Updated September 28, 2026 · BrokerCue Editorial Team
AvaTrade vs Charles Schwab
Where AvaTrade and Charles Schwab differ
| Compare | AvaTrade ReviewSee alternativesSee alternatives |  Charles Schwab |
|---|---|---|
| Minimum deposit | $100 | $0Lower |
| Inactivity fee | $50 | $0Lower |
| Markets | Stocks, ETFs, Forex, CFDs, Options, Crypto, Bonds | Stocks, ETFs, Options, Futures, Bonds, Funds |
| Platforms | MetaTrader 4, MetaTrader 5, AvaTradeGO, WebTrader | Thinkorswim, Schwab Mobile |
| Account fee | Not confirmed | $0 |
| Regulators | Not confirmed | SIPC |
| Investor protection | Not confirmed | SIPC up to USD 500,000 |
| Margin rate | Not confirmed | 12.075% |
| Options contract fee | Not confirmed | $0.65 |
| Deposit and withdrawal fees | No deposit or withdrawal fees | Not confirmed |
| Account types | Not confirmed | IRA, Roth IRA, Joint, Corporate |
Same on both: Stock trade fee ($0).
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Key differences
- AvaTrade scores higher overall: 9.2 vs 9.0.
- Minimum deposit is lower at Charles Schwab: $0 vs $100.
- Inactivity fee is lower at Charles Schwab: $0 vs $50.
- Markets: only AvaTrade offers Forex, CFDs, Crypto.
- Markets: only Charles Schwab offers Futures, Funds.
- Platforms: only AvaTrade offers MetaTrader 4, MetaTrader 5, AvaTradeGO.
- Platforms: only Charles Schwab offers Thinkorswim, Schwab Mobile.
- Features: only AvaTrade offers Copy trading.
- Features: only Charles Schwab offers Fractional shares.
Our verdict on each
AvaTrade
AvaTrade is a commission-free CFD and forex broker for traders who want no deposit or withdrawal charges and free stock dealing, and who can start at a minimum deposit of $100. The catch is an inactivity fee of $50 on dormant accounts, so this suits active traders rather than occasional investors.
Charles Schwab
Charles Schwab suits investors who want a wide US market range at a low running cost, with $0 on stock trades and an account fee of $0. It is less suited to those who want forex, CFDs or crypto on the same account.
Score breakdown
| Area | AvaTrade | Charles Schwab |
|---|---|---|
| Cost | 8.7Stock dealing costs $0 with no deposit or withdrawal fees, offset by an inactivity fee of $50. | 9.1HigherStock trades cost $0, the account fee is $0 and the inactivity fee is $0. Options contracts add $0.65. |
| Offer | 9.8Higher | 9.5 |
| Trust | Not confirmed | 8.6 |
Feature by feature
| Markets | AvaTrade | Charles Schwab |
|---|---|---|
| Stocks | Yes | Yes |
| ETFs | Yes | Yes |
| Forex | Yes | No |
| CFDs | Yes | No |
| Options | Yes | Yes |
| Futures | No | Yes |
| Crypto | Yes | No |
| Bonds | Yes | Yes |
| Funds | No | Yes |
What we checked
AvaTrade
- forexsuggest.com: 4 facts, checked September 26, 2026
- tradingcritique.com: 4 facts, checked September 26, 2026
Charles Schwab
- schwab.com: 9 facts, checked September 26, 2026
- sipc.org: 3 facts, checked September 26, 2026
- moneysmart.hk: 2 facts, checked September 26, 2026
- bankrate.com: 1 fact, checked September 26, 2026
- public.com: 1 fact, checked September 26, 2026
How they place
| Ranking | AvaTrade | Charles Schwab |
|---|---|---|
| Stock and ETF brokers | 89 of 471 | 137 of 471 |
| Options trading platforms | 31 of 103 | 50 of 103 |
Every fact side by side
| Fact | AvaTrade | Charles Schwab |
|---|---|---|
| Features | Demo account, Mobile app, Copy trading | Fractional shares, Demo account, Mobile app |
| Pricing model | Commission free | Commission free |
| Legal entity | Not confirmed | CHARLES SCHWAB & CO INC |
| Headquarters | Not confirmed | United States |
| Support channels | Not confirmed | Chat, Phone, Help centre |
Robo-advisors
| Fact | AvaTrade | Charles Schwab |
|---|---|---|
| Management fee | Not confirmed | 0% |
| Minimum investment | Not confirmed | $5,000 |
| Portfolio types | Not confirmed | ETF, Cash |
Where each stands against the rest
| Fact | AvaTrade | Charles Schwab | Median |
|---|---|---|---|
| Minimum deposit | $100above the median | $0below the median | $25 |
| Stock trade fee | $0at the median | $0at the median | $0 |
| Account fee | Not confirmed | $0at the median | $0 |
| Inactivity fee | $50highest quarter | $0at the median | $0 |
| Margin rate | Not confirmed | 12.075%highest quarter | 8.75% |
| Options contract fee | Not confirmed | $0.65above the median | $0.625 |
Median across 134 listed brokers.
