For a small business owner starting a SEP IRA, which brokerage provides the easiest setup and best low-cost investment options?

For a small-business owner starting a SEP IRA, I’d put Fidelity first, with Charles Schwab a very close second.

My ranking

🥇 Fidelity — best overall for simplicity

Fidelity Investments is my pick if your priority is easy setup + very low-cost investing.

Fidelity says its SEP IRA has no account fees or minimum to open, can be opened online, and supports investments with as little as $1. You can choose your own investments, including a broad selection of mutual funds and ETFs.

The particularly nice part for a small-business owner is the digital setup and contribution process. Fidelity describes the SEP IRA as designed for self-employed people and businesses with typically up to four employees, with employer contributions handled online.

Cost-conscious investment approach: You could build a very inexpensive portfolio using broad-market Fidelity index funds or ETFs. You don't need to use Fidelity's managed service.

🥈 Charles Schwab — arguably the best alternative

Charles Schwab also has a $0 opening/maintenance fee and $0 minimum for SEP IRAs. It offers $0 online commissions for listed stocks and ETFs, plus a large selection of investment choices.

One advantage Schwab has is its 400+ physical branches and 24/7 phone support, which can matter if you'd rather have human assistance.

🥉 Vanguard — excellent investments, slightly less compelling for setup

Vanguard remains excellent if you specifically want Vanguard's low-cost index funds. Vanguard says there's no fee to establish a SEP IRA, and there is no IRS reporting requirement for the account itself.

However, for a new small-business owner, I'd favor Fidelity or Schwab because the overall account experience and support are more convenient.

One important consideration before you choose

If you're self-employed with no employees, don't automatically assume a SEP IRA is your best retirement plan. A Solo/Individual 401(k) can sometimes let an owner contribute substantially more because you can potentially contribute in both an employee and employer capacity. Fidelity, for example, explicitly distinguishes its self-employed 401(k) from its SEP IRA in this way.

So my practical recommendation is:

Fidelity SEP IRA → easiest choice for most small-business owners Schwab SEP IRA → equally compelling if you prefer Schwab Vanguard SEP IRA → excellent if you particularly want Vanguard funds Solo 401(k) → worth investigating if you're owner-only and want to maximize contributions

If you tell me (1) whether you have employees, (2) roughly how much you expect to contribute per year, and (3) whether you're an LLC, sole proprietor, S-corp, etc., I can tell you whether a SEP IRA or Solo 401(k) is likely to be better and give you a simple low-cost portfolio.

When setting up a SEP IRA for a small business, the top major brokerages—Fidelity, Charles Schwab , and Vanguard —all charge $0 setup and $0 annual maintenance fees for the baseline plan, and all offer access to low-cost index funds and ETFs ($0 online stock/ETF trades).

However, they differ noticeably in their user experience, digital onboarding, and administrative ease.

1. Fidelity (Best Overall for Ease of Setup)

• Setup & Fees: $0 setup fee, $0 annual fees.
• The Experience: Fidelity generally wins on modern digital infrastructure. Their online application process for a Fidelity SEP IRA is streamlined, highly intuitive, and quick to complete for sole proprietors or small teams.
• Investment Options: Access to thousands of $0-commission ETFs, individual stocks, bonds, and Fidelity's own zero-expense-ratio index funds (like FZROX).
• Why it stands out: If you want a smooth, guided digital onboarding experience without printing out heavy paperwork or dealing with clunky legacy interfaces, Fidelity is tough to beat.

2. Charles Schwab (Best for Low-Cost Variety & Support)

• Setup & Fees: $0 setup or maintenance fees.
• The Experience: Like Fidelity, a Charles Schwab SEP IRA has no hidden administrative or custodial costs. Schwab is widely praised for its exceptional phone customer support, which is helpful if you run into unique contribution-limit calculations or need a human to walk you through the initial adoption agreement (Form 5305-SEP).
• Investment Options: Excellent selection of low-cost Schwab index funds/ETFs and broad market access.

3. Vanguard (Best for Buy-and-Hold / Traditional Indexing)

• Setup & Fees: $0 setup fee, though Vanguard has historically charged small account service fees (around $25 annually) for accounts under a certain threshold unless you opt into electronic delivery.
• The Experience: Vanguard's interface is functional and straightforward, though historically more utilitarian than Fidelity's. It’s ideal if you intend to pick a target-date fund or broad Vanguard index funds and leave them alone for decades.
• Investment Options: The home of pioneer low-cost index investing, though trading non-Vanguard ETFs or specific equities can sometimes feel less tailored compared to Schwab or Fidelity.

