Charles Schwab is a well-known name in the investment world, celebrated for its range of services and user-friendly platform. However, it’s not the only player on the field. Exploring alternatives, such as E*TRADE and Interactive Brokers, could uncover opportunities that better align with your financial objectives. Whether you seek low-cost trading, innovative technology or specific investment products, the right brokerage could be just a few clicks away.
Quick Look at the Best Charles Schwab Alternatives:
- Best for Desktop Trading: eToro
- Best for Beginners: Robinhood
- Best for Active Traders: Webull
- Best for Active and Global Traders: Interactive Brokers
- Best for Social Investing: eToro
- Best for Stock Research: Fidelity
- Best for IPO Investing: Sofi Invest
- Best for ETF and Mutual Fund Investing: Vanguard
- Best for Global Investing: Zacks Trade
- Best for Bank of America Customers: Merrill Edge
- Best for Socially Responsible Investing: Ally Invest
The Best Alternatives to Charles Schwab
Investors looking for an alternative to Charles Schwab have many options to consider. The following are some alternatives to Charles Schwab, including their pros and cons.
1. Best for Desktop Trading: E*TRADE
E*TRADE is a well-known brokerage platform that offers a wide range of investment products, including stocks, options, ETFs, and mutual funds. The platforms offers advanced trading tools such as Power E*TRADE, a powerful trading platform with real-time market data, technical indicators and charting tools. E*TRADE is also known for its excellent customer support options, including phone and email support.
Why We Picked It: E*TRADE offers commission-free trading for stocks, options, and ETFs, making it an excellent choice for cost-conscious investors.
2. Best for Beginners: Robinhood
Robinhood is a brokerage platform that provides commission-free trading for stocks, options, and cryptocurrencies. Its user-friendly interface is designed for easy navigation, making it accessible for both novice and experienced traders alike.
Why We Picked It: Robinhood offers fractional share trading, which allows investors to buy and sell partial shares of stocks.
3. Best for Active Traders: Webull
Webull is a commission-free brokerage platform that trades stocks, options, ETFs and cryptocurrencies. It provides a suite of advanced trading tools, including technical indicators, sophisticated charting features, and real-time market data. With its intuitive and user-friendly interface, Webull ensures a seamless navigation experience for all users.
Why We Picked It: Unlike Charles Schwab, which provides a broader range of financial services including banking and wealth management, Webull focuses primarily on trading and investment, offering features like real-time market data, customizable charts and an intuitive interface.
4. Best for Active and Global Traders: Interactive Brokers
- Best For:Active and Global TradersVIEW PROS & CONS:Securely through Interactive Brokers’ website
Interactive Brokers is a popular, comprehensive trading platform that allows you to access over 150 global markets. For excellent portfolio diversification, you can buy various stocks, options, futures, forex, bonds, and fund trading. You won't have to pay a commission on any U.S. stock purchase or sale with the IBKR Lite pricing plan.
While IBKR is geared primarily toward experienced traders and investors, you can use the free paper trading platform and free educational resources to build your trading skills and acclimate to IBKR’s offerings.
Why We Picked It: Interactive Brokers provides advanced trading tools and resources, including comprehensive research, data analytics and customizable interfaces.
5. Best for Social Investing: eToro
eToro is a brokerage that stands out for its crypto offerings. The online brokerage offers the trade of 30+ cryptocurrencies and more traditional investments like stocks and ETFs but with a limited selection. E*Toro's active community makes it a good option for people who want to learn from experienced crypto traders.
Why We Picked It: For a standard online brokerage, eToro offers some of the most extensive cryptocurrency trading and resources.
6. Best for Stock Research: Fidelity
- Best For:Stock ResearchVIEW PROS & CONS:securely through Fidelity Investments's website
Fidelity is an online brokerage with an excellent reputation. It offers $0 trading commissions plus a selection of more than 3,000 no-transaction-fee mutual funds and zero-fee index funds. It also has top-notch research tools and a good mobile platform. Its good customer service makes it a solid choice for beginners and experienced investors.
Why We Picked It: Fidelity offers zero commissions on stock and ETF trades, similar to Schwab, but extends this to a wider range of mutual funds, enhancing cost-efficiency for investors.
7. Best for IPO Investing: SoFi Invest
- Best For:IPO InvestingVIEW PROS & CONS:securely through SoFi Active Invest (Brokerage)'s website
SoFi Invest is an all-inclusive online brokerage that is a good option for passive and active investors. You can buy IPO stock, build your nest egg, or invest in alternative investments like venture capital, private credit, and commodities. Its good investment app and intuitive online trading experience make it an excellent choice for beginners.
