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Broker Comparison

Charles Schwab vs Robinhood

Compare Charles Schwab and Robinhood 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
Robinhood

Robinhood

Crypto users and derivative stock-token traders

Robinhood combines stock tokens, crypto, staking, wallet services, and crypto perpetual futures under a Bank …

Head-to-head comparison

Charles Schwab vs Robinhood
Feature Charles Schwab Robinhood
Minimum deposit — —
Stock trading fee $0 online commission for listed stocks and ETFs; US OTC equities $6.95 —
Regulators SIPC, FDIC, CFTC, NFA BOL
Best for Investors who want brokerage, trading, and advice options Crypto users and derivative stock-token traders
Markets & account
Stocks
ETFs
Forex
—
Crypto
Bonds
—
Options
—
Futures
Funds
—
Fractional Shares
—
Ready Made Portfolios
—
Money Market Funds
—
Margin
Demo 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
Robinhood

Robinhood

Pros

  • 0.1% FX fee covers stock-token orders
  • Stock-token investing starts from €1
  • Stock tokens trade from Monday 2 AM to Saturday 2 AM CET/CEST
  • Crypto transfers have no Robinhood fee
  • ETH and SOL staking starts from $1 in crypto
  • Perpetual futures include take-profit and stop-loss orders

Cons

  • Stock tokens give no rights to the underlying shares or ETPs
  • Stock tokens cannot be sent to other wallets or platforms
  • Stock tokens are not covered by deposit or investor protection
  • Crypto is not covered by any government compensation scheme
  • Crypto transfers may still incur network fees
  • Self-custody wallet is not FDIC insured or SIPC protected
  • Perpetual futures have eligibility requirements
  • Stock-token orders carry a 0.1% FX fee per order
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.

Robinhood

Robinhood

Robinhood combines stock tokens, crypto, staking, wallet services, and crypto perpetual futures under a Bank of Lithuania-regulated European entity.

Visit Robinhood Read review

Your capital is at risk. Other fees apply.

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