The Verdict

• Go with Fidelity if your priority is the fastest, smoothest digital setup and zero-fee index funds.
• Go with Charles Schwab if you anticipate needing live phone support to help navigate setup questions.

Would you like help calculating employer contribution limits based on your business structure (sole proprietorship vs. S-corp), or do you have a specific number of employees you are planning for?

When setting up a SEP IRA for a small business, the major discount brokerages—Fidelity and Charles Schwab —stand out as the top choices. They offer $0 setup fees, $0 annual maintenance fees, and commission-free trading on stocks, ETFs, and a broad array of low-cost index funds.

The best options stack up as follows:

- **Why it's great:** Fidelity provides a remarkably streamlined digital onboarding experience for small business owners. They feature zero account minimums, zero maintenance fees, and a massive library of zero-expense-ratio or ultra-low-cost index funds (like FSKAX). If you want a completely hands-off approach, you can also plug employee or owner contributions into their automated **Fidelity Go** robo-advisor.
- **Get started:** Explore small business options directly through [Fidelity SEP IRA](https://google.com/goto?url=CAESYQHrOzAVo35R9oRvCWLR4ISd5Ar3ixzR5-YU89L_J7VGY7mqQqf6bAuP9cgElJE5etUPRjrSsTBJUutaSApFKNCjUS0sTKceziiFpUFKH2piVu1cPoOzd8hxY87lXlG2lPI).[[1]](https://google.com/goto?url=CAESUQHrOzAV789J-SX1weRFJIy8sOjPZE2C-P_0hw8RAbJW2FNCUtGXrezQAn41kOSxIs-OiVwl9T08rlitkJlDgsY8bW4_9LW1Y6ye_7xn3_9FJA)[[2]](https://google.com/goto?url=CAESYQHrOzAVo35R9oRvCWLR4ISd5Ar3ixzR5-YU89L_J7VGY7mqQqf6bAuP9cgElJE5etUPRjrSsTBJUutaSApFKNCjUS0sTKceziiFpUFKH2piVu1cPoOzd8hxY87lXlG2lPI)[[3]](https://google.com/goto?url=CAEScAHrOzAVy22ulfFVEtNQBSuadmpGw488kqfQ7_iDNoLZSI5J82swmSlXM3qFY23LJx4FMWm2GDQiuOx5cFRgfnRDG5ZabVBkYaChJwtV9syUjOcGuIpA5BaMIQpFeWb7-9iAxNT6VuTw6Gs0aFnWd5A)[[4]](https://google.com/goto?url=CAESUQHrOzAV789J-SX1weRFJIy8sOjPZE2C-P_0hw8RAbJW2FNCUtGXrezQAn41kOSxIs-OiVwl9T08rlitkJlDgsY8bW4_9LW1Y6ye_7xn3_9FJA)[[5]](https://google.com/goto?url=CAESewHrOzAVx91a5ZwrBGDcLkC0r3aDX-tlDtWAWJb26-VkiX19vaPBI0zQpbbEOkPGFSjSp1vlhKTsPLa0d6VJxWV7h91AhvM-BcgBmpqr-7549kDBM8bNuN3X2eXoLA8iG6ug7GKqWO3T6XzJKddOnnuvRX5dCQvFOfdWTg)

