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Charles Schwab vs Ally Invest 2026

StockBrokers.com

Written by StockBrokers.com

September 17, 2025

In this head to head comparison of Charles Schwab vs Ally Invest, we will compare the trading platforms, mobile apps, range of investments, costs, market research, and more. Let's dive in.

Charles Schwab
5/5 Stars Overall
  • Minimum Deposit: $0.00
  • Stock Trades: $0.00
  • Options (Per Contract): $0.65
Ally Invest
3/5 Stars Overall
  • Minimum Deposit: $0.00
  • Stock Trades: $0.00
  • Options (Per Contract): $0.50

Range of investments

Bottom line: In the Charles Schwab vs Ally Invest matchup, Schwab offers a wider range of investment choices, which can appeal to active and long‑term investors alike. Schwab supports fractional shares, forex, and futures—extras Ally Invest lacks—and that broader mix helps Schwab earn a higher Range of Investments rating (4.5/5) and a stronger ranking (#3 of 14 on StockBrokers.com) than Ally Invest (4/5, #11). If you only need mainstream choices, Ally Invest keeps up; if you want more ways to invest, Schwab pulls ahead.

Both brokers let you trade stocks, use margin, buy OTC stocks, invest in mutual funds, and trade options. Only Charles Schwab offers fractional shares, making it easier to buy into pricey names with small amounts. Schwab also adds forex and futures markets, while Ally Invest does not. Neither platform offers crypto trading (0 coins at both).

For accounts and guidance, both Charles Schwab and Ally Invest provide traditional and Roth IRAs, plus advisor services, so you can go DIY or get help at either firm. Pick Schwab if you want access to fractional shares, forex, and futures alongside the core lineup; pick Ally Invest if your needs are centered on standard stock and options trading without those extras.

Feature Charles Schwab logoCharles Schwab
Ally Invest logoAlly Invest
Stock Trading info Yes Yes
Account Feature - Margin Trading info Yes Yes
Fractional Shares (Stocks) info Yes No
OTC Stocks info Yes Yes
Mutual Funds info Yes Yes
Options Trading info Yes Yes
Futures Trading info Yes No
Crypto Trading info No No
Crypto Trading - Total Coins info 0 0
Range of Investments 4.5/5 Stars 4/5 Stars

Dive deeper: Best Options Trading Platforms for 2026, Best Futures Trading Platforms for 2026

Trading platforms and tools

Bottom line: In the Charles Schwab vs. Ally Invest matchup for trading platforms and tools, Schwab is the stronger pick for most traders. It offers desktop platforms for both Windows and Mac, paper trading, and a built-in trading journal. Schwab earns 4.5 stars and ranks #1 out of 14 brokers for platforms and tools on StockBrokers.com. Ally Invest is browser-only, lacks several pro features, and scores 1.5 stars with a #10 ranking, though its simpler setup can suit casual investors.

Platform access and core tools: Schwab provides downloadable platforms for Windows and Mac plus a web platform; Ally Invest offers a web platform only. Schwab includes paper trading and a trading journal, while Ally offers neither. Watchlists are far deeper at Schwab (up to 580 data columns) versus Ally’s 10, and Schwab lets you adjust open orders directly on a chart (Ally does not).

Charting and customization: Schwab supports 374 technical indicators and 24 drawing tools, while Ally provides 120 indicators and 36 drawing tools. Both can add notes, display automated chart patterns, and save multiple chart profiles. Schwab goes further with historical trades on charts, corporate events, custom date ranges, 35 fields when editing an SMA study (versus 8 at Ally), and the ability to build custom studies—features Ally Invest does not offer.

