Updated September 28, 2026 · BrokerCue Editorial Team
Charles Schwab vs Plum
Where Charles Schwab and Plum differ
| Compare |  Charles Schwab |  Plum |
|---|---|---|
| Minimum deposit | $0 | £2 |
| Stock trade fee | $0 | £0 |
| Account fee | $0 | £0 |
| Markets | Stocks, ETFs, Options, Futures, Bonds, FundsCovers more | Stocks, ETFs, Funds |
| Regulators | SIPC | Financial Conduct Authority |
| Investor protection | SIPC up to USD 500,000 | FSCS up to GBP 85,000 |
| Platforms | Thinkorswim, Schwab Mobile | Mobile app |
| Account types | IRA, Roth IRA, Joint, Corporate | ISA, SIPP, Lisa |
| Inactivity fee | $0 | Not confirmed |
| Margin rate | 12.075% | Not confirmed |
| Options contract fee | $0.65 | Not confirmed |
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Key differences
- Charles Schwab scores higher overall: 9.0 vs 8.9.
- Regulators: only Charles Schwab offers SIPC.
- Regulators: only Plum offers Financial Conduct Authority.
- Markets: only Charles Schwab offers Options, Futures, Bonds.
- Platforms: only Charles Schwab offers Thinkorswim, Schwab Mobile.
- Platforms: only Plum offers Mobile app.
- Account types: only Charles Schwab offers IRA, Roth IRA, Joint.
- Account types: only Plum offers ISA, SIPP, Lisa.
- Support channels: only Charles Schwab offers Chat, Phone.
- Support channels: only Plum 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.
Plum
Plum is a UK app aimed at beginners who want to start small and pay nothing to hold or trade. Stocks, ETFs and funds sit behind fractional shares, the account fee is £0 and the minimum deposit is £2, so small amounts can be put to work in a SIPP, ISA or LISA.
Score breakdown
| Area | Charles Schwab | Plum |
|---|---|---|
| Cost | 9.1Stock trades cost $0, the account fee is $0 and the inactivity fee is $0. Options contracts add $0.65. | 9.3HigherStock dealing is £0, the account fee is £0 and management fees run 0.15% to 0.6% on portfolios. |
| Offer | 9.5Higher | 8.9 |
| Trust | 8.6Higher | 8.5 |
Where they rank in our lists
| Ranking | Charles Schwab | Plum |
|---|---|---|
| Stock and ETF brokers | 137 of 471 | 168 of 471 |
| Investment platforms and apps | 28 of 86 | 34 of 86 |
| Robo-advisors | 52 of 151 | 67 of 151 |
Licences and countries
| Country | Charles Schwab | Plum |
|---|---|---|
| United States | SIPC SIPC member 16514 | Not confirmed |
Where these facts come from
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
Plum
- withplum.com: 10 facts, checked September 26, 2026
- finextra.com: 3 facts, checked September 26, 2026
- find-and-update.company-information.service.gov.uk: 2 facts, checked September 26, 2026
Every fact side by side
| Fact | Charles Schwab | Plum |
|---|---|---|
| Features | Fractional shares, Demo account, Mobile appCovers more | Fractional shares, Mobile app |
| Pricing model | Commission free | Commission free |
| Audience | Not confirmed | Beginners |
| Legal entity | CHARLES SCHWAB & CO INC | Plum Fintech Limited |
| Headquarters | United States | United Kingdom |
| Founded | Not confirmed | 2016 |
| Support channels | Chat, Phone, Help centre | Email, Help centre |
Robo-advisors
| Fact | Charles Schwab | Plum |
|---|---|---|
| Management fee | 0%Lower | 0.15% to 0.6% |
| Minimum investment | $5,000 | £1 |
| Portfolio types | ETF, Cash | ETF, Cash |
Where each stands against the rest
| Fact | Charles Schwab | Plum | Median |
|---|---|---|---|
| Inactivity fee | $0at the median | Not confirmed | $0 |
| Margin rate | 12.075%highest quarter | Not confirmed | 8.75% |
| Options contract fee | $0.65above the median | Not confirmed | $0.625 |
Median across 38 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
Plum
Pros
- Stock trades cost £0 and the account fee is £0, so holding and dealing carry no charge.
- The account opens from £2 and the smallest investment is £1, which suits small regular amounts.
- Fractional shares on a Mobile app let a small sum hold part of a share rather than a whole one.
Cons
- Support runs on email and help centre only, so an urgent question waits for a written answer.
- The market list is stocks, etfs and funds and portfolio types run to etf and cash, so the account is narrow beside a full trading platform.
- The minimum deposit of £2 ranks 89 of 213, and CFI lists a minimum deposit of $0.
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
Plum
Who it suits
- Beginners who want a SIPP, ISA or LISA going from a first deposit of £2.
- Investors who want to pick their own shares and are content with portfolio types of etf and cash.
- Readers who care most about the cost of a trade, since dealing is £0 and the account fee is £0.
Who should look elsewhere
- Anyone wanting a lower floor than the £2 minimum, since CFI lists a minimum deposit of $0.
- Readers comparing purely on dealing costs, since eToro also charges $0 for a stock trade.
- People who want to fund from a higher starting amount: Vantage lists a minimum deposit of $5.
Country by country
| Country | Charles Schwab | Plum |
|---|---|---|
| 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.
Plum
How much does it cost to use Plum?+
Stock trades cost £0 and the account fee is £0, so there is no dealing charge and no annual subscription to pay. The cost that can appear is the management fee of 0.15% to 0.6% on portfolios, which applies to the managed side rather than to every account. On the cost of holding and dealing, Plum sits at the cheap end of the field.
Is Plum regulated, and is my money protected?+
Plum is regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority, and the account is held with Plum Fintech Limited. The stated investor protection is FSCS up to GBP 85,000, which is the compensation available if the firm cannot pay a valid claim. That is the standard UK arrangement for a firm holding investments, and it is the part to check before depositing.
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