Fidelity Solo 401k Review (2026)
Fidelity offers a full-featured Solo 401k with Roth contributions, industry-leading low costs, and zero-expense ratio funds - now matching most competitors on features.
Pricing Details
| Fee Type | Amount |
|---|---|
| Setup Fee | $0 |
| Annual Fee | $0 |
| Total First Year | $0 |
No setup, annual, or maintenance fees. Zero-expense ratio index funds available.
Pros and Cons
- Offers both Traditional and Roth contributions
- $0 trading fees for stocks, ETFs, and options
- Full range of investment options
- Accepts rollovers for backdoor Roth IRA strategies
- Zero-expense ratio index funds (FZROX, FZILX)
- Excellent research and educational resources
- Strong customer service reputation
- No participant loan provisions
- No after-tax contribution option
- Limited to Fidelity platform investments
User Sentiment Analysis
Top tier for "Basic" users. The addition of Roth removed the single largest complaint from the user base. The platform is praised for reliability, banking/brokerage integration, and high quality customer support.
Strategic Insights
- Zero-expense ratio index funds (FZROX, FZILX) provide an unmatched cost advantage for long-term compounding
- Now compliant with SECURE 2.0 mandatory Roth catch-up requirements for high earners over $150,000
- The zero-fee structure allows for maximum compounding—lack of loans is a trade-off for cost savings
Market Position
Fidelity has historically been the market leader in assets but lagged in feature parity due to the omission of Roth support. The 2026 update marks a pivotal shift—Fidelity now supports designated Roth contributions, addressing the SECURE 2.0 catch-up mandate and aligning with the broader market trend toward tax diversification.
Target Audience: Lean solopreneurs with under $250k in assets who invest primarily in public equities and want maximum simplicity
Watch Out For
- No participant loan provisions—if you need liquidity, E*TRADE is the better free option
- No Mega Backdoor Roth or after-tax contributions
- Cannot hold alternative investments like real estate or cryptocurrency
Feature Comparison
Compliance Notes
Does not prepare Form 5500-EZ; once assets exceed $250,000, you must file yourself or hire a CPA. This is a hidden cost of "free" plans.
Full Review
Fidelity's Self-Employed 401k combines simplicity, low costs, and now full Roth support for 2026. The addition of Roth contributions addresses the main limitation that previously held Fidelity back from being the top recommendation.
The standout feature remains Fidelity's zero-expense ratio index funds (FZROX for total US market, FZILX for international), which can significantly reduce your long-term investment costs. Combined with zero-commission trading for stocks, ETFs, and options, Fidelity offers one of the lowest-cost platforms available.
With both Traditional and Roth contribution options now available, Fidelity complies with the SECURE 2.0 Act's mandatory Roth catch-up requirements for high earners. This makes it a complete solution for most self-employed investors.
Fidelity does accept rollovers, which is important for investors looking to consolidate retirement accounts or execute backdoor Roth IRA strategies through their traditional IRA offerings.
The main limitation is the lack of participant loan provisions. If you need the ability to borrow from your plan, E*TRADE remains the better choice among free prototype plans. Fidelity also doesn't support after-tax contributions or alternative investments.
Key Features
- Traditional and Roth contributions
- Rollovers accepted (including after-tax for backdoor strategies)
- Zero-commission trading
- Zero-expense ratio index funds
- Robust research platform
- 24/7 customer support
Who Is This Best For?
Long-term investors who prioritize rock-bottom costs, excellent index funds, and want Roth options without needing loan provisions.
Last updated: January 13, 2026