- **Why it's great:** Schwab matches Fidelity with $0 setup and annual fees, excellent customer service, and an intuitive platform interface. They offer robust tools and comprehensive screening capabilities if you prefer hand-picking ETFs or mutual funds for your portfolio.
- **Get started:** Review account capabilities via Charles Schwab IRA Accounts.[](https://google.com/goto?url=CAESWgHrOzAVbypbAyucz4Wca1YzcSWLB6bDKhtOfX-kqRihMN3ioJw854sTKaAcwpwQlHF0WxzDgHMRHPt6JtRI7fftNGggT5oxN4r86768vN_bkpP-qhrXI5fesg) [[1]](https://google.com/goto?url=CAESWgHrOzAVbypbAyucz4Wca1YzcSWLB6bDKhtOfX-kqRihMN3ioJw854sTKaAcwpwQlHF0WxzDgHMRHPt6JtRI7fftNGggT5oxN4r86768vN_bkpP-qhrXI5fesg)[[2]](https://google.com/goto?url=CAESUQHrOzAViuVXF4_38ESp47HCCMJh_3XBt_pe_5ZBzrGP0DT7tZeok53xV-XPoMyuzmGbaY6H-LeE-U_A3cMIp32RyYdEsUFkbiRnGPN4q3IaKg)[[3]](https://google.com/goto?url=CAEScAHrOzAVy22ulfFVEtNQBSuadmpGw488kqfQ7_iDNoLZSI5J82swmSlXM3qFY23LJx4FMWm2GDQiuOx5cFRgfnRDG5ZabVBkYaChJwtV9syUjOcGuIpA5BaMIQpFeWb7-9iAxNT6VuTw6Gs0aFnWd5A)[[4]](https://google.com/goto?url=CAESYgHrOzAVE-bjnxlnIC3VS0nYAHIa7M9PiF9k3Ewmhue1R7gFbGlALysl8SmL9X94Et1NEscsMCuRpray8Ziu23rxAyWUU17Mj-MBBScm2xSGrbigakE7WbzU5YCw4yrdhyIq)[[5]](https://google.com/goto?url=CAESaAHrOzAV_Y6ZWgkWbbYyVkvyAgjkpHBwTaPOhM-o6IYIdM0_vJLcrtrhcIO228oD-6w-jWMw0Jp5Sv0bp1eBCVsjm7M8sH5DUx97duCPYTnTxiN-a47pmyJLu_wv2FzXw79Qe9tFYlt9)

- **Context:** While historically popular for low-cost investing, Vanguard transitioned its small business institutional plan operations to Ascensus. For an easier, tightly integrated direct digital management experience under one roof, Fidelity or Schwab are generally smoother for day-to-day administration today.[](https://google.com/goto?url=CAEScAHrOzAVy22ulfFVEtNQBSuadmpGw488kqfQ7_iDNoLZSI5J82swmSlXM3qFY23LJx4FMWm2GDQiuOx5cFRgfnRDG5ZabVBkYaChJwtV9syUjOcGuIpA5BaMIQpFeWb7-9iAxNT6VuTw6Gs0aFnWd5A) [[1]](https://google.com/goto?url=CAEScAHrOzAVy22ulfFVEtNQBSuadmpGw488kqfQ7_iDNoLZSI5J82swmSlXM3qFY23LJx4FMWm2GDQiuOx5cFRgfnRDG5ZabVBkYaChJwtV9syUjOcGuIpA5BaMIQpFeWb7-9iAxNT6VuTw6Gs0aFnWd5A)[[2]](https://google.com/goto?url=CAESXAHrOzAV7oqoegOaLk2hixAlPjKVbozCAJraH9h_DmwtuJHAgkq9kxaB9rcFMcZoAGNQLwZvLIDLs7DHxtA79Ka6iD4d6i6EtLl_eocgbMdSEaTQ4Bke_oo4luc3)[[3]](https://google.com/goto?url=CAESaQHrOzAVWCEvHXdfI4DT64BWiCTWJOGvijbrOPlH-Nzqd0ZOyBC1gJIWWXNKiTAqy-tEu2ZGUuNQf2DNgdhmWjc9a5KRiJN1a7YLR9yb1CuXLHxCDEyG9laETAHe09-3mWMfaqWamWx-oA)

To help you narrow this down, could you share:

• Are you a solopreneur with no employees , or do you have employees who will need accounts too?
• Would you prefer a hands-off portfolio (robo-advisor) or to pick your own index funds/ETFs?

For a small-business owner, Fidelity is probably the best overall choice for a SEP IRA if your priorities are easy setup + very low-cost investments.

🥇 Fidelity — my pick

Fidelity specifically markets its SEP IRA as easy to maintain, with online setup and electronic contributions. There are no account minimums, and you can invest with as little as $1. It offers stocks, ETFs, mutual funds and target-date funds.

The standout for cost-conscious investors is Fidelity's ZERO index funds, which have 0.00% expense ratios. Fidelity also offers $0 online commissions for U.S. stocks and ETFs.

For a simple long-term portfolio, you could use a broad-market Fidelity index fund rather than paying an advisor.

🥈 Schwab — excellent alternative

Schwab also charges $0 to open and maintain a SEP IRA, has no account minimum, and offers a huge selection of ETFs and mutual funds. Its platform and customer support are particularly strong, including 24/7 support and physical branches.

One advantage over Fidelity is Schwab's 4,000+ no-load, no-transaction-fee mutual funds.

🥉 Vanguard

Vanguard remains attractive if you specifically want Vanguard's low-cost index funds and long-term investing philosophy. But for a new small-business owner, I'd generally favor Fidelity or Schwab because their platforms and investment flexibility are easier to navigate.

