Charles Schwab vs eToro 2025
In this head to head comparison of Charles Schwab vs eToro, we will compare the trading platforms, mobile apps, range of investments, costs, market research, and more. Let's dive in.
In this head to head comparison of Charles Schwab vs eToro, we will compare the trading platforms, mobile apps, range of investments, costs, market research, and more. Let's dive in.
When it comes to selecting an online broker, Charles Schwab and eToro cater to different investment needs, making the choice between them a matter of priorities. Charles Schwab stands out for its comprehensive range of investment options, scoring 5 out of 5 stars and ranking 2nd in the range of investments among 14 brokers on StockBrokers.com. eToro, on the other hand, focuses on specific asset classes, earning it a 2.5-star rating and a 14th place ranking. Investors seeking traditional investment routes like stocks, mutual funds, and retirement accounts may find Charles Schwab to be a more suitable choice, whereas those interested in cryptocurrency might prefer eToro for its selection of 26 digital coins.
Charles Schwab offers a broad spectrum of investment opportunities, including stock, margin, and options trading, as well as access to OTC stocks, futures, and forex trading. Traditional investment products such as mutual funds and IRAs, both traditional and Roth, are also available. Additionally, Schwab's advisory services can be a crucial advantage for those seeking professional guidance on their investments.
Conversely, eToro provides investors with the ability to trade stocks, options, and fractional shares. Its standout feature is the option to trade cryptocurrency, supporting a collection of 26 different coins, which is a significant draw for crypto enthusiasts. However, eToro lacks some of the traditional investment options found at Charles Schwab, such as mutual funds and IRAs, and does not offer margin, forex, or futures trading. This focus ensures that eToro specializes in areas like crypto while providing essential options trading, making it a unique choice for investors with specific needs.
Feature |
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|
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Stock Trading | Yes | Yes |
Account Feature - Margin Trading | Yes | No |
Fractional Shares (Stocks) | Yes | Yes |
OTC Stocks | Yes | No |
Mutual Funds | Yes | No |
Options Trading | Yes | Yes |
Futures Trading | Yes | No |
Crypto Trading | No | Yes |
Crypto Trading - Total Coins | 0 | 26 |
Range of Investments |
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Dive deeper: Best Options Trading Platforms for 2025, Best Futures Trading Platforms for 2025: A Beginner-Friendly Guide to an Advanced Market
When choosing between Charles Schwab and eToro for trading platforms and tools, Charles Schwab stands out as the superior choice. Rated five stars out of five and ranked first among 14 brokers by StockBrokers.com, Charles Schwab offers a comprehensive set of features for traders seeking a full range of options. In contrast, eToro, with a 2.5-star rating and ranked 12th, falls short in providing the same level of depth and versatility.
Charles Schwab impresses with its availability on both Windows and Mac via downloadable platforms, alongside a browser-based option. This flexibility is complemented by features such as paper trading and a robust trading journal. The platform supports 580 columns for watch lists, significantly more than eToro's seven, allowing for extensive data customization and analysis. Furthermore, traders can adjust open orders directly on stock charts and make use of 374 technical indicators and 24 drawing tools in their charting efforts. Charles Schwab also enables traders to showcase historical trades, corporate events, and perform automated technical analysis on its charts, along with the ability to save multiple chart profiles.
eToro, on the other hand, centers its offering on a browser-based platform with some distinct capabilities. While it shares basic functionalities like paper trading and the ability to add notes to charts, its tools and features are more limited. Offering only 46 technical indicators and 48 drawing tools, eToro does have more drawing options, but lacks the rich customization and comprehensive analysis tools seen in Schwab's arsenal. Moreover, with fewer customization fields for studies and no options to create custom studies, eToro appeals primarily to those preferring a more straightforward and simplified approach to trading.
