Written by ForexBrokers.com
In this head to head comparison of Charles Schwab vs Admirals, we will compare the trading platforms, mobile apps, range of investments, costs, market research, and more. Let's dive in.
CFDs are complex instruments and come with a high risk of losing money rapidly due to leverage. Between 51% and 89% of retail investor accounts lose money when trading CFDs. You should consider whether you understand how CFDs work and whether you can afford to take the high risk of losing your money.
Charles Schwab, established in 1971, is a veteran in the online brokerage industry and offers a remarkable level of trust with a perfect Trust Score of 99 on ForexBrokers.com. As a publicly traded entity and a bank, Charles Schwab is fortified with five Tier-1 licenses, which underscores its high level of reliability. This long-standing firm provides a secure choice for investors who prioritize stability and transparency.
In contrast, Admirals, founded in 2001, has carved its niche with a strong Trust Score of 93. Though not publicly traded or a bank, Admirals stands out by holding four Tier-1 and three Tier-2 licenses, indicating both high trust and strong regulatory compliance. Admirals presents a trusted platform for online trading, appealing to investors who seek a balance of credibility and diverse trading opportunities.
| Feature |
Charles Schwab
|
Admirals
|
|---|---|---|
| Year Founded | 1971 | 2001 |
| Publicly Traded (Listed) | Yes | No |
| Bank | Yes | No |
| Tier-1 Licenses | 5 | 4 |
| Tier-2 Licenses | 0 | 3 |
| Tier-3 Licenses | 0 | 0 |
| Tier-4 Licenses | 0 | 1 |
When it comes to trading forex online, Charles Schwab presents an appealing option with no minimum deposit requirement for its primary brokerage accounts, Schwab One and Schwab Global. These accounts allow access to the thinkorswim platform, where forex trades are settled in U.S. dollars, with the smallest trade size set at 10,000 units. Although Schwab doesn't charge direct commissions, trading costs are incorporated within the bid/ask spread, which averaged 1.35 pips for EUR/USD in October 2024. Schwab Global further allows trading in twelve international markets, albeit with variable conversion fees. Rated 4 out of 5 stars for commissions and fees, Schwab is ranked #23 among 62 brokers by ForexBrokers.com.
Admirals, another strong contender in the forex trading market, is known for its competitive pricing. The typical spread on Admirals' Trade and Zero account types is 0.8, offering a more cost-effective trading experience compared to Schwab's spreads. Admirals surpass Schwab with a 4.5-star rating for commissions and fees, earning a higher ranking of #17 out of 62 brokers as per ForexBrokers.com.
Overall, while both Charles Schwab and Admirals offer valuable services for forex traders, admirals stands out slightly more in terms of pricing and ranking. Schwab's lack of direct commission fees and international trading options provide flexibility, whereas Admirals offers tighter spreads for those especially conscious of trading costs.
| Feature |
Charles Schwab
|
Admirals
|
|---|---|---|
| Minimum Deposit | $0 | $100 |
| Average Spread EUR/USD - Standard | 1.35 | 0.8 |
| All-in Cost EUR/USD - Active | 1.35 | 0.8 |
| Active Trader or VIP Discounts | No | Yes |
| ACH or SEPA Transfers | Yes | Yes |
| PayPal (Deposit/Withdraw) | No | Yes |
| Skrill (Deposit/Withdraw) | No | Yes |
| Visa/Mastercard (Credit/Debit) | No | Yes |
| Bank Wire (Deposit/Withdraw) | Yes | Yes |
Dive deeper: Best Low Spread Forex Brokers.
When it comes to the variety of investments offered, both Charles Schwab and Admirals are strong contenders, but they cater to slightly different investor needs. Charles Schwab provides a staggering 40,000 tradeable symbols, which includes a diverse array of exchange-traded securities on both U.S. and international exchanges. For forex enthusiasts, Schwab offers 73 forex pairs, accessible as CFDs or spot contracts, alongside cryptocurrency derivatives, though not actual cryptocurrencies. On the downside, Charles Schwab does not support copy trading. Impressively, Schwab earns a 5-star rating for its range of investments, securing the #5 spot in the ForexBrokers.com rankings.
