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Ratings

Overall Star Star Star Star
Commissions & Fees Star Star
Customer Service Star Star Star Star Star
Platform & Tools Star Star Star Star
Research Star Star Star Star Star
Ease of Use Star Star Star Star Star
Investment Offering Star Star Star Star Star
Education Star Star
Mobile Trading Star Star Star Star Star

Trade Commissions

Equity Trades* $8.95
Options Fee* $8.95
Options Contract* $0.75
Mutual Fund $49.95
Broker Assisted* $33.95
Minimum Deposit $1,000.00

Highlights

  1. Offers $8.95 flat-rate trades regardless of trade size, account balance, or share price.
  2. Was rated highest in investor satisfaction with self-directed services by J.D. Power and Associates, 2009.
  3. Has over 300 local branch offices.

Account Features

  • Virtual Trading
  • No Minimum Deposit
  • No Maintenance Fees
  • No-Fee IRAs
  • Online Trader Community
  • Investment Education

Mobile Trading

  • iPhone App
  • iPad App
  • BlackBerry App
  • Android App
  • Mobile Site

Customer Service

  • Phone Support
  • Email Support
  • Live Chat Support
  • Retail Locations
  • 24/7 Customer Support

Trade Types

  • Stock Trading
  • Options Trading
  • Mutual Funds
  • FOREX Trading
  • Futures Trading

Recommended For

  • Discounted Trading
  • Long Term Trading
  • Options Trading
  • Active Trading
  • International Trading

Charles Schwab Review

Broker Review

 

Likes - Local branch offices offer face to face interaction; thorough offering of investments; access to a variety of 3rd party research.

Dislikes - Lack of quality trade tools; overall trade platform disappoints; website is outdated.

Bottom Line - For those seeking a quality customer experience and access to a variety of investments and research, Charles Schwab will not disappoint. The trading side of the business fails to impress though with higher priced commissions and a website that needs a complete overhaul.

Charles Schwab is a financial service provider with an online stock trading platform for its investors. With over 300 local offices they are able to offer a full range of banking, brokerage, and investment advisory services to their large client base. Other financial services include retirement planning, mutual fund trading, equity trading, and financial planning.

Our Charles Schwab review provides trade platform screenshots, detailed commissions information, and online broker ratings. Also discover how Charles Schwab placed in the most recent StockBrokers.com 2012 Review of Online Brokers as well as the 2012 Barron’s Review of Online Brokers and 2011 SmartMoney Broker Review.

Commission Notes

Online trades are just $8.95. Charles Schwab apply a simplified flat-fee based commissions structure without too many catches or fine print notes. There are no limits on total trade size or price, and the site simply let's investors know that if they are trading positions of over 10,000 shares or $500,000 that they may be eligible for a special handling and/or pricing. Our research found no additional fees or charges for trading stocks under $1 or trading during pre and post market hours. If using the Schwab automated phone system to place a trade, a $5 fee will be added to the order; $25 additional broker broker assisted trades. With Schwab as your online broker, what you see is what you get.

Charles Schwab was reviewed by StockBrokers.com on 2012-02-27 with an overall rating of 4 Stars.

Trading Platform

Schwab Mobile iPhone App

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