Are you confused about whether to choose Charles Schwab vs Firstrade as a broker for your investing needs?
In this side-by-side comparison, we analyse Charles Schwab vs Firstrade to help you understand how these apps compare on some of the most common features and make a better-informed decision about the best broker for you.
Below, you’ll find the pros and cons of each broker, as well as a comparison table that features the different fees charged, the financial instruments supported, the regulation, and more. Keep reading!
Charles Schwab vs Firstrade: In a Nutshell
all account types (US investors only)
Founded in 1971, Charles Schwab Corporation, commonly known as Schwab, is a leading American brokerage and banking company.
It pioneered the concept of discount brokerage, offering commission-free online trades and providing access to a vast selection of investment options.
Moreover, Schwab operates as a full-service bank, providing a range of banking products such as checking accounts, savings accounts, mortgages, and loans.
US investors looking for US options only
Firstrade is a traditional company founded in 1985 that recently changed its strategy to become a commission-free online trading platform for stocks, ETFs and options.
The broker is considered safe, with a long track record that survived a few crises and top-tier regulators’ supervision.
The main drawbacks are its limited products offering (no European ETFs, stocks,…) and the fact that it only offers fractional shares on reinvested dividends.
Pros and Cons
Charles Schwab
Pros
- 0% commissions on stocks and ETFss
- Accoun types: Individual, joint, IRAs, education savings accounts, 529 education accounts, SEP IRA and solo 401(k)
- Excellent research tools
- Acess to fractional shares
- Large selection of mutual funds
- No minimum account
Cons
- No direct investing in Crypto (only through futures, ETFs, etc)
- No access to European stocks
Firstrade
Pros
- Commission-free stock, ETF, mutual fund and options trading
- Good research and educational content
- No inactivity fees
- No minimum deposit
Cons
- You can trade only on US markets
- No 24/7 customer support
- No demo account
- No fractional shares
Charles Schwab vs Firstrade: Side-by-side Comparison
- General Information
- Founded in
- Demo Account
- Account Minimum
- Interest on unninvested cash (annually)
- Products
- Stocks
- ETFs
- Bonds
- Funds
- Options
- Futures
- CFDs
- Leverage Products
- Forex
- Cryptocurrencies
- Commodities
- Fees
- US stocks
- EU stocks
- ETFs
- Cryptocurrencies
- Custody Fee
- Inactivity Fee
- Withdrawal Fee
- Connectivity Fee
- Currency Conversion Fee
- Security
- Regulators
- Investor Compensation Scheme(per person, per institution)
Franklin is a CFA Level III Candidate with 3 years of experience in Wealth Management as a Fund Research Analyst and the Host of the "Edge Over Hedge" YouTube Channel.