Feature Charles Schwab logoCharles Schwab
Ally Invest logoAlly Invest
Web Trading Platform info Yes Yes
Desktop Trading Platform info Yes No
Desktop Platform (Mac) info Yes No
Paper Trading info Yes No
Watchlists - Total Fields info 580 10
Charting - Indicators / Studies info 374 120
Charting - Drawing Tools info 24 36
Advanced Trading 4.5/5 Stars 1.5/5 Stars

Dive deeper: Best Stock Brokers for 2026, Best Paper Trading Apps & Platforms for 2026

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Beginners and education

Both Charles Schwab and Ally Invest cover the basics for beginner investors, with education on stocks, ETFs, options, mutual funds, and bonds. The biggest differences show up in hands-on learning. Charles Schwab offers paper trading to practice without risking real money, plus educational videos, live webinars, quizzes, and the ability to track your progress. Ally Invest does not offer paper trading, videos, webinars, quizzes, or progress tracking, so its learning experience is more limited.

For education quality, Charles Schwab earns 5 out of 5 stars and ranks #2 out of 14 brokers for education on StockBrokers.com. Ally Invest earns 3 out of 5 stars and ranks #12 out of 14. If you want structured, interactive learning you can track, Schwab is the better fit. If you just need basic topic overviews, Ally Invest can work, but it offers fewer tools for practicing and testing your knowledge.

Feature Charles Schwab logoCharles Schwab
Ally Invest logoAlly Invest
Education (Stocks) info Yes Yes
Education (ETFs) info Yes Yes
Education (Options) info Yes Yes
Education (Mutual Funds) info Yes Yes
Education (Fixed Income) info Yes Yes
Videos info Yes No
Webinars info Yes No
Education 5/5 Stars 3/5 Stars

Dive deeper: Best Stock Trading Platforms for Beginners of 2026

Stock trading apps

Charles Schwab takes the edge in stock trading apps. It earns 5 stars and ranks #1 out of 14 brokers on StockBrokers.com, while Ally Invest sits at 3 stars and ranks #14. If you want a rich mobile trading experience with deeper research, media, alerts, and advanced charting, Schwab is the clear pick. Ally Invest’s app covers the basics and can suit casual traders, but it trails Schwab on depth and tools.

Both brokers offer iPhone and Android apps. Only Schwab adds an Apple Watch app. Schwab supports mobile after-hours stock trading; the data provided does not confirm whether Ally Invest offers this on mobile. Options trading on mobile and streaming quotes are available at both. Schwab also includes streaming live TV and videos on demand, plus stock alerts, while Ally Invest does not offer those media features or alerts.

For organizing ideas, both apps let you create custom watch lists, but only Schwab lets you customize watch list columns. Charting is a major divider: Schwab supports after-hours charting, landscape view, multiple time frames, 373 technical studies, and stock comparisons on charts. Ally Invest supports multiple time frames but lacks after-hours charting, landscape view, technical studies, and comparison overlays. Traders who care about analysis and chart flexibility will likely find Schwab far more capable.

Feature Charles Schwab logoCharles Schwab
Ally Invest logoAlly Invest
iPhone App info Yes Yes
Android App info Yes Yes
Apple Watch App info Yes No
Stock Alerts info Yes No
Charting - After-Hours info Yes No
Charting - Technical Studies info 373 0
Mobile Trading Apps 5/5 Stars 3/5 Stars

Dive deeper: Best Stock Trading Apps for 2026

Fees

When choosing between Charles Schwab and Ally Invest, it's essential to weigh various factors, including fees and other charges. Both platforms offer no minimum deposit requirement and charge nothing for regular stock trades. However, distinctions emerge in other areas. For options trades, Charles Schwab charges $0.65 per contract, whereas Ally Invest is slightly less expensive at $0.50 per contract. Moreover, margin interest rates at Ally Invest are generally lower across the board, particularly for balances between $50,000 and $99,999, where Ally Invest charges 11% compared to Charles Schwab’s 11.13%.

Both brokers offer attractive incentives for retirement accounts, with no annual fees for IRAs. However, you'll find a difference in IRA closure fees; Charles Schwab does not charge for closing an IRA, while Ally Invest applies a $25 fee. When it comes to account transfers, both brokers charge a $50 fee for full transfers. When considering partial account transfers, Charles Schwab has the advantage with no fee, whereas Ally Invest charges $50.

