Written by StockBrokers.com
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.
Bottom line: Charles Schwab is the better pick if you want the widest range of traditional investments and account types, while eToro stands out mainly for crypto. StockBrokers.com rates Schwab 4.5/5 stars for Range of Investments and ranks it #3 of 14 brokers; eToro earns 2.5/5 stars and ranks #14. Choose Schwab for breadth and retirement accounts, or eToro if your priority is trading a large mix of cryptocurrencies alongside stocks and options.
Both brokers offer stock trading, options trading, and fractional shares. Schwab goes much further with margin trading, OTC stocks, mutual funds, forex, and futures. eToro does not support margin, OTC stocks, mutual funds, forex, or futures, but it does offer crypto trading with access to 104 coins, while Schwab offers no crypto at all.
For accounts and guidance, Schwab provides Traditional and Roth IRAs plus advisor services; eToro does not offer IRAs or advisor services. In short, Schwab fits long-term and diversified investors who may use margin, futures, forex, and mutual funds, while eToro fits traders who want easy stock investing plus a wide selection of cryptocurrencies.
| Feature |
Charles Schwab
|
eToro
|
|---|---|---|
| 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 | 104 |
| Range of Investments |
|
|
Dive deeper: Best Options Trading Platforms for 2026, Best Futures Trading Platforms for 2026
Bottom line: for trading platforms and tools, Charles Schwab clearly outpaces eToro. Schwab earns 4.5 out of 5 stars and ranks #1 of 14 brokers at StockBrokers.com, while eToro scores 1.5 stars and ranks #11. If you want desktop software, deeper charting, and more ways to customize your setup, Schwab is the better pick. eToro fits traders who are okay with a simpler, web-only experience and basic charting.
Platforms and core tools differ right away. Charles Schwab offers downloadable desktop platforms for both Windows and Mac, plus a browser-based platform. eToro offers a browser-based platform only. Both provide paper trading. Schwab includes a trading journal (eToro does not) and lets you adjust open orders directly on a stock chart. Watchlists are far more detailed at Schwab with up to 580 columns versus 7 at eToro. Both brokers let you save multiple chart profiles.
Charting and analysis are where Schwab pulls ahead. Schwab supplies 374 technical indicators versus 46 at eToro, while eToro offers more drawing tools (48) than Schwab (24). Both let you add notes to charts, but only Schwab shows historical trades, corporate events (earnings, splits, dividends), custom date ranges, and automated chart pattern detection. Study controls are also deeper at Schwab: editing an SMA study offers 35 settings versus 5 at eToro, and Schwab supports creating your own custom studies (eToro does not).
| Feature |
Charles Schwab
|
eToro
|
|---|---|---|
| Web Trading Platform | Yes | Yes |
| Desktop Trading Platform | Yes | No |
| Desktop Platform (Mac) | Yes | No |
| Paper Trading | Yes | Yes |
| Watchlists - Total Fields | 580 | 7 |
| Charting - Indicators / Studies | 374 | 46 |
| Charting - Drawing Tools | 24 | 48 |
| Advanced Trading |
|
|
Dive deeper: Best Stock Brokers for 2026, Best Paper Trading Apps & Platforms for 2026
A full-featured account for investing
Get up to $1K on new brokerage account*
For beginner investors comparing education, both Charles Schwab and eToro cover the basics with lessons on stocks, ETFs, options, and bonds, plus paper trading and educational videos. Schwab goes further with mutual fund education, while eToro does not. Schwab also offers live webinars, interactive quizzes, and tools to track your learning progress—features eToro lacks. If you want more ways to learn and test your knowledge, Schwab’s toolkit is more complete.
