms | Web, Desktop, Mobile | Web, Desktop, Mobile, APIBest |
| Paper trading | Not published | Yes |
| 24/7 support | YesBest | No |
| Countries | US residents only | US and non-US residents (non-US needs $5,000; no country list) |
| QuantWheel | Sync-onlyBest | Not connected |
| Fidelity, Reads the account; you place the orders | ||
| Offer |
Facts from each broker's fee schedule and options agreement, checked 8 October 2026. Best marks the lowest cost or the widest allowance in a row.
The two brokers
One paragraph each.Fidelity$0.65 per contract · free exercise · naked
Fidelity opens options accounts for residents of the United States only. It charges $0.65 per contract (Buy to close at $0.65 or less costs $0). Exercise and assignment are free. It approves up to naked short options. It trades on Web, Desktop, Mobile. QuantWheel syncs positions and trades from the account and suggests; you place the orders at the broker.
Lightspeed$0.50 per contract · $15 per event · naked
Lightspeed opens options accounts for residents of the United States, among the 9 countries this directory covers. It charges $0.50 per contract (Web and mobile orders have a $1 minimum; other fees apply). Exercise and assignment cost $15 each. It approves up to naked short options. It trades on Web, Desktop, Mobile, API. It is not connected to QuantWheel.
What each costs for the way you trade
A year of fees from each broker's published prices, checked 7 and 8 October 2026.
- Fidelity$0.72 a trade, 0.6% of your premium
- $66 to $69 a year
- Lightspeed$3.70 a trade, 3.1% of your premium
- $355 a year
$286 to $289 a year less at Fidelity
Not counted because Lightspeed does not publish them: clearing fee, FINRA trading activity fee.
Estimates from published fees. Your broker statement can differ, and brokers change fees. A fee a broker does not publish is never counted as $0.
Questions people ask
Fidelity vs Lightspeed