Written by ForexBrokers.com
In this head to head comparison of Charles Schwab vs Libertex (Forex Club), 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, offers a high level of trust and security in the online brokerage world, underscored by its top Trust Score of 99 from ForexBrokers.com. Schwab, which operates as a bank and is publicly traded, holds five Tier-1 licenses. This status reflects stringent regulatory oversight, providing peace of mind for investors. In contrast, Libertex (Forex Club), founded in 1997, holds one Tier-1 license and has a Trust Score of 73, indicating an average risk level. Unlike Schwab, Libertex is not publicly traded and does not operate as a bank, which may influence its trust perception.
| Feature |
Charles Schwab
|
Libertex (Forex Club)
|
|---|---|---|
| Year Founded | 1971 | 1997 |
| 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 | 0 |
Charles Schwab offers an accessible entry into forex trading with no minimum deposit requirement for its primary brokerage accounts, Schwab One and Schwab Global. The Schwab One account allows traders to access the thinkorswim platform and trade forex, with all trades settled in U.S. dollars. While the smallest trade size allowed is 10,000 units, requiring a margin of $500 at 20:1 leverage, Schwab charges no commissions for forex trading, instead employing the bid/ask spread. The average spread for EUR/USD is 1.35 pips, which sits on the higher side of industry averages. Schwab’s Global account provides access to twelve international markets, although conversion fees may apply when funding with different currencies. However, precise trading costs can be calculated easily using the overnight carry charges feature in the thinkorswim platform.
Conversely, Libertex (Forex Club) does not provide specific average spread data, making direct cost comparisons challenging. Yet, the simplified fee structure without detailed spread information might appeal to traders seeking straightforward pricing. It is important to weigh these considerations when choosing between brokers, as the lack of comprehensive spread data can impact the transparency of trading costs with Libertex.
In terms of ratings, Charles Schwab scores 4 out of 5 stars for commissions and fees, ranking #23 out of 62 brokers on ForexBrokers.com. Libertex, on the other hand, receives 3 out of 5 stars, with a significantly lower ranking of #61 out of the same 62 brokers. Therefore, Charles Schwab presents itself as a preferred choice for traders focused on transparent cost structures and access to a wide range of markets.
| Feature |
Charles Schwab
|
Libertex (Forex Club)
|
|---|---|---|
| Minimum Deposit | $0 | $10 |
| Average Spread EUR/USD - Standard | 1.35 | N/A |
| All-in Cost EUR/USD - Active | 1.35 | N/A |
| 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 | No |
| Bank Wire (Deposit/Withdraw) | Yes | Yes |
Dive deeper: Best Low Spread Forex Brokers.
Charles Schwab and Libertex (Forex Club) are two well-known online brokers offering forex trading via CFDs or spot contracts. While both provide access to this market, the number of tradable symbols available varies significantly, with Schwab offering a staggering 40,000 compared to Libertex's 300. In terms of forex pairs, Schwab provides 73, while Libertex offers 51. Schwab also allows clients to purchase exchange-traded securities on both U.S. and international exchanges, such as Apple and Vodafone shares, a feature Libertex does not offer. However, Libertex stands out by providing copy trading, unlike Schwab. Both brokers offer cryptocurrency derivatives, but neither supports the purchase of actual cryptocurrencies.
When examined for their range of investments, Charles Schwab earns a commendable five-star rating and ranks fifth among 62 brokers, according to ForexBrokers.com. In contrast, Libertex holds a 3.5-star rating and places 53rd in the same category. This disparity highlights Schwab's extensive investment opportunities compared to Libertex's more limited offerings. Whether you're interested in forex pairs or diverse exchange-traded securities, Schwab provides broader options, making it a potentially better choice for those seeking variety in their investment portfolio.
| Feature |
Charles Schwab
|
Libertex (Forex Club)
|
|---|---|---|
| Forex Trading (Spot or CFDs) | Yes | Yes |
| Tradeable Symbols (Total) | 40000 | 300 |
| Forex Pairs (Total) | 73 | 51 |
| 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.
When comparing Charles Schwab with Libertex (Forex Club) in terms of their trading platforms and tools, both offer strong features for traders. Charles Schwab and Libertex each provide simulated trading capabilities through virtual demo accounts, allowing users to practice before jumping into live markets. Both brokers have developed proprietary platforms and offer versions for Windows-based desktop downloads as well as web-based trading accessible from any browser. While Charles Schwab provides a wealth of drawing tools, totaling 24 options, Libertex comes out slightly ahead with 30. Furthermore, both brokers allow users to execute trades directly from stock charts, enhancing the trading experience.