Why We Picked It: Besides various investment options ranging from stocks to commodities to venture capital, SoFi offers financial and estate planning features.
8. Best for ETF and Mutual Fund Investing: Vanguard
- Best For:ETF and Mutual Fund InvestingVIEW PROS & CONS:securely through Vanguard Personal Advisor Services's website
Vanguard is a brokerage platform that offers a wide range of investment products, including stocks, bonds, mutual funds and ETFs. Known for its competitive pricing, Vanguard boasts some of the lowest fees in the industry, making it an ideal option for budget-conscious investors. Furthermore, Vanguard delivers outstanding customer support through various channels, including phone, email and live chat.
Why We Picked It: Vanguard offers a range of passive investment options, including index funds and ETFs, which can work well for long-term investors.
9. Best for Global Investing: Zacks Trade
Zacks Trade offers investors access to Interactive Brokers' trading platform and mobile app, although it has a slightly higher price point. One of its standout features is the ability to execute phone trades at no additional charge, a rarity among brokerage firms. Furthermore, Zacks Trade supplies extensive research resources, including Interactive Brokers' sophisticated charting tools and comprehensive market data. Additionally, Zacks Trade grants access to international exchanges, enabling investors to diversify their portfolios significantly.
Why We Picked It: Zacks Trade offers a user-friendly trading platform, professional-grade tools and robust educational resources.
10. Best for Bank of America Customers: Merrill Edge
- Best For:Bank of America CustomersVIEW PROS & CONS:securely through Merrill Edge's website
Merrill Edge Self-Directed integrates directly with Bank of America accounts. It stands out for its robust research and free trade. In addition to a library of educational articles, courses, videos, webinars, virtual events and free tools and calculators, with Merrill Edge, you can access an Idea Builder tool to find investments that appeal to your values, such as filtering for ESG investments. While the securities available are more limited than other platforms, Merrill Edge offers a simplified process and good resources for new investors or those with a set-it-and-forget-it approach.
Why We Picked It: With Merrill Edge, you'll have access to commission-free stock, options and ETF trades, and you'll also enjoy high order execution quality.
11. Best for Socially Responsible Investing: Ally Invest
- Best For:Socially Responsible InvestingVIEW PROS & CONS:securely through Ally Invest's website
Ally Invest’s $0 account minimum and $0 trading commissions on many U.S. securities make it a strong option for all traders. It also eliminated its $9.95 fee for mutual fund trades, allowing you to access around 5,500 funds without transaction fees. A low $0.50 options-contract fee will attract options traders. Ally Invest offers an automated portfolio management option and free tools for technical investors to improve portfolio performance.
Why We Picked It: Ally Invest's strong web-based platform is easy for experienced technical traders and beginner investors.
Final Thoughts on Charles Schwab Alternatives
You can find many excellent alternatives to Charles Schwab. Robinhood is a great choice for investors who want commission-free trading and advanced trading tools, while Vanguard can work for investors who want low fees and excellent customer support. E*TRADE is an excellent choice for investors who want commission-free trading and strong customer support. At the same time, Robinhood offers a good alternative for investors who want commission-free trading and an easy-to-use platform. Webull also offers commission-free trading and advanced trading tools.
When selecting a brokerage platform, consider your investment goals, risk tolerance and trading preferences. Keep building resources to refine your strategy and make the most of your money with the latest smart investing strategies, such as keeping costs down for long-term growth. You can also check out FINRA Educational resources. By evaluating the pros and cons of each platform, you can find the one best suited to your needs and current financial goals.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the best alternative to Charles Schwab?
There are many good alternatives to Charles Schwab, including TD Ameritrade, Fidelity, Interactive Brokers, Vanguard, and other stock brokers.
Should I go with Fidelity or Charles Schwab?
Fidelity and Charles Schwab offer excellent investment resources and a broad range of assets. However, if you’re just starting and want to purchase fractional shares, Charles Schwab is a better choice.
Should I keep my money in Charles Schwab?
Yes, your assets are protected by Charles Schwab, and you can easily invest in commission-free stocks, bonds, ETFs, or mutual funds. You can also choose any of the Charles Schwab alternatives listed above.
About Alison Plaut
Alison Kimberly is a freelance content writer with a Sustainable MBA, uniquely qualified to help individuals and businesses achieve the triple bottom line of environmental, social, and financial profitability. She has been writing for various non-profit organizations for 15+ years. When not writing, you will find her promoting education and meditation in the developing world, or hiking and enjoying nature.