Ratings reflect this gap: Charles Schwab earns 5 stars for education and ranks #2 out of 14 brokers on StockBrokers.com, while eToro earns 3 stars and ranks #9. Choose Schwab if you want a structured learning path with checkpoints and live sessions. Choose eToro if you’re after foundational content and a practice account without the added classroom-style features.
| Feature |
Charles Schwab
|
eToro
|
|---|---|---|
| Education (Stocks) | Yes | Yes |
| Education (ETFs) | Yes | Yes |
| Education (Options) | Yes | Yes |
| Education (Mutual Funds) | Yes | No |
| Education (Fixed Income) | Yes | Yes |
| Videos | Yes | Yes |
| Webinars | Yes | No |
| Education |
|
|
Dive deeper: Best Stock Trading Platforms for Beginners of 2026
Looking at Charles Schwab vs. eToro for stock trading apps, Schwab comes out ahead for most users. StockBrokers.com rates Schwab 5 stars and ranks it #1 out of 14 brokers, while eToro earns 4 stars and ranks #11. Schwab’s edge shows up in Apple Watch support, live TV streaming, and far deeper chart tools, while eToro covers key needs like options trading, streaming quotes, alerts, and on‑demand videos. After‑hours trading on mobile is confirmed for Schwab; eToro’s mobile after‑hours availability isn’t specified.
Both brokers offer iPhone and Android apps. Only Schwab supports Apple Watch. Mobile options trading is available on both, as are streaming quotes, stock alerts, custom watch lists, and videos on demand. Schwab adds streaming live TV, which eToro lacks, and it also lets you customize watch list columns, something eToro doesn’t provide.
For charting, both apps include after‑hours data, multiple time frames, and the ability to compare stocks on a chart. Schwab allows landscape charts, while eToro does not. The biggest gap is in technical studies: Schwab offers 373 studies compared with eToro’s 103. If you want broader tools and customization, Schwab is the better pick; if you need core trading and research features, eToro still fits the bill.
| Feature |
Charles Schwab
|
eToro
|
|---|---|---|
| iPhone App | Yes | Yes |
| Android App | Yes | Yes |
| Apple Watch App | Yes | No |
| Stock Alerts | Yes | Yes |
| Charting - After-Hours | Yes | Yes |
| Charting - Technical Studies | 373 | 103 |
| Mobile Trading Apps |
|
|
Dive deeper: Best Stock Trading Apps for 2026
When comparing Charles Schwab and eToro, both platforms offer commission-free trading on regular stock trades, making them appealing to those seeking low-cost entry into the stock market. However, differences arise in other areas such as minimum deposit requirements and account transfer fees. Charles Schwab stands out with its zero-dollar minimum deposit, whereas eToro requires a $50 minimum. Additionally, Charles Schwab charges $50 for a full account transfer, a slight edge over eToro's $75 fee. This makes Charles Schwab an attractive option for investors looking for flexibility and lower initial costs.
In the realm of options trading, Charles Schwab does charge $0.65 per options contract, while eToro offers this service at no additional cost. For those interested in leveraging options more heavily, eToro could be an enticing alternative, especially for users who prioritize cost efficiency over platform features that may be specific to margin trading. On the other hand, margin trading is where Charles Schwab provides extensive offerings with varying interest rates based on account balance. This is a feature entirely absent from eToro’s platform as they do not offer margin trading options.
Retirement account costs enhance the appeal of Charles Schwab, as they impose no IRA annual or closure fees, in contrast to eToro, which does not provide IRA management options. Both brokers equally waive fees for options exercise and assignment, maintaining cost-effectiveness for options traders on both fronts. Overall, Charles Schwab may present a more comprehensive solution for users interested in both investment diversity and cost-saving opportunities, while eToro offers niche savings on specific fees for options traders and those planning an entry into stock trading with fewer deposit commitments.
| Feature |
Charles Schwab
|
eToro
|
|---|---|---|
| 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 2026
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
|
eToro
|
|---|---|---|
| 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 of 2026 for Beginners and Active Traders
Bottom line: For market research, Charles Schwab outperforms eToro by a wide margin. Schwab earns 4.5 out of 5 stars and ranks #2 of 14 brokers on StockBrokers.com, while eToro scores 2 stars and ranks #14. Schwab suits investors who want deep research coverage, downloadable reports, and screeners across many asset types. eToro is better for basic stock and ETF research with social sentiment, but it lacks the depth and tools active investors often expect.