Admirals, meanwhile, offers 8,702 tradeable symbols, alongside 82 forex pairs available for CFD or spot trading. Like Schwab, Admirals provides access to both U.S. and international exchange-traded securities. While it doesn't allow for the purchase of actual cryptocurrencies, clients can invest in cryptocurrency derivatives. Importantly, Admirals distinguishes itself by offering copy trading, appealing to investors looking to mirror the strategies of others. Admirals holds a 4.5-star rating for its investment range and ranks #19 among 62 brokers according to ForexBrokers.com. Whether you prioritize variety or specific trading features, both brokers offer notable options tailored to different investment strategies.
| Feature |
Charles Schwab
|
Admirals
|
|---|---|---|
| Forex Trading (Spot or CFDs) | Yes | Yes |
| Tradeable Symbols (Total) | 40000 | 8702 |
| Forex Pairs (Total) | 73 | 82 |
| U.S. Stock Trading (Non CFD) | Yes | Yes |
| Int'l Stock Trading (Non CFD) | Yes | Yes |
| Social Trading / Copy Trading | No | Yes |
| Cryptocurrency (Physical) | No | No |
| Cryptocurrency (Derivative) | Yes | Yes |
| Disclaimers | Note: Crypto CFDs are not available to retail traders from any broker's U.K. entity, nor to U.K. residents (except to Professional clients). | Note: Crypto CFDs are not available to retail traders from any broker's U.K. entity, nor to U.K. residents (except to Professional clients). |
Dive deeper: Best Copy Trading Platforms.
Charles Schwab and Admirals both excel in offering a diverse range of trading platforms and tools, each catering to different trader needs. Both brokers provide simulated trading with virtual demo accounts, allowing users to hone their strategies risk-free. They also offer proprietary platforms and feature web-based and Windows desktop download options. Schwab, however, doesn't accommodate copy trading or the popular MetaTrader platforms, which puts Admirals ahead in these areas as it supports both MT4 and MT5 and does offer copy trading. Admirals also shines with an impressive 106 drawing tools for charting, compared to Schwab's 24. Both platforms allow users to trade directly from stock charts, offering seamless functionality for chart-focused traders.
Charles Schwab distinguishes itself with the ability to manage an unprecedented number of columns in watchlists, offering up to 580 fields, significantly surpassing Admirals' seven. While Schwab is not equipped with platforms like DupliTrade or ZuluTrade, neither is Admirals. When it comes to overall ratings, Schwab boasts a perfect 5-star rating for Trading Platforms and Tools and ranks 5th among 62 brokers according to ForexBrokers.com. Admirals follows closely with a respectable 4-star rating and is ranked 19th. Both brokers provide robust platforms, but Schwab seems to cater more extensively to those who rely on comprehensive watchlist management, while Admirals appeals to traders interested in copy trading and MetaTrader functionality.
| Feature |
Charles Schwab
|
Admirals
|
|---|---|---|
| Virtual Trading (Demo) | Yes | Yes |
| Proprietary Platform | Yes | Yes |
| Desktop Platform (Windows) | Yes | Yes |
| Web Platform | Yes | Yes |
| Social Trading / Copy Trading | No | Yes |
| MetaTrader 4 (MT4) | No | Yes |
| MetaTrader 5 (MT5) | No | Yes |
| DupliTrade | No | No |
| ZuluTrade | No | No |
| Charting - Indicators / Studies (Total) | 374 | 30 |
| Charting - Drawing Tools (Total) | 24 | 106 |
| Charting - Trade From Chart | Yes | Yes |
| Watchlists - Total Fields | 580 | 7 |
Dive deeper: Best MetaTrader 4 Brokers, Best MetaTrader 5 Brokers.
Charles Schwab and Admirals both offer feature-rich mobile trading apps available for iPhone and Android devices. Users will find essential tools like stock or forex price alerts and the ability to draw trendlines on charts in both apps. While Charles Schwab dazzles with a staggering 374 technical studies for charting, Admirals provides a modest selection of 30. Both apps allow for multiple time frames on charts, auto-save drawings, and real-time quotes on watchlists. Charles Schwab's standout feature is its seamless watchlist symbol syncing between mobile and online accounts, which Admirals lacks.