Feature |
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|
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Web Trading Platform | Yes | Yes |
Desktop Trading Platform | Yes | No |
Desktop Platform (Mac) | Yes | No |
Paper Trading | Yes | Yes |
Watch Lists - Total Fields | 580 | 7 |
Charting - Indicators / Studies | 374 | 46 |
Charting - Drawing Tools | 24 | 48 |
Platforms & Tools |
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Dive deeper: Best Online Brokers & Trading Platforms for 2025, Best Paper Trading Apps & Platforms for 2025
When it comes to investor education, Charles Schwab stands out as a top choice for beginners with a holistic approach to financial learning. Schwab covers a wide range of investment topics, offering educational resources on stocks, ETFs, options, mutual funds, and bonds. Their platform is designed to support new investors, featuring paper trading, webinars, and engaging quizzes to enhance understanding. Users can also track their learning progress, making it easier to keep tabs on their educational journey. These comprehensive offerings have earned Charles Schwab a five-star rating and the #1 spot for education according to StockBrokers.com.
In contrast, eToro focuses more narrowly on stock education, lacking resources in areas such as ETFs, options, mutual funds, and bonds. Although it provides paper trading and educational videos, eToro's educational reach isn’t as extensive as Schwab's. The absence of webinars and educational quizzes, along with the lack of progress tracking, makes it less suitable for those looking to self-educate extensively. As a result, eToro holds a 2.5-star rating for education and ranks #14 among 14 brokers reviewed by StockBrokers.com.
Feature |
|
|
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Education (Stocks) | Yes | Yes |
Education (ETFs) | Yes | No |
Education (Options) | Yes | No |
Education (Mutual Funds) | Yes | No |
Education (Fixed Income) | Yes | No |
Paper Trading | Yes | Yes |
Videos | Yes | Yes |
Webinars | Yes | No |
Education |
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Dive deeper: Best Stock Trading Platforms for Beginners of 2025
When it comes to stock trading app capabilities, Charles Schwab stands out as the top choice, scoring 5 stars and ranking #1 out of 14 brokers according to StockBrokers.com. While eToro also offers a solid app experience with a 4.5-star rating, it ranks further down the list at #11. The overall takeaway is that Charles Schwab offers a more comprehensive and feature-rich mobile experience, making it a preferred choice for many traders.
Both Charles Schwab and eToro provide iPhone and Android apps for convenient trading on-the-go. However, Charles Schwab further extends this convenience to Apple Watch users, whereas eToro does not. Investors seeking after-hours stock trading on mobile will appreciate that only Charles Schwab provides this option. Customization and information are key parts of trading, and Schwab offers additional features like streaming live TV and personalized watch list columns, enhancing its edge in user experience. eToro, while lacking some features, has advantages such as after-hours charting capabilities.
In terms of charting tools, Charles Schwab offers a significantly larger library with 373 technical studies compared to eToro's 103, providing traders with deeper analytical capabilities. Both brokers allow the display of stock comparisons on charts and multiple time frame analysis. However, Schwab allows landscape mode viewing, providing a more versatile charting experience. Both stocks send alerts and have on-demand video resources, catering to the increasing need for timely and comprehensive stock market information.
Feature |
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iPhone App | Yes | Yes |
Android App | Yes | Yes |
Apple Watch App | Yes | No |
Stock Alerts | Yes | Yes |
Charting - After-Hours | No | Yes |
Charting - Technical Studies | 373 | 103 |
Mobile Trading Apps |
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Dive deeper: Best Stock Trading Apps for 2025
When deciding between Charles Schwab and eToro, it’s important to consider various account fees and charges to determine which online broker best suits your needs. While both platforms offer commission-free stock trades, they differ significantly in other areas. Charles Schwab stands out with its $0 minimum deposit requirement and various free services, making it a suitable choice for beginners or those looking to invest smaller amounts. In contrast, eToro requires a $50 minimum deposit, which may be more manageable for those interested in leveraging eToro's unique social trading features.
Charles Schwab also entices investors by offering options trading at $0.65 per contract, whereas eToro offers options trading with no additional contract fee. This provides an advantage for those engaging in extensive options trading on eToro. Additionally, Charles Schwab offers margin trading, albeit with interest rates that range from 12.125% to 13.575% depending on the margin balance. eToro, however, does not currently offer margin trading, which might be a consideration for those interested in leveraging their investments.
