BrokerCue

Broker Comparison

Charles Schwab vs tastytrade

Compare Charles Schwab and tastytrade 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
tastytrade

tastytrade

Active options, futures and multi-asset traders

tastytrade is a multi-asset broker focused on active traders, with stocks, ETFs, options, futures, forex and …

Head-to-head comparison

Charles Schwab vs tastytrade
Feature Charles Schwab tastytrade
Minimum deposit — —
Stock trading fee $0 online commission for listed stocks and ETFs; US OTC equities $6.95 $0 opening commission; $0 closing commission
Regulators SIPC, FDIC, CFTC, NFA FINRA, SIPC, NFA, CFTC, NYDFS
Best for Investors who want brokerage, trading, and advice options Active options, futures and multi-asset traders
Markets & account
Stocks
ETFs
Forex
Crypto
Bonds
—
Options
Futures
Funds
—
Fractional Shares
Ready Made Portfolios
—
Money Market Funds
—
Margin
Demo Account
—
Investment Plans
—

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
tastytrade

tastytrade

Pros

  • Stock and ETF trades have $0 opening and closing commissions
  • Stock and ETF options close for $0 per contract
  • $10 max commission per leg on stock and ETF options
  • Fractional shares have $0 opening and closing commissions
  • Recurring ETF investments from $5 to $100K
  • API supports read, write and trade access
  • Crypto holdings can transfer to external wallets
  • No minimum account balance for CME futures in a margin account

Cons

  • Crypto markup/markdown is 50-75bp of executed order price
  • Crypto is not covered by FDIC or SIPC
  • Crypto cannot be traded on margin
  • Stablecoin withdrawals are not currently supported
  • Futures accounts are not protected by SIPC
  • IRA futures need $25,000 for standard CME contracts
  • Basic margin accounts cannot trade futures
  • Cash accounts cannot trade forex or futures
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.

tastytrade

tastytrade

tastytrade is a multi-asset broker focused on active traders, with stocks, ETFs, options, futures, forex and crypto plus web, desktop, mobile and API access.

Visit tastytrade Read review

Your capital is at risk. Other fees apply.

Not the right match?

Line up any two brokers side by side, or browse the full list to find your next platform.

Compare another broker Browse all brokers