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Charles Schwab vs eToro 2025

StockBrokers.com

Written by StockBrokers.com

July 03, 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.

Charles Schwab
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5/5 Stars Overall
  • Minimum Deposit: $0.00
  • Stock Trades: $0.00
  • Options (Per Contract): $0.65
eToro
3.5/5 Stars Overall
  • Minimum Deposit: $50.00
  • Stock Trades: $0.00
  • Options (Per Contract): $0.00

Range of investments

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 Charles Schwab logoCharles Schwab
eToro logoeToro
Stock Trading info Yes Yes
Margin Trading info Yes No
Fractional Shares info Yes Yes
OTC Stocks info Yes No
Mutual Funds info Yes No
Options Trading info Yes Yes
Futures Trading info Yes No
Crypto Trading info No Yes
Crypto Trading - Total Coins info 0 26
Range of Investments 5/5 Stars 2.5/5 Stars

Dive deeper: Best Options Trading Platforms for 2025, Best Futures Trading Platforms for 2025: A Beginner-Friendly Guide to an Advanced Market

Trading platforms and tools

Charles Schwab emerges as a leader in trading platforms and tools, earning a 5-star rating and securing the top position on StockBrokers.com among 14 brokers. Schwab offers extensive features and customization options across a variety of platforms, including desktop and browser-based versions, catering to both Windows and Mac users. In contrast, eToro, which holds a 2.5-star rating, is more limited in scope, offering just a browser-based platform and ranking 12th overall. Schwab’s platform provides a comprehensive toolset that supports a range of trading needs, making it a more well-rounded choice for users looking for depth in trading capabilities.

For those evaluating trading platforms, Charles Schwab stands out with its downloadable software for both Windows and Mac, whereas eToro only offers a web-based option. Both platforms cater to users interested in paper trading, but Charles Schwab distinguishes itself with a rich set of features and an extensive list of 580 columns for watch lists compared to eToro’s 7. Schwab also enables users to adjust open orders directly on stock charts, a feature absent from eToro’s offerings. These differences highlight Schwab's focus on providing a sophisticated and versatile trading experience.

Charting capabilities reveal further contrasts between the two. Charles Schwab supplies traders with 374 technical indicators and the ability to create custom studies, compared to eToro’s 46 indicators without custom study options. Although eToro excels in providing more drawing tools, Charles Schwab compensates with features such as showing historical trades on charts and displaying corporate events, which are not available on eToro. Schwab’s inclusion of features like automated technical analysis and customizable date ranges further caters to traders seeking in-depth market insights and analytical power.

Feature Charles Schwab logoCharles Schwab
eToro logoeToro
Web Trading Platform info Yes Yes
Desktop Trading Platform info Yes No
Desktop Platform (Mac) info Yes No
Paper Trading info Yes Yes
Watch Lists - Total Fields info 580 7
Charting - Indicators / Studies info 374 46
Charting - Drawing Tools info 24 48
Platforms & Tools 5/5 Stars 2.5/5 Stars

Dive deeper: Best Online Brokers & Trading Platforms for 2025, Best Paper Trading Apps & Platforms for 2025

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Beginners and education

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 Charles Schwab logoCharles Schwab
eToro logoeToro
Education (Stocks) info Yes Yes
Education (ETFs) info Yes No
Education (Options) info Yes No
Education (Mutual Funds) info Yes No
Education (Bonds) info Yes No
Paper Trading info Yes Yes
Videos info Yes Yes
Webinars info Yes No
Education 5/5 Stars 2.5/5 Stars

Dive deeper: Best Stock Trading Platforms for Beginners of 2025

Stock trading apps

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 Charles Schwab logoCharles Schwab
eToro logoeToro
iPhone App info Yes Yes
Android App info Yes Yes
Apple Watch App info Yes No
Stock Alerts info Yes Yes
Charting - After-Hours info No Yes
Charting - Technical Studies info 373 103
Mobile Trading Apps 5/5 Stars 4.5/5 Stars

