Updated September 29, 2026 · BrokerCue Editorial Team
Charles Schwab vs Plus500
Where Charles Schwab and Plus500 differ
| Compare |  Charles Schwab |  Plus500 |
|---|---|---|
| Markets | Stocks, ETFs, Options, Futures, Bonds, Funds | Stocks, ETFs, Forex, Options, Crypto |
| Regulators | SIPC | Financial Conduct Authority, Cyprus Securities and Exchange Commission |
| Investor protection | SIPC up to USD 500,000 | FSCS up to GBP 85,000 |
| Platforms | Thinkorswim, Schwab Mobile | Plus500 WebTrader, Plus500 Mobile App |
| Minimum deposit | $0 | Not confirmed |
| Stock trade fee | $0 | Not confirmed |
| Account fee | $0 | Not confirmed |
| Inactivity fee | $0 | Not confirmed |
| Retail accounts that lose money | Not confirmed | 81% |
| Margin rate | 12.075% | Not confirmed |
| Options contract fee | $0.65 | Not confirmed |
| Account types | IRA, Roth IRA, Joint, Corporate | Not confirmed |
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Key differences
- Plus500 scores higher overall: 9.4 vs 9.0.
- Regulators: only Charles Schwab offers SIPC.
- Regulators: only Plus500 offers Financial Conduct Authority, Cyprus Securities and Exchange Commission.
- Plus500 is licensed in 1 more country.
- Markets: only Charles Schwab offers Futures, Bonds, Funds.
- Markets: only Plus500 offers Forex, Crypto.
- Platforms: only Charles Schwab offers Thinkorswim, Schwab Mobile.
- Platforms: only Plus500 offers Plus500 WebTrader, Plus500 Mobile App.
- Support channels: only Charles Schwab offers Phone.
- Support channels: only Plus500 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.
Plus500
Plus500 suits UK and European retail traders who want one account covering stocks, etfs and forex in a single app. The UK arm is authorised by the Financial Conduct Authority, with FSCS up to GBP 85,000 behind UK balances and costs charged per trade rather than as a flat account fee.
Score breakdown
| Area | Charles Schwab | Plus500 |
|---|---|---|
| Cost | 9.1Stock trades cost $0, the account fee is $0 and the inactivity fee is $0. Options contracts add $0.65. | Not confirmed |
| Offer | 9.5Higher | 9.3 |
| Trust | 8.6 | 9.5Higher |
Availability and regulation
| Country | Charles Schwab | Plus500 |
|---|---|---|
| Cyprus | Not confirmed | |
| United Kingdom | Not confirmed | Financial Conduct Authority 509909 |
| United States | SIPC SIPC member 16514 | Not confirmed |
Feature by feature
| Markets | Charles Schwab | Plus500 |
|---|---|---|
| Stocks | Yes | Yes |
| ETFs | Yes | Yes |
| Forex | No | Yes |
| Options | Yes | Yes |
| Futures | Yes | No |
| Crypto | No | Yes |
| Bonds | Yes | No |
| Funds | Yes | No |
Where they rank in our lists
| Ranking | Charles Schwab | Plus500 |
|---|---|---|
| Stock and ETF brokers | 137 of 471 | 57 of 471 |
| Options trading platforms | 50 of 103 | 15 of 103 |
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
Plus500
- 500affiliates.com: 4 facts, checked September 26, 2026
- plus500.com: 4 facts, checked September 26, 2026
Every fact side by side
| Fact | Charles Schwab | Plus500 |
|---|---|---|
| Features | Fractional shares, Demo account, Mobile appCovers more | Demo account, Mobile app |
| Pricing model | Commission free | Not confirmed |
| Legal entity | CHARLES SCHWAB & CO INC | Plus500UK Ltd |
| Headquarters | United States | Not confirmed |
| Support channels | Chat, Phone, Help centre | Chat, Email, Help centre |
Robo-advisors
| Fact | Charles Schwab | Plus500 |
|---|---|---|
| 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 | Plus500 | Median |
|---|---|---|---|
| Minimum deposit | $0below the median | Not confirmed | $25 |
| Stock trade fee | $0at the median | Not confirmed | $0 |
| Account fee | $0at the median | Not confirmed | $0 |
| Inactivity fee | $0at the median | Not confirmed | $0 |
| Retail accounts that lose money | Not confirmed | 81%highest quarter | 72.05% |
| Margin rate | 12.075%highest quarter | Not confirmed | 8.75% |
Median across 134 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
Plus500
Pros
- Costs are charged per trade, with no account fee listed
- UK protection stands at FSCS up to GBP 85,000
- One account spans stocks, etfs and forex in the same app
Cons
- Losses run high at 81% of retail accounts
- Support runs on chat, email and help centre only, with no phone line
- Retail loss of 81% tops the site median of 70.15%
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
Plus500
Who it suits
- UK retail traders wanting one app for several asset classes
- First-time traders who can practise on the demo account
- Traders who prefer one platform over several brokers
Who should look elsewhere
- Long-term investors wanting ISA or SIPP style accounts
- Traders wanting CFDs or futures, absent from stocks, etfs and forex
- Traders who want a phone line rather than chat, email and help centre
Country by country
| Country | Charles Schwab | Plus500 |
|---|---|---|
| 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.
Plus500
What does Plus500 cost to trade?+
Plus500 charges per trade rather than a flat account fee, and no account fee is listed for the brand. Retail loss figures sit high at 81%, so costs per trade matter more than an annual charge.
Is Plus500 regulated in the UK?+
Yes. The UK arm trades as Plus500UK Ltd and is authorised by the Financial Conduct Authority under 509909. A Cyprus entity is separately authorised by the Cyprus Securities and Exchange Commission under 250/14.
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