Written by ForexBrokers.com
In this head to head comparison of Charles Schwab vs Markets4you, 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.
When comparing Charles Schwab to Markets4you, several key differences become clear, especially regarding trust and regulatory compliance. Founded in 1971, Charles Schwab is not only publicly traded, but it is also a recognized banking institution. Its impressive regulatory credentials include holding five Tier-1 licenses, the highest standard for regulatory trust. These factors contribute to an outstanding ForexBrokers.com Trust Score rating of 99 out of 99, marking it as a highly trusted broker.
On the other hand, Markets4you, established in 2007, doesn't hold any Tier-1 or Tier-2 licenses, which are sought after by investors looking for secure platforms. As a non-bank institution and not listed on a stock exchange, its ForexBrokers.com Trust Score stands at 61, indicating a higher risk. For investors who prioritize safety and trust, Charles Schwab's long-standing reputation and rigorous regulatory oversight set it apart from Markets4you.
| Feature |
Charles Schwab
|
Markets4you
|
|---|---|---|
| Year Founded | 1971 | 2007 |
| Publicly Traded (Listed) | Yes | No |
| Bank | Yes | No |
| Tier-1 Licenses | 5 | 0 |
| Tier-2 Licenses | 0 | 0 |
| Tier-3 Licenses | 0 | 0 |
| Tier-4 Licenses | 0 | 1 |
When comparing the online brokerages Charles Schwab and Markets4you in terms of commissions and fees, Schwab offers a competitive edge with its no minimum deposit requirement for their primary brokerage accounts. Schwab provides forex trading access through its Schwab One account, which supports trades settled in U.S. dollars. The smallest allowable trade size for forex is 10,000 units, requiring a minimum margin of $500 with a 20:1 leverage. For those interested in trading international markets, the Schwab Global account is a better fit, allowing access to twelve markets in local currencies, albeit with conversion fees ranging from 0.2% to 1% depending on your balance size. Schwab does not charge commissions on forex trades; instead, costs are determined by the bid/ask spread with an average spread of 1.35 pips on the EUR/USD, which is considered high within the industry.
Markets4you lacks specific average spread data, which makes a detailed cost comparison challenging. However, Schwab's transparent fee structure and tools like the thinkorswim platform's overnight carry charges calculator provide traders with insightful cost management capabilities. While Charles Schwab boasts a four-star rating in the commissions and fees category, Markets4you holds a slightly lower rating at 3.5 stars. This reflects Schwab's slightly more favorable fee structure compared to Markets4you.
Moreover, according to ForexBrokers.com rankings, Charles Schwab stands at a respectable #23 out of 62 brokers for commissions and fees. In contrast, Markets4you is positioned further down at #53 in the same category. These rankings underscore Schwab's advantageous position concerning trading costs and overall fee transparency when compared to Markets4you.
| Feature |
Charles Schwab
|
Markets4you
|
|---|---|---|
| Minimum Deposit | $0 | $0 |
| 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 | No |
| ACH or SEPA Transfers | Yes | No |
| 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 the range of investments offered by Charles Schwab and Markets4you, it becomes clear that Charles Schwab provides a more extensive selection to its clients. Charles Schwab boasts a staggering 40,000 tradeable symbols, vastly outnumbering Markets4you's 150. For those interested in forex trading, Charles Schwab allows you to trade 73 different forex pairs, compared to the 43 available through Markets4you. Additionally, Charles Schwab gives investors the opportunity to purchase exchange-traded securities on both U.S. and international exchanges, enabling options like buying shares of companies such as Apple and Vodafone. On the other hand, Markets4you does not provide access to exchange-traded securities on these major exchanges.
In terms of specialized offerings, both Charles Schwab and Markets4you support forex trading as either a CFD or spot contract, and they allow users to trade cryptocurrency derivatives, though neither offers the ability to purchase actual cryptocurrencies. While Markets4you provides the advantage of copy trading, Charles Schwab does not offer this feature. According to ForexBrokers.com, Charles Schwab is rated five out of five stars, ranking fifth out of 62 brokers for the range of investments they provide. Meanwhile, Markets4you receives a 3.5-star rating and stands at 58th place in the same category, indicating a relatively limited scope of investment choices compared to Charles Schwab.
