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Broker Comparison

AvaTrade vs Charles Schwab

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

AvaTrade

AvaTrade

Forex and multi-asset CFD traders

AvaTrade is a multi-asset CFD and forex broker founded in 2006, regulated across multiple jurisdictions, offe…

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

AvaTrade vs Charles Schwab
Feature AvaTrade Charles Schwab
Minimum deposit - -
Stock trading fee Commission-free via CFDs; spread applies $0 online commission for listed stocks and ETFs; US OTC equities $6.95
Regulators CBI, ASIC, JFSA, FSCA, ADGM FRSA, CIRO, BVI FSC SIPC, FDIC, CFTC, NFA
Best for Forex and multi-asset CFD traders Investors who want brokerage, trading, and advice options
Markets & account
Stocks
ETFs
Forex
CFDs
-
Crypto
Bonds
Options
Futures
Margin
Demo Account
Funds
-
Fractional Shares
-
Ready Made Portfolios
-
Money Market Funds
-

Pros & cons

AvaTrade

AvaTrade

Pros

  • Regulated by CBI, ASIC, JFSA, FSCA, ADGM FRSA, CIRO, and BVI FSC across multiple jurisdictions
  • Commission-free trading on CFD and forex instruments
  • No deposit or withdrawal fees
  • Free demo account with $100,000 virtual funds and no time limit
  • Wide platform choice including MT4, MT5, WebTrader, AvaTradeGO, AvaOptions, and TradingView
  • Vanilla FX options trading via dedicated AvaOptions platform
  • Copy trading available via DupliTrade and AvaSocial
  • Islamic swap-free accounts available

Cons

  • $50 per quarter inactivity fee after 3 months of dormancy is high relative to competitors
  • $100 annual administration fee after 12 months of inactivity
  • No real stock ownership - equities are traded as CFDs only
  • EUR/USD spread of around 0.9 pips is above the industry average for standard accounts
  • Bitcoin spread notably higher than industry average
  • Not available to US residents
  • UK entity in supervised run-off - no new UK retail clients accepted
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
AvaTrade

AvaTrade

AvaTrade is a multi-asset CFD and forex broker founded in 2006, regulated across multiple jurisdictions, offering 1,250+ instruments on MT4, MT5, WebTrader, and proprietary apps.

Visit AvaTrade 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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