For investors concerned with options trading costs beyond the basic contract fees, both Charles Schwab and Ally Invest offer $0 fees for options exercise and assignment, making either a fair choice for options traders. Both platforms weigh equally for accessibility and share similar pricing for certain broker services. However, depending on your trading preferences, such as frequent options trading or margin borrowing, Ally Invest might offer modest savings. Charles Schwab, meanwhile, may appeal to those seeking a fee-free experience for account transitions and IRA management.

Feature Charles Schwab logoCharles Schwab
Ally Invest logoAlly Invest
Minimum Deposit info $0.00 $0.00
Stock Trades info $0.00 $0.00
Options (Per Contract) info $0.65 $0.50
Options Exercise Fee info $0.00 $0.00
Options Assignment Fee info $0.00 $0.00
IRA Annual Fee info $0.00 $0.00
IRA Closure Fee info $0.00 $25.00

Dive deeper: Best Free Trading Platforms for 2026

Day Trading

When diving into the world of day trading, choosing the right online broker is crucial, and Charles Schwab and Ally Invest both present distinct offerings. Charles Schwab emerges as a comprehensive platform, featuring advanced tools such as streaming time and sales data for stocks, as well as streaming live TV. This enhances the trader's ability to make informed decisions by providing real-time information. In addition, Charles Schwab allows for direct market routing, ladder trading, and trading using hotkeys, all pivotal for executing trades efficiently. Its provision of level 2 quotes also aids in better understanding market depth, whereas its strategy backtesting capabilities, both basic and advanced, assist traders in refining their trading strategies. Moreover, Charles Schwab offers a short locator tool, essential for those involved in short selling, highlighting its commitment to equipping traders with a diverse range of features.

On the other hand, Ally Invest holds a more streamlined approach, as it doesn't offer features like streaming time and sales, live TV, or direct market routing, positioning it as a simpler option for those who might not need the complex tools available at Charles Schwab. While both brokers do not offer order liquidity rebates, the absence of advanced trading tools in Ally Invest could be considered a drawback for active day traders seeking comprehensive features. Therefore, traders who prioritize an extensive suite of tools may find Charles Schwab more aligned with their trading needs, while Ally Invest could suit those preferring a more straightforward trading experience. Thus, selecting between the two largely depends on the trader's individual requirements and experience level.

Feature Charles Schwab logoCharles Schwab
Ally Invest logoAlly Invest
Streaming Time & Sales info Yes No
Streaming TV info Yes No
Direct Market Routing - Equities info Yes No
Level 2 Quotes - Stocks info Yes No
Trade Ideas - Backtesting info Yes No
Trade Ideas - Backtesting Adv info Yes No
Short Locator info Yes No

Dive deeper: Best Day Trading Platforms of 2026 for Beginners and Active Traders

Market Research

Bottom line: For market research, Charles Schwab is the stronger pick than Ally Invest. Schwab earns 4.5 out of 5 stars and ranks #2 of 14 brokers on StockBrokers.com, while Ally Invest scores 3 stars and ranks #9. If you want deeper coverage, built-in portfolio insights, and more downloadable reports, Schwab is the safer bet; Ally Invest suits traders who only need the basics.

Both Charles Schwab and Ally Invest offer research for stocks, ETFs, mutual funds, bonds, and pink sheets/OTCBB, and both include stock research that taps social media sentiment. Schwab goes further with ESG (Environmental, Social, and Governance) research and the ability to see your portfolio allocation by asset class, which Ally Invest does not provide. For trade ideas, each broker includes stock, ETF, and bond screeners; Schwab also adds a mutual fund screener, which Ally lacks.

Downloadable research is another clear divider. Charles Schwab provides seven stock research PDFs and downloadable ETF research PDFs, while Ally Invest offers no PDFs for stocks or ETFs. Neither broker supplies mutual fund PDFs. If side-by-side, ready-to-use reports matter to you, Schwab delivers more useful materials to guide your decisions.