One important caveat

If you're self-employed with no employees, don't automatically assume a SEP IRA is the best retirement plan. An individual/Solo 401(k) can sometimes allow substantially more flexibility because it permits both employee and employer contributions. Fidelity's current comparison, for example, shows its self-employed 401(k) can have higher potential contributions than its SEP IRA.

Bottom line: If you want to open a SEP IRA today and keep things simple, I'd choose Fidelity. If you already use Schwab or value branch access/support, Schwab is an equally reasonable choice.

If you tell me roughly your annual self-employment income and whether you have employees, I can also compare SEP IRA vs. Solo 401(k) and show which would likely let you contribute more.

For most small business owners opening a SEP IRA, the best combination of easy setup + low-cost investing is usually:

🥇 Best overall: Fidelity Investments

Why it stands out:

• Very simple online setup and administration for SEP IRAs.
• No account fees or minimums to open.
• Excellent low-cost index fund lineup, including Fidelity ZERO funds with 0% expense ratios (where available).
• Good choice if you want to invest in: - Total U.S. stock market index funds
• S&P 500 index funds
• Target-date retirement funds
• ETFs
• Strong customer support and tools for a business owner who does not want retirement administration to become a project.

Good simple portfolio examples:

• One-fund approach: a low-cost target-date index fund
• Two-fund approach: total U.S. stock market + total international stock market
• Three-fund approach: U.S. stocks + international stocks + bonds

🥈 Best for pure low-cost index investing: Vanguard

Why choose Vanguard:

• Excellent reputation for low-cost investing.
• Its index ETFs and mutual funds are among the most widely used retirement investments.
• SEP IRA setup has no establishment fee.

Best fit: Someone who already knows they want a simple buy-and-hold Vanguard fund strategy.

🥉 Best if you want branch access or broader brokerage services: Charles Schwab Corporation

Why choose Schwab:

• Easy SEP IRA process.
• $0 online stock and ETF commissions.
• Good mutual fund and ETF selection.
• Helpful if you value local branches or already use Schwab for banking/investing.

Quick comparison

Fidelity finder.com Vanguard### My general pick

For a solo business owner or a small business with a few employees, I would typically start with Fidelity because it combines easy administration with very low-cost investments.

A few things that could change the recommendation:

• If you have employees, SEP IRA contribution rules may make the choice of provider more important.
• If you want to contribute a lot and you are the only employee, a Solo 401(k) may sometimes offer more flexibility than a SEP IRA.
• If you want a completely hands-off portfolio, a robo-advisor option may be worth comparing.

If you tell me whether you are a sole proprietor, LLC owner, S-corp owner, or have employees, I can narrow it down further.

When setting up a SEP IRA as a small business owner, the two gold standards that consistently deliver the easiest digital onboarding, $0 account fees , and access to top-tier low-cost investments are Fidelity and Charles Schwab.

Both brokerages handle SEP IRAs with zero setup fees, no annual maintenance fees, and commission-free online trading for stocks and ETFs. However, they differ slightly in their user experience and investment ecosystems.

Top Brokerage Recommendations

• Fidelity
  • Easiest Setup: Fidelity offers a streamlined, digital-first onboarding experience tailored for small business owners and self-employed individuals. Setting up the employer plan and generating the necessary IRS Form 5305-SEP documentation is intuitive and fast.
  • Low-Cost Options: $0 commissions on online U.S. stocks, ETFs, and thousands of mutual funds. Fidelity is famous for its zero-expense-ratio index funds (like FZROX), meaning you pay literally $0 in management fees for broad-market exposure.
  • Where to start: Learn more and initiate the plan via the Fidelity SEP IRA Overview.
• Charles Schwab
  • Easiest Setup: Schwab provides robust customer support (including 24/7 phone assistance) to walk you through the paperwork from start to finish. If you prefer a human touch or guided assistance over pure DIY digital setup, Schwab shines here.
  • Low-Cost Options: Excellent selection of low-expense proprietary index mutual funds and ETFs, alongside $0 commissions on online trades. They also feature top-rated retirement calculators and planning tools right inside the dashboard.
  • Where to start: Explore account details on the Charles Schwab IRA Accounts page.
• Vanguard
  • The Alternative: While Vanguard offers the absolute lowest-cost institutional and index funds, their small-business digital interface for setting up a brand-new SEP IRA has historically felt clunky and more "no-frills/paper-heavy" compared to Fidelity or Schwab. Great if you only intend to buy and hold Vanguard mutual funds forever, but a bit more friction during initial setup.

