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Broker Comparison

Charles Schwab vs IG

Compare Charles Schwab and IG 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
IG

IG

Active CFD and forex traders

IG is a CFD-focused broker with forex, shares, ETFs, crypto, options and futures, plus web, Android and third…

Head-to-head comparison

Charles Schwab vs IG
Feature Charles Schwab IG
Minimum deposit — —
Stock trading fee $0 online commission for listed stocks and ETFs; US OTC equities $6.95 US share CFDs: 2 cents per share, $15 minimum online; UK share CFDs: 0.10%, £10 minimum online; Hong Kong share CFDs: 0.18%, HKD50 minimum online; Euro share CFDs: 0.10%, €10 minimum online
Regulators SIPC, FDIC, CFTC, NFA BMA
Best for Investors who want brokerage, trading, and advice options Active CFD and forex traders
Markets & account
Stocks
ETFs
Forex
CFDs
—
Crypto
Bonds
Options
Futures
Funds
—
Fractional Shares
—
Ready Made Portfolios
—
Money Market Funds
—
Margin
Demo Account
Business Account
—

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
IG

IG

Pros

  • No minimum balance for a CFD trading account
  • Free demo account with $20,000 virtual funds
  • Lower minimum deal sizes for the first 6 weeks
  • No commission to close listed options positions
  • Futures positions have no overnight funding fees
  • Extended hours on over 90 key US stocks
  • Weekend trading on selected indices, FX pairs and crypto

Cons

  • 0.8% FX conversion fee on non-base-currency CFD trades
  • 2.3% third-party card processor charge
  • US share CFDs have a $15 minimum online commission
  • UK share CFDs have a £10 minimum online commission
  • Daily overnight funding applies to overnight CFD positions
  • $40/month ProRealTime fee unless conditions are met
  • Monthly fees can apply for exchange stock feeds
  • Demo trades exclude slippage, interest and dividend adjustments
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.

IG

IG

IG is a CFD-focused broker with forex, shares, ETFs, crypto, options and futures, plus web, Android and third-party platforms.

Visit IG Read review

Your capital is at risk. Other fees apply.

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