Feature Charles Schwab logoCharles Schwab
Ally Invest logoAlly Invest
Research - Stocks info Yes Yes
Screener - Stocks info Yes Yes
Research - ETFs info Yes Yes
Screener - ETFs info Yes Yes
Research - Mutual Funds info Yes Yes
Screener - Mutual Funds info Yes No
Research - Fixed Income info Yes Yes
Screener - Fixed Income info Yes Yes
Research 4.5/5 Stars 3/5 Stars

Banking

When it comes to banking capabilities, both Charles Schwab and Ally Invest offer a comprehensive range of services catering to various needs. Customers of Charles Schwab and Ally Invest can enjoy checking and savings accounts, complete with debit cards for everyday transactions. Both platforms extend their services by providing credit cards and mortgage loans, making financial flexibility a priority. Additionally, those looking to grow their savings can take advantage of Certificates of Deposit (CDs) from both brokers. Overall, Charles Schwab and Ally Invest offer similar expansive banking features, catering well to diverse financial needs.

Feature Charles Schwab logoCharles Schwab
Ally Invest logoAlly Invest
Checking Accounts info Yes Yes
Savings Accounts info Yes Yes
Debit Cards info Yes Yes
Credit Cards info Yes Yes
Mortgage Loans info Yes Yes
Brokerage CDs info Yes Yes

Dive deeper: Best Brokerage Checking Accounts for 2026

Winner

After opening live accounts and testing 14 of the best online brokers, our research and live account testing finds that Charles Schwab is better than Ally Invest. Charles Schwab finished with an overall score of 93.3%, while Ally Invest finished with a score of 56.0%.

For most investors, the search for a great broker ends with Charles Schwab. Retaining the #1 Overall ranking in 2026, Schwab continues to set the industry standard. The broker uniquely balances scale with sophistication, offering both simplified mobile tools and the professional-grade thinkorswim platform. From buying a first fractional share to managing a multimillion-dollar estate, Schwab provides a platform tailored to every need, serving as the definitive operating system for modern wealth.

FAQs

Can you trade cryptocurrency with Charles Schwab or Ally Invest?

Both Charles Schwab and Ally Invest currently do not offer cryptocurrency trading, meaning neither platform provides access to any coins for crypto trading enthusiasts.

Dive deeper: Best Online Brokers for Crypto Trading in 2026

Does Charles Schwab or Ally Invest offer IRAs?

When comparing Charles Schwab and Ally Invest for IRA offerings, both firms provide Traditional and Roth IRA accounts with no annual fees; however, Charles Schwab stands out by charging no closure fee for their IRA accounts, whereas Ally Invest imposes a $25 closure fee.

