Written by ForexBrokers.com
In this head to head comparison of Charles Schwab vs BDSwiss, we will compare the trading platforms, mobile apps, range of investments, costs, market research, and more. Let's dive in.
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When comparing Charles Schwab and BDSwiss, Charles Schwab stands out with a higher trust score of 99 out of 99, indicating a highly trusted reputation. Established in 1971, Charles Schwab is not only a seasoned player in the industry but also publicly traded and operates as a bank. The broker holds five Tier-1 licenses, underlining its trusted status. In contrast, BDSwiss, founded in 2012, holds a trust score of 73, indicating average risk. Although not publicly traded and not operating as a bank, BDSwiss does possess one Tier-1 license.
Charles Schwab's long-standing presence and significant regulatory oversight offer clients reassurance, particularly in comparison to BDSwiss, which is still growing in its regulatory standing. For investors prioritizing trust and regulation, Charles Schwab's extensive regulatory credentials and close ties with the banking sector may provide a more secure option than BDSwiss, which displays moderate risk given its trust score and fewer licenses.
| Feature |
Charles Schwab
|
BDSwiss
|
|---|---|---|
| Year Founded | 1971 | 2012 |
| Publicly Traded (Listed) | Yes | No |
| Bank | Yes | No |
| Tier-1 Licenses | 5 | 1 |
| Tier-2 Licenses | 0 | 0 |
| Tier-3 Licenses | 0 | 0 |
| Tier-4 Licenses | 0 | 2 |
Charles Schwab offers a competitive entry level into forex trading with no minimum deposit requirement for its primary brokerage accounts. Traders using Schwab can access the thinkorswim platform via the Schwab One account, although trades are settled in U.S. dollars, with a minimum trade size of 10,000 units. Schwab also provides the Schwab Global account for those looking to trade in twelve international markets using local currencies, where applicable conversion fees range from 0.2% to 1%. Schwab does not charge commissions for forex trades; costs include only the bid/ask spread, which averaged 1.35 pips for the EUR/USD pair in October 2024. This places Schwab's typical spreads slightly above the industry average. Schwab's commissions and fees have earned it a rating of 4 out of 5 stars, ranking 23rd out of 62 brokers on ForexBrokers.com.
BDSwiss, on the other hand, offers various account options with differing spreads and commissions. The Classic account has a spread of 1.5 pips for EUR/USD, which is considered on the higher end. However, its Raw account offers a reduced spread of 0.3 pips plus a $5 commission per side, resulting in an effective spread of 1.3. The VIP account provides a slightly tighter spread at 1.2 pips. BDSwiss achieves similar recognition for its commissions and fees, also earning a 4 out of 5-star rating. It is ranked 29th out of 62 brokers by ForexBrokers.com.
Overall, both Charles Schwab and BDSwiss offer strong platforms for forex trading, each with unique perks and costs. Charles Schwab provides an easy entry with no deposit requirements and access to international markets through its Global account, while BDSwiss stands out with various account types that can cater to different trading preferences. Both brokers have earned a 4-star rating in commissions and fees, but Charles Schwab ranks slightly higher than BDSwiss in industry evaluations.
| Feature |
Charles Schwab
|
BDSwiss
|
|---|---|---|
| Minimum Deposit | $0 | $10-$5000 |
| Average Spread EUR/USD - Standard | 1.35 | 1.6 |
| All-in Cost EUR/USD - Active | 1.35 | 1.3 |
| Active Trader or VIP Discounts | No | Yes |
| ACH or SEPA Transfers | Yes | Yes |
| PayPal (Deposit/Withdraw) | No | No |
| 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 comparing Charles Schwab and BDSwiss for their investment offerings, there are notable differences in the range of assets available. Charles Schwab stands out with an impressive 40,000 tradeable symbols, providing investors with a vast choice of options. In contrast, BDSwiss offers 1,081 tradeable symbols. Both platforms provide forex trading as CFDs or spot contracts; however, Schwab offers 73 forex pairs, while BDSwiss provides 53. Notably, Charles Schwab empowers clients to invest directly in thousands of U.S. and international exchange-traded securities, allowing the purchase of stocks like Apple and Vodafone. In contrast, BDSwiss doesn't offer direct access to U.S. or international exchange-traded securities but supports copy trading, which aids beginner investors by following more experienced traders' strategies.
For those interested in cryptocurrency, both brokers offer cryptocurrency derivatives but do not provide the option to purchase actual cryptocurrencies directly. While Schwab does not feature copy trading, it is highly rated for its extensive investment range, receiving 5 stars and ranking 5th out of 62 brokers according to ForexBrokers.com. BDSwiss achieves a respectable 4-star rating, placing 34th in the same ranking for investment variety. Overall, Charles Schwab is an attractive choice for investors seeking a comprehensive array of investment opportunities, while BDSwiss caters well to those interested in forex and the benefits of copy trading.
| Feature |
Charles Schwab
|
BDSwiss
|
|---|---|---|
| Forex Trading (Spot or CFDs) | Yes | Yes |
| Tradeable Symbols (Total) | 40000 | 1081 |
| Forex Pairs (Total) | 73 | 53 |
| U.S. Stock Trading (Non CFD) | Yes | No |
| Int'l Stock Trading (Non CFD) | Yes | No |
| 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 BDSwiss both provide traders with a variety of platforms and tools, each catering to different trading preferences. Traders at both companies can engage in simulated trading through virtual demo accounts, helping them practice and hone their skills without financial risk. Additionally, both brokers offer proprietary platforms tailored in-house to meet specific trading needs. Traders who prefer downloading software can find compatible Windows-based platforms with both brokers. Those who prefer web-based trading will find that both Charles Schwab and BDSwiss have user-friendly browser platforms. However, BDSwiss edges out Schwab with support for MetaTrader 4 and MetaTrader 5, two popular trading platforms, as well as offering copy trading capabilities, which Schwab does not provide.
When it comes to charting tools, Charles Schwab surpasses BDSwiss, offering 24 drawing tools compared to BDSwiss's 15. Both brokers, however, allow trading directly from a chart, offering intuitive and efficient ways to manage trades. Watch list customization offers a major difference; Charles Schwab provides a comprehensive 580 columns for creating detailed watch lists, while BDSwiss offers only 7. This extensive customization may contribute to Schwab's higher rating of 5 stars for trading platforms, compared to BDSwiss's 4 stars. Moreover, when ranked among 62 brokers by ForexBrokers.com for trading platforms and tools, Charles Schwab stands out in 5th place, whereas BDSwiss is positioned at 24th, indicating Schwab's strong reputation in this category.
| Feature |
Charles Schwab
|
BDSwiss
|
|---|---|---|
| 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 | 15 |
| Charting - Trade From Chart | Yes | Yes |
| Watchlists - Total Fields | 580 | 7 |
Dive deeper: Best MetaTrader 4 Brokers, Best MetaTrader 5 Brokers.
Charles Schwab and BDSwiss both provide versatile mobile trading experiences with their iPhone and Android apps. Both platforms support essential features like stock and forex price alerts and allow users to draw trendlines and view multiple time frames on charts. However, one of the significant differences lies in watchlist management. Charles Schwab offers seamless syncing of watchlist symbols between its mobile app and online account, granting users a unified experience. Unfortunately, BDSwiss does not offer this feature, potentially impacting the convenience of managing investments across devices.
When it comes to charting capabilities, Charles Schwab stands out by offering an impressive 374 technical studies, compared to BDSwiss's 30. Both apps allow auto-saving of chart drawings and creation of watchlists with real-time quotes, providing users with functional and reliable tools. In terms of ratings, Charles Schwab has received a perfect five-star rating for its mobile trading app, securing the 6th position among 62 brokers in the Mobile Trading Apps category by ForexBrokers.com. BDSwiss, though rated with four stars, ranks 23rd, reflecting a solid but less comprehensive offer compared to Schwab's robust functionalities.
| Feature |
Charles Schwab
|
BDSwiss
|
|---|---|---|
| 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 BDSwiss provide daily market commentary, but Charles Schwab edges out in delivering forex news from top-tier sources such as Bloomberg and Reuters, enhancing its appeal for those who appreciate premium market insights. While BDSwiss offers technical analysis and fundamental research tools from both Autochartist and Trading Central, Charles Schwab focuses more on comprehensive economic calendars, keeping traders informed of current and future global economic events.
In terms of research ratings, Charles Schwab earns a 5-star rating, and its approach has led it to be ranked 4th out of 62 brokers by ForexBrokers.com for research. Meanwhile, BDSwiss holds a 4-star rating, ranking 23rd. Although both brokers have strengths and weaknesses, Charles Schwab is particularly esteemed for its broader market news reach and higher research rating in this comparison.
| Feature |
Charles Schwab
|
BDSwiss
|
|---|---|---|
| Daily Market Commentary | Yes | Yes |
| Forex News (Top-Tier Sources) | Yes | No |
| Autochartist | No | Yes |
| Trading Central (Recognia) | No | Yes |
| Social Sentiment - Currency Pairs | No | No |
| TipRanks | No | No |
| Signal Centre (Acuity Trading) | No | No |
| Economic Calendar | Yes | Yes |
Dive deeper: Best Brokers for Forex Research.
When comparing the educational resources for beginners offered by Charles Schwab and BDSwiss, both online brokers provide a wealth of learning materials that include more than 10 pieces focusing on forex and CFDs. These resources come in various formats such as articles, videos, and archived webinars. In addition to these materials, both Charles Schwab and BDSwiss conduct online educational webinars each month and provide access to a searchable archive of past sessions, making it convenient for beginners to learn at their own pace.
Furthermore, both platforms cater to different levels of trading expertise, offering at least 10 videos tailored to beginners and another 10 for more advanced traders. They also include an investor dictionary with over 50 key terms, which is invaluable for novices trying to grasp the trading lingo. Despite the similarities, Charles Schwab stands out with a 5-star education rating and ranks 6th among 62 brokers on ForexBrokers.com, whereas BDSwiss holds a 4-star rating and ranks 19th, making Charles Schwab a slightly stronger choice for those prioritizing educational support.
| Feature |
Charles Schwab
|
BDSwiss
|
|---|---|---|
| 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 BDSwiss. Charles Schwab finished with an overall rank of #6, while BDSwiss finished with an overall rank of #36.
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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BDSwiss
|
|---|---|---|
| Overall Rating |
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| Trust Score | 99 | 73 |
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Both Charles Schwab and BDSwiss do not provide the option to purchase actual delivered cryptocurrency, but they both offer the ability to trade cryptocurrency derivatives.
Both Charles Schwab and BDSwiss offer ACH, SEPA transfers, and bank wires for deposits and withdrawals, but only BDSwiss additionally supports payment through Skrill and Visa or Mastercard, while neither broker supports PayPal transactions.
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 | BDSwiss | |
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| Trust Score | 99 | 73 | |
| Winner | check_circle | ||
| Review | Charles Schwab Review | BDSwiss Review |
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| Regulation | Charles Schwab | BDSwiss | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Trust Score | 99 | 73 | |
| Year Founded | 1971 | 2012 | |
| Publicly Traded (Listed) | Yes | No | |
| Bank | Yes | No | |
| Regulated in one or more EU or EEA countries (MiFID). | No | Yes | |
| Tier-1 Licenses | 5 | 1 | |
| Tier-2 Licenses | 0 | 0 | |
| Tier-3 Licenses | 0 | 0 | |
| Tier-4 Licenses | 0 | 2 |
| Tier-1 Licenses (Highly Trusted) | Charles Schwab | BDSwiss | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Australia (ASIC Authorised) | No | No | |
| Canada (CIRO Authorised) | Yes | No | |
| 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 | BDSwiss | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kenya (CMA Authorised) | No | No | |
| Israel (ISA Authorised) | No | No | |
| South Africa (FSCA Authorised) | No | No | |
| UAE (DFSA/Central Bank Authorised) | No | No | |
| India (SEBI Authorised) | No | No | |
| Jordan (JSC Authorised) | No | No |
| Investments | Charles Schwab | BDSwiss | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Forex Trading (Spot or CFDs) | Yes | Yes | |
| Tradeable Symbols (Total) | 40000 | 1081 | |
| Forex Pairs (Total) | 73 | 53 | |
| U.S. Stock Trading (Non CFD) | Yes | No | |
| Int'l Stock Trading (Non CFD) | Yes | No | |
| 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 | BDSwiss | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Spread EUR/USD - Standard | 1.35 | 1.6 | |
| All-in Cost EUR/USD - Active | 1.35 | 1.3 | |
| Active Trader or VIP Discounts | No | Yes | |
| Inactivity Fee | No | Yes | |
| Execution: Agency Broker | Yes | Yes | |
| Execution: Market Maker | No | No |
| Funding | Charles Schwab | BDSwiss | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Minimum Deposit | $0 | $10-$5000 | |
| PayPal (Deposit/Withdraw) | No | No | |
| 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 | BDSwiss | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 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 | BDSwiss | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 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 | 15 | |
| Charting - Trade From Chart | Yes | Yes | |
| Charts can be saved | Yes | Yes |
| Mobile Trading | Charles Schwab | BDSwiss | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 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 | BDSwiss | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Daily Market Commentary | Yes | Yes | |
| Forex News (Top-Tier Sources) | Yes | No | |
| Autochartist | No | Yes | |
| Trading Central (Recognia) | No | Yes | |
| TipRanks | No | No | |
| Social Sentiment - Currency Pairs | No | No | |
| Economic Calendar | Yes | Yes |
| Education | Charles Schwab | BDSwiss | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 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 | BDSwiss | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 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 | BDSwiss Review |
| Overall | Charles Schwab | BDSwiss | |
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| Trust Score | 99 | 73 | |
| Winner | check_circle | ||
| Review | Charles Schwab Review | BDSwiss Review |
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