Pros and cons
AvaTrade
Pros
- Stock dealing is free, with a stock trade fee of $0
- No deposit or withdrawal fees, so funding and getting money out cost nothing
- A demo account, a mobile app and copy trading are all offered
Cons
- Dormant accounts attract an inactivity fee of $50
- The minimum deposit of $100 is higher than the site median of €4.64
- Copy trading sits well below the site average of 9.6%
Charles Schwab
Pros
- Stock trades cost $0 and there is an account fee of $0, so holding a balance costs nothing to keep open
- No inactivity charge either, with an inactivity fee of $0, so an unused account is not billed
- Markets run stocks, etfs and options, which covers shares, exchange traded funds, options, futures, bonds and funds in one place
Cons
- Options contracts carry a fee of $0.65 each, so a derivative trade costs more than the $0 charged on a stock trade
- The listed markets are stocks, etfs and options, and forex, contracts for difference and crypto are not among them
- Support runs on chat, phone and help centre, and email is not among those channels
Who each suits
AvaTrade
Who it suits
- Traders who keep an account active and want free deposits and withdrawals
- Anyone who wants to trade forex, CFDs, options and crypto in one place
- Copy traders who want to follow other people's positions as well as run their own
Who should look elsewhere
- Investors who need a tax-sheltered investment account
- Anyone who would leave a balance sitting untouched for long periods
- CFI or Vantage suit people who want a lower starting deposit
Charles Schwab
Who it suits
- Investors buying US shares and exchange traded funds who care about what each trade costs
- Retirement savers who want tax-advantaged accounts next to a taxable account
- Fractional share investors building a position gradually with small monthly amounts
Who should look elsewhere
- Anyone wanting forex, contracts for difference or crypto, where eToro lists stocks, etfs and forex against Schwab's stocks, etfs and options
- Traders who want a per contract derivative fee waived, since options cost $0.65 here
- Investors starting a managed portfolio with less than the $5,000 the service asks for
Country by country
| Country | AvaTrade | Charles Schwab |
|---|---|---|
| United States | No | Yes |
Questions about each
AvaTrade
What does it cost to trade stocks at AvaTrade?+
Stock dealing carries a stock trade fee of $0, and pricing is commission-free, so there is no separate dealing commission layered on top. Other costs are thinner too: funding an account carries no deposit fee.
What is the smallest amount needed to open an account?+
The minimum deposit is $100. That sits above the site median of €4.64 and above the lower quartile of €0, so it is a higher starting bar than many brokers on the site.
Charles Schwab
How much does it cost to trade stocks at Charles Schwab?+
Stock trades cost $0, and there is no account charge on top, with the account fee at $0. Trading is commission free, so the cost of a buy or sell is not driven by a per trade ticket. Options are the exception, priced at $0.65 per contract.
Is there an inactivity fee if I leave my account empty?+
The inactivity fee is $0, so an unused brokerage account is not billed for sitting still. That keeps a dormant account free to hold, which matters if you fund once and add to it occasionally. The same applies to the account fee, which is $0.
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