Dive deeper: Best IRA Accounts for 2026

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Compare

0 of 5
Overall Rating Charles Schwab Ally Invest
Overall 5/5 Stars 3/5 Stars
Range of Investments 4.5/5 Stars 4/5 Stars
Advanced Trading 4.5/5 Stars 1.5/5 Stars
Mobile Trading Apps 5/5 Stars 3/5 Stars
Research 4.5/5 Stars 3/5 Stars
Customer Service 4.5/5 Stars 4/5 Stars
Education 5/5 Stars 3/5 Stars
Ease of Use 4.5/5 Stars 2/5 Stars
Winner check_circle
Review Charles Schwab Review Ally Invest Review
Broker Screenshots Charles Schwab Ally Invest
Broker Gallery (click to expand)
Trading Fees Charles Schwab Ally Invest
Minimum Deposit info $0.00 $0.00
Stock Trades info $0.00 $0.00
Penny Stock Fees (OTC) info $6.95 $4.95 info
Mutual Fund Trade Fee info Varies $0.00
Options (Per Contract) info $0.65 $0.50
Futures (Per Contract) info $2.25 (Not offered)
Broker Assisted Trade Fee info $25 $20
Margin Rates Charles Schwab Ally Invest
Margin Rate Under $25,000 info 12.58% 12%
Margin Rate $25,000 to $49,999.99 info 12.08% 11.75%
Margin Rate $50,000 to $99,999.99 info 11.13% 11%
Margin Rate $100,000 to $249,999.99 info 11.08% 9.75%
Margin Rate $250,000 to $499,999.99 info 10.83% 8.75%
Margin Rate $500,000 to $999,999.99 info Varies info 8.25%
Margin Rate Above $1,000,000 info Varies info 7.5%
Account Fees Charles Schwab Ally Invest
IRA Annual Fee info $0.00 $0.00
IRA Closure Fee info $0.00 $25.00
Account Transfer Out (Partial) info $0.00 $50.00
Account Transfer Out (Full) info $50.00 $50.00
Options Exercise Fee info $0.00 $0.00
Options Assignment Fee info $0.00 $0.00
Investment Options Charles Schwab Ally Invest
Stock Trading info Yes Yes
Account Feature - Margin Trading info Yes Yes
Fractional Shares (Stocks) info Yes No
OTC Stocks info Yes Yes
Options Trading info Yes Yes
Complex Options Max Legs info 4 4
Futures Trading info Yes No
Forex Trading info Yes No
Crypto Trading info No No
Crypto Trading - Total Coins info 0 0
Fixed Income (Treasurys) info Yes Yes
Fixed Income (Corporate Bonds) info Yes Yes
Fixed Income (Municipal Bonds) info Yes Yes
Traditional IRAs info Yes Yes
Roth IRAs info Yes Yes
Advisor Services info Yes Yes
International Countries (Stocks) info 12 0
Order Types Charles Schwab Ally Invest
Order Type - Market info Yes Yes
Order Type - Limit info Yes Yes
Order Type - After Hours info Yes Yes
Order Type - Stop info Yes Yes
Order Type - Trailing Stop info Yes No
Order Type - OCO info Yes No
Order Type - OTO info Yes No
Order Type - Broker Assisted info Yes Yes
Beginners Charles Schwab Ally Invest
Education (Stocks) info Yes Yes
Education (ETFs) info Yes Yes
Education (Options) info Yes Yes
Education (Mutual Funds) info Yes Yes
Education (Fixed Income) info Yes Yes
Education (Retirement) info Yes Yes
Retirement Calculator info Yes No
Investor Dictionary info Yes Yes
Paper Trading info Yes No
Videos info Yes No
Webinars info Yes No
Progress Tracking info Yes No
Interactive Learning - Quizzes info Yes No
Stock Trading Apps Charles Schwab Ally Invest
iPhone App info Yes Yes
Android App info Yes Yes
Apple Watch App info Yes No
Trading - Stocks info Yes Yes
Trading - After-Hours info Yes Yes
Trading - Simple Options info Yes Yes
Trading - Complex Options info Yes Yes
Order Ticket RT Quotes info Yes Yes
Order Ticket SRT Quotes info Yes No
Stock App Features Charles Schwab Ally Invest
Mobile Research - Market Movers info Yes Yes
Stream Live TV info Yes No
Videos on Demand info Yes No
Stock Alerts info Yes No
Option Chains Viewable info Yes Yes
Watchlist (Real-time) info Yes Yes
Watchlist (Streaming) info Yes No
Mobile Watchlists - Create & Manage info Yes Yes
Mobile Watchlists - Column Customization info Yes No
Stock App Charting Charles Schwab Ally Invest
Charting - After-Hours info Yes No
Charting - Can Turn Horizontally info Yes No
Charting - Multiple Time Frames info Yes Yes
Charting - Technical Studies info 373 0
Charting - Study Customizations info Yes No
Charting - Stock Comparisons info Yes No
