Charles Schwab vs E*TRADE 2026
In this head to head comparison of Charles Schwab vs E*TRADE, 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 E*TRADE, we will compare the trading platforms, mobile apps, range of investments, costs, market research, and more. Let's dive in.
Charles Schwab vs E*TRADE: both online brokers cover the essentials and earn 4.5 out of 5 stars for Range of Investments. Schwab gets a slight edge for offering fractional shares and forex, and it ranks #3 of 14 at StockBrokers.com, just ahead of E*TRADE at #4. If you want forex or the flexibility to buy fractional shares, Schwab is the better fit; if those aren’t must-haves, either broker will meet most everyday investing needs.
Investment options line up closely. Both Charles Schwab and E*TRADE offer stock trading, margin trading, OTC stocks, mutual funds, options, and futures. Only Schwab supports fractional share trading. Only Schwab offers forex trading. Neither broker offers crypto trading, and each provides 0 coins.
Account choices and support are also similar. Both brokers offer Traditional IRA and Roth IRA accounts, and both provide advisor services to help you plan and invest with guidance.
| Feature |
|
E*TRADE
|
|---|---|---|
| Stock Trading | Yes | Yes |
| Account Feature - Margin Trading | Yes | Yes |
| Fractional Shares (Stocks) | Yes | No |
| OTC Stocks | Yes | Yes |
| Mutual Funds | Yes | Yes |
| Options Trading | Yes | Yes |
| Futures Trading | Yes | Yes |
| Crypto Trading | No | No |
| Crypto Trading - Total Coins | 0 | 0 |
| Range of Investments |
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Dive deeper: Best Options Trading Platforms for 2026, Best Futures Trading Platforms for 2026
Bottom line: Both Charles Schwab and E*TRADE deliver full-featured trading platforms across desktop and web, but Schwab wins for depth and customization. Schwab is rated 4.5 stars and ranked #1 out of 14 brokers for trading platforms and tools by StockBrokers.com, while E*TRADE earns 4 stars and ranks #6. If you value the widest range of tools, data fields, and fine-tuning, Schwab is the stronger pick; if you want an easy-to-use platform with plenty of chart drawing options, E*TRADE remains a solid choice.
Access is similar on both brokers: downloadable platforms for Windows and Mac, a browser-based platform, and paper trading. Each platform lets you adjust open orders directly on charts, add notes, show your past trades, display corporate events like earnings and dividends, set custom date ranges, run automated chart pattern recognition, and save multiple chart profiles. E*TRADE offers more drawing tools (37 vs. Schwab’s 24), which traders who annotate charts heavily may appreciate.
Schwab pulls ahead on analytics and customization. It supports 580 watchlist columns versus E*TRADE’s 43, offers 374 technical indicators versus 121, and provides 35 fields when editing a simple moving average (E*TRADE has 8). Schwab also includes a built-in trading journal and the ability to create custom studies—two features E*TRADE does not offer. For traders who want deeper control and more data, Schwab’s toolset is the more capable choice.
| Feature |
|
E*TRADE
|
|---|---|---|
| Web Trading Platform | Yes | Yes |
| Desktop Trading Platform | Yes | Yes |
| Desktop Platform (Mac) | Yes | Yes |
| Paper Trading | Yes | Yes |
| Watchlists - Total Fields | 580 | 43 |
| Charting - Indicators / Studies | 374 | 121 |
| Charting - Drawing Tools | 24 | 37 |
| Advanced Trading |
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Dive deeper: Best Stock Brokers for 2026, Best Paper Trading Apps & Platforms for 2026
Charles Schwab and E*TRADE both give beginner investors a full set of learning tools. Each broker covers stocks, ETFs, options, mutual funds, and bonds, and both include paper trading so you can practice without risking real money. You’ll also find on-demand videos and live webinars at both. The key differences: Charles Schwab adds interactive quizzes and lets you track your learning progress over time, while E*TRADE does not offer quizzes or progress tracking.
For education quality, Charles Schwab earns 5 stars and is ranked #2 out of 14 brokers by StockBrokers.com. E*TRADE earns 4 stars and is ranked #5 out of 14. If you want a structured path with quizzes and progress tracking, Schwab is the better fit. If you just need clear lessons, videos, webinars, and paper trading, E*TRADE remains a strong choice for learning how to invest.
| Feature |
|
E*TRADE
|
|---|---|---|
| Education (Stocks) | Yes | Yes |
| Education (ETFs) | Yes | Yes |
| Education (Options) | Yes | Yes |
| Education (Mutual Funds) | Yes | Yes |
| Education (Fixed Income) | Yes | Yes |
| Videos | Yes | Yes |
| Webinars | Yes | Yes |
| Education |
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Dive deeper: Best Stock Trading Platforms for Beginners of 2026
Bottom line: Charles Schwab edges out E*TRADE for stock trading apps. Schwab earns 5 stars and ranks #1 out of 14 brokers at StockBrokers.com, while E*TRADE scores 4.5 stars and ranks #5. Both apps are feature-packed and easy to use, but Schwab pulls ahead with deeper charting tools and extra learning content, making it a better fit for traders who want more analysis without giving up everyday convenience.
