Updated October 13, 2026 · BrokerCue Editorial Team
Bestinvest vs Charles Schwab
Facts checked September 26, 2026.
Where Bestinvest and Charles Schwab differ
| Compare |  Bestinvest |  Charles Schwab |
|---|---|---|
| Stock trade fee | £4.95 | $0 |
| Markets | Stocks, ETFs, Funds | Stocks, ETFs, Options, Futures, Bonds, FundsCovers more |
| Platforms | Mobile app | Thinkorswim, Schwab Mobile |
| Account types | ISA, SIPP, Jisa | IRA, Roth IRA, Joint, Corporate |
| Minimum deposit | Not confirmed | $0 |
| Account fee | Not confirmed | $0 |
| Inactivity fee | Not confirmed | $0 |
| Regulators | Not confirmed | SIPC |
| Investor protection | Not confirmed | SIPC up to USD 500,000 |
| Currency conversion fee | 0.95% | Not confirmed |
| Margin rate | Not confirmed | 12.075% |
| Options contract fee | Not confirmed | $0.65 |
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Key differences
- Markets: only Charles Schwab offers Options, Futures, Bonds.
- Platforms: only Bestinvest offers Mobile app.
- Platforms: only Charles Schwab offers Thinkorswim, Schwab Mobile.
- Account types: only Bestinvest offers ISA, SIPP, Jisa.
- Account types: only Charles Schwab offers IRA, Roth IRA, Joint.
- Support channels: only Charles Schwab offers Chat.
- Features: only Charles Schwab offers Fractional shares, Demo account.
- Pricing model: only Bestinvest offers Low fees.
- Pricing model: only Charles Schwab offers Commission free.
Our verdict on each
Bestinvest
Bestinvest is an online investment platform known for pairing wide investment choice with expert coaching and planning tools. It suits newcomers and steady investors who want ISAs, pensions and junior accounts with clear guidance while they shape long term goals.
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 | Bestinvest | Charles Schwab |
|---|---|---|
| Cost | 8.2 | 9.1HigherStock trades cost $0, the account fee is $0 and the inactivity fee is $0. Options contracts add $0.65. |
| Offer | 8.9 | 9.5Higher |
| Trust | 9.7Higher | 8.6 |
Availability and regulation
| Country | Bestinvest | Charles Schwab |
|---|---|---|
| United States | Not confirmed | SIPC SIPC member 16514 |
Additional countries for Bestinvest: 1. Additional countries for Charles Schwab: 1.
What each covers
| Markets | Bestinvest | Charles Schwab |
|---|---|---|
| Stocks | Yes | Yes |
| ETFs | Yes | Yes |
| Options | No | Yes |
| Futures | No | Yes |
| Bonds | No | Yes |
| Funds | Yes | Yes |
| Account types | Bestinvest | Charles Schwab |
|---|---|---|
| ISA | Yes | No |
| SIPP | Yes | No |
| IRA | No | Yes |
| Roth IRA | No | Yes |
| Joint | No | Yes |
| Corporate | No | Yes |
| Jisa | Yes | No |
Positions in our rankings
| Ranking | Bestinvest | Charles Schwab |
|---|---|---|
| Stock and ETF brokers | 249 of 471 | 137 of 471 |
| Investment platforms and apps | 53 of 86 | 28 of 86 |
| Robo-advisors | 101 of 151 | 52 of 151 |
What we checked
Bestinvest
- bestinvest.co.uk: 12 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
Every fact side by side
| Fact | Bestinvest | Charles Schwab |
|---|---|---|
| Features | Mobile app | Fractional shares, Demo account, Mobile appCovers more |
| Pricing model | Low fees | Commission free |
| Audience | Beginners | Not confirmed |
| Legal entity | Evelyn Partners Investment Management Services Limited | CHARLES SCHWAB & CO INC |
| Headquarters | United Kingdom | United States |
| Founded | 1986 | Not confirmed |
| Support channels | Phone, Help centre | Chat, Phone, Help centreCovers more |
Robo-advisors
| Fact | Bestinvest | Charles Schwab |
|---|---|---|
| Management fee | 0% to 0.4% | 0% |
| Minimum investment | £50 | $5,000 |
| Portfolio types | ETF, ESG, CashCovers more | ETF, Cash |
Where each stands against the rest
| Fact | Bestinvest | Charles Schwab | Median |
|---|---|---|---|
| Minimum deposit | Not confirmed | $0below the median | $25 |
| Account fee | Not confirmed | $0at the median | $0 |
| Inactivity fee | Not confirmed | $0at the median | $0 |
| Currency conversion fee | 0.95%highest quarter | Not confirmed | 0.45% |
| 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
Bestinvest
Pros
- Operates with over 40 years of experience dating back to 1986.
- Offers expert coaching and smart planning tools alongside investment choice.
- Covers more than 3,000 shares and funds plus ETFs and investment trusts.
Cons
- Management of investments happens online and through the mobile app.
- Ready-made Portfolios are built and managed by the parent company teams.
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
Bestinvest
Who it suits
- New investors wanting coaching with investment choice
- Parents arranging junior ISAs and pensions for children
- Planners using ISAs and SIPPs for long term goals
Who should look elsewhere
- Traders seeking face to face branch service
- Investors wanting fully independent portfolio management
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 | Bestinvest | Charles Schwab |
|---|---|---|
| United Kingdom | Yes | No |
| United States | No | Yes |
Questions about each
Bestinvest
Which accounts does Bestinvest provide?+
Bestinvest provides ISAs, Self-invested Personal Pensions, a general investment account without annual limits, and junior versions for children. You can hold Ready-made Portfolios inside these accounts or select your own investments. The range supports goals from daily investing to retirement and childhood saving.
Who runs Bestinvest and its Ready-made Portfolios?+
Bestinvest has helped investors make the most of their money since 1986, building over 40 years of experience. Its Ready-made Portfolios are built and managed by expert teams at its parent company Evelyn Partners. That relationship gives hands off investors professional portfolio management within the platform.
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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