Written by ForexBrokers.com
In this head to head comparison of Charles Schwab vs Vantage, we will compare the trading platforms, mobile apps, range of investments, costs, market research, and more. Let's dive in.
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Charles Schwab and Vantage are two notable online brokers with distinct backgrounds and trust factors. Founded in 1971, Charles Schwab is well-established and publicly traded, operating as both a brokerage and a bank. It holds the highest Trust Score rating of 99 from ForexBrokers.com and boasts five Tier-1 licenses, indicating a high level of regulatory trust. Meanwhile, Vantage, founded in 2009, is not publicly traded and does not operate as a bank. It has a Trust Score of 90, reflecting a strong reputation, and is regulated with two Tier-1 licenses. Additionally, Vantage holds one Tier-2 license, showcasing its commitment to maintaining regulatory standards.
| Feature |
Charles Schwab
|
Vantage
|
|---|---|---|
| Year Founded | 1971 | 2009 |
| Publicly Traded (Listed) | Yes | No |
| Bank | Yes | No |
| Tier-1 Licenses | 5 | 2 |
| Tier-2 Licenses | 0 | 1 |
| Tier-3 Licenses | 0 | 0 |
| Tier-4 Licenses | 0 | 3 |
When comparing Charles Schwab and Vantage on commissions and fees, both platforms have unique offerings for traders. Charles Schwab excels with no minimum deposit for its primary brokerage account types and offers two main accounts with forex trading access: Schwab One and Schwab Global. For traders focusing on forex, the Schwab One account utilizes the thinkorswim platform and requires a margin of $500 for the smallest trade size of 10,000 units. The Schwab Global account offers access to multiple international markets, incurring currency conversion fees ranging from 0.2% to 1% depending on account balance. Schwab does not charge direct commissions on forex trades, but costs are included in the bid/ask spreads, with an average spread of 1.35 pips for the EUR/USD in October 2024. Aditionally, Schwab’s overnight carry charges are easily accessible through a calculator on the thinkorswim platform. Schwab earns a commendable 4-star rating for commissions and fees, ranked at #23 out of 62 brokers by ForexBrokers.com.
Vantage delivers competitive pricing through its range of account types: the Standard STP, RAW ECN, and PRO ECN accounts. The Standard account has typical spreads of 1.30 pips on the EUR/USD, while the RAW account offers average spreads of 0.15 pips plus a $6 commission per round turn. The PRO account features minimal commissions at $4 per round turn, though it requires a higher qualification as a wholesale client or a minimum funding of $10,000, depending on the regulating entity. Additionally, Vantage has an active trader program offering rebates of $2 to $8 per standard lot based on account balance and trading volume, available only on the Standard account. Vantage is noted for its transparent pricing, securing a 4.5-star rating and ranking #19 out of 62 brokers in commissions and fees according to ForexBrokers.com.
Both Charles Schwab and Vantage offer viable pathways for traders, with Schwab providing a straightforward, commission-free experience and Vantage offering a tiered pricing structure to meet various trading needs. Schwab's approach suits those who prioritize accessibility and integrated trading tools, whereas Vantage's structured accounts appeal to traders desiring tight spreads and potential rebates. Both brokers present attractive choices for forex traders, each shining with distinct strengths depending on the trader's priorities and financial strategies.
| Feature |
Charles Schwab
|
Vantage
|
|---|---|---|
| Minimum Deposit | $0 | $50 |
| Average Spread EUR/USD - Standard | 1.35 | 1.30 |
| All-in Cost EUR/USD - Active | 1.35 | 0.75 |
| Active Trader or VIP Discounts | No | Yes |
| ACH or SEPA Transfers | Yes | No |
| 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 investment options, Charles Schwab outshines Vantage, offering an impressive collection of 40,000 tradeable symbols compared to Vantage's 1,000. Both platforms provide forex trading as CFDs or spot contracts, with Schwab offering 73 tradeable forex pairs versus Vantage’s 61. Charles Schwab grants access to a wide range of exchange-traded securities on both U.S. and international markets, allowing investments in well-known companies like Apple and Vodafone, which Vantage does not. While Vantage offers features such as copy trading, Schwab focuses on providing a broader range of traditional investment options, including cryptocurrency derivatives.
