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Broker Comparison

Charles Schwab vs Freetrade

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

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…

VS
Freetrade

Freetrade

Low-cost long-term investors

Freetrade is an investing platform with £0 dealing commissions, free ISA and SIPP access, stocks, ETFs, funds…

Head-to-head comparison

Charles Schwab vs Freetrade
Feature Charles Schwab Freetrade
Minimum deposit — —
Stock trading fee $0 online commission for listed stocks and ETFs; US OTC equities $6.95 £0 dealing commission per trade
Regulators SIPC, FDIC, CFTC, NFA FCA
Best for Investors who want brokerage, trading, and advice options Low-cost long-term investors
Markets & account
Stocks
ETFs
Forex
—
Crypto
Bonds
Options
—
Futures
—
Funds
Fractional Shares
Ready Made Portfolios
Money Market Funds
—
Margin
—
Demo Account
—
Isa
—
Sipp
—

Pros & cons

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
Freetrade

Freetrade

Pros

  • £0 dealing commission per trade
  • Basic plan has no monthly subscription fee
  • ISA and SIPP available on the £0 Basic plan
  • FX fees fall from 0.99% to 0.39% on Plus
  • US fractional shares support smaller orders
  • Cash earns 1% to 3.5% AER on plan-based limits
  • Recurring, limit and stop-loss orders are available
  • Eligible cash protection is listed up to £120,000

Cons

  • Basic FX fee is 0.99% on non-GBP trades
  • Standard costs £5.99 per month when billed monthly
  • Plus costs £11.99 per month when billed monthly
  • Fractional share elements cannot be transferred
  • Direct Debit cash is not usually withdrawable for 3 working days
  • Crypto ETNs are not protected by FSCS
  • Treasuries cannot be sold before maturity
  • Cash additions must be in pounds sterling
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.

Freetrade

Freetrade

Freetrade is an investing platform with £0 dealing commissions, free ISA and SIPP access, stocks, ETFs, funds, gilts, ready-made portfolios and Crypto ETNs.

Visit Freetrade Read review

Your capital is at risk. Other fees apply.

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