Another point of comparison is the account transfer fees. Charles Schwab has no charge for partial transfers and a $50 fee for full transfers. Conversely, eToro charges $75 for both partial and full transfers, which could be a factor for account holders planning to switch brokers. Both brokers require no fees for options exercise or assignment, but it's worth noting that eToro doesn't provide IRA services, whereas Charles Schwab offers these with no annual or closure fees. These differences underscore the importance of carefully evaluating each broker’s offerings based on individual investment goals and financial strategies.
Feature |
|
|
---|---|---|
Minimum Deposit | $0.00 | $50.00 |
Stock Trades | $0.00 | $0.00 |
Options (Per Contract) | $0.65 | $0.00 |
Options Exercise Fee | $0.00 | $0.00 |
Options Assignment Fee | $0.00 | $0.00 |
IRA Annual Fee | $0.00 | |
IRA Closure Fee | $0.00 |
Dive deeper: Best Free Trading Platforms for 2025
When evaluating Charles Schwab and eToro for their day trading capabilities, several distinct features set them apart. Charles Schwab is equipped with streaming time and sales data for stocks and offers streaming live TV, enhancing users' real-time trading experience. It supports direct market routing for stock trades, ladder trading, and trading hotkeys for efficient keyboard entries, which can be crucial for quick decision-making in fast-paced scenarios. Charles Schwab also provides level 2 quotes, which give deeper insights into market depth. Additionally, the platform offers both basic and advanced strategy backtesting, allowing traders to test their strategies' effectiveness. A short locator tool is available, enabling traders to see real-time availability of shares to short, which adds another layer of functionality for those interested in short selling.
Conversely, eToro offers streaming time and sales for stocks but lacks several features that day traders might find essential. It doesn't provide streaming live TV, direct market routing, ladder trading, or trading hotkeys, which can limit quick trade executions. Furthermore, eToro does not offer level 2 quotes, strategy backtesting, or a short locator tool, which could be crucial for day traders seeking comprehensive tools for strategy and execution. While both platforms serve different trader needs, those focused on detailed, active, and strategic day trading may find Charles Schwab's offerings more aligned with their requirements.
Feature |
|
|
---|---|---|
Streaming Time & Sales | Yes | Yes |
Streaming TV | Yes | No |
Direct Market Routing - Equities | Yes | No |
Level 2 Quotes - Stocks | Yes | No |
Trade Ideas - Backtesting | Yes | No |
Trade Ideas - Backtesting Adv | Yes | No |
Short Locator | Yes | No |
Dive deeper: Best Day Trading Platforms for 2025
When comparing the market research capabilities of Charles Schwab and eToro, Charles Schwab consistently outperforms its counterpart. With a top rating of five stars, Charles Schwab is ranked number one by StockBrokers.com among 14 brokers, providing a comprehensive suite of research options. In contrast, eToro, ranked last, garners only 1.5 stars due to its more limited offerings.
Charles Schwab offers extensive stock, ETF, mutual fund, pink sheets, OTCBB, and bonds research options, making it a versatile choice for investors seeking detailed information across various asset classes. Additionally, investors have access to ESG research and can view portfolio allocation by asset class. Schwab also furnishes downloadable PDF research reports for stocks, ETFs, and mutual funds, along with specialized screeners for stocks, ETFs, mutual funds, and bonds, providing ample data for informed trading decisions.
On the other hand, eToro offers some stock and ETF research, as well as ESG and social media sentiment data, but falls short in other areas. The platform lacks mutual fund and bond research capabilities and does not provide downloadable PDF reports. Moreover, eToro does not offer screeners for trade ideas, limiting the tools available to investors. Overall, for those prioritizing in-depth market research, Charles Schwab stands as the superior choice compared to eToro.