Dive deeper: Best Stock Trading Apps for 2025

Fees

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 Charles Schwab logoCharles Schwab
eToro logoeToro
Minimum Deposit info $0.00 $50.00
Stock Trades info $0.00 $0.00
Options (Per Contract) info $0.65 $0.00
Options Exercise Fee info $0.00 $0.00
Options Assignment Fee info $0.00 $0.00
IRA Annual Fee info $0.00
IRA Closure Fee info $0.00

Dive deeper: Best Free Trading Platforms for 2025

Day Trading

When comparing Charles Schwab and eToro for day trading, Charles Schwab comes out ahead thanks to its extensive features tailored for active traders. Charles Schwab provides streaming time and sales access for stocks, similar to eToro, but it distinguishes itself with streaming live TV, helping traders stay informed with real-time news. Moreover, Charles Schwab offers direct market routing, ladder trading, and trading hotkeys for quick trade entries, all of which are not available on eToro. These features are essential for day traders who require speed and precision in their trading operations.

Beyond just order execution speed, Charles Schwab also enhances the trading experience with level 2 quotes providing deeper market insight, as well as both basic and advanced strategy backtesting for users looking to refine their trading tactics. Additionally, it features a short locator tool, enabling traders to view real-time availability of shares for shorting. In contrast, eToro lacks these advanced tools. While neither platform offers order liquidity rebates, Charles Schwab's offerings cater more comprehensively to day traders seeking a competitive edge.

Feature Charles Schwab logoCharles Schwab
eToro logoeToro
Streaming Time & Sales info Yes Yes
Streaming TV info Yes No
Direct Market Routing - Stocks 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 for 2025

Market Research

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 Charles Schwab logoCharles Schwab
eToro logoeToro
Research - Stocks info Yes Yes
Screener - Stocks info Yes No
Research - ETFs info Yes Yes
Screener - ETFs info Yes No
Research - Mutual Funds info Yes No
Screener - Mutual Funds info Yes No
Research - Bonds info Yes No
Screener - Bonds info Yes No
Research 5/5 Stars 1.5/5 Stars

Banking

When comparing the banking capabilities of Charles Schwab and eToro, it's evident that Charles Schwab offers a broader range of services. Charles Schwab provides various banking products, including checking accounts, savings accounts, debit cards, credit cards, and mortgage loans. Additionally, they offer certificates of deposit (CDs), making them a versatile choice for those seeking comprehensive banking solutions. In contrast, eToro does not offer these types of banking services. Instead, eToro focuses on providing a platform for online trading without checking or savings accounts, debit or credit cards, mortgage loans, or CDs. This distinction underscores Charles Schwab's extensive offering for customers who value integrated banking alongside their investment activities.

Feature Charles Schwab logoCharles Schwab
eToro logoeToro
Checking Accounts info Yes No
Savings Accounts info Yes No
Debit Cards info Yes No
Credit Cards info Yes No
Mortgage Loans info Yes No
CDs info Yes No

Dive deeper: Best Brokerage Checking Accounts for 2025

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 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.

FAQs

Can you trade cryptocurrency with Charles Schwab or eToro?

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

Does Charles Schwab or eToro offer IRAs?