Both brokers offer stock and ETF research, social media sentiment, and ESG insights. Schwab goes further with research on mutual funds, bonds, and Pink Sheets/OTCBB, areas where eToro has no coverage. Schwab also lets you view portfolio allocation by asset class, a feature eToro doesn’t provide. When it comes to downloadable reports, Schwab offers seven stock PDFs plus ETF PDFs; neither broker provides mutual fund PDFs, and eToro has no stock or ETF PDFs.
Idea generation tools are another clear divider. Schwab provides screeners for stocks, ETFs, mutual funds, and bonds, helping you filter by price, fundamentals, ratings, and more. eToro offers no screeners, which makes it harder to dig up trade ideas or compare investments side by side. For research depth and toolset, Charles Schwab is the stronger choice; pick eToro if your needs are simpler and you value social features over detailed research.
| Feature |
Charles Schwab
|
eToro
|
|---|---|---|
| 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 |
|
|
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 |
Charles Schwab
|
eToro
|
|---|---|---|
| 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 2026
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 93.3%, while eToro finished with a score of 51.4%.
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.
eToro supports cryptocurrency trading with 104 coins available, whereas online broker Charles Schwab does not offer crypto trading and lists 0 coins. Investors prioritizing crypto access will find eToro’s selection significantly broader than Schwab’s.
Dive deeper: Best Online Brokers for Crypto Trading in 2026
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 2026
Select Brokers
↓×Compare
0 of 5| Overall Rating | Charles Schwab | eToro | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Overall |
|
| |
| Range of Investments |
|
| |
| Advanced Trading |
|
| |
| Mobile Trading Apps |
|
| |
| Research |
|
| |
| Customer Service |
| N/A | |
| Education |
|
| |
| Ease of Use |
|
| |
| Winner | check_circle | ||
| Review | Charles Schwab Review | eToro Review |
| Broker Screenshots | Charles Schwab | eToro | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Broker Gallery (click to expand) |
|
|
| Trading Fees | Charles Schwab | eToro | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 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 | 12.58% | Not offered | |
| Margin Rate $25,000 to $49,999.99 | 12.08% | Not offered | |
| Margin Rate $50,000 to $99,999.99 | 11.13% | Not offered | |
| Margin Rate $100,000 to $249,999.99 | 11.08% | Not offered | |
| Margin Rate $250,000 to $499,999.99 | 10.83% | 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 | 104 | |
| 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 | Yes | |
| Education (Options) | Yes | Yes | |
| Education (Mutual Funds) | Yes | No | |
| Education (Fixed Income) | Yes | Yes | |
| 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 | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mobile Research - Market Movers | Yes | Yes | |
| Stream Live TV | Yes | No | |
| Videos on Demand | Yes | Yes | |
| Stock Alerts | Yes | Yes | |
| Option Chains Viewable | Yes | Yes | |
| Watchlist (Real-time) | Yes | Yes | |
| Watchlist (Streaming) | Yes | Yes | |
| Mobile Watchlists - Create & Manage | Yes | Yes | |
| Mobile Watchlists - Column Customization | Yes | No |
| Stock App Charting | Charles Schwab | eToro | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Charting - After-Hours | Yes | 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 | |
| Watchlists - 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 | 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 | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Overall |
|
| |
| Range of Investments |
|
| |
| Advanced Trading |
|
| |
| Mobile Trading Apps |
|
| |
| Research |
|
| |
| Education |
|
| |
| Ease of Use |
|
| |
| Winner | check_circle | ||
| Review | Charles Schwab Review | eToro Review |
Charles Schwab
Interactive Brokers
Fidelity
E*TRADE
Merrill Edge
TradeStation
tastytrade
Finviz
Stock Rover
Seeking Alpha
TipRanks
TrendSpider
Trade Ideas
TraderSync
TradingView
Tradervue
TradeZella