This comparison pits a US retail broker against an ASIC-regulated CFD provider. The tension centers on pricing, long-term investing features, and global access.
Find out which stock broker best suits your investing profile.
Choose if…
Choose ACY Securities if you value ASIC regulation with negative balance protection and ECN execution on share CFDs.
Choose if…
Choose Charles Schwab if you want commission-free US stock trading, and access to fractional shares and extensive research.
Which broker wins for each type of stock trader, based on costs, safety, features, and editorial scoring.
| Editorial score | 3.6/ 5 | 4.6/ 5 |
|---|---|---|
| Min deposit | $50 | N/A |
| Spreads from | 0 pips | N/A |
| Commission / lot | $7/lot | N/A |
A closer look at the specific criteria each broker meets or misses within each scoring category.
| Criteria | ACY Securities | Charles Schwab |
|---|---|---|
| Trust & Regulation | ||
| Top-tier regulator (FCA, ASIC, SEC, etc.) | Pass | Pass |
| Segregated client funds | Pass | Pass |
| Negative balance protection | Pass | Fail |
| Compensation scheme (e.g. FSCS, SIPC) | Fail | Fail |
| Costs | ||
| Commission-free trading | Fail | Pass |
| No deposit fee | — | Pass |
| Features | ||
| Fractional shares | Fail | Pass |
| Dividend reinvestment (DRIP) | Fail | Pass |
| Extended hours trading | Fail | Pass |
| IPO access | Fail | Pass |
| Short selling | Pass | Pass |
| Stock screener tool | Fail | Pass |
| Support | ||
| Mobile app | Pass | Pass |
| Advanced charting tools | Pass | Pass |
| 24/5 live chat | Fail | Pass |
| Phone support | Pass | Pass |
Charles Schwab rates 4.6/5 versus 3.6/5 for ACY Securities. Charles Schwab edges ahead on our composite score, though both brokers meet a reasonable standard for most traders.
ACY Securities starts from 0. Current spread data is not available for Charles Schwab. Check both brokers' websites for up-to-date spread and commission pricing.
ACY Securities requires $50. Minimum deposit information is not currently available for Charles Schwab.
Both ACY Securities and Charles Schwab hold licences from top-tier regulators, indicating a high standard of regulatory oversight. Check each broker's specific regulatory bodies to confirm coverage in your jurisdiction.
For beginners, ACY Securities provides negative balance protection, capping losses at your deposit amount. Also compare demo account availability and educational resources on each broker's site before deciding.
ACY Securities lists maximum leverage of 500:1, while Charles Schwab lists up to 1:4. Available leverage depends on your jurisdiction. EU retail clients under ESMA rules are capped at 1:30 on major forex pairs.
ACY Securities charges $7 per trade on commission-based accounts. Commission details for Charles Schwab are not currently available. Check their website for up-to-date pricing. Stock commissions may be charged as a flat rate per trade or per share; confirm the exact structure on each broker's website.
ACY Securities supports MetaTrader 5, TradingView, MetaTrader 4, while Charles Schwab supports thinkorswim, Proprietary Web/Mobile. ACY Securities has exclusive access to MetaTrader 5 and TradingView and MetaTrader 4. Charles Schwab has exclusive access to thinkorswim and Proprietary Web/Mobile.
Charles Schwab offers commission-free stock trading while ACY Securities does not according to our data. Commission-free trading can reduce costs for frequent traders. Always confirm the current fee structure directly on each broker's website.
Charles Schwab wins for low cost trading because it offers commission-free US stock and ETF trading.
Charles Schwab wins for safety and regulation as it is SEC and FINRA regulated.
Charles Schwab wins for long-term investing with DRIP, fractional shares, and extensive research.
Charles Schwab wins for active traders with thinkorswim and robust research tools.
Charles Schwab wins for beginners with no account minimum and commission-free trading.
Charles Schwab wins for global market access with broader exchange coverage.
| 0.7 pips |
| N/A |
| Inactivity fee | None | None |
|---|
| Deposit fee | Free | Free |
|---|
| Deposit methods | Bank transferCredit cardDebit cardCrypto | Bank transferACHWire transferCheque |
|---|
| Withdrawal methods | Bank transferCredit cardCrypto | Bank transferACHWire transferCheque |
|---|
| Withdrawal fee | Free | Free ACH; $25 wire transfer |
|---|
| Commission-free | No | Yes |
|---|
| Fractional shares | No | Yes |
|---|
| Dividend reinvestment | No | Yes |
|---|
| Extended hours | No | Yes |
|---|
| IPO access | No | Yes |
|---|
| Short selling | Yes | Yes |
|---|
| Regulators | ASIC FSA Seychelles | SEC FINRA |
|---|
| Platforms | MetaTrader 5 TradingView MetaTrader 4 | thinkorswim Proprietary Web/Mobile |
|---|
| Active bonuses | None | 2 offers |
|---|
Charles Schwab outperforms ACY Securities on the editorial score due to stronger platforms, broader research, and robust regulation. ACY provides ASIC oversight and ECN execution on share CFDs but lags in long-term investing features.
Dig deeper into each broker’s features, fees, and regulation.
Score 3.6 / 5
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