Feature |
|
|
---|---|---|
Research - Stocks | Yes | Yes |
Screener - Stocks | Yes | No |
Research - ETFs | Yes | Yes |
Screener - ETFs | Yes | No |
Research - Mutual Funds | Yes | No |
Screener - Mutual Funds | Yes | No |
Research - Fixed Income | Yes | No |
Screener - Fixed Income | Yes | No |
Research |
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When comparing the banking capabilities of Charles Schwab and eToro, it's clear that Charles Schwab provides a wider range of services. Charles Schwab offers checking and savings accounts, allowing customers to manage their cash with ease. Additionally, Schwab provides debit and credit card options, adding more flexibility for everyday transactions. For those looking to secure mortgage loans, Charles Schwab has that covered too. Furthermore, Schwab presents customers with the opportunity to invest in Certificates of Deposit (CDs), diversifying their savings strategy. On the other hand, eToro does not currently offer any banking services such as checking or savings accounts, debit or credit cards, mortgage loans, or CDs. This highlights Charles Schwab as a more comprehensive choice for those seeking a variety of banking features alongside their online trading platform.
Feature |
|
|
---|---|---|
Checking Accounts | Yes | |
Savings Accounts | Yes | |
Debit Cards | Yes | |
Credit Cards | Yes | |
Mortgage Loans | Yes | |
Brokerage CDs | Yes | No |
Dive deeper: Best Brokerage Checking Accounts for 2025
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 eToro. Charles Schwab finished with an overall score of 99.2%, while eToro finished with a score of 66.1%.
With the addition of TD Ameritrade's thinkorswim platforms and the enhancement of several features, Schwab is now a vigorous competitor with thought-provoking research and commentary and a client experience to fit any preference.
When comparing online brokers, eToro stands out for offering crypto trading with access to 26 different coins, whereas Charles Schwab does not provide any cryptocurrency trading options.
Dive deeper: Best Online Brokers for Crypto Trading in 2025
Charles Schwab provides both traditional and Roth IRA accounts with no annual or closure fees, whereas eToro does not offer IRA accounts at all.
Dive deeper: Best IRA Accounts for 2025
Select Brokers
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0 of 5Overall Rating | Charles Schwab | eToro | |
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Mobile Trading Apps |
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Research |
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Customer Service |
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Education |
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Ease of Use |
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Winner | check_circle | ||
Review | Charles Schwab Review | eToro Review |
Broker Screenshots | Charles Schwab | eToro | |
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Broker Gallery (click to expand) |
Trading Fees | Charles Schwab | eToro | |
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Minimum Deposit | $0.00 | $50.00 | |
Stock Trades | $0.00 | $0.00 | |
Penny Stock Fees (OTC) | $6.95 | N/A | |
Mutual Fund Trade Fee | Varies | N/A | |
Options (Per Contract) | $0.65 | $0.00 | |
Futures (Per Contract) | $2.25 | (Not offered) | |
Broker Assisted Trade Fee | $25 | $0 |
Margin Rates | Charles Schwab | eToro | |
---|---|---|---|
Margin Rate Under $25,000 | 13.575% | Not offered | |
Margin Rate $25,000 to $49,999.99 | 13.075% | Not offered | |
Margin Rate $50,000 to $99,999.99 | 12.125% | Not offered | |
Margin Rate $100,000 to $249,999.99 | 12.075% | Not offered | |
Margin Rate $250,000 to $499,999.99 | 11.825% | Not offered | |