For investors prioritizing a diverse portfolio and access to a myriad of international markets, Charles Schwab earns a higher rating, boasting a five-star evaluation and ranking 5th among 62 brokers for range of investments. In contrast, Vantage is rated 3.5 stars in the same category and sits at the 50th position. Although both brokers offer similar opportunities in cryptocurrency derivatives, Schwab’s expansive list of tradeable symbols and exchange-listed securities make it a more comprehensive choice for investors seeking variety and depth in their trading ventures.
| Feature |
Charles Schwab
|
Vantage
|
|---|---|---|
| Forex Trading (Spot or CFDs) | Yes | Yes |
| Tradeable Symbols (Total) | 40000 | 1000 |
| Forex Pairs (Total) | 73 | 61 |
| 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 Vantage both excel in providing a variety of features on their trading platforms, catering to traders with different needs. Both offer simulated trading with free virtual demo accounts and have developed proprietary platforms available for Windows-based desktop downloads and web-based interfaces. However, Vantage stands out by offering additional flexibility with MetaTrader 4 and MetaTrader 5, along with copy trading and DupliTrade features. On the other hand, Charles Schwab does not support these options but provides an impressive 580 fields for watch lists compared to Vantage's 7, and 24 drawing tools for charting, slightly more than Vantage's 15.
In terms of charting capabilities, both brokers allow trading directly from a stock chart, enabling seamless transaction execution. While Charles Schwab does not offer copy trading features, its platform earns a perfect rating of 5 stars in Trading Platforms and Tools, ranking 5th out of 62 brokers according to ForexBrokers.com. Vantage, with a 4-star rating, ranks 21st and offers copy trading, appealing to those interested in social trading experiences. Overall, Charles Schwab leads in comprehensive features and higher platform ratings, while Vantage offers enhanced options for those seeking flexibility and social trading capabilities.
| Feature |
Charles Schwab
|
Vantage
|
|---|---|---|
| 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 | Yes |
| 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 comparing the mobile trading apps of Charles Schwab and Vantage, both offer a range of essential features for traders on iPhones and Android devices. Both apps provide stock and forex price alerts, as well as the ability to draw trend lines and view different time frames on charts. However, Charles Schwab stands out with the ability to sync watchlist symbols with a client's online account, ensuring seamless integration between mobile and online experiences, a feature missing from Vantage. Furthermore, Charles Schwab offers a remarkable 374 technical studies for in-depth charting, far surpassing Vantage's offering of 30.
The Charles Schwab app is distinguished by its 5-star rating, placing it at the 6th spot in the Mobile Trading Apps category according to ForexBrokers.com. Vantage, while also providing essential trading features, holds a 4-star rating, ranking 27th out of 62 brokers. Both apps allow traders to create watchlists with real-time quotes and automatically save chart drawings, ensuring an efficient trading experience. Ultimately, Charles Schwab's mobile app offers more advanced features and higher customer satisfaction, making it a preferred choice for many traders.
| Feature |
Charles Schwab
|
Vantage
|
|---|---|---|
| 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.
Charles Schwab and Vantage both offer robust market research features to support traders. Both brokers provide daily market commentary and deliver forex news from top-tier sources like Bloomberg and Reuters, ensuring that investors have access to essential updates. They also feature economic calendars to help traders keep track of global news events that can impact markets. However, when it comes to third-party analytical tools, Vantage takes the lead with its offerings from Autochartist and Trading Central, as well as a sentiment-based trading tool. Charles Schwab, on the other hand, does not provide these specific resources, focusing instead on other research services.
In terms of recognition and ratings, Charles Schwab excels with a perfect 5-star rating for research and ranks 4th out of 62 brokers on ForexBrokers.com. Conversely, Vantage holds a commendable 4-star research rating but is ranked 21st in the same comparison category. While both brokers excel in delivering reliable and timely market insights, Charles Schwab's higher overall evaluation indicates a broader recognition for its research capabilities, even though Vantage offers more specialized tools for technical and sentiment analysis.
| Feature |
Charles Schwab
|
Vantage
|
|---|---|---|
| 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 | Yes |
| TipRanks | No | No |
| Signal Centre (Acuity Trading) | No | No |
| Economic Calendar | Yes | Yes |
Dive deeper: Best Brokers for Forex Research.