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

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Compare

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Overall Rating Charles Schwab eToro
Overall 5/5 Stars 3.5/5 Stars
Range of Investments 5/5 Stars 2.5/5 Stars
Platforms & Tools 5/5 Stars 2.5/5 Stars
Mobile Trading Apps 5/5 Stars 4.5/5 Stars
Research 5/5 Stars 1.5/5 Stars
Customer Service 4.5/5 Stars N/A
Education 5/5 Stars 2.5/5 Stars
Ease of Use 5/5 Stars 4/5 Stars
Winner check_circle
Review Charles Schwab Review eToro Review
Broker Screenshots Charles Schwab eToro
Trading Platform & Tools Gallery (click to expand)
Research Gallery (click to expand)
Mobile Trading Apps Gallery (click to expand)
Education Gallery (click to expand)
Trading Fees Charles Schwab eToro
Minimum Deposit info $0.00 $50.00
Stock Trades info $0.00 $0.00
Penny Stock Fees (OTC) info $6.95 N/A
Mutual Fund Trade Fee info Varies N/A
Options (Per Contract) info $0.65 $0.00
Futures (Per Contract) info $2.25 (Not offered)
Broker Assisted Trade Fee info $25 $0
Margin Rates Charles Schwab eToro
Margin Rate Under $25,000 info 13.575% Not offered
Margin Rate $25,000 to $49,999.99 info 13.075% Not offered
Margin Rate $50,000 to $99,999.99 info 12.125% Not offered
Margin Rate $100,000 to $249,999.99 info 12.075% Not offered
Margin Rate $250,000 to $499,999.99 info 11.825% Not offered
Margin Rate $500,000 to $999,999.99 info Varies info Not offered
Margin Rate Above $1,000,000 info Varies info Not offered
Account Fees Charles Schwab eToro
IRA Annual Fee info $0.00
IRA Closure Fee info $0.00
Account Transfer Out (Partial) info $0.00 $75.00
Account Transfer Out (Full) info $50.00 $75.00
Options Exercise Fee info $0.00 $0.00
Options Assignment Fee info $0.00 $0.00
Investment Options Charles Schwab eToro
Stock Trading info Yes Yes
Margin Trading info Yes No
Fractional Shares info Yes Yes
OTC Stocks info Yes No
Options Trading info Yes Yes
Complex Options Max Legs info 4 0
Futures Trading info Yes No
Forex Trading info Yes No
Crypto Trading info No Yes
Crypto Trading - Total Coins info 0 26
Mutual Funds (No Load) info 15163 0
Mutual Funds (Total) info 18145 0
Bonds (US Treasury) info Yes No
Bonds (Corporate) info Yes No
Bonds (Municipal) info Yes No
Traditional IRAs info Yes No
Roth IRAs info Yes No
Advisor Services info Yes No
International Countries (Stocks) info 12 0
Order Types Charles Schwab eToro
Order Type - Market info Yes Yes
Order Type - Limit info Yes No
Order Type - After Hours info Yes No
Order Type - Stop info Yes Yes
Order Type - Trailing Stop info Yes Yes
Order Type - OCO info Yes No
Order Type - OTO info Yes No
Order Type - Broker Assisted info Yes No
Beginners Charles Schwab eToro
Education (Stocks) info Yes Yes
Education (ETFs) info Yes No
Education (Options) info Yes No
Education (Mutual Funds) info Yes No
Education (Bonds) info Yes No
Education (Retirement) info Yes No
Retirement Calculator info Yes No
Investor Dictionary info Yes No
Paper Trading info Yes Yes
Videos info Yes Yes
Webinars info Yes No
Webinars (Archived) info Yes No
Progress Tracking info Yes No
Interactive Learning - Quizzes info Yes No
Stock Trading Apps Charles Schwab eToro
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 No
Trading - Simple Options info Yes Yes
Trading - Complex Options info Yes No
Order Ticket RT Quotes info Yes Yes
Order Ticket SRT Quotes info Yes Yes
Stock App Features Charles Schwab eToro
Market Movers (Top Gainers) info Yes Yes
Stream Live TV info Yes No
Videos on Demand info Yes Yes
Stock Alerts info Yes Yes
Option Chains Viewable info Yes Yes
Watch List (Real-time) info Yes Yes
Watch List (Streaming) info Yes Yes
Watch Lists - Create & Manage info Yes Yes
Watch Lists - Column Customization info Yes No
Stock App Charting Charles Schwab eToro
Charting - After-Hours info No Yes
Charting - Can Turn Horizontally info Yes No
Charting - Multiple Time Frames info Yes Yes
