Updated September 28, 2026 · BrokerCue Editorial Team
Charles Schwab vs Deriv
Where Charles Schwab and Deriv differ
| Compare |  Charles Schwab |  Deriv |
|---|---|---|
| Minimum deposit | $0Lower | $5 |
| Inactivity fee | $0Lower | $25 |
| Markets | Stocks, ETFs, Options, Futures, Bonds, Funds | Stocks, ETFs, Forex, CFDs, Crypto, Bonds |
| Platforms | Thinkorswim, Schwab Mobile | Deriv MT5, Deriv Trader |
| Account fee | $0 | Not confirmed |
| Regulators | SIPC | Not confirmed |
| Investor protection | SIPC up to USD 500,000 | Not confirmed |
| Retail accounts that lose money | Not confirmed | 74% |
| Margin rate | 12.075% | Not confirmed |
| Options contract fee | $0.65 | Not confirmed |
| Account types | IRA, Roth IRA, Joint, Corporate | Not confirmed |
Same on both: Stock trade fee ($0).
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Key differences
- Charles Schwab scores higher overall: 9.0 vs 8.9.
- Minimum deposit is lower at Charles Schwab: $0 vs $5.
- Inactivity fee is lower at Charles Schwab: $0 vs $25.
- Markets: only Charles Schwab offers Options, Futures, Funds.
- Markets: only Deriv offers Forex, CFDs, Crypto.
- Platforms: only Charles Schwab offers Thinkorswim, Schwab Mobile.
- Platforms: only Deriv offers Deriv MT5, Deriv Trader.
- Support channels: only Charles Schwab offers Chat, Phone.
- Features: only Charles Schwab offers Fractional shares.
- Features: only Deriv offers Crypto.
Our verdict on each
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.
Deriv
Deriv suits beginners and day-traders who want a $0 stock trade fee, a $5 minimum deposit and a demo account to practise on. Most retail accounts here lose money, at 74%, so the cheap entry is not a reason to trade lightly.
Score breakdown
| Area | Charles Schwab | Deriv |
|---|---|---|
| Cost | 9.1HigherStock trades cost $0, the account fee is $0 and the inactivity fee is $0. Options contracts add $0.65. | 8.9An inactivity fee of $25 is the weak spot, against $0 at Vantage. |
| Offer | 9.5Higher | 8.9 |
| Trust | 8.6 | Not confirmed |
Licences and countries
| Country | Charles Schwab | Deriv |
|---|---|---|
| United States | SIPC SIPC member 16514 | Not confirmed |
What each covers
| Markets | Charles Schwab | Deriv |
|---|---|---|
| Stocks | Yes | Yes |
| ETFs | Yes | Yes |
| Forex | No | Yes |
| CFDs | No | Yes |
| Options | Yes | No |
| Futures | Yes | No |
| Crypto | No | Yes |
| Bonds | Yes | Yes |
| Funds | Yes | No |
How they place
| Ranking | Charles Schwab | Deriv |
|---|---|---|
| Stock and ETF brokers | 137 of 471 | 160 of 471 |
Every fact side by side
| Fact | Charles Schwab | Deriv |
|---|---|---|
| Features | Fractional shares, Demo account, Mobile app | Demo account, Mobile app, Crypto |
| Pricing model | Commission free | Commission free |
| Audience | Not confirmed | Day traders, Beginners |
| Legal entity | CHARLES SCHWAB & CO INC | Not confirmed |
| Headquarters | United States | Not confirmed |
| Support channels | Chat, Phone, Help centreCovers more | Help centre |
Robo-advisors
| Fact | Charles Schwab | Deriv |
|---|---|---|
| Management fee | 0% | Not confirmed |
| Minimum investment | $5,000 | Not confirmed |
| Portfolio types | ETF, Cash | Not confirmed |
Where each stands against the rest
| Fact | Charles Schwab | Deriv | Median |
|---|---|---|---|
| Minimum deposit | $0below the median | $5below the median | $25 |
| Stock trade fee | $0at the median | $0at the median | $0 |
| Account fee | $0at the median | Not confirmed | $0 |
| Inactivity fee | $0at the median | $25highest quarter | $0 |
| Retail accounts that lose money | Not confirmed | 74%above the median | 72.05% |
| Margin rate | 12.075%highest quarter | Not confirmed | 8.75% |
Median across 134 listed brokers.
Pros and cons
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
Deriv
Pros
- A single account covers stocks, etfs and forex, so no second broker is needed
- demo account, mobile app and crypto covers a demo account and a mobile app alongside Deriv Trader and Deriv MT5
- Built for beginners and day traders (day traders and beginners) rather than experienced traders only
Cons
- An inactivity fee of $25 applies to dormant balances, against $0 at Vantage
- Support runs on help centre only, with no phone line or live chat listed
- Deriv reports that 74% of retail accounts lose money, above the 70.15% site median
Who each suits
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
Deriv
Who it suits
- Beginners who want a demo account and a small minimum deposit before going live
- Day-traders who want stocks, etfs and forex in a single account
- Traders already comfortable with charting platforms, since Deriv MT5 is one of the platforms listed (Deriv MT5 and Deriv Trader)
Who should look elsewhere
- Anyone leaving money parked for long: Vantage lists an inactivity fee of $0
- Traders who want futures in the same account: the markets at eToro, stocks, etfs and forex, include them
- Traders who want the smallest possible entry: CFI lists a minimum deposit of $0
Country by country
| Country | Charles Schwab | Deriv |
|---|---|---|
| United States | Yes | No |
Questions about each
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.
Deriv
What does it cost to open a Deriv account?+
The minimum deposit is $5, so the account opens on a small balance. Stock trades are charged at $0, which sits inside a commission-free model, so no commission is added per trade. Beginners and day traders are the stated audience.
Will I be charged if my account sits idle?+
Yes. Deriv charges an inactivity fee of $25 on an account left unused, which is the main cost trap here. Vantage lists an inactivity fee of $0 by comparison, so a dormant balance is cheaper elsewhere. Move money you are not using rather than leaving it parked.
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