Updated September 29, 2026 · BrokerCue Editorial Team
Charles Schwab vs FBS
Where Charles Schwab and FBS differ
| Compare |  Charles Schwab |  FBS |
|---|---|---|
| Minimum deposit | $0Lower | $5 |
| Markets | Stocks, ETFs, Options, Futures, Bonds, Funds | Stocks, ETFs, Forex, CFDs, Metals |
| Regulators | SIPC | Cyprus Securities and Exchange Commission |
| Investor protection | SIPC up to USD 500,000 | EU ICS up to EUR 20,000 |
| Platforms | Thinkorswim, Schwab Mobile | MetaTrader 4, MetaTrader 5 |
| Retail accounts that lose money | Not confirmed | 66.43% |
| EUR/USD spread | Not confirmed | 0.5% |
| Margin rate | 12.075% | Not confirmed |
| Options contract fee | $0.65 | Not confirmed |
| Deposit and withdrawal fees | Not confirmed | Free |
| Account types | IRA, Roth IRA, Joint, Corporate | Not confirmed |
Same on both: Stock trade fee ($0), Account fee ($0), Inactivity fee ($0).
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Key differences
- FBS scores higher overall: 9.1 vs 9.0.
- Regulators: only Charles Schwab offers SIPC.
- Regulators: only FBS offers Cyprus Securities and Exchange Commission.
- Minimum deposit is lower at Charles Schwab: $0 vs $5.
- Markets: only Charles Schwab offers Options, Futures, Bonds.
- Markets: only FBS offers Forex, CFDs, Metals.
- Platforms: only Charles Schwab offers Thinkorswim, Schwab Mobile.
- Platforms: only FBS offers MetaTrader 4, MetaTrader 5.
- Support channels: only Charles Schwab offers Chat.
- Support channels: only FBS offers Email.
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.
FBS
Fbs Partners suits readers who want a plain, low cost picture from a firm regulated by the Cyprus Securities and Exchange Commission: the account fee is $0 and the stock trade fee is $0. The EUR/USD spread of 0.5% and the retail loss rate of 66.43% are the figures to weigh before funding.
Score breakdown
| Area | Charles Schwab | FBS |
|---|---|---|
| Cost | 9.1Stock trades cost $0, the account fee is $0 and the inactivity fee is $0. Options contracts add $0.65. | 9.3Higher |
| Offer | 9.5Higher | 9.3 |
| Trust | 8.6 | 8.8Higher |
Feature by feature
| Markets | Charles Schwab | FBS |
|---|---|---|
| Stocks | Yes | Yes |
| ETFs | Yes | Yes |
| Forex | No | Yes |
| CFDs | No | Yes |
| Options | Yes | No |
| Futures | Yes | No |
| Bonds | Yes | No |
| Funds | Yes | No |
| Metals | No | Yes |
Where each is licensed and available
| Country | Charles Schwab | FBS |
|---|---|---|
| Cyprus | Not confirmed | |
| United States | SIPC SIPC member 16514 | Not confirmed |
What we checked
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
FBS
- investing.com: 10 facts, checked September 26, 2026
- fbs.eu: 7 facts, checked September 26, 2026
- en.wikipedia.org: 1 fact, checked September 26, 2026
How they place
| Ranking | Charles Schwab | FBS |
|---|---|---|
| Stock and ETF brokers | 129 of 490 | 101 of 490 |
| Low-fee brokers | 11 of 11 | 10 of 11 |
Every fact side by side
| Fact | Charles Schwab | FBS |
|---|---|---|
| Features | Fractional shares, Demo account, Mobile appCovers more | Demo account, Mobile app |
| Pricing model | Commission free | Commission free |
| Audience | Not confirmed | Beginners |
| Legal entity | CHARLES SCHWAB & CO INC | Tradestone Limited |
| Headquarters | United States | Cyprus |
| Founded | Not confirmed | 2009 |
| Support channels | Chat, Phone, Help centre | Email, Phone, Help centre |
Robo-advisors
| Fact | Charles Schwab | FBS |
|---|---|---|
| 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 | FBS | Median |
|---|---|---|---|
| Minimum deposit | $0below the median | $5below the median | $10 |
| Stock trade fee | $0at the median | $0at the median | $0 |
| Account fee | $0at the median | $0at the median | $0 |
| Inactivity fee | $0at the median | $0at the median | $0 |
| Retail accounts that lose money | Not confirmed | 66.43%below the median | 70.375% |
| EUR/USD spread | Not confirmed | 0.5%below the median | 0.6% |
Median across 99 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
FBS
Pros
- An account regulated by the Cyprus Securities and Exchange Commission: Cyprus Securities and Exchange Commission licenses Tradestone Limited under 331/17, so the contract has a named entity behind it.
- The stock trade fee is $0 on a commission free model, so dealing in the shares and ETFs inside stocks, etfs and forex carries no ticket charge.
- The inactivity fee is $0, so a dormant balance is not quietly drained by account charges.
Cons
- The EUR/USD spread of 0.5% is the charge that lands on every forex and CFD trade, so currency traders feel it more than the flat fees suggest.
- The minimum deposit of $5 sits above CFI's $0, so readers who want the smallest opening balance have a lower floor elsewhere.
- The market list stocks, etfs and forex leaves out crypto and futures, which eToro covers in stocks, etfs and forex.
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
FBS
Who it suits
- Beginners opening a new trading account: the minimum deposit is $5 and the account fee is $0.
- Readers who hold shares and ETFs alongside forex: stocks, etfs and forex covers that mix on the same account.
- European readers who want a Cyprus regulated firm: Cyprus Securities and Exchange Commission licenses the entity behind the brand.
Who should look elsewhere
- Readers who want the smallest possible opening balance: CFI takes $0.
- Readers who need crypto or futures in the same account: eToro lists stocks, etfs and forex, and those lines sit outside stocks, etfs and forex.
- Readers who want crypto added to a forex, CFD, stock, ETF and metals mix: Vantage covers forex, cfds and stocks.
Country by country
| Country | Charles Schwab | FBS |
|---|---|---|
| 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.
FBS
What does it cost to run an account at Fbs Partners?+
The account fee is $0, the stock trade fee is $0 and the inactivity fee is $0, so nothing is charged for holding the account, dealing in shares or leaving a balance idle. Deposits and withdrawals carry no charge either. What remains on a forex or CFD trade is the spread, quoted at 0.5% on EUR/USD.
How much does the EUR/USD spread cost in practice?+
The EUR/USD spread is 0.5%. On a currency pair that spread is the dealer's charge for opening and closing, so it lands on every position rather than on a ticket line. The stock trade fee of $0 and the account fee of $0 sit alongside it, which makes the spread the number to size positions around.