Summary Verdict

Go with Fidelity if you want the slickest, fastest 100% digital setup and true zero-fee index funds. Choose Charles Schwab if you anticipate needing phone support or extensive retirement planning guidance during setup.

To help narrow this down further, let me know:

• Are you a solopreneur with no employees, or do you have eligible staff you need to cover?
• Do you prefer investing mostly in simple index ETFs/funds , or do you want access to a robo-advisor feature?

For a small business owner launching a SEP IRA, Fidelity Investments and Charles Schwab stand out as the top-tier brokerages providing the easiest setup, $0 setup/maintenance fees , and access to industry-leading low-cost investments.

Top Brokerage Recommendations

• Fidelity Investments (Best Overall for Small Businesses)
  • Setup & Administration: Highly streamlined digital application process for small business retirement plans. There are $0 setup fees and $0 annual maintenance/administrative fees.
  • Investment Options: Complete commission-free trading on online U.S. stocks and ETFs. They also offer zero-expense-ratio index funds (like FZROX), making it arguably the lowest-cost place to keep your money fully invested without dragging fees.
  • Support: Excellent 24/7 customer service and robust small-business retirement calculators/tools.
• Charles Schwab (Best for Low-Cost Mutual Funds & Ecosystem)
  • Setup & Administration: Straightforward online application for SEP IRAs with $0 setup fees and $0 annual account fees.
  • Investment Options: Thousands of low-cost mutual funds and ETFs, including an expansive selection of no-transaction-fee mutual funds, plus $0 online equity commissions.
  • Support: Backed by robust educational resources and hundreds of physical U.S. branch locations if you prefer in-person guidance.
• Vanguard (Alternative Note)
  • While historically popular for self-employed low-cost index fund investing, Vanguard offloaded its small business retirement plan division. Setting up new small business plans has transitioned to partner platforms, making direct setup slightly less seamless than direct-to-consumer legacy giants like Fidelity or Schwab.

What to Look for in a SEP IRA Setup

When opening the account, remember these structural traits of a SEP IRA:

• No IRS Paperwork to Start: You adopt a IRS Model SEP (usually via a simple Form 5305-SEP provided by the broker), meaning no complex annual IRS filings are required by you as the employer.
• Individual Accounts: The business sets up the master plan, but each participating employee (and you) must open an individual traditional IRA under that umbrella to receive the employer contributions.

If you'd like to narrow this down further, let me know:

• Do you have employees , or is it an owner-only business?
• Do you prefer investing mostly in ETFs/Index Funds or Mutual Funds?

For a small-business owner or self-employed person, I’d put Fidelity first for a SEP IRA in 2026. It has the best combination of easy setup, no account minimums/fees, and very low-cost investment choices.

🥇 Fidelity — my pick

Fidelity's SEP IRA can be opened online in minutes, has no minimum to open and no account fees, and lets you invest in stocks, ETFs, bonds, mutual funds, and target-date funds.

The standout for cost-conscious investors is Fidelity's ZERO index funds, including its total-market and international funds, which have 0.00% expense ratios. Fidelity also offers $0 online commissions for U.S. stocks and ETFs.

So a very simple SEP portfolio could be built with low-cost broad-market index funds rather than paying an advisor.

🥈 Charles Schwab

Schwab is an excellent alternative, particularly if you value 24/7 phone support and physical branches. Its SEP IRA offering has no account-opening or annual maintenance fee, and Schwab offers $0 online stock/ETF commissions plus thousands of no-transaction-fee mutual funds.

🥉 Vanguard

Vanguard remains attractive if you specifically want Vanguard's index funds and ETFs. There's no fee to establish a SEP IRA, and you can hold Vanguard and non-Vanguard mutual funds/ETFs, stocks, CDs and bonds.

The drawback is that Fidelity and Schwab generally offer a more convenient overall brokerage experience and broader service options. Vanguard also lists a $20 annual account-service fee in its comparison, although certain accounts can avoid it.

Bottom line

I'd choose Fidelity unless you have a particular reason to prefer Schwab or Vanguard.

For a typical owner who wants to open the account quickly, pay essentially nothing to maintain it, and invest in diversified low-cost index funds, Fidelity is hard to beat.

