Charles Schwabvs
DEGIROStock Broker Comparison
The comparison pits a long-standing U.S. broker with advanced tools against a Europe-rooted, low-cost platform. Pricing, platform capabilities, and global reach shape the axis of tension.
Who should choose Charles Schwab vs DEGIRO?
Find out which stock broker best suits your investing profile.
Choose if…
Choose Charles Schwab if you want commission-free US stock trading and access to fractional shares.
Choose if…
Choose DEGIRO if you want access to 50+ exchanges and a transparent flat-fee pricing structure.
Verdict by Trader Profile
Which broker wins for each type of stock trader, based on costs, safety, features, and editorial scoring.
Best for low cost trading
Recommended
Charles Schwab vs DEGIRO: Side-by-Side Stock Broker Comparison
 |  | |
|---|---|---|
| Editorial score | 4.6/ 5 | 4.3/ 5 |
| Min deposit | N/A | N/A |
| Spreads from | N/A | N/A |
| Commission / lot | N/A | N/A |
| Inactivity fee | None | None |
| Deposit fee |
Charles Schwab vs DEGIRO Stock Broker Pros & Cons
Pros
- Commission-free US stock and ETF trading with no account minimum
- thinkorswim, most powerful retail trading platform available at zero cost
- Fractional shares (Schwab Slices) from $5 for any S&P 500 company
- Broadest research stack in US retail (Morningstar, Argus, CFRA, proprietary)
- Regulated by SEC and FINRA; $9 trillion in client assets
- Schwab Intelligent Portfolios robo-adviser with no management fee
Charles Schwab vs DEGIRO: Detailed Category Breakdown
A closer look at the specific criteria each broker meets or misses within each scoring category.
7
Charles Schwab
criteria wins
0
DEGIRO
criteria wins
Highlighted rows show where the two brokers differ
| Criteria | Charles Schwab | DEGIRO |
|---|---|---|
| Trust & Regulation | ||
| Top-tier regulator (FCA, ASIC, SEC, etc.) | Pass | Pass |
| Segregated client funds | Pass | Pass |
| Negative balance protection | Fail | Fail |
| Compensation scheme (e.g. FSCS, SIPC) | Fail | Fail |
| Costs | ||
| Commission-free trading | Pass | Fail |
| No deposit fee | Pass | Pass |
| Features | ||
| Fractional shares | Pass | Fail |
| Dividend reinvestment (DRIP) | Pass | Pass |
| Extended hours trading | Pass | Fail |
| IPO access | Pass | Fail |
| Short selling | Pass | Pass |
| Stock screener tool | Pass | Pass |
| Support | ||
| Mobile app | Pass | Pass |
| Advanced charting tools | Pass | Fail |
| 24/5 live chat | Pass | Fail |
| Phone support | Pass | Fail |
Charles Schwab vs DEGIRO: Frequently Asked Questions
The scores are close: Charles Schwab rates 4.6/5 and DEGIRO rates 4.3/5. Charles Schwab has a marginal edge in our scoring, but the difference is small enough that your specific priorities — fees, platforms, or regulatory jurisdiction — should guide the final choice.
Both Charles Schwab and DEGIRO 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.
Minimum deposit and negative balance protection data are not confirmed for this pair. Both hold top-tier regulatory status, meaning client fund protections apply to both. Also compare demo account availability and educational resources on each broker's site.
Charles Schwab lists maximum leverage of 1:4, while DEGIRO lists up to 1:1. Available leverage depends on your jurisdiction. EU retail clients under ESMA rules are capped at 1:30 on major forex pairs.
Charles Schwab supports thinkorswim, Proprietary Web/Mobile, while DEGIRO supports DEGIRO Platform. Charles Schwab has exclusive access to thinkorswim and Proprietary Web/Mobile. DEGIRO has exclusive access to DEGIRO Platform.
Yes, you can open an account with DEGIRO independently of your Charles Schwab account. There is no formal transfer process for open positions; you would need to close existing trades with Charles Schwab before funding and trading with DEGIRO.
Charles Schwab offers commission-free stock trading while DEGIRO 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.