Both Charles Schwab and E*TRADE offer iPhone, Android, and Apple Watch apps. You’ll find streaming quotes, streaming live TV, mobile options trading, stock alerts, and custom watchlists with column customization on both platforms. Schwab supports mobile after-hours stock trading; the availability of in-app after-hours trading for E*TRADE isn’t confirmed here, so check the latest details in the app.
Charting is strong on both apps, with after-hours charting, landscape mode, multiple time frames, and the ability to compare stocks on the same chart. Schwab stands out for depth, offering 373 technical studies compared with E*TRADE’s 107. For education and research, Schwab also provides videos on demand, while E*TRADE does not.
| Feature |
|
E*TRADE
|
|---|---|---|
| iPhone App | Yes | Yes |
| Android App | Yes | Yes |
| Apple Watch App | Yes | Yes |
| Stock Alerts | Yes | Yes |
| Charting - After-Hours | Yes | Yes |
| Charting - Technical Studies | 373 | 107 |
| Mobile Trading Apps |
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Dive deeper: Best Stock Trading Apps for 2026
When comparing Charles Schwab and E*TRADE for account fees and charges, both brokers offer a competitive range of services, making them attractive options for investors looking for cost-effective trading. Both platforms require no minimum deposit to open an account and offer commission-free trading for regular stock transactions. Additionally, each broker charges a standard $0.65 fee per options contract. This means that in many of the most common trading scenarios, Schwab and E*TRADE provide similar user experiences in terms of fees.
For investors considering margin accounts, differences start to emerge. Charles Schwab offers lower rates on margin balances across various tiers. For balances below $25,000, Schwab charges 12.58% compared to E*TRADE's 12.95%. At balances between $25,000 and $49,999, Schwab's rates drop to 12.08%, while E*TRADE’s rates are slightly higher at 12.7%. As balances increase to between $50,000 and $99,999, Schwab charges 11.13% compared to E*TRADE's 12.2%. These distinctions could lead to significant savings for those who frequently use margin investments.
Other fee considerations include costs related to Individual Retirement Accounts (IRAs) and account transfers. Both Charles Schwab and E*TRADE charge no annual fee for IRA accounts, nor do they charge for IRA closure. When it comes to account transfers, both brokers charge nothing for partial transfers; however, Schwab charges $50 for a full account transfer compared to the higher $75 fee at E*TRADE. These finer details might be pivotal for investors who anticipate making frequent shifts or who prioritize keeping transfer costs low.
| Feature |
|
E*TRADE
|
|---|---|---|
| Minimum Deposit | $0.00 | $0.00 |
| Stock Trades | $0.00 | $0.00 |
| Options (Per Contract) | $0.65 | $0.65 |
| Options Exercise Fee | $0.00 | $0.00 |
| Options Assignment Fee | $0.00 | $0.00 |
| IRA Annual Fee | $0.00 | $0.00 |
| IRA Closure Fee | $0.00 | $0.00 |
Dive deeper: Best Free Trading Platforms for 2026
When comparing Charles Schwab and E*TRADE for day trading, both platforms offer several convenient features that cater to active traders. Charles Schwab and E*TRADE provide essential tools such as streaming time and sales data, streaming live TV, direct market routing, trading hotkeys, and level 2 quotes, ensuring that traders have access to real-time market information and enhanced trading functionality. However, if ladder trading is important to you, Charles Schwab has the edge, as E*TRADE does not offer this feature. Additionally, Charles Schwab provides both basic and advanced strategy backtesting, which can be a game-changer for traders looking to refine their strategies, while E*TRADE does not offer such capabilities.