| Feature |
Charles Schwab
|
Markets4you
|
|---|---|---|
| Forex Trading (Spot or CFDs) | Yes | Yes |
| Tradeable Symbols (Total) | 40000 | 150 |
| Forex Pairs (Total) | 73 | 43 |
| 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 the trading platforms and tools of Charles Schwab and Markets4you, both brokers provide access to free virtual demo accounts, allowing users to practice trading without risking real money. Each offers proprietary platforms developed in-house and supports multiple trading interfaces, including a Windows-based desktop download and a web-based platform for browser use. However, Markets4you stands out by supporting MetaTrader 4 and 5 along with copy trading options, whereas Charles Schwab does not offer these features. Instead, Schwab provides tools like trading directly from stock charts and a more extensive array of drawing tools for charting, with 24 options compared to Markets4you's 15.
Charles Schwab shines with a 5-star rating for its trading platforms and tools, significantly ahead in rank when evaluated by ForexBrokers.com, coming in at #5 out of 62 brokers. This high ranking reflects Schwab's comprehensive offering of 580 columns for watch lists and advanced chart trading capabilities. In contrast, Markets4you, with its emphasis on MetaTrader support and copy trading, receives a commendable 4-star rating but ranks lower at #52. Both platforms serve different trader needs, with Charles Schwab being suited for those who value extensive toolsets and customizability, and Markets4you appealing to traders looking for versatility in platform support and social trading features.
| Feature |
Charles Schwab
|
Markets4you
|
|---|---|---|
| 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.
When considering mobile trading apps, both Charles Schwab and Markets4you offer applications compatible with iPhone and Android devices. They ensure users can stay informed with stock or forex price alerts. However, if you seek advanced features for managing watchlists, Charles Schwab syncs watchlists across devices, an option not available with Markets4you. Charles Schwab leads the way in technical charting tools, providing 374 technical studies compared to Markets4you's 30.
Charting on both platforms boasts multiple time frames and the ability to draw and save trendlines, ensuring a versatile trading experience. Users can also create watchlists with real-time quotes on both apps. In terms of overall user satisfaction, Charles Schwab is rated five stars and ranks 6th out of 62 brokers for mobile trading apps, while Markets4you receives a four-star rating and comes in at 50th place. Charles Schwab’s app clearly stands out for those serious about technical analysis and seamless device integration.
| Feature |
Charles Schwab
|
Markets4you
|
|---|---|---|
| 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 Markets4you provide valuable resources for market research, catering to the needs of their clients. They both offer daily market commentary and supply forex news from well-respected sources like Bloomberg and Reuters. A keen difference between them is their approach to technical and fundamental analysis tools. Unlike Charles Schwab, Markets4you furnishes advanced tools from providers like Autochartist and Trading Central, which can be essential for traders who rely on such insights.
Even though both brokers offer an economic calendar to track global events, their overall research ratings and rankings vary significantly. Charles Schwab boasts a full 5-star research rating, securing the 4th position among 62 brokers reviewed by ForexBrokers.com, making it an appealing choice for those seeking comprehensive market analysis. In contrast, Markets4you, while providing some useful tools, lags with a 3.5-star research rating and a ranking of 47th, suggesting there might be more room for enhancement in the depth and breadth of their research offerings.
| Feature |
Charles Schwab
|
Markets4you
|
|---|---|---|
| Daily Market Commentary | Yes | Yes |
| Forex News (Top-Tier Sources) | Yes | Yes |
| 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.
Charles Schwab stands out in providing a rich variety of educational resources for beginners. It offers a comprehensive selection of over 10 educational pieces dedicated to forex and CFDs, ensuring users have access to a broad spectrum of learning materials. Additionally, Schwab delivers at least one online educational webinar monthly and maintains an accessible archive of previous webinars, allowing learners to revisit valuable sessions. A particular highlight is the inclusion of over 10 beginner-focused educational videos, which cater specifically to newcomers in trading. For those looking to advance further, Schwab also offers advanced videos targeting experienced traders. To aid in understanding complex terminology, Schwab includes an investor dictionary with over 50 definitions. Rated 5 stars, it ranks impressively at #6 out of 62 brokers for educational offerings according to ForexBrokers.com.
