Charles Schwabvs
StakeStock Broker Comparison
This comparison pits Charles Schwab’s deep research and powerful platforms against Stake’s simple, commission-free stock app. It teases which model fits long-term investors.
Key Differences
- 1Schwab offers fractional shares from $5; Stake offers none.
- 2IPO access is available on Schwab but not on Stake.
- 3Number of exchanges: Schwab 12, Stake 3.
Who should choose Charles Schwab vs Stake?
Find out which stock broker best suits your investing profile.
Choose if…
Choose Charles Schwab if you want fractional shares and IPO access. You also get 24/5 live chat and phone support.
Choose if…
Charles Schwab vs Stake: Side-by-Side Stock Broker Comparison
 |  | |
|---|---|---|
| Editorial score | 4.6/ 5 | 3.9/ 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 | Free |
Charles Schwab vs Stake 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 Stake: Detailed Category Breakdown
A closer look at the specific criteria each broker meets or misses within each scoring category.
9
Charles Schwab
criteria wins
1
Stake
criteria win
Highlighted rows show where the two brokers differ
| Criteria | Charles Schwab | Stake |
|---|---|---|
| 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 | Pass |
| Costs | ||
| Commission-free trading | Pass | Pass |
| No deposit fee | Pass | Pass |
| Features | ||
| Fractional shares | Pass | Fail |
| Dividend reinvestment (DRIP) | Pass | Fail |
| Extended hours trading | Pass | Fail |
| IPO access | Pass | Fail |
| Short selling | Pass | Fail |
| Stock screener tool | Pass | Fail |
| Support | ||
| Mobile app | Pass | Pass |
| Advanced charting tools | Pass | Fail |
| 24/5 live chat | Pass | Fail |
| Phone support | Pass | Fail |
Charles Schwab vs Stake: Frequently Asked Questions
Charles Schwab rates 4.6/5 versus 3.9/5 for Stake. Charles Schwab edges ahead on our composite score, though both brokers meet a reasonable standard for most traders.
Both Charles Schwab and Stake 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. 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 Stake supports Proprietary Web/Mobile. Both provide Proprietary Web/Mobile. Charles Schwab has exclusive access to thinkorswim.
Yes, you can open an account with Stake 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 Stake.
Yes, both Charles Schwab and Stake offer commission-free stock trading according to our data. Keep in mind that commission-free brokers may still charge spread costs, foreign exchange fees, or platform fees — always check the full fee schedule on each broker's website.
Stake scores higher on investor protection criteria, with compensation scheme coverage and segregated client funds. For stock investors, confirming compensation scheme coverage ensures your assets are protected up to a defined limit if the broker becomes insolvent.