For traders looking to short sell, Charles Schwab stands out with its short locator tool, offering customers real-time views of share availability for shorting. This feature is not available on E*TRADE, potentially making Charles Schwab more appealing for those who frequently engage in short selling. However, both platforms lack order liquidity rebates, a factor that might affect active traders looking for incentives from their transactions. Ultimately, choosing between Charles Schwab and E*TRADE for day trading might come down to which specific features align best with your personal trading needs and strategies.
| Feature |
|
E*TRADE
|
|---|---|---|
| Streaming Time & Sales | Yes | Yes |
| Streaming TV | Yes | Yes |
| Direct Market Routing - Equities | Yes | Yes |
| Level 2 Quotes - Stocks | Yes | Yes |
| 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
For market research, Charles Schwab and E*TRADE are neck and neck: both earn 4.5 out of 5 stars. StockBrokers.com ranks Schwab #2 of 14 brokers and E*TRADE #3. Choose Schwab if ESG research is important to you; choose E*TRADE if you want more downloadable reports for stocks and mutual funds. Either way, you’ll get deep coverage, practical screeners, and clear portfolio views.
Both brokers cover the core asset types: stock research, ETF research, mutual fund research, bond research, and Pink Sheets/OTCBB research. Each lets you view portfolio allocation by asset class and includes stock research signals from social media sentiment. Trade-idea tools are well-rounded on both platforms, with screeners for stocks, ETFs, mutual funds, and bonds. Each also offers downloadable PDF research reports for ETFs.
Key differences come down to reports and ESG. Schwab provides 7 downloadable PDF research reports for stocks, while E*TRADE offers 8. For mutual funds, E*TRADE supplies downloadable PDF reports; Schwab does not. ESG (Environmental, Social, and Governance) research is available at Schwab but not at E*TRADE. If you want ESG insights, go Schwab; if you want more stock and mutual fund PDFs, go E*TRADE.
| Feature |
|
E*TRADE
|
|---|---|---|
| Research - Stocks | Yes | Yes |
| Screener - Stocks | Yes | Yes |
| Research - ETFs | Yes | Yes |
| Screener - ETFs | Yes | Yes |
| Research - Mutual Funds | Yes | Yes |
| Screener - Mutual Funds | Yes | Yes |
| Research - Fixed Income | Yes | Yes |
| Screener - Fixed Income | Yes | Yes |
| Research |
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When comparing the banking capabilities of Charles Schwab and E*TRADE, both online brokers offer a comprehensive range of services that cater to everyday financial needs. Charles Schwab and E*TRADE each provide checking and savings accounts, making it easy for customers to manage their finances. Both companies also offer debit and credit card options, allowing for convenient access to funds and flexible payment options. For those interested in securing a home, both brokers provide mortgage loan options. Additionally, Charles Schwab and E*TRADE offer certificates of deposit (CDs), providing opportunities for customers to save with potentially higher interest rates. This makes both platforms versatile choices for users looking for a one-stop solution for banking and investment needs.
| Feature |
|
E*TRADE
|
|---|---|---|
| Checking Accounts | Yes | Yes |
| Savings Accounts | Yes | Yes |
| Debit Cards | Yes | Yes |
| Credit Cards | Yes | Yes |
| Mortgage Loans | Yes | Yes |
| Brokerage CDs | Yes | Yes |
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 E*TRADE. Charles Schwab finished with an overall score of 93.3%, while E*TRADE finished with a score of 86.0%.
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.
Both Charles Schwab and E*TRADE currently do not offer crypto trading, providing their users with zero coin options in the cryptocurrency market.
Dive deeper: Best Online Brokers for Crypto Trading in 2026
Charles Schwab and E*TRADE both offer traditional and Roth IRA accounts with no annual or closure fees, providing cost-effective retirement savings solutions for investors.
