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.
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.
Which broker wins for each type of stock trader, based on costs, safety, features, and editorial scoring.
| 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 |
A closer look at the specific criteria each broker meets or misses within each scoring category.
| 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 |
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.
Charles Schwab wins for low cost trading with commission-free US stock trades.
Equally matched.
Charles Schwab wins for long‑term investing with fractional shares and a no‑fee robo-adviser.
Charles Schwab wins for active traders with thinkorswim and deep research.
Charles Schwab wins for beginners with no account minimum and fractional shares.
DEGIRO wins for global market access with 50+ exchanges.
| Free |
| Deposit methods | Bank transferACHWire transferCheque | Bank transfer |
|---|
| Withdrawal methods | Bank transferACHWire transferCheque | Bank transfer |
|---|
| Withdrawal fee | Free ACH; $25 wire transfer | Free |
|---|
| Commission-free | Yes | No |
|---|
| Fractional shares | Yes | No |
|---|
| Dividend reinvestment | Yes | Yes |
|---|
| Extended hours | Yes | No |
|---|
| IPO access | Yes | No |
|---|
| Short selling | Yes | Yes |
|---|
| Regulators | SEC FINRA | BaFin AFM |
|---|
| Platforms | thinkorswim Proprietary Web/Mobile | DEGIRO Platform |
|---|
| Active bonuses | 2 offers | 2 offers |
|---|
Charles Schwab edges DEGIRO on editorial score and long‑term investing features, with commission-free US stock trading and fractional shares. DEGIRO counters with access to 50+ exchanges and a transparent flat-fee pricing structure.
Dig deeper into each broker’s features, fees, and regulation.
Score 4.3 / 5
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