Trading Platforms Charles Schwab Ally Invest
Active Trading Platform info thinkorswim info N/A
Desktop Trading Platform info Yes No
Desktop Platform (Mac) info Yes No
Web Trading Platform info Yes Yes
Paper Trading info Yes No
Trade Journal info Yes No
Watchlists - Total Fields info 580 10
Stock Chart Features Charles Schwab Ally Invest
Charting - Adjust Trades on Chart info Yes No
Charting - Indicators / Studies info 374 120
Charting - Drawing Tools info 24 36
Charting - Notes info Yes Yes
Charting - Historical Trades info Yes No
Charting - Corporate Events info Yes No
Charting - Custom Date Range info Yes No
Charting - Custom Time Bars info Yes No
Charting - Automated Analysis info Yes Yes
Charting - Save Profiles info Yes Yes
Trade Ideas - Technical Analysis info Yes No
Charting - Study Customizations info 35 8
Charting - Custom Studies info Yes No
Day Trading Charles Schwab Ally Invest
Streaming Time & Sales info Yes No
Streaming TV info Yes No
Direct Market Routing - Equities info Yes No
Ladder Trading info Yes No
Trade Hot Keys info Yes No
Level 2 Quotes - Stocks info Yes No
Trade Ideas - Backtesting info Yes No
Trade Ideas - Backtesting Adv info Yes No
Short Locator info Yes No
Order Liquidity Rebates info No No
Research Overview Charles Schwab Ally Invest
Research - Stocks info Yes Yes
Research - ETFs info Yes Yes
Research - Mutual Funds info Yes Yes
Research - Pink Sheets / OTCBB info Yes Yes
Research - Fixed Income info Yes Yes
Screener - Stocks info Yes Yes
Screener - ETFs info Yes Yes
Screener - Mutual Funds info Yes No
Screener - Fixed Income info Yes Yes
Portfolio Asset Allocation info Yes No
Stock Research Charles Schwab Ally Invest
Stock Research - PDF Reports info 7 0
Stock Research - Earnings info Yes No
Stock Research - Insiders info Yes Yes
Stock Research - Social info Yes Yes
Stock Research - News info Yes Yes
Stock Research - ESG info Yes No
Stock Research - SEC Filings info Yes No
ETF Research Charles Schwab Ally Invest
ETFs - Investment Objective info Yes No
ETF Fund Facts - Inception Date info Yes No
ETF Fund Facts - Expense Ratio info Yes Yes
ETF Fund Facts - Total Assets info Yes Yes
ETF Fund Facts - Total Holdings info Yes No
ETFs - Top 10 Holdings info Yes Yes
ETFs - Sector Exposure info Yes No
ETFs - Risk Analysis info Yes No
ETFs - Ratings info Yes Yes
ETFs - Morningstar StyleMap info Yes No
ETFs - PDF Reports info Yes No
Mutual Fund Research Charles Schwab Ally Invest
Mutual Funds - Investment Objective info Yes Yes
Mutual Funds - Performance Chart info Yes Yes
Mutual Funds - Performance Analysis info Yes No
Mutual Funds - Prospectus info Yes No
Mutual Funds - 3rd Party Ratings info Yes Yes
Mutual Funds - Fees Breakdown info Yes No
Mutual Funds - Top 10 Holdings info Yes Yes
Mutual Funds - Asset Allocation info Yes No
Mutual Funds - Sector Allocation info Yes Yes
Mutual Funds - Country Allocation info Yes No
Mutual Funds - StyleMap info Yes No
Options Trading Charles Schwab Ally Invest
Option Chains - Total Greeks info 5 5
Option Analysis - P&L Charts info Yes No
Banking Charles Schwab Ally Invest
Bank (Member FDIC) info Yes Yes
Checking Accounts info Yes Yes
Savings Accounts info Yes Yes
Credit Cards info Yes Yes
Debit Cards info Yes Yes
Mortgage Loans info Yes Yes
Customer Service Charles Schwab Ally Invest
Phone Support (Prospective Customers) info Yes Yes
Phone Support (Current Customers) info Yes Yes
Email Support info Yes Yes
Live Chat (Prospective Customers) info No No
Live Chat (Current Customers) info Yes Yes
24/7 Support info Yes Yes
Overall Charles Schwab Ally Invest
Overall 5/5 Stars 3/5 Stars
Range of Investments 4.5/5 Stars 4/5 Stars
Advanced Trading 4.5/5 Stars 1.5/5 Stars
Mobile Trading Apps 5/5 Stars 3/5 Stars
Research 4.5/5 Stars 3/5 Stars
Education 5/5 Stars 3/5 Stars
Ease of Use 4.5/5 Stars 2/5 Stars
Winner check_circle
Review Charles Schwab Review Ally Invest Review
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