Dive deeper: Best IRA Accounts for 2026
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0 of 5| Overall Rating | Charles Schwab | E*TRADE | |
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| Review | Charles Schwab Review | E*TRADE Review |
| Broker Screenshots | Charles Schwab | E*TRADE | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Broker Gallery (click to expand) |
| Trading Fees | Charles Schwab | E*TRADE | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Minimum Deposit | $0.00 | $0.00 | |
| Stock Trades | $0.00 | $0.00 | |
| Penny Stock Fees (OTC) | $6.95 | $6.95 | |
| Mutual Fund Trade Fee | Varies | $0.00 | |
| Options (Per Contract) | $0.65 | $0.65 | |
| Futures (Per Contract) | $2.25 | $1.50 | |
| Broker Assisted Trade Fee | $25 | $25 |
| Margin Rates | Charles Schwab | E*TRADE | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Margin Rate Under $25,000 | 12.58% | 12.95% | |
| Margin Rate $25,000 to $49,999.99 | 12.08% | 12.7% | |
| Margin Rate $50,000 to $99,999.99 | 11.13% | 12.2% | |
| Margin Rate $100,000 to $249,999.99 | 11.08% | 11.7% | |
| Margin Rate $250,000 to $499,999.99 | 10.83% | 11.2% | |
| Margin Rate $500,000 to $999,999.99 | Varies | Varies | |
| Margin Rate Above $1,000,000 | Varies | Varies |
| Account Fees | Charles Schwab | E*TRADE | |
|---|---|---|---|
| IRA Annual Fee | $0.00 | $0.00 | |
| IRA Closure Fee | $0.00 | $0.00 | |
| Account Transfer Out (Partial) | $0.00 | $0.00 | |
| 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 | E*TRADE | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Stock Trading | Yes | Yes | |
| Account Feature - Margin Trading | Yes | Yes | |
| Fractional Shares (Stocks) | Yes | No | |
| OTC Stocks | Yes | Yes | |
| Options Trading | Yes | Yes | |
| Complex Options Max Legs | 4 | 4 | |
| Futures Trading | Yes | Yes | |
| Forex Trading | Yes | No | |
| Crypto Trading | No | No | |
| Crypto Trading - Total Coins | 0 | 0 | |
| Fixed Income (Treasurys) | Yes | Yes | |
| Fixed Income (Corporate Bonds) | Yes | Yes | |
| Fixed Income (Municipal Bonds) | Yes | Yes | |
| Traditional IRAs | Yes | Yes | |
| Roth IRAs | Yes | Yes | |
| Advisor Services | Yes | Yes | |
| International Countries (Stocks) | 12 | 0 |
| Order Types | Charles Schwab | E*TRADE | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Order Type - Market | Yes | Yes | |
| Order Type - Limit | Yes | Yes | |
| Order Type - After Hours | Yes | Yes | |
| Order Type - Stop | Yes | Yes | |
| Order Type - Trailing Stop | Yes | Yes | |
| Order Type - OCO | Yes | Yes | |
| Order Type - OTO | Yes | Yes | |
| Order Type - Broker Assisted | Yes | Yes |
| Beginners | Charles Schwab | E*TRADE | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Education (Stocks) | Yes | Yes | |
| Education (ETFs) | Yes | Yes | |
| Education (Options) | Yes | Yes | |
| Education (Mutual Funds) | Yes | Yes | |
| Education (Fixed Income) | Yes | Yes | |
| Education (Retirement) | Yes | Yes | |
| Retirement Calculator | Yes | Yes | |
| Investor Dictionary | Yes | Yes | |
| Paper Trading | Yes | Yes | |
| Videos | Yes | Yes | |
| Webinars | Yes | Yes | |
| Progress Tracking | Yes | No | |
| Interactive Learning - Quizzes | Yes | No |
| Stock Trading Apps | Charles Schwab | E*TRADE | |
|---|---|---|---|
| iPhone App | Yes | Yes | |
| Android App | Yes | Yes | |
| Apple Watch App | Yes | Yes | |
| Trading - Stocks | Yes | Yes | |
| Trading - After-Hours | Yes | Yes | |
| Trading - Simple Options | Yes | Yes | |
| Trading - Complex Options | Yes | Yes | |
| Order Ticket RT Quotes | Yes | Yes | |
| Order Ticket SRT Quotes | Yes | Yes |
| Stock App Features | Charles Schwab | E*TRADE | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mobile Research - Market Movers | Yes | Yes | |
| Stream Live TV | Yes | Yes | |
| Videos on Demand | Yes | No | |
| 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 | Yes |
| Stock App Charting | Charles Schwab | E*TRADE | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Charting - After-Hours | Yes | Yes | |
| Charting - Can Turn Horizontally | Yes | Yes | |
| Charting - Multiple Time Frames | Yes | Yes | |
| Charting - Technical Studies | 373 | 107 | |
| Charting - Study Customizations | Yes | Yes | |
| Charting - Stock Comparisons | Yes | Yes |
| Trading Platforms | Charles Schwab | E*TRADE | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Active Trading Platform | thinkorswim | Power E*TRADE | |
| Desktop Trading Platform | Yes | Yes | |
| Desktop Platform (Mac) | Yes | Yes | |
| Web Trading Platform | Yes | Yes | |
