Updated September 29, 2026 · BrokerCue Editorial Team
Charles Schwab vs Robinhood
Where Charles Schwab and Robinhood differ
| Compare |  Charles Schwab |  Robinhood |
|---|---|---|
| Markets | Stocks, ETFs, Options, Futures, Bonds, Funds | Stocks, ETFs, Options, Futures, Crypto |
| Regulators | SIPC | Bank of Lithuania (LSC), LT BL, SIPCCovers more |
| Investor protection | SIPC up to USD 500,000 | EU ICS up to EUR 20,000 |
| Margin rate | 12.075% | 3.95%Lower |
| Options contract fee | $0.65 | $0Lower |
| Platforms | Thinkorswim, Schwab Mobile | Robinhood app, Robinhood Legend |
| Account types | IRA, Roth IRA, Joint, CorporateCovers more | IRA, Roth IRA, Joint |
| Deposit and withdrawal fees | Not confirmed | $100 outgoing transfer |
| Maximum retail leverage | Not confirmed | 10X |
Same on both: Minimum deposit ($0), Stock trade fee ($0), Account fee ($0), Inactivity fee ($0).
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Key differences
- Robinhood scores higher overall: 9.4 vs 9.0.
- Regulators: only Robinhood offers Bank of Lithuania (LSC), LT BL.
- Robinhood is licensed in 1 more country.
- Margin rate is lower at Robinhood: 3.95% vs 12.075%.
- Options contract fee is lower at Robinhood: $0 vs $0.65.
- Markets: only Charles Schwab offers Bonds, Funds.
- Markets: only Robinhood offers Crypto.
- Platforms: only Charles Schwab offers Thinkorswim, Schwab Mobile.
- Platforms: only Robinhood offers Robinhood app, Robinhood Legend.
- Account types: only Charles Schwab offers Corporate.
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.
Robinhood
Robinhood suits first-time investors and small, regular investors who want nothing charged for holding or trading. It is the cheapest way in on our data, with a minimum deposit of $0, no account fee and no inactivity charge, under the Bank of Lithuania and SIPC.
Score breakdown
| Area | Charles Schwab | Robinhood |
|---|---|---|
| Cost | 9.1Stock trades cost $0, the account fee is $0 and the inactivity fee is $0. Options contracts add $0.65. | 9.6HigherStock trades cost $0, options contracts $0, the account fee is $0 and inactivity is $0. |
| Offer | 9.5Higher | 9.3 |
| Trust | 8.6 | 9.3Higher |
Side by side, item by item
| Markets | Charles Schwab | Robinhood |
|---|---|---|
| Stocks | Yes | Yes |
| ETFs | Yes | Yes |
| Options | Yes | Yes |
| Futures | Yes | Yes |
| Crypto | No | Yes |
| Bonds | Yes | No |
| Funds | Yes | No |
| Account types | Charles Schwab | Robinhood |
|---|---|---|
| IRA | Yes | Yes |
| Roth IRA | Yes | Yes |
| Joint | Yes | Yes |
| Corporate | Yes | No |
Where they rank in our lists
| Ranking | Charles Schwab | Robinhood |
|---|---|---|
| Stock and ETF brokers | 129 of 490 | 13 of 490 |
| Investment platforms and apps | 27 of 85 | 1 of 85 |
| Options trading platforms | 50 of 103 | 1 of 103 |
| Futures trading platforms | 33 of 83 | 3 of 83 |
| Margin trading brokers | 15 of 22 | 2 of 22 |
| Low-fee brokers | 11 of 11 | 1 of 11 |
| IRA providers | 20 of 43 | 1 of 43 |
The bill, worked out
A year: 5,000 invested, 4 US stock trades a month
Charles Schwab
$0
48 × $0 + 1 × $0
Robinhood
$0
48 × $0 + 1 × $0
Both come to the same total.
Worked out from the stated prices and rates; your own total depends on how you use it. Facts checked September 26, 2026.
Every fact side by side
| Fact | Charles Schwab | Robinhood |
|---|---|---|
| Features | Fractional shares, Demo account, Mobile app | Crypto, Fractional shares, Options, Futures, Mobile app |
| Pricing model | Commission free | Commission free, Low feesCovers more |
| Audience | Not confirmed | Beginners, Day traders |
| Legal entity | CHARLES SCHWAB & CO INC | Robinhood Europe UAB |
| Headquarters | United States | Lithuania |
| Founded | Not confirmed | 2013 |
| Support channels | Chat, Phone, Help centre | Not confirmed |
Robo-advisors
| Fact | Charles Schwab | Robinhood |
|---|---|---|
| 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 | Robinhood | Median |
|---|---|---|---|
| Minimum deposit | $0below the median | $0below the median | $10 |
| Stock trade fee | $0at the median | $0at the median | $0 |
| Account fee | $0at the median | $0at the median | $0 |
| Inactivity fee | $0at the median | $0at the median | $0 |
| Margin rate | 12.075%highest quarter | 3.95%lowest quarter | 8.79% |
| Options contract fee | $0.65above the median | $0lowest quarter | $0.59 |
Median across 99 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
Robinhood
Pros
- Nothing to pay to open or hold an account, with an account fee of $0 and an inactivity fee of $0
- Trading a share costs $0, so a small first order is not eaten by commission
- You can start with a deposit of $0, lower than most brands on our data
Cons
- Leverage is available at 10X, which magnifies losses as well as gains
- Outgoing transfers carry a charge of $100 outgoing transfer
- Margin borrowing is priced at a margin rate of 3.95%, so interest adds to your cost
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
Robinhood
Who it suits
- Beginners opening a first account with a small deposit
- Day-traders working in options, futures and crypto on mobile
- Retirement investors using an IRA, Roth IRA or joint account
Who should look elsewhere
- Vantage if a flat minimum deposit of $5 suits you better
- CFI if you want forex and CFDs alongside shares, since its markets cover stocks, etfs and forex
- eToro if social copy trading matters more than options and futures
Country by country
| Country | Charles Schwab | Robinhood |
|---|---|---|
| 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.
Robinhood
What does it cost to trade shares on Robinhood?+
Trading a share costs $0, and an options contract costs $0. There is also an account fee of $0 and an inactivity fee of $0, so nothing is taken for simply holding the account open. Borrowing on margin is charged at a margin rate of 3.95%, which is the main running cost if you use leverage.
Is there a minimum deposit to open a Robinhood account?+
The minimum deposit is $0, so you can open an account and place a small first order without funding a large balance. It is worth comparing that with the deposits other brands ask for before you commit, since the figure varies widely across the market. Outgoing transfers are charged at $100 outgoing transfer, so factor that in if you plan to move money out early.
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