One important wrinkle: a SEP IRA isn't necessarily the best retirement plan for every small-business owner. If you're a one-person business (or only employ your spouse), a Solo 401(k) can sometimes allow substantially more favorable contributions depending on your income. Fidelity offers both.

If you tell me (1) whether you're a sole proprietor/LLC/S-corp, (2) roughly how much you expect to earn, and (3) whether you have employees, I can compare SEP IRA vs. Solo 401(k) and show which would likely let you contribute the most.

For a small-business owner, Fidelity is probably the best overall choice for a SEP IRA if your priorities are easy setup + very low ongoing costs + broad investment choices.

🥇 Fidelity — my pick

Fidelity says its SEP IRA can be opened online in minutes, has no account minimum and no account fees, and supports electronic contributions. You can choose individual stocks, ETFs, mutual funds, and target-date funds yourself.

For a hands-off approach, Fidelity Go is also available: $0 advisory fee below $25,000, then 0.35% annually above that threshold.

The biggest practical advantage is that you can keep things extremely simple—for example, put the SEP money into a low-cost diversified index fund/ETF and automate contributions without paying a separate plan-administration fee.

🥈 Schwab — very close second

Schwab also charges $0 to open or maintain a SEP IRA, with a $0 minimum. www.schwab.com It offers $0 online stock/ETF commissions and a particularly broad selection of no-transaction-fee mutual funds.

One distinction: Schwab's SEP setup for businesses with employees involves completing plan documents, whereas a business with no employees can enroll online by uploading the signed documents.

🥉 Vanguard — excellent investments, slightly less compelling for convenience

Vanguard has no fee to establish a SEP IRA and lets you invest in Vanguard ETFs/mutual funds as well as outside funds, stocks, CDs and bonds.

I'd choose Vanguard primarily if you already like Vanguard's ecosystem and funds. For a first-time small-business owner who wants the least friction, I think Fidelity has the edge.

Bottom line: If I were opening a SEP IRA today and wanted the simplest low-cost solution, I'd choose Fidelity, then invest in a broadly diversified, low-expense-ratio index fund or ETF. Schwab would be my second choice.

One important caveat: if you're self-employed with no employees, a SEP IRA isn't necessarily the best retirement plan for you. A solo/individual 401(k) can sometimes let you contribute substantially more, particularly at lower business incomes, because you can contribute as both employee and employer. Fidelity itself offers a no-fee, no-minimum self-employed 401(k).

If you tell me (1) whether you have employees, (2) roughly how much your business earns, and (3) your age, I can compare SEP IRA vs. Solo 401(k) and show which would likely let you contribute the most while keeping costs low.

For a small business owner or self-employed individual starting a SEP IRA, the major discount brokerages—Fidelity, Charles Schwab , and Vanguard —all provide $0 setup fees, $0 annual maintenance fees , and commission-free online stock and ETF trading. However, they differ slightly in their setup experience and investment menus.

• Fidelity Investments
  • Setup Ease: Widely regarded as the best overall experience for small business owners. Fidelity offers a streamlined digital application process, clear online dashboard navigation, and robust 24/7 customer support to walk you through establishing the IRS Form 5305-SEP equivalent digitally.
  • Investment Options: Excellent. $0 commissions on online U.S. stocks and ETFs, thousands of no-transaction-fee mutual funds, and zero expense ratio index funds (via their ZERO series funds). It also integrates basic automated tools or robo-advisor features if you want a hands-off approach for a portion of the funds.
• Charles Schwab
  • Setup Ease: Very straightforward online application process for small businesses and sole proprietors. Schwab pairs its digital tools with physical branch access if you prefer a hybrid digital-and-human support model.
  • Investment Options: Top-tier low-cost choices. Offers $0 online trades for stocks, ETFs, and Schwab's own suite of low-cost index mutual funds and ETFs, alongside the extensive Mutual Fund OneSource service.
• Vanguard
  • Setup Ease: Vanguard pioneered low-cost index investing and is a classic choice for retirement accounts, though its small-business digital onboarding can feel a bit more traditional/stiff compared to Fidelity's modern interface.
  • Investment Options: Legendary for rock-bottom cost in-house index mutual funds and ETFs. Note that if you buy non-Vanguard mutual funds, you may encounter transaction fees, but for pure buy-and-hold index fund investors, the costs are minimal. (Keep in mind that Vanguard is slower to roll out specific features like newer SECURE 2.0 Roth SEP options.)

To help narrow down the ideal choice, do you have any employees , or is this an owner-only business ? (If it's just you, a Solo 401(k) might also be worth comparing depending on your income.)