Charles Schwab and Vantage both provide comprehensive educational resources designed to assist beginners in navigating the world of online trading. Each offers a rich selection of more than ten educational pieces focused specifically on forex and CFDs, ensuring users can access valuable insights into these markets. The brokers also host monthly online webinars to enhance learning opportunities and maintain searchable archives of recorded sessions for those who prefer to learn at their own pace. With a focus on beginners, Charles Schwab and Vantage offer a collection of over ten educational videos that introduce key trading topics, making these brokers accessible to newcomers seeking foundational knowledge in trading.
In addition to catering to beginners, both Charles Schwab and Vantage address the needs of more experienced traders with at least ten advanced educational videos. These educational resources are complemented by comprehensive investor dictionaries, each explaining over fifty investing terms, which further demystify financial markets for users. Despite similarities in educational offerings, Charles Schwab holds an exemplary education rating of 5 stars, ranking 6th out of 62 brokers according to ForexBrokers.com, highlighting its superior educational support. Meanwhile, Vantage, with a commendable 4-star rating, ranks 24th, indicating it still provides quality educational materials, though slightly less acclaimed than Charles Schwab's.
| Feature |
Charles Schwab
|
Vantage
|
|---|---|---|
| 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 Vantage. Charles Schwab finished with an overall rank of #6, while Vantage finished with an overall rank of #26.
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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Vantage
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|---|---|---|
| Overall Rating |
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| Trust Score | 99 | 90 |
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Both Charles Schwab and Vantage do not offer the option to purchase actual (delivered) cryptocurrency, but they do provide opportunities to invest in cryptocurrency derivatives.
When comparing online brokers, Charles Schwab and Vantage, it's important to note that Charles Schwab supports ACH and SEPA transfers, as well as bank wires, for account transactions but does not accommodate PayPal, Skrill, or Visa/Mastercard, whereas Vantage provides flexibility with PayPal, Skrill, Visa, and Mastercard options, alongside bank wires, yet lacks support for ACH and SEPA 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 | Vantage | |
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| Trust Score | 99 | 90 | |
| Winner | check_circle | ||
| Review | Charles Schwab Review | Vantage Review |
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| Regulation | Charles Schwab | Vantage | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Trust Score | 99 | 90 | |
| Year Founded | 1971 | 2009 | |
| Publicly Traded (Listed) | Yes | No | |
| Bank | Yes | No | |
| Regulated in one or more EU or EEA countries (MiFID). | No | No | |
| Tier-1 Licenses | 5 | 2 | |
| Tier-2 Licenses | 0 | 1 | |
| Tier-3 Licenses | 0 | 0 | |
| Tier-4 Licenses | 0 | 3 |
| Tier-1 Licenses (Highly Trusted) | Charles Schwab | Vantage | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Australia (ASIC Authorised) | No | Yes | |
| 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 | No |
| Tier-2 Licenses (Trusted) | Charles Schwab | Vantage | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kenya (CMA Authorised) | No | No | |
| 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 | No |
| Investments | Charles Schwab | Vantage | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Forex Trading (Spot or CFDs) | Yes | Yes | |
| Tradeable Symbols (Total) | 40000 | 1000 | |
| Forex Pairs (Total) | 73 | 61 | |
| 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 | Vantage | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Spread EUR/USD - Standard | 1.35 | 1.30 | |
| All-in Cost EUR/USD - Active | 1.35 | 0.75 | |
| Active Trader or VIP Discounts | No | Yes | |
| Inactivity Fee | No | No | |
| Execution: Agency Broker | Yes | Yes | |
| Execution: Market Maker | No | Yes |
| Funding | Charles Schwab | Vantage | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Minimum Deposit | $0 | $50 | |
| 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 | No |
| Trading Platforms | Charles Schwab | Vantage | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 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 | Yes | |
| ZuluTrade | No | No |
| Trading Tools | Charles Schwab | Vantage | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 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 | Vantage | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 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 | Vantage | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 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 | Yes | |
| Economic Calendar | Yes | Yes |
| Education | Charles Schwab | Vantage | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 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 | Vantage | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 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 | Vantage Review |
| Overall | Charles Schwab | Vantage | |
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| Trust Score | 99 | 90 | |
| Winner | check_circle | ||
| Review | Charles Schwab Review | Vantage Review |
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