| Paper Trading | Yes | Yes | |
| Trade Journal | Yes | No | |
| Watchlists - Total Fields | 580 | 43 |
| Stock Chart Features | Charles Schwab | E*TRADE | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Charting - Adjust Trades on Chart | Yes | Yes | |
| Charting - Indicators / Studies | 374 | 121 | |
| Charting - Drawing Tools | 24 | 37 | |
| Charting - Notes | Yes | Yes | |
| Charting - Historical Trades | Yes | Yes | |
| Charting - Corporate Events | Yes | Yes | |
| Charting - Custom Date Range | Yes | Yes | |
| Charting - Custom Time Bars | Yes | No | |
| Charting - Automated Analysis | Yes | Yes | |
| Charting - Save Profiles | Yes | Yes | |
| Trade Ideas - Technical Analysis | Yes | Yes | |
| Charting - Study Customizations | 35 | 8 | |
| Charting - Custom Studies | Yes | No |
| Day Trading | Charles Schwab | E*TRADE | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Streaming Time & Sales | Yes | Yes | |
| Streaming TV | Yes | Yes | |
| Direct Market Routing - Equities | Yes | Yes | |
| Ladder Trading | Yes | No | |
| Trade Hot Keys | Yes | Yes | |
| Level 2 Quotes - Stocks | Yes | Yes | |
| Trade Ideas - Backtesting | Yes | No | |
| Trade Ideas - Backtesting Adv | Yes | No | |
| Short Locator | Yes | No | |
| Order Liquidity Rebates | No | No |
| Research Overview | Charles Schwab | E*TRADE | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Research - Stocks | Yes | Yes | |
| Research - ETFs | Yes | Yes | |
| Research - Mutual Funds | Yes | Yes | |
| Research - Pink Sheets / OTCBB | Yes | Yes | |
| Research - Fixed Income | Yes | Yes | |
| Screener - Stocks | Yes | Yes | |
| Screener - ETFs | Yes | Yes | |
| Screener - Mutual Funds | Yes | Yes | |
| Screener - Fixed Income | Yes | Yes | |
| Portfolio Asset Allocation | Yes | Yes |
| Stock Research | Charles Schwab | E*TRADE | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Stock Research - PDF Reports | 7 | 8 | |
| Stock Research - Earnings | Yes | Yes | |
| Stock Research - Insiders | Yes | Yes | |
| Stock Research - Social | Yes | Yes | |
| Stock Research - News | Yes | Yes | |
| Stock Research - ESG | Yes | No | |
| Stock Research - SEC Filings | Yes | Yes |
| ETF Research | Charles Schwab | E*TRADE | |
|---|---|---|---|
| ETFs - Investment Objective | Yes | Yes | |
| ETF Fund Facts - Inception Date | Yes | Yes | |
| ETF Fund Facts - Expense Ratio | Yes | Yes | |
| ETF Fund Facts - Total Assets | Yes | Yes | |
| ETF Fund Facts - Total Holdings | Yes | Yes | |
| ETFs - Top 10 Holdings | Yes | Yes | |
| ETFs - Sector Exposure | Yes | Yes | |
| ETFs - Risk Analysis | Yes | Yes | |
| ETFs - Ratings | Yes | Yes | |
| ETFs - Morningstar StyleMap | Yes | Yes | |
| ETFs - PDF Reports | Yes | Yes |
| Mutual Fund Research | Charles Schwab | E*TRADE | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mutual Funds - Investment Objective | Yes | Yes | |
| Mutual Funds - Performance Chart | Yes | Yes | |
| Mutual Funds - Performance Analysis | Yes | Yes | |
| Mutual Funds - Prospectus | Yes | Yes | |
| Mutual Funds - 3rd Party Ratings | Yes | Yes | |
| Mutual Funds - Fees Breakdown | Yes | Yes | |
| Mutual Funds - Top 10 Holdings | Yes | Yes | |
| Mutual Funds - Asset Allocation | Yes | Yes | |
| Mutual Funds - Sector Allocation | Yes | Yes | |
| Mutual Funds - Country Allocation | Yes | Yes | |
| Mutual Funds - StyleMap | Yes | Yes |
| Options Trading | Charles Schwab | E*TRADE | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Option Chains - Total Greeks | 5 | 5 | |
| Option Analysis - P&L Charts | Yes | Yes |
| Banking | Charles Schwab | E*TRADE | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bank (Member FDIC) | Yes | Yes | |
| Checking Accounts | Yes | Yes | |
| Savings Accounts | Yes | Yes | |
| Credit Cards | Yes | Yes | |
| Debit Cards | Yes | Yes | |
| Mortgage Loans | Yes | Yes |
| Customer Service | Charles Schwab | E*TRADE | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Phone Support (Prospective Customers) | Yes | Yes | |
| Phone Support (Current Customers) | Yes | Yes | |
| Email Support | Yes | Yes | |
| Live Chat (Prospective Customers) | No | No | |
| Live Chat (Current Customers) | Yes | Yes | |
| 24/7 Support | Yes | Yes |
| Overall | Charles Schwab | E*TRADE | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Overall |
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| Range of Investments |
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| Advanced Trading |
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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 | E*TRADE Review |