When it comes to user ratings, Charles Schwab shines with a 5-star rating for its mobile app experience, ranking 6th among 62 brokers reviewed by ForexBrokers.com. Admirals, while competitive, holds a 4-star rating and ranks 23rd. This contrast underscores Charles Schwab's superior app features and usability, making it a preferred choice for traders seeking advanced mobile trading tools. Admirals still offers a solid app experience but falls slightly behind in its charting capabilities and overall user satisfaction.
| Feature |
Charles Schwab
|
Admirals
|
|---|---|---|
| Android App | Yes | Yes |
| Apple iOS App | Yes | Yes |
| Mobile Alerts - Basic Fields | Yes | Yes |
| Watchlist Syncing | Yes | No |
| Mobile Charting - Indicators / Studies | 374 | 30 |
| Mobile Charting - Draw Trendlines | Yes | Yes |
| Mobile Charting - Multiple Time Frames | Yes | Yes |
| Mobile Charting - Drawings Autosave | Yes | Yes |
| Mobile Watchlist | Yes | Yes |
Dive deeper: Best Forex Trading Apps.
Both Charles Schwab and Admirals offer insightful daily market commentary, keeping investors well-informed with the latest economic happenings. Additionally, they both broadcast up-to-date forex news sourced from prestigious outlets like Bloomberg and Reuters, ensuring high-quality information. While neither firm provides analysis tools from Autochartist, Admirals stands out with its access to Trading Central's analytical tools and sentiment-based trading tools to gauge market trends. In addition, Admirals extends exclusive offerings like market research from TipRanks and tools from Acuity Trading, including the Signal Centre, features not available at Charles Schwab.
For those looking for a comprehensive economic overview, both Charles Schwab and Admirals deliver global economic calendars highlighting crucial events. Despite Admirals' diverse research tool offerings, Charles Schwab receives a higher rating of five stars in research from ForexBrokers.com, where it ranks fourth among 62 brokers. Admirals is rated four stars, ranking fifteenth in the same list. While both brokerages have their merits, Charles Schwab's overall research accessibility and higher ranking make it a preferred choice for investors prioritizing research quality.
| Feature |
Charles Schwab
|
Admirals
|
|---|---|---|
| Daily Market Commentary | Yes | Yes |
| Forex News (Top-Tier Sources) | Yes | Yes |
| Autochartist | No | No |
| Trading Central (Recognia) | No | Yes |
| Social Sentiment - Currency Pairs | No | Yes |
| TipRanks | No | Yes |
| Signal Centre (Acuity Trading) | No | Yes |
| Economic Calendar | Yes | Yes |
Dive deeper: Best Brokers for Forex Research.
When it comes to educational resources for beginners, both Charles Schwab and Admirals provide a strong foundation. Each offers a collection of over ten educational pieces focusing on forex or CFDs, ensuring that new investors have plenty of material to get started with. Beyond articles and videos, both platforms support interactive learning through monthly educational webinars, complete with a comprehensive archive of past sessions for revisiting and continued learning. For those looking to start from scratch, both Charles Schwab and Admirals supply a range of beginner-friendly videos that encapsulate the essentials of trading, fostering a gradual learning experience.
Additionally, both brokers maintain extensive investor dictionaries with over 50 key terms, catering to those new to the financial world. However, when it comes to advanced trading topics, Charles Schwab takes a slight edge, reflected in its higher educational rating of 5 stars compared to Admiral's 4 stars. Ranked #6 out of 62 brokers by ForexBrokers.com for Education, Charles Schwab holds a favorable position as a learning resource, surpassing Admirals' #12 ranking. This distinction might make Charles Schwab a preferred choice for those prioritizing educational excellence in their trading journey.
| Feature |
Charles Schwab
|
Admirals
|
|---|---|---|
| Education (Forex or CFDs) | Yes | Yes |
| Client Webinars | Yes | Yes |
| Client Webinars (Archived) | Yes | Yes |
| Videos - Beginner Trading Videos | Yes | Yes |
| Videos - Advanced Trading Videos | Yes | Yes |
| Investor Dictionary (Glossary) | Yes | Yes |
Dive deeper: Best Forex Brokers for Beginners.
