eToro vs Charles Schwab: Comparison

Andriy BondarenkoAndriy Bondarenko
  • Year Founded: 2006
  • Broker Type: MM, Social
  • Platforms: eToro
  • Spread: High
  • Maximum Leverage: 1:30
  • Minimum Deposit: $200
Broker is available inUS Flag
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  • Year Founded: 1973
  • Broker Type: DMA
  • Platforms: Thinkorswim, StreetSmart Edge, Schwab Web, Mobile
  • Spread: Average
  • Maximum Leverage: 1:50
  • Minimum Deposit: $1
Broker is available inUS Flag
Start Trading

Your capital is at risk

Our pick:

eToro

Based on multiple factors—spreads and fees, available assets and instruments, platforms and execution speed, quality of support and educational resources. This is not financial advice.

Comparison of eToro and Charles Schwab

FeatureeToroCharles Schwab
Broker
Year Founded20061973
Broker TypeMM, SocialDMA
DealingB-bookA-book
ExecutionInstantMarket
RegulationSFSA, FCA, CySEC, ASIC, SECSEC, FINRA, CFTC, NFA, FDIC
PlatformseToroThinkorswim, StreetSmart Edge, Schwab Web, Mobile
Spread High Average
Maximum Leverage1:301:50
Minimum Deposit$200$1
Base CurrenciesUSDUSD
Funding MethodsBank Wire, Credit Card, Debit Card, PayPal, Skrill, Neteller, Klarna, Rapid Transfer, TrustlyBank Wire, ACH (MoneyLink), Mobile Check Deposit, Internal Transfer
Inactivity Fee$10 per month after 12 months
Interest on Margin
Withdrawal Fee$5$25 domestic wire ($15 online); $0 ACH
Investor ProtectionInvestor Compensation Fund (ICF)SIPC
Protection Size€20 000$500 000
Segregated Accounts
Negative Balance Protection
Guaranteed Stop Loss
Copy Trading
VPS
MAM/PAMM
Scalping Allowed
EAs/Robots
Depth of Market (DOM)
Tradable Assets (CFDs)Currencies, Indices, Stocks, ETFs, Cryptocurrencies, Metals, Energies, Soft CommoditiesStocks, ETFs, Options, Futures, Forex, Bonds, Mutual Funds, Commodities
RevieweToro ReviewCharles Schwab Review

About eToro

eToro is a globally renowned social trading platform, offering a unique approach to forex and CFD trading through its innovative copy trading feature. Established in 2007 and regulated by multiple top-tier authorities, including the FCA, CySEC, and ASIC, eToro has become a popular choice for traders of all experience levels. The platform allows users to follow and copy successful traders, making it particularly appealing to beginners seeking to learn and profit from experienced professionals. Beyond social trading, eToro offers a diverse range of instruments, including forex, stocks, ETFs, commodities, and cryptocurrencies, making it a versatile platform for portfolio diversification. Its proprietary platform is user-friendly and comes with robust analytical tools, catering to both novice and seasoned traders. However, while eToro's zero-commission stock trading is a standout feature, its relatively high spreads and inactivity fees may deter cost-conscious traders.

Pros

  • Unique copy trading feature for following successful traders
  • Regulated by multiple top-tier authorities (FCA, CySEC, ASIC, etc.)
  • Offers a wide range of instruments, including cryptocurrencies and stocks
  • User-friendly proprietary platform with robust analytical tools
  • Zero-commission stock trading for non-leveraged positions
  • Integrated social features for sharing insights and strategies

Cons

  • Relatively high spreads compared to other brokers
  • Inactivity fees applied after 12 months of non-use
  • Limited options for advanced trading platforms like MT4 or MT5
  • Withdrawal fees for certain transactions
  • Customer support may have delayed response times during peak periods

About Charles Schwab

Charles Schwab is one of the largest U.S. brokers, serving more than 34 million clients with over $9 trillion in assets. Schwab offers zero-commission stock and ETF trades, powerful thinkorswim and StreetSmart Edge platforms, and access to 65+ forex pairs, futures, and 24/5 equity trading. Client assets are protected by SIPC up to $500,000 with additional coverage up to $600 million.

Pros

  • Commission-free online stock and ETF trades
  • No minimum deposit or inactivity fee
  • 65+ forex pairs and 24/5 trading
  • Robust research and education tools
  • Enhanced SIPC protection up to $600 million

