Updated September 28, 2026 · BrokerCue Editorial Team
Charles Schwab vs WH SelfInvest
Charles Schwab vs WH SelfInvest: the differences
| Compare |  Charles Schwab |  WH SelfInvest |
|---|---|---|
| Stock trade fee | $0Lower | $1.90 |
| Account fee | $0 | €0 |
| Inactivity fee | $0 | €0 |
| Markets | Stocks, ETFs, Options, Futures, Bonds, Funds | Stocks, ETFs, Forex, CFDs, Options, Futures, Bonds |
| Platforms | Thinkorswim, Schwab Mobile | NanoTrader, TradingView, Trader Workstation, Mobile Apps |
| Minimum deposit | $0 | Not confirmed |
| Regulators | SIPC | Not confirmed |
| Investor protection | SIPC up to USD 500,000 | Not confirmed |
| Retail accounts that lose money | Not confirmed | 76% |
| 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
- WH SelfInvest scores higher overall: 9.3 vs 9.0.
- Stock trade fee is lower at Charles Schwab: $0 vs $1.90.
- Markets: only Charles Schwab offers Funds.
- Markets: only WH SelfInvest offers Forex, CFDs.
- Platforms: only Charles Schwab offers Thinkorswim, Schwab Mobile.
- Platforms: only WH SelfInvest offers NanoTrader, TradingView, Trader Workstation.
- Support channels: only Charles Schwab offers Chat, Help centre.
- Support channels: only WH SelfInvest offers Email.
- Features: only WH SelfInvest offers Copy trading.
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.
WH SelfInvest
WH SelfInvest sits in Luxembourg and covers stocks, ETFs, forex, CFDs, options, futures and bonds under an account fee of €0 and an inactivity fee of €0, which suits investors who want many asset classes without a standing charge. Stock dealing is the cost to watch, at $1.90 a trade.
Score breakdown
| Area | Charles Schwab | WH SelfInvest |
|---|---|---|
| Cost | 9.1Stock trades cost $0, the account fee is $0 and the inactivity fee is $0. Options contracts add $0.65. | 9.1The standing fees are flat, at €0 and €0, while the dealing charge of $1.90 a trade pulls the score down. |
| Offer | 9.5 | 9.5 |
| Trust | 8.6 | Not confirmed |
Where each is licensed and available
| Country | Charles Schwab | WH SelfInvest |
|---|---|---|
| United States | SIPC SIPC member 16514 | Not confirmed |
How they place
| Ranking | Charles Schwab | WH SelfInvest |
|---|---|---|
| Stock and ETF brokers | 137 of 471 | 86 of 471 |
| Options trading platforms | 50 of 103 | 28 of 103 |
| Futures trading platforms | 35 of 82 | 22 of 82 |
Sources behind this comparison
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
WH SelfInvest
- whselfinvest.com: 9 facts, checked September 26, 2026
Every fact side by side
| Fact | Charles Schwab | WH SelfInvest |
|---|---|---|
| Features | Fractional shares, Demo account, Mobile app | Demo account, Fractional shares, Copy trading, Mobile appCovers more |
| Pricing model | Commission free | Not confirmed |
| Legal entity | CHARLES SCHWAB & CO INC | Not confirmed |
| Headquarters | United States | Luxembourg |
| Support channels | Chat, Phone, Help centre | Email, Phone |
Robo-advisors
| Fact | Charles Schwab | WH SelfInvest |
|---|---|---|
| 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 | WH SelfInvest | Median |
|---|---|---|---|
| Minimum deposit | $0below the median | Not confirmed | $25 |
| Stock trade fee | $0at the median | $1.90highest quarter | $0 |
| Retail accounts that lose money | Not confirmed | 76%highest quarter | 72.13% |
| Margin rate | 12.075%highest quarter | Not confirmed | 8.75% |
| Options contract fee | $0.65above the median | Not confirmed | $0.625 |
Median across 135 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
WH SelfInvest
Pros
- The account fee is €0 and the inactivity fee is €0, so an account left open or left idle is not billed, and the standing cost sits level with Vantage at $0.
- A single account covers stocks, etfs and forex, so shares, forex, CFDs, options, futures and bonds can be held and traded together.
- The platform choice runs from NanoTrader, TradingView and Trader Workstation, so the same account can be worked from a desktop terminal or from mobile apps.
Cons
- Stock dealing costs $1.90 a trade, where eToro charges $0 for its stock dealing.
- That dealing charge ranks 123 of 161 on our data, while the account fee sits at 1 of 138 and inactivity at 1 of 56, so the standing costs lead the table while dealing sits near the back of it.
- Support runs on email and phone, so a live chat window and a help centre are not part of the contact options.
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
WH SelfInvest
Who it suits
- Investors who want shares and leveraged products side by side, since stocks, etfs and forex puts forex, CFDs, options, futures and bonds in the same account.
- People who split activity between a desktop terminal and mobile apps, since NanoTrader, TradingView and Trader Workstation covers both.
- Traders who want to test before committing, since demo account, fractional shares and copy trading includes a demo account and fractional shares.
Who should look elsewhere
- Anyone who mainly wants cheap stock dealing: eToro charges $0 for stock dealing against $1.90 here.
- Crypto traders, since crypto is missing from stocks, etfs and forex although CFI covers stocks, etfs and forex.
Country by country
| Country | Charles Schwab | WH SelfInvest |
|---|---|---|
| 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.
WH SelfInvest
Does WH SelfInvest charge an account fee?+
The account fee is €0 and the inactivity fee is €0, so there is nothing to pay for holding the account open and nothing for leaving it idle. That is why the brand ranks 1 of 138 on our data for the account fee and 1 of 56 for inactivity.
What does it cost to buy a stock?+
A stock trade costs $1.90, and that is the charge which scales with how often you trade. It ranks 123 of 161 on our data, so anyone dealing in shares regularly will feel it far more than the flat fees. Multiply it by the number of trades you expect.
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