Charting - Technical Studies info 373 103
Charting - Study Customizations info Yes Yes
Charting - Stock Comparisons info Yes Yes
Trading Platforms Charles Schwab eToro
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 Yes
Trade Journal info Yes No
Watch Lists - Total Fields info 580 7
Stock Chart Features Charles Schwab eToro
Charting - Adjust Trades on Chart info Yes No
Charting - Indicators / Studies info 374 46
Charting - Drawing Tools info 24 48
Charting - Notes info Yes Yes
Charting - Index Overlays 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 No
Charting - Save Profiles info Yes Yes
Trade Ideas - Technical Analysis info Yes Yes
Charting - Study Customizations info 35 5
Charting - Custom Studies info Yes No
Day Trading Charles Schwab eToro
Streaming Time & Sales info Yes Yes
Streaming TV info Yes No
Direct Market Routing - Stocks info Yes No
Ladder Trading info Yes No
Trade Hotkeys 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 eToro
Research - Stocks info Yes Yes
Research - ETFs info Yes Yes
Research - Mutual Funds info Yes No
Research - Pink Sheets / OTCBB info Yes No
Research - Bonds info Yes No
Screener - Stocks info Yes No
Screener - ETFs info Yes No
Screener - Mutual Funds info Yes No
Screener - Bonds info Yes No
Misc - Portfolio Allocation info Yes No
Stock Research Charles Schwab eToro
Stock Research - PDF Reports info 7 0
Stock Research - Earnings info Yes Yes
Stock Research - Insiders info Yes Yes
Stock Research - Social info Yes Yes
Stock Research - News info Yes Yes
Stock Research - ESG info Yes Yes
Stock Research - SEC Filings info Yes Yes
ETF Research Charles Schwab eToro
ETFs - Strategy Overview info Yes Yes
ETF Fund Facts - Inception Date info Yes No
ETF Fund Facts - Expense Ratio info Yes No
ETF Fund Facts - Net Assets info Yes No
ETF Fund Facts - Total Holdings info Yes No
ETFs - Top 10 Holdings info Yes No
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 eToro
Mutual Funds - Strategy Overview info Yes No
Mutual Funds - Performance Chart info Yes No
Mutual Funds - Performance Analysis info Yes No
Mutual Funds - Prospectus info Yes No
Mutual Funds - 3rd Party Ratings info Yes No
Mutual Funds - Fees Breakdown info Yes No
Mutual Funds - Top 10 Holdings info Yes No
Mutual Funds - Asset Allocation info Yes No
Mutual Funds - Sector Allocation info Yes No
Mutual Funds - Country Allocation info Yes No
Mutual Funds - StyleMap info Yes No
Options Trading Charles Schwab eToro
Option Chains - Basic View info Yes Yes
Option Chains - Strategy View info Yes No
Option Chains - Streaming info Yes No
Option Chains - Total Columns info 31 0
Option Chains - Greeks info 5 4
Option Chains - Quick Analysis info Yes Yes
Option Analysis - P&L Charts info Yes No
Option Probability Analysis info Yes No
Option Probability Analysis Adv info Yes No
Option Positions - Greeks info Yes No
Option Positions - Greeks Streaming info Yes No
Option Positions - Adv Analysis info Yes No
Option Positions - Rolling info Yes No
Option Positions - Grouping info Yes No
Banking Charles Schwab eToro
Bank (Member FDIC) info Yes No
Checking Accounts info Yes No
Savings Accounts info Yes No
Credit Cards info Yes No
Debit Cards info Yes No
Mortgage Loans info Yes No
Customer Service Charles Schwab eToro
Phone Support (Prospect Customers) info Yes No
Phone Support (Current Customers) info Yes No
Email Support info Yes Yes
Live Chat (Prospect Customers) info No Yes
Live Chat (Current Customers) info Yes Yes
24/7 Support info Yes No
Overall Charles Schwab eToro
Overall 5/5 Stars 3.5/5 Stars
Range of Investments 5/5 Stars 2.5/5 Stars
Platforms & Tools 5/5 Stars 2.5/5 Stars
Mobile Trading Apps 5/5 Stars 4.5/5 Stars
Research 5/5 Stars 1.5/5 Stars
Education 5/5 Stars 2.5/5 Stars
Ease of Use 5/5 Stars 4/5 Stars
Winner check_circle
Review Charles Schwab Review eToro Review
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