Margin Rate $500,000 to $999,999.99 | Varies | Not offered | |
Margin Rate Above $1,000,000 | Varies | Not offered |
Account Fees | Charles Schwab | eToro | |
---|---|---|---|
IRA Annual Fee | $0.00 | ||
IRA Closure Fee | $0.00 | ||
Account Transfer Out (Partial) | $0.00 | $75.00 | |
Account Transfer Out (Full) | $50.00 | $75.00 | |
Options Exercise Fee | $0.00 | $0.00 | |
Options Assignment Fee | $0.00 | $0.00 |
Investment Options | Charles Schwab | eToro | |
---|---|---|---|
Stock Trading | Yes | Yes | |
Account Feature - Margin Trading | Yes | No | |
Fractional Shares (Stocks) | Yes | Yes | |
OTC Stocks | Yes | No | |
Options Trading | Yes | Yes | |
Complex Options Max Legs | 4 | 0 | |
Futures Trading | Yes | No | |
Forex Trading | Yes | No | |
Crypto Trading | No | Yes | |
Crypto Trading - Total Coins | 0 | 26 | |
Fixed Income (Treasurys) | Yes | No | |
Fixed Income (Corporate Bonds) | Yes | No | |
Fixed Income (Municipal Bonds) | Yes | No | |
Traditional IRAs | Yes | No | |
Roth IRAs | Yes | No | |
Advisor Services | Yes | No | |
International Countries (Stocks) | 12 | 0 |
Order Types | Charles Schwab | eToro | |
---|---|---|---|
Order Type - Market | Yes | Yes | |
Order Type - Limit | Yes | No | |
Order Type - After Hours | Yes | No | |
Order Type - Stop | Yes | Yes | |
Order Type - Trailing Stop | Yes | Yes | |
Order Type - OCO | Yes | No | |
Order Type - OTO | Yes | No | |
Order Type - Broker Assisted | Yes | No |
Beginners | Charles Schwab | eToro | |
---|---|---|---|
Education (Stocks) | Yes | Yes | |
Education (ETFs) | Yes | No | |
Education (Options) | Yes | No | |
Education (Mutual Funds) | Yes | No | |
Education (Fixed Income) | Yes | No | |
Education (Retirement) | Yes | No | |
Retirement Calculator | Yes | No | |
Investor Dictionary | Yes | No | |
Paper Trading | Yes | Yes | |
Videos | Yes | Yes | |
Webinars | Yes | No | |
Progress Tracking | Yes | No | |
Interactive Learning - Quizzes | Yes | No |
Stock Trading Apps | Charles Schwab | eToro | |
---|---|---|---|
iPhone App | Yes | Yes | |
Android App | Yes | Yes | |
Apple Watch App | Yes | No | |
Trading - Stocks | Yes | Yes | |
Trading - After-Hours | Yes | No | |
Trading - Simple Options | Yes | Yes | |
Trading - Complex Options | Yes | No | |
Order Ticket RT Quotes | Yes | Yes | |
Order Ticket SRT Quotes | Yes | Yes |
Stock App Features | Charles Schwab | eToro | |
---|---|---|---|
Market Movers (Top Gainers) | Yes | Yes | |
Stream Live TV | Yes | No | |
Videos on Demand | Yes | Yes | |
Stock Alerts | Yes | Yes | |
Option Chains Viewable | Yes | Yes | |
Watch List (Real-time) | Yes | Yes | |
Watch List (Streaming) | Yes | Yes | |
Watch Lists - Create & Manage | Yes | Yes | |
Watch Lists - Column Customization | Yes | No |
Stock App Charting | Charles Schwab | eToro | |
---|---|---|---|
Charting - After-Hours | No | Yes | |
Charting - Can Turn Horizontally | Yes | No | |
Charting - Multiple Time Frames | Yes | Yes | |
Charting - Technical Studies | 373 | 103 | |
Charting - Study Customizations | Yes | Yes | |
Charting - Stock Comparisons | Yes | Yes |
Trading Platforms | Charles Schwab | eToro | |
---|---|---|---|
Active Trading Platform | thinkorswim | N/A | |
Desktop Trading Platform | Yes | No | |
Desktop Platform (Mac) | Yes | No | |
Web Trading Platform | Yes | Yes | |
Paper Trading | Yes | Yes | |
Trade Journal | Yes | No | |
Watch Lists - Total Fields | 580 | 7 |
Stock Chart Features | Charles Schwab | eToro | |
---|---|---|---|
Charting - Adjust Trades on Chart | Yes | No | |
Charting - Indicators / Studies | 374 | 46 | |
Charting - Drawing Tools | 24 | 48 | |
Charting - Notes | Yes | Yes | |
Charting - Historical Trades | Yes | No | |
Charting - Corporate Events | Yes | No | |
Charting - Custom Date Range | Yes | No | |
Charting - Custom Time Bars | Yes | No | |