Markets4you also supplies educational resources on forex and CFDs, providing at least 10 pieces of educational content. However, it lacks monthly webinars, which might limit learning opportunities for those who prefer live educational sessions. While Markets4you offers a searchable archive of past webinars, it falls short in providing targeted beginner videos, presenting a challenge for those new to trading. Advanced educational videos are also not part of their offerings, which can be a limitation for traders looking to deepen their knowledge. Additionally, an investor dictionary isn't available, potentially creating difficulties for those trying to navigate the terminology. Despite these limitations, Markets4you garners a respectable 3.5-star rating and ranks at #25 for its educational resources according to ForexBrokers.com.
| Feature |
Charles Schwab
|
Markets4you
|
|---|---|---|
| Education (Forex or CFDs) | Yes | Yes |
| Client Webinars | Yes | No |
| Client Webinars (Archived) | Yes | Yes |
| Videos - Beginner Trading Videos | Yes | No |
| Videos - Advanced Trading Videos | Yes | No |
| 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 Markets4you. Charles Schwab finished with an overall rank of #6, while Markets4you finished with an overall rank of #55.
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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Markets4you
|
|---|---|---|
| Overall Rating |
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| Trust Score | 99 | 61 |
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Both Charles Schwab and Markets4you do not offer the ability to buy actual delivered cryptocurrency, but they do provide options for purchasing cryptocurrency derivatives.
Charles Schwab supports ACH, SEPA, and bank wire transfers for depositing or withdrawing funds, while Markets4you does not offer ACH or SEPA transfers but provides options for Skrill, Visa, Mastercard, and also supports bank wire transfers.
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 | Markets4you | |
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| Trust Score | 99 | 61 | |
| Winner | check_circle | ||
| Review | Charles Schwab Review |
| Broker Screenshots | Charles Schwab | Markets4you | |
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| Regulation | Charles Schwab | Markets4you | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Trust Score | 99 | 61 | |
| Year Founded | 1971 | 2007 | |
| Publicly Traded (Listed) | Yes | No | |
| Bank | Yes | No | |
| Regulated in one or more EU or EEA countries (MiFID). | No | No | |
| Tier-1 Licenses | 5 | 0 | |
| Tier-2 Licenses | 0 | 0 | |
| Tier-3 Licenses | 0 | 0 | |
| Tier-4 Licenses | 0 | 1 |
| Tier-1 Licenses (Highly Trusted) | Charles Schwab | Markets4you | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 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 | No |
| Tier-2 Licenses (Trusted) | Charles Schwab | Markets4you | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 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 | Markets4you | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Forex Trading (Spot or CFDs) | Yes | Yes | |
| Tradeable Symbols (Total) | 40000 | 150 | |
| Forex Pairs (Total) | 73 | 43 | |
| 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 | Markets4you | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 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 | No | |
| Inactivity Fee | No | No | |
| Execution: Agency Broker | Yes | No | |
| Execution: Market Maker | No | Yes |
| Funding | Charles Schwab | Markets4you | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Minimum Deposit | $0 | $0 | |
| 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 | No |
| Trading Platforms | Charles Schwab | Markets4you | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 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 | Markets4you | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 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 | Markets4you | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 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 | Markets4you | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Daily Market Commentary | Yes | Yes | |
| Forex News (Top-Tier Sources) | Yes | Yes | |
| Autochartist | No | Yes | |
| Trading Central (Recognia) | No | Yes | |
| TipRanks | No | No | |
| Social Sentiment - Currency Pairs | No | No | |
| Economic Calendar | Yes | Yes |
| Education | Charles Schwab | Markets4you | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Education (Forex or CFDs) | Yes | Yes | |
| Client Webinars | Yes | No | |
| Client Webinars (Archived) | Yes | Yes | |
| Videos - Beginner Trading Videos | Yes | No | |
| Videos - Advanced Trading Videos | Yes | No | |
| Investor Dictionary (Glossary) | Yes | No |
| Major Forex Pairs | Charles Schwab | Markets4you | |
|---|---|---|---|
| GBP/USD | Yes | No | |
| USD/JPY | Yes | No | |
| EUR/USD | Yes | No | |
| USD/CHF | Yes | No | |
| USD/CAD | Yes | No | |
| NZD/USD | Yes | No | |
| AUD/USD | Yes | No | |
| Review | Charles Schwab Review |
| Overall | Charles Schwab | Markets4you | |
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| Trust Score | 99 | 61 | |
| Winner | check_circle | ||
| Review | Charles Schwab Review |
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