Written by ForexBrokers.com
In this head to head comparison of Charles Schwab vs XTB, 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 online brokers, Charles Schwab and XTB both stand as reputable choices, albeit with unique regulatory profiles. Charles Schwab, established in 1971, is a well-known name in financial circles and operates as a bank. It boasts a ForexBrokers.com Trust Score of 99, categorizing it as highly trusted. The company is publicly traded and holds an impressive five Tier-1 licenses, which reflects a high level of regulatory trust.
In contrast, XTB was founded in 2002 and also enjoys a strong reputation with a ForexBrokers.com Trust Score of 96. While it isn't a bank, XTB is publicly traded and manages a commendable regulatory standing with two Tier-1 and two Tier-2 licenses. These numbers suggest that both brokers are reliable, but Charles Schwab edges ahead slightly in terms of regulatory trust and history in the financial market.
| Feature |
Charles Schwab
|
XTB
|
|---|---|---|
| Year Founded | 1971 | 2002 |
| Publicly Traded (Listed) | Yes | Yes |
| Bank | Yes | No |
| Tier-1 Licenses | 5 | 2 |
| Tier-2 Licenses | 0 | 2 |
| Tier-3 Licenses | 0 | 0 |
| Tier-4 Licenses | 0 | 2 |
Charles Schwab and XTB present distinct options for forex traders in terms of commissions and fees. Charles Schwab offers a user-friendly entry point with no minimum deposit requirement for its primary brokerage accounts, including Schwab One and Schwab Global, both of which facilitate forex trading through the thinkorswim platform. Schwab's forex trading incurs no commissions; however, traders need to navigate the bid/ask spread, which averaged 1.35 pips for EUR/USD in October 2024. This rate is on the higher side compared to industry norms. Schwab earns a solid 4-star rating for commissions and fees and ranks #23 among 62 brokers on ForexBrokers.com.
On the other hand, XTB offers two distinct account types: a spread-only Standard account and a commission-based Professional account, although the latter is being phased out in most regions. The Standard account attracts retail traders with its competitive pricing, offering an average spread of 1 pip for EUR/USD. For those trading smaller amounts, this account proves economical with a minimum deposit requirement of 250 in base currency. XTB enhances its appeal through an active trader program, providing spread rebates of up to 30% as traders reach predefined volume milestones. With a 4.5-star rating and a #11 ranking for commissions and fees, XTB positions itself favorably among brokers.
When comparing Charles Schwab and XTB, each broker carves out a niche tailored to different trading needs. Charles Schwab is suited for traders prioritizing access to a wide array of account types and international markets, albeit with spread costs at the upper industry average. Meanwhile, XTB offers a compelling choice for those seeking lower spreads and active trading discounts, ideal for Europe-based professionals and active traders looking to maximize cost efficiency in their forex trading endeavors.
| Feature |
Charles Schwab
|
XTB
|
|---|---|---|
| Minimum Deposit | $0 | $0 |
| Average Spread EUR/USD - Standard | 1.35 | 1.00 |
| All-in Cost EUR/USD - Active | 1.35 | 1.00 |
| Active Trader or VIP Discounts | No | No |
| 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, both Charles Schwab and XTB have established themselves as strong contenders. Charles Schwab offers a staggering 40,000 tradeable symbols, including 73 forex pairs, while XTB provides access to 7,184 symbols, encompassing 71 forex pairs. Both brokers allow clients to trade forex as CFDs or spot contracts and provide access to exchange-traded securities on U.S. and international exchanges. Clients with either broker can invest in well-known stocks, such as Apple and Vodafone, demonstrating their comprehensive offering in traditional markets.
For those interested in the evolving cryptocurrency market, Charles Schwab and XTB both allow trading in cryptocurrency derivatives, although they do not offer the purchase of actual cryptocurrencies. An area where these two brokers differ slightly is in their industry recognition for their range of investments. Charles Schwab is ranked 5th out of 62 by ForexBrokers.com, while XTB stands at the 14th position. Despite this ranking difference, both brokers earn a high rating of five stars for their range of investment offerings, showcasing their commitment to providing clients with diverse opportunities. Regardless of your choice, both platforms provide a solid and wide-ranging investment experience.
| Feature |
Charles Schwab
|
XTB
|
|---|---|---|
| Forex Trading (Spot or CFDs) | Yes | Yes |
| Tradeable Symbols (Total) | 40000 | 7184 |
| Forex Pairs (Total) | 73 | 71 |
| U.S. Stock Trading (Non CFD) | Yes | Yes |
| Int'l Stock Trading (Non CFD) | Yes | Yes |
| Social Trading / Copy Trading | No | No |
| 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.
Both Charles Schwab and XTB offer strong options when it comes to trading platforms and tools, ensuring that traders have what they need to succeed. Each broker provides a free virtual demo account, allowing users to practice and hone their skills without risking real money. Both platforms are designed in-house, offering a seamless experience for their traders. For those who prefer desktop applications, both Charles Schwab and XTB provide Windows-based platforms. Additionally, traders can access web-based platforms through either broker, providing flexibility in trading preferences across devices.