After testing 62 of the best forex brokers, our research and account testing finds that Charles Schwab is better than Admirals. Charles Schwab finished with an overall rank of #6, while Admirals finished with an overall rank of #18.
Charles Schwab is a highly trusted financial institution and multi-asset broker catering to U.S.-based and international forex traders. Schwab's award-winning thinkorswim platform offers over 70 tradeable currency pairs alongside impressive tools, research, and education. That said, the broker’s forex offering is still largely limited to what is available on thinkorswim.
| Feature |
Charles Schwab
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Admirals
|
|---|---|---|
| Overall Rating |
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| Trust Score | 99 | 93 |
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Both Charles Schwab and Admirals do not provide the option to buy actual (delivered) cryptocurrency, but they do offer the ability to purchase cryptocurrency derivatives.
While both Charles Schwab and Admirals support ACH and SEPA transfers, as well as bank wires for depositing or withdrawing funds, Admirals offers additional flexibility with support for PayPal, Skrill, and credit card transactions, which are not available with Charles Schwab.
Please note:
We review each broker’s overall global offering – a “Yes” checkmark in our Compare Tool does not guarantee the availability of any specific features in your country of residence. To verify the availability of any features within your country of residence, please contact the broker directly.
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0 of 5| Overall Rating | Charles Schwab | Admirals | |
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| Trust Score | 99 | 93 | |
| Winner | check_circle | ||
| Review | Charles Schwab Review | Admirals Review |
| Broker Screenshots | Charles Schwab | Admirals | |
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| Regulation | Charles Schwab | Admirals | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Trust Score | 99 | 93 | |
| Year Founded | 1971 | 2001 | |
| Publicly Traded (Listed) | Yes | No | |
| Bank | Yes | No | |
| Regulated in one or more EU or EEA countries (MiFID). | No | Yes | |
| Tier-1 Licenses | 5 | 4 | |
| Tier-2 Licenses | 0 | 3 | |
| Tier-3 Licenses | 0 | 0 | |
| Tier-4 Licenses | 0 | 1 |
| Tier-1 Licenses (Highly Trusted) | Charles Schwab | Admirals | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Australia (ASIC Authorised) | No | Yes | |
| Canada (CIRO Authorised) | Yes | Yes | |
| Hong Kong (SFC Authorised) | Yes | No | |
| Japan (SFC Authorised) | No | No | |
| Singapore (MAS Authorised) | Yes | No | |
| Switzerland (FINMA Authorised) | No | No | |
| United Kingdom (U.K.) (FCA Authorised) | Yes | Yes | |
| USA (CFTC Authorized) | Yes | No | |
| New Zealand (FMA Authorised) | No | No | |
| Regulated in one or more EU or EEA countries (MiFID). | No | Yes |
| Tier-2 Licenses (Trusted) | Charles Schwab | Admirals | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kenya (CMA Authorised) | No | Yes | |
| Israel (ISA Authorised) | No | No | |
| South Africa (FSCA Authorised) | No | Yes | |
| UAE (DFSA/Central Bank Authorised) | No | No | |
| India (SEBI Authorised) | No | No | |
| Jordan (JSC Authorised) | No | Yes |
| Investments | Charles Schwab | Admirals | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Forex Trading (Spot or CFDs) | Yes | Yes | |
| Tradeable Symbols (Total) | 40000 | 8702 | |
| Forex Pairs (Total) | 73 | 82 | |
| U.S. Stock Trading (Non CFD) | Yes | Yes | |
| Int'l Stock Trading (Non CFD) | Yes | Yes | |
| Social Trading / Copy Trading | No | Yes | |
