Updated September 28, 2026 · BrokerCue Editorial Team
Charles Schwab vs Stash
Charles Schwab vs Stash: the differences
| Compare |  Charles Schwab |  Stash |
|---|---|---|
| Account fee | $0Lower | $144 |
| Markets | Stocks, ETFs, Options, Futures, Bonds, FundsCovers more | Stocks, ETFs |
| Regulators | SIPC | SEC, FINRA |
| Platforms | Thinkorswim, Schwab Mobile | Web, iOS, Android |
| Account types | IRA, Roth IRA, Joint, CorporateCovers more | IRA, Roth IRA |
| Inactivity fee | $0 | Not confirmed |
| Margin rate | 12.075% | Not confirmed |
| Options contract fee | $0.65 | Not confirmed |
Same on both: Minimum deposit ($0), Stock trade fee ($0), Investor protection (SIPC up to USD 500,000).
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Key differences
- Regulators: only Charles Schwab offers SIPC.
- Regulators: only Stash offers SEC, FINRA.
- Account fee is lower at Charles Schwab: $0 vs $144.
- Markets: only Charles Schwab offers Options, Futures, Bonds.
- Platforms: only Charles Schwab offers Thinkorswim, Schwab Mobile.
- Platforms: only Stash offers Web, iOS, Android.
- Account types: only Charles Schwab offers Joint, Corporate.
- Support channels: only Charles Schwab offers Chat, Phone.
- Features: only Charles Schwab offers Demo account.
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.
Stash
Stash suits US beginners who want a retirement pot built from a phone rather than a wide market. Trades cost $0 and the minimum deposit is free, but the account fee of $144 a year is the price of that simplicity.
Score breakdown
| Area | Charles Schwab | Stash |
|---|---|---|
| Cost | 9.1Stock trades cost $0, the account fee is $0 and the inactivity fee is $0. Options contracts add $0.65. | 9.1A free minimum deposit and $0 trades rank 1 of 213 and 1 of 161, but the $144 account fee is the weight. |
| Offer | 9.5Higher | 8.8 |
| Trust | 8.6 | 9.0Higher |
Choosing between them
Pick Charles Schwab if offer, account fee, markets, and account types matter most.
Pick Stash if trust matter most.
What each covers
| Markets | Charles Schwab | Stash |
|---|---|---|
| Stocks | Yes | Yes |
| ETFs | Yes | Yes |
| Options | Yes | No |
| Futures | Yes | No |
| Bonds | Yes | No |
| Funds | Yes | No |
| Account types | Charles Schwab | Stash |
|---|---|---|
| IRA | Yes | Yes |
| Roth IRA | Yes | Yes |
| Joint | Yes | No |
| Corporate | Yes | No |
Cost in a real example
A year: 5,000 invested, 4 US stock trades a month
Charles Schwab
$0
48 × $0 + 1 × $0
Stash
$144
48 × $0 + 1 × $144
Charles Schwab costs $144 less.
Worked out from the stated prices and rates; your own total depends on how you use it. Facts checked September 26, 2026.
How they place
| Ranking | Charles Schwab | Stash |
|---|---|---|
| Stock and ETF brokers | 137 of 471 | 148 of 471 |
| Investment platforms and apps | 28 of 86 | 31 of 86 |
| Robo-advisors | 52 of 151 | 57 of 151 |
| IRA providers | 20 of 43 | 22 of 43 |
Every fact side by side
| Fact | Charles Schwab | Stash |
|---|---|---|
| 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 | Stash Investments LLC |
| Headquarters | United States | United States |
| Founded | Not confirmed | 2015 |
| Support channels | Chat, Phone, Help centreCovers more | Help centre |
Robo-advisors
| Fact | Charles Schwab | Stash |
|---|---|---|
| Management fee | 0% | $108 to $144 |
| Minimum investment | $5,000 | $5Lower |
| Portfolio types | ETF, CashCovers more | ETF |
Where each stands against the rest
| Fact | Charles Schwab | Stash | Median |
|---|---|---|---|
| Minimum deposit | $0below the median | $0below the median | $25 |
| Stock trade fee | $0at the median | $0at the median | $0 |
| Account fee | $0at the median | $144highest quarter | $0 |
| 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 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
Stash
Pros
- Stock trades cost $0 and the model is commission-free, so small orders carry no per-trade charge.
- The portfolio option is an etf portfolio alongside ira and roth ira accounts, which keeps retirement saving in one place.
- Access runs through Web, iOS and Android, and fractional shares spread small contributions across holdings.
Cons
- The account fee of $144 a year leaves Stash at 134 of 138 brands on that measure, while eToro lists $0.
- Support runs on help centre only, so questions about a retirement account are left to articles.
- Trading is limited to stocks and etfs with an etf portfolio, so there is no forex, crypto or CFD route.
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
Stash
Who it suits
- US beginners who want a retirement account, a phone app and a small starting amount rather than a wide market.
- Long-term savers content to hold stocks and etfs and an etf portfolio without picking markets themselves.
- Readers who weigh regulation first, since Stash is registered with SEC and FINRA in the US.
Who should look elsewhere
- Readers who want forex, crypto or CFDs, since CFI lists stocks, etfs and forex.
- Anyone put off by a yearly charge, as eToro lists $0 for its account.
- Readers who prefer a provider with a published entry figure, such as Vantage at $5, rather than a free minimum deposit.
Current offers
Stash
Current offer
Free trial
Try Stash for 7 days: 7-day trial
new Stash Plan subscriptions
Source, checked September 26, 2026
Country by country
| Country | Charles Schwab | Stash |
|---|---|---|
| United States | Yes | Yes |
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.
Stash
How much does Stash cost to run?+
Running the plan costs a management fee of $108 to $144 a year, and the account fee is $144. Stock trades cost $0 and the model is commission-free, so the charge sits with the subscription rather than the order. The site median account fee is €0, so Stash sits at the dear end of the table.
How much do I need to start?+
The minimum deposit is free, and the minimum investment is $5, so an account can be opened at a size that suits a monthly habit rather than a lump sum. Stash ranks 1 of 213 brands on this measure, against a site median of €4.64.
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