In terms of specific features, Charles Schwab shines with a wider array of options, boasting a five-star rating for its trading tools and platforms, and ranking fifth among 62 brokers. While XTB also offers significant value, with a 4.5-star rating and a ninth-place ranking, it has fewer options for watch list customization compared to Charles Schwab, which offers 580 watch list columns to XTB’s 8. Charting capabilities differ slightly; Charles Schwab offers 24 drawing tools, while XTB provides 32. Both platforms allow direct trading from stock charts but lack support for popular automated trading systems like MetaTrader and ZuluTrade.
| Feature |
Charles Schwab
|
XTB
|
|---|---|---|
| Virtual Trading (Demo) | Yes | Yes |
| Proprietary Platform | Yes | Yes |
| Desktop Platform (Windows) | Yes | Yes |
| Web Platform | Yes | Yes |
| Social Trading / Copy Trading | No | No |
| MetaTrader 4 (MT4) | No | No |
| MetaTrader 5 (MT5) | No | No |
| DupliTrade | No | No |
| ZuluTrade | No | No |
| Charting - Indicators / Studies (Total) | 374 | 39 |
| Charting - Drawing Tools (Total) | 24 | 32 |
| Charting - Trade From Chart | Yes | Yes |
| Watchlists - Total Fields | 580 | 8 |
Dive deeper: Best MetaTrader 4 Brokers, Best MetaTrader 5 Brokers.
Both Charles Schwab and XTB offer comprehensive mobile trading apps that cater to iPhone and Android users. Each app provides stock or forex price alerts to keep you informed of market movements. While both apps allow you to draw trendlines and view charts across various time frames, Charles Schwab stands out by offering 374 technical studies for its charting features, in contrast to XTB's 39. Additionally, Charles Schwab provides the convenience of watchlist symbol syncing with its client's online account, a feature not available on the XTB app.
When it comes to user ratings and rankings, Charles Schwab's mobile app is rated 5 stars and is ranked #6 among 62 brokers by ForexBrokers.com. In comparison, XTB receives a commendable 4.5 stars and is ranked #8. Both apps allow for the creation of watchlists with real-time quotes, with auto-saving drawing capabilities. For traders looking for a wide array of tools and seamless syncing capabilities, Charles Schwab offers a slight edge, though both platforms remain popular choices for mobile trading.
| Feature |
Charles Schwab
|
XTB
|
|---|---|---|
| Android App | Yes | Yes |
| Apple iOS App | Yes | Yes |
| Mobile Alerts - Basic Fields | Yes | Yes |
| Watchlist Syncing | Yes | No |
| Mobile Charting - Indicators / Studies | 374 | 39 |
| 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 XTB deliver daily market commentary, keeping users informed of the latest financial developments. They provide forex news sourced from top-tier outlets like Bloomberg and Reuters, ensuring that traders have access to high-quality information. While neither broker offers analysis tools from Autochartist or Trading Central, XTB distinguishes itself with a sentiment-based trading tool that allows users to see the balance of long and short positions across various instruments. Additionally, both platforms include an economic calendar feature, helping traders track important global news events.
When it comes to research ratings, Charles Schwab and XTB are both awarded five stars for their research offerings. However, based on a review by ForexBrokers.com, Charles Schwab ranks slightly higher at #4 out of 62 brokers, while XTB stands at #7. Despite their differences, both platforms excel in providing comprehensive research services, making them strong contenders for traders who value informed decision-making.
| Feature |
Charles Schwab
|
XTB
|
|---|---|---|
| Daily Market Commentary | Yes | Yes |
| Forex News (Top-Tier Sources) | Yes | Yes |
| Autochartist | No | No |
| Trading Central (Recognia) | No | No |
| 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.
When it comes to educational resources for beginners, both Charles Schwab and XTB deliver comprehensive offerings. Each broker offers over 10 educational materials focusing on forex and CFDs, including articles, videos, and archived webinars. They also maintain a regular schedule of client webinars, holding at least one per month, and offer a searchable archive of these recordings for convenient access. Furthermore, both Charles Schwab and XTB provide an array of educational videos aimed at beginners, covering fundamental trading topics, and they extend this to more advanced trading subjects with at least 10 additional videos designed for seasoned traders.
Though both brokers receive top marks with a five-star rating for education, there are a few distinctions. Charles Schwab features an investor dictionary containing over 50 investing terms, an aspect missing from XTB's resources. In terms of rankings, Charles Schwab slightly outpaces XTB, holding the 6th spot out of 62 brokers in the Education category on ForexBrokers.com, compared to XTB's 11th place. These differences might be worth considering when choosing the right broker to match your educational needs as a beginner trader.
| Feature |
Charles Schwab
|
XTB
|
|---|---|---|
| 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 | 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 XTB. Charles Schwab finished with an overall rank of #6, while XTB finished with an overall rank of #7.
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
|
XTB
|