| Cryptocurrency (Physical) | No | No | |
| Cryptocurrency (Derivative) | Yes | Yes | |
| Disclaimers | Note: Crypto CFDs are not available to retail traders from any broker's U.K. entity, nor to U.K. residents (except to Professional clients). | Note: Crypto CFDs are not available to retail traders from any broker's U.K. entity, nor to U.K. residents (except to Professional clients). |
| Cost | Charles Schwab | Admirals | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Spread EUR/USD - Standard | 1.35 | 0.8 | |
| All-in Cost EUR/USD - Active | 1.35 | 0.8 | |
| Active Trader or VIP Discounts | No | Yes | |
| Inactivity Fee | No | Yes | |
| Execution: Agency Broker | Yes | Yes | |
| Execution: Market Maker | No | Yes |
| Funding | Charles Schwab | Admirals | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Minimum Deposit | $0 | $100 | |
| PayPal (Deposit/Withdraw) | No | Yes | |
| Skrill (Deposit/Withdraw) | No | Yes | |
| Visa/Mastercard (Credit/Debit) | No | Yes | |
| Bank Wire (Deposit/Withdraw) | Yes | Yes | |
| ACH or SEPA Transfers | Yes | Yes |
| Trading Platforms | Charles Schwab | Admirals | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Proprietary Platform | Yes | Yes | |
| Desktop Platform (Windows) | Yes | Yes | |
| Web Platform | Yes | Yes | |
| Social Trading / Copy Trading | No | Yes | |
| MetaTrader 4 (MT4) | No | Yes | |
| MetaTrader 5 (MT5) | No | Yes | |
| cTrader | No | No | |
| DupliTrade | No | No | |
| ZuluTrade | No | No |
| Trading Tools | Charles Schwab | Admirals | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Virtual Trading (Demo) | Yes | Yes | |
| Alerts - Basic Fields | Yes | Yes | |
| Watchlists - Total Fields | 580 | 7 | |
| Charting - Indicators / Studies (Total) | 374 | 30 | |
| Charting - Drawing Tools (Total) | 24 | 106 | |
| Charting - Trade From Chart | Yes | Yes | |
| Charts can be saved | Yes | Yes |
| Mobile Trading | Charles Schwab | Admirals | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Android App | Yes | Yes | |
| Apple iOS App | Yes | Yes | |
| Mobile Alerts - Basic Fields | Yes | Yes | |
| Mobile Watchlist | Yes | Yes | |
| Watchlist Syncing | Yes | No | |
| Mobile Charting - Indicators / Studies | 374 | 30 | |
| Mobile Charting - Draw Trendlines | Yes | Yes | |
| Mobile Charting - Multiple Time Frames | Yes | Yes | |
| Mobile Charting - Drawings Autosave | Yes | Yes | |
| Mobile Economic Calendar | Yes | Yes |
| Research | Charles Schwab | Admirals | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Daily Market Commentary | Yes | Yes | |
| Forex News (Top-Tier Sources) | Yes | Yes | |
| Autochartist | No | No | |
| Trading Central (Recognia) | No | Yes | |
| TipRanks | No | Yes | |
| Social Sentiment - Currency Pairs | No | Yes | |
| Economic Calendar | Yes | Yes |
| Education | Charles Schwab | Admirals | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Education (Forex or CFDs) | Yes | Yes | |
| Client Webinars | Yes | Yes | |
| Client Webinars (Archived) | Yes | Yes | |
| Videos - Beginner Trading Videos | Yes | Yes | |
| Videos - Advanced Trading Videos | Yes | Yes | |
| Investor Dictionary (Glossary) | Yes | Yes |
| Major Forex Pairs | Charles Schwab | Admirals | |
|---|---|---|---|
| GBP/USD | Yes | Yes | |
| USD/JPY | Yes | Yes | |
| EUR/USD | Yes | Yes | |
| USD/CHF | Yes | Yes | |
| USD/CAD | Yes | Yes | |
| NZD/USD | Yes | Yes | |
| AUD/USD | Yes | Yes | |
| Review | Charles Schwab Review | Admirals Review |
| Overall | Charles Schwab | Admirals | |
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| Trust Score | 99 | 93 | |
| Winner | check_circle | ||
| Review | Charles Schwab Review | Admirals Review |
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