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Broker Comparison

Ally Invest vs Charles Schwab

Compare Ally Invest and Charles Schwab side by side: fees, regulation, platforms.

Ally Invest

Ally Invest

DIY investors who also want managed portfolio options

Ally Invest combines self-directed trading with robo portfolios and personal advice, with $0 commissions on m…

VS
Charles Schwab

Charles Schwab

Investors who want brokerage, trading, and advice options

Charles Schwab combines $0 online listed stock and ETF commissions with thinkorswim platforms, fractional S&P…

Head-to-head comparison

Ally Invest vs Charles Schwab
Feature Ally Invest Charles Schwab
Minimum deposit No minimum deposit required for Self-Directed brokerage cash account; $2,000 for Self-Directed brokerage margin accounts; $100 for Robo Portfolios; $100,000 for Personal Advice —
Stock trading fee $0 commission $0 online commission for listed stocks and ETFs; US OTC equities $6.95
Regulators FINRA, SIPC, SEC SIPC, FDIC, CFTC, NFA
Best for DIY investors who also want managed portfolio options Investors who want brokerage, trading, and advice options
Markets & account
Stocks
ETFs
Forex
—
Crypto
—
Bonds
Options
Futures
—
Funds
Margin
Ready Made Portfolios
Fractional Shares
—
Money Market Funds
—
Demo Account
—

Pros & cons

Ally Invest

Ally Invest

Pros

  • $0 commissions on most U.S.-listed stocks and ETFs
  • $0 options commission with a $0.50 contract fee
  • $100 minimum for Ally Invest Robo Portfolios
  • Cash-enhanced Robo Portfolios have no advisory fee
  • Daily robo review and rebalancing at no extra fee
  • $75 ACAT transfer-fee credit on $2,500+ transfers
  • Apex adds up to $150 million aggregate excess coverage

Cons

  • $2,000 minimum deposit for Self-Directed margin accounts
  • $100,000 minimum assets for Personal Advice
  • Market-focused Robo Portfolios charge 0.30% annually
  • Low-priced securities cost $4.95 plus $0.01 per share
  • Personal Advice is available only to current customers
  • Withdrawals over 20% of Personal Advice account require a call
  • Robo ETF expense ratios are not included in advisory fee
Charles Schwab

Charles Schwab

Pros

  • $0 online listed stock and ETF commissions reduce trading costs
  • $0 brokerage opening, maintenance, and account minimums
  • Stock Slices let clients buy S&P 500 fractional shares from $5
  • paperMoney offers simulated trading on thinkorswim platforms
  • Schwab Intelligent Portfolios has no advisory fee or commissions
  • Treasuries trade online for $0 commission
  • Investor Checking has no monthly service or foreign transaction fees

Cons

  • Options carry a $0.65 per-contract fee
  • Broker-assisted stock and ETF trades add a $25 service charge
  • US OTC equities cost $6.95 online
  • Other mutual funds can cost up to $74.95 per purchase
  • Stock Slices are limited to S&P 500 companies
  • Day trading on thinkorswim requires margin approval and $25,000 equity
  • Futures and forex accounts are not protected by SIPC
  • Direct crypto cannot currently be traded in a Schwab brokerage account
Ally Invest

Ally Invest

Ally Invest combines self-directed trading with robo portfolios and personal advice, with $0 commissions on most U.S.-listed stocks and ETFs.

Visit Ally Invest Read review

Your capital is at risk. Other fees apply.

Charles Schwab

Charles Schwab

Charles Schwab combines $0 online listed stock and ETF commissions with thinkorswim platforms, fractional S&P 500 Stock Slices, and automated portfolios.

Visit Charles Schwab Read review

Your capital is at risk. Other fees apply.

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