Charting - Automated Analysis | Yes | No | |
Charting - Save Profiles | Yes | Yes | |
Trade Ideas - Technical Analysis | Yes | Yes | |
Charting - Study Customizations | 35 | 5 | |
Charting - Custom Studies | Yes | No |
Day Trading | Charles Schwab | eToro | |
---|---|---|---|
Streaming Time & Sales | Yes | Yes | |
Streaming TV | Yes | No | |
Direct Market Routing - Equities | Yes | No | |
Ladder Trading | Yes | No | |
Trade Hot Keys | Yes | No | |
Level 2 Quotes - Stocks | Yes | No | |
Trade Ideas - Backtesting | Yes | No | |
Trade Ideas - Backtesting Adv | Yes | No | |
Short Locator | Yes | No | |
Order Liquidity Rebates | No |
Research Overview | Charles Schwab | eToro | |
---|---|---|---|
Research - Stocks | Yes | Yes | |
Research - ETFs | Yes | Yes | |
Research - Mutual Funds | Yes | No | |
Research - Pink Sheets / OTCBB | Yes | No | |
Research - Fixed Income | Yes | No | |
Screener - Stocks | Yes | No | |
Screener - ETFs | Yes | No | |
Screener - Mutual Funds | Yes | No | |
Screener - Fixed Income | Yes | No | |
Portfolio Asset Allocation | Yes | No |
Stock Research | Charles Schwab | eToro | |
---|---|---|---|
Stock Research - PDF Reports | 7 | 0 | |
Stock Research - Earnings | Yes | Yes | |
Stock Research - Insiders | Yes | Yes | |
Stock Research - Social | Yes | Yes | |
Stock Research - News | Yes | Yes | |
Stock Research - ESG | Yes | Yes | |
Stock Research - SEC Filings | Yes | Yes |
ETF Research | Charles Schwab | eToro | |
---|---|---|---|
ETFs - Investment Objective | Yes | Yes | |
ETF Fund Facts - Inception Date | Yes | No | |
ETF Fund Facts - Expense Ratio | Yes | No | |
ETF Fund Facts - Total Assets | Yes | No | |
ETF Fund Facts - Total Holdings | Yes | No | |
ETFs - Top 10 Holdings | Yes | No | |
ETFs - Sector Exposure | Yes | No | |
ETFs - Risk Analysis | Yes | No | |
ETFs - Ratings | Yes | Yes | |
ETFs - Morningstar StyleMap | Yes | No | |
ETFs - PDF Reports | Yes | No |
Mutual Fund Research | Charles Schwab | eToro | |
---|---|---|---|
Mutual Funds - Investment Objective | Yes | No | |
Mutual Funds - Performance Chart | Yes | No | |
Mutual Funds - Performance Analysis | Yes | No | |
Mutual Funds - Prospectus | Yes | No | |
Mutual Funds - 3rd Party Ratings | Yes | No | |
Mutual Funds - Fees Breakdown | Yes | No | |
Mutual Funds - Top 10 Holdings | Yes | No | |
Mutual Funds - Asset Allocation | Yes | No | |
Mutual Funds - Sector Allocation | Yes | No | |
Mutual Funds - Country Allocation | Yes | No | |
Mutual Funds - StyleMap | Yes | No |
Options Trading | Charles Schwab | eToro | |
---|---|---|---|
Option Chains - Total Greeks | 5 | 4 | |
Option Analysis - P&L Charts | Yes | No |
Banking | Charles Schwab | eToro | |
---|---|---|---|
Bank (Member FDIC) | Yes | ||
Checking Accounts | Yes | ||
Savings Accounts | Yes | ||
Credit Cards | Yes | ||
Debit Cards | Yes | ||
Mortgage Loans | Yes |
Customer Service | Charles Schwab | eToro | |
---|---|---|---|
Phone Support (Prospective Customers) | Yes | No | |
Phone Support (Current Customers) | Yes | No | |
Email Support | Yes | Yes | |
Live Chat (Prospective Customers) | No | Yes | |
Live Chat (Current Customers) | Yes | Yes | |
24/7 Support | Yes | No |
Overall | Charles Schwab | eToro | |
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Overall |
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Range of Investments |
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Platforms & Tools |
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Mobile Trading Apps |
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Research |
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Education |
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Ease of Use |
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Winner | check_circle | ||
Review | Charles Schwab Review | eToro Review |