Charles Schwab vs Markets.com - BrokerCue
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Broker Comparison

Charles Schwab vs Markets.com

Compare Charles Schwab and Markets.com 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
Markets.com

Markets.com

CFD and forex traders

Markets.com is a multi-regulated CFD and forex broker offering over 2,200 instruments across forex, shares, i…

Head-to-head comparison

Charles Schwab vs Markets.com
Feature Charles Schwab Markets.com
Minimum deposit - -
Stock trading fee $0 online commission for listed stocks and ETFs; US OTC equities $6.95 -
Regulators SIPC, FDIC, CFTC, NFA CySEC, FSCA, ASIC, FSA
Best for Investors who want brokerage, trading, and advice options 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
Multi Currency
-

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
Markets.com

Markets.com

Pros

  • Regulated by CySEC, FSCA and ASIC
  • No commissions on trades - spread-only pricing
  • No deposit or broker withdrawal fees
  • Proprietary platform plus MetaTrader 4 and MetaTrader 5
  • Over 2,200 tradable instruments across multiple asset classes
  • Free demo account for practice trading
  • Negative balance protection for retail clients

Cons

  • FCA authorisation surrendered in 2025 - UK retail services including spread betting discontinued
  • Inactivity fee of 10 per month triggered after just 90 days
  • Spreads wider than ECN or STP competitors
  • No copy trading or social trading functionality
  • Demo account expires after 90 days of inactivity
  • No cTrader platform
  • No VPS service
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.

Markets.com

Markets.com

Markets.com is a multi-regulated CFD and forex broker offering over 2,200 instruments across forex, shares, indices, commodities, ETFs, crypto and bonds via its proprietary platform, MetaTrader 4 and MetaTrader 5.

Visit Markets.com Read review

Your capital is at risk. Other fees apply.

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