However, there are notable differences in the platforms and tools these brokers offer. Charles Schwab does not provide popular platforms like MetaTrader 4, while Libertex includes it in its offerings, appealing to traders who favor this established tool for forex trading. Additionally, Libertex offers copy trading, which is not available with Charles Schwab. In terms of customization, Charles Schwab offers an impressive 580 columns for watch lists compared to Libertex's seven, allowing for a more tailored approach. Achieving a top-tier rating, Charles Schwab earns a perfect five-star evaluation and is ranked #5 out of 62 brokers for its trading platforms and tools. In contrast, Libertex is rated four stars and ranks #50, reflecting a solid but less distinguished performance.
| Feature |
Charles Schwab
|
Libertex (Forex Club)
|
|---|---|---|
| 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 | No |
| DupliTrade | No | No |
| ZuluTrade | No | No |
| Charting - Indicators / Studies (Total) | 374 | 15 |
| Charting - Drawing Tools (Total) | 24 | 30 |
| Charting - Trade From Chart | Yes | Yes |
| Watchlists - Total Fields | 580 | 7 |
Dive deeper: Best MetaTrader 4 Brokers, Best MetaTrader 5 Brokers.
Charles Schwab and Libertex (Forex Club) both offer convenient mobile apps for iPhone and Android users, ensuring traders stay connected wherever they go. Their apps provide essential features such as stock and forex price alerts, watchlist syncing that keeps your mobile app in harmony with your online account, and the ability to draw trendlines and view various time frames on charts. However, Schwab's mobile app shines with its impressive offering of 374 technical studies for charting, far surpassing Libertex’s 30. Additionally, Schwab’s app automates the saving of drawing elements on charts, a function Libertex’s app lacks, providing a more seamless experience for those who frequently analyze chart patterns.
For traders who crave in-depth analysis and real-time data, Charles Schwab allows the creation of watchlists featuring real-time quotes, a feature also available in Libertex’s app. Schwab, however, garners a perfect five-star rating for its mobile trading capabilities, with a commendable 6th place ranking out of 62 brokers by ForexBrokers.com. In contrast, Libertex receives a four-star rating, ranking 48th, reflecting its app's competitive but limited offerings compared to Schwab’s leading edge. Whether you prioritize extensive charting tools or a straightforward trading experience, both Schwab and Libertex cater to diverse trading needs through their mobile platforms.
| Feature |
Charles Schwab
|
Libertex (Forex Club)
|
|---|---|---|
| Android App | Yes | Yes |
| Apple iOS App | Yes | Yes |
| Mobile Alerts - Basic Fields | Yes | Yes |
| Watchlist Syncing | Yes | Yes |
| Mobile Charting - Indicators / Studies | 374 | 30 |
| Mobile Charting - Draw Trendlines | Yes | Yes |
| Mobile Charting - Multiple Time Frames | Yes | Yes |
| Mobile Charting - Drawings Autosave | Yes | No |
| Mobile Watchlist | Yes | Yes |
Dive deeper: Best Forex Trading Apps.
When choosing between Charles Schwab and Libertex (Forex Club) for market research, there are distinct differences to consider. Charles Schwab excels in providing daily market commentary, which is an area where Libertex does not offer services. Both platforms source forex news from leading outlets like Bloomberg and Reuters, ensuring traders have access to essential updates. However, neither broker integrates recognized technical analysis tools such as Autochartist or Trading Central, nor do they offer sentiment-based trading tools or research from TipRanks and Acuity Trading.
In comparing the support tools for economic insights, both Charles Schwab and Libertex offer global economic calendars to keep users informed of forthcoming events. Nevertheless, when evaluating their overall research capabilities, Charles Schwab is rated highly with five stars, ranking 4th out of 62 brokers on ForexBrokers.com. In contrast, Libertex is rated with three stars, placing them much lower at 60th in the research category. For those seeking comprehensive market analysis, Charles Schwab clearly provides a more robust offering.
| Feature |
Charles Schwab
|
Libertex (Forex Club)
|
|---|---|---|
| Daily Market Commentary | Yes | No |
| Forex News (Top-Tier Sources) | Yes | Yes |
| Autochartist | No | No |
| Trading Central (Recognia) | No | No |
| 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 it comes to educational offerings for beginner traders, Charles Schwab shines with a comprehensive suite of resources. Schwab provides a rich library surpassing 10 pieces of content focused on forex and CFDs, including articles, videos, and archived webinars. They host monthly online webinars to engage clients actively and maintain a searchable archive for those who wish to explore past sessions. Catering specifically to beginners, Schwab offers at least 10 educational videos dedicated to foundational trading topics, alongside an extensive investor dictionary featuring over 50 key investing terms. With its focus not only on beginners but also advanced traders, Charles Schwab earns a stellar 5-star rating and holds a notable position of 6th out of 62 brokers in the Education category on ForexBrokers.com.
Conversely, Libertex (Forex Club) offers educational resources that include at least 10 articles and videos primarily centered around forex and CFDs, but its educational features for beginners are comparatively limited. While Libertex provides advanced educational content for experienced traders, the lack of beginner-focused videos and an investor dictionary are clear gaps. They do not conduct monthly webinars or maintain an archive of past sessions for clients to reference. This results in Libertex receiving a 3-star rating for education and being ranked 57th among 62 brokers according to ForexBrokers.com. While Libertex provides a foundation of resources, beginners might find Charles Schwab to be a more valuable option for educational support.
| Feature |
Charles Schwab
|
Libertex (Forex Club)
|
|---|---|---|
| Education (Forex or CFDs) | Yes | Yes |
| Client Webinars | Yes | No |
| Client Webinars (Archived) | Yes | No |
| Videos - Beginner Trading Videos | Yes | No |
| Videos - Advanced Trading Videos | Yes | Yes |
| Investor Dictionary (Glossary) | Yes | No |
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 Libertex (Forex Club). Charles Schwab finished with an overall rank of #6, while Libertex (Forex Club) finished with an overall rank of #60.