Cons

  • $25 fee for outgoing domestic wires
  • No direct spot-crypto or MT4/MT5
  • Advanced platforms can overwhelm beginners

eToro & Charles Schwab Regulation

Companies
eToro
eToro (Seychelles) Limited, eToro (UK) Ltd, Etoro (Europe) Ltd, eToro AUS Capital Limited, eToro USA Securities Inc.
Charles Schwab
Charles Schwab & Co., Inc.; Charles Schwab Bank, SSB
Countries
eToro
Seychelles, United Kingdom, Cyprus, Australia, United States
Charles Schwab
United States
Regulators
eToro
SFSA, FCA, CySEC, ASIC, SEC
Charles Schwab
SEC, FINRA, CFTC, NFA, FDIC
Investor Protection
eToro
Investor Compensation Fund (ICF)
Charles Schwab
SIPC
Investor Protection Size
eToro
€20 000
Charles Schwab
$500 000
Publicly Traded
eToro
Charles Schwab
Segregated Accounts
eToro
Charles Schwab
Guaranteed Stop Loss
eToro
Charles Schwab
Negative Balance Protection
eToro
Charles Schwab

Account Types

Market Maker Account
Account Name
eToro
eToro
Charles Schwab
Min Deposit
eToro
$200
Charles Schwab
Lot Size
eToro
0.01
Charles Schwab
Spread Type
eToro
Floating
Charles Schwab
Execution
eToro
Instant
Charles Schwab
Min Spread
eToro
1
Charles Schwab
Fee
eToro
No
Charles Schwab
Max Leverage
eToro
1:30
Charles Schwab
Stop Out
eToro
50%
Charles Schwab
Margin Call
eToro
100%
Charles Schwab
DMA Account
Account Name
eToro
Charles Schwab
Schwab One®
Min Deposit
eToro
Charles Schwab
$1
Lot Size
eToro
Charles Schwab
0.1
Spread Type
eToro
Charles Schwab
Floating
Execution
eToro
Charles Schwab
Market
Min Spread
eToro
Charles Schwab
1.4
Fee
eToro
Charles Schwab
No
Max Leverage
eToro
Charles Schwab
1:50
Stop Out
eToro
Charles Schwab
30%
Margin Call
eToro
Charles Schwab
50%
Additional Features
Demo Account
eToro
Charles Schwab
VIP Account
eToro
Charles Schwab
Swap-Free Account
eToro
Charles Schwab
Copy Trading
eToro
Charles Schwab
VPS
eToro
Charles Schwab
PAMM/MAM Accounts
eToro
Charles Schwab

Funding and Fees

Base currencies
eToro
USD
Charles Schwab
USD
Deposit and withdrawal methods
eToro
Bank Wire, Credit Card, Debit Card, PayPal, Skrill, Neteller, Klarna, Rapid Transfer, Trustly
Charles Schwab
Bank Wire, ACH (MoneyLink), Mobile Check Deposit, Internal Transfer
Inactivity fee
eToro
$10 per month after 12 months
Charles Schwab
Interest on margin
eToro
Charles Schwab
Withdrawal fee
eToro
$5
Charles Schwab
$25 domestic wire ($15 online); $0 ACH

Trading Platforms and Conditions

Trading Platforms
eToro
eToro
Charles Schwab
Thinkorswim, StreetSmart Edge, Schwab Web, Mobile
Execution Speed
eToro
0 ms
Charles Schwab
50 ms
Scalping
eToro
Charles Schwab
Expert Advisors (EAs)
eToro
Charles Schwab
Depth of Market (DOM)
eToro
Charles Schwab
Spread
eToro
high
Charles Schwab
average

Trading Assets

Currencies
eToro
47
Charles Schwab
65
Indices
eToro
13
Charles Schwab
20
Stocks
eToro
2500
Charles Schwab
6000
Cryptocurrencies
eToro
112
Charles Schwab
1
Bonds
eToro
0
Charles Schwab
60000
Metals
eToro
7
Charles Schwab
5
Energies
eToro
2
Charles Schwab
5
Soft Commodities
eToro
4
Charles Schwab
12
ETFs
eToro
250
Charles Schwab
2000

Education and Analytics

Economic Calendar
eToro
Charles Schwab
Indicators
eToro
Charles Schwab
Robots
eToro
Charles Schwab
Signals
eToro
Charles Schwab
Autochartist
eToro
Charles Schwab
Expert Analytics
eToro
Charles Schwab
News Feed
eToro
Charles Schwab
Education Articles
eToro
Charles Schwab
Webinars
eToro
Charles Schwab
Seminars
eToro
Charles Schwab

Customer Support

Phone
Charles Schwab
Facebook
eToro
Charles Schwab
LinkedIn
Charles Schwab
YouTube
eToro
Charles Schwab
Twitter
eToro
Charles Schwab

Which Broker is Better?

After comparing eToro and Charles Schwab, eToro comes out ahead as our overall pick. It ranks higher in our internal scoring and delivers a stronger balance of pricing (spreads/fees), platform experience, and product range. That said, the runner-up may still be a better fit if you prioritize specific needs—like a particular account type, funding method, or niche instruments. This is not financial advice; always choose a broker that matches your goals and local regulatory requirements.

More Comparisons

Andriy Bondarenko

Andriy Bondarenko

Broker Analyst

Andriy is a seasoned expert in broker reviews with over a decade of experience in finance and trading. Under his leadership, the team produces in-depth and unbiased analyses of leading trading platforms.