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
|
Libertex (Forex Club)
|
|---|---|---|
| Overall Rating |
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| Trust Score | 99 | 73 |
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Both Charles Schwab and Libertex (Forex Club) do not provide the option to buy actual delivered cryptocurrency, but they do offer the ability to purchase cryptocurrency derivatives.
When comparing the online brokers Charles Schwab and Libertex (Forex Club), both offer ACH and SEPA transfers as well as bank wires for funding and withdrawals, but only Libertex supports PayPal and Skrill, while neither provides Visa or Mastercard as a payment option.
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 | Libertex (Forex Club) | |
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| Trust Score | 99 | 73 | |
| Winner | check_circle | ||
| Review | Charles Schwab Review |
| Broker Screenshots | Charles Schwab | Libertex (Forex Club) | |
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| Regulation | Charles Schwab | Libertex (Forex Club) | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Trust Score | 99 | 73 | |
| Year Founded | 1971 | 1997 | |
| 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 | 0 |
| Tier-1 Licenses (Highly Trusted) | Charles Schwab | Libertex (Forex Club) | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 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 | No | |
| 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 | Libertex (Forex Club) | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 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 | Libertex (Forex Club) | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Forex Trading (Spot or CFDs) | Yes | Yes | |
| Tradeable Symbols (Total) | 40000 | 300 | |
| Forex Pairs (Total) | 73 | 51 | |
| 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 | Libertex (Forex Club) | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Spread EUR/USD - Standard | 1.35 | N/A | |
| All-in Cost EUR/USD - Active | 1.35 | N/A | |
| Active Trader or VIP Discounts | No | Yes | |
| Inactivity Fee | No | No | |
| Execution: Agency Broker | Yes | No | |
| Execution: Market Maker | No | Yes |
| Funding | Charles Schwab | Libertex (Forex Club) | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Minimum Deposit | $0 | $10 | |
| PayPal (Deposit/Withdraw) | No | Yes | |
| Skrill (Deposit/Withdraw) | No | Yes | |
| Visa/Mastercard (Credit/Debit) | No | No | |
| Bank Wire (Deposit/Withdraw) | Yes | Yes | |
| ACH or SEPA Transfers | Yes | Yes |
| Trading Platforms | Charles Schwab | Libertex (Forex Club) | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 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 | No | |
| cTrader | No | No | |
| DupliTrade | No | No | |
| ZuluTrade | No | No |
| Trading Tools | Charles Schwab | Libertex (Forex Club) | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Virtual Trading (Demo) | Yes | Yes | |
| Alerts - Basic Fields | Yes | Yes | |
| Watchlists - Total Fields | 580 | 7 | |
| Charting - Indicators / Studies (Total) | 374 | 15 | |
| Charting - Drawing Tools (Total) | 24 | 30 | |
| Charting - Trade From Chart | Yes | Yes | |
| Charts can be saved | Yes | Yes |
| Mobile Trading | Charles Schwab | Libertex (Forex Club) | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Android App | Yes | Yes | |
| Apple iOS App | Yes | Yes | |
| Mobile Alerts - Basic Fields | Yes | Yes | |
| Mobile Watchlist | Yes | Yes | |
| Watchlist Syncing | Yes | Yes | |
| Mobile Charting - Indicators / Studies | 374 | 30 | |
| Mobile Charting - Draw Trendlines | Yes | Yes | |
| Mobile Charting - Multiple Time Frames | Yes | Yes | |
| Mobile Charting - Drawings Autosave | Yes | No | |
| Mobile Economic Calendar | Yes | Yes |
| Research | Charles Schwab | Libertex (Forex Club) | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Daily Market Commentary | Yes | No | |
| Forex News (Top-Tier Sources) | Yes | Yes | |
| Autochartist | No | No | |
| Trading Central (Recognia) | No | No | |
| TipRanks | No | No | |
| Social Sentiment - Currency Pairs | No | No | |
| Economic Calendar | Yes | Yes |
| Education | Charles Schwab | Libertex (Forex Club) | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Education (Forex or CFDs) | Yes | Yes | |
| Client Webinars | Yes | No | |
| Client Webinars (Archived) | Yes | No | |
| Videos - Beginner Trading Videos | Yes | No | |
| Videos - Advanced Trading Videos | Yes | Yes | |
| Investor Dictionary (Glossary) | Yes | No |
| Major Forex Pairs | Charles Schwab | Libertex (Forex Club) | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 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 |
| Overall | Charles Schwab | Libertex (Forex Club) | |
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| Trust Score | 99 | 73 | |
| Winner | check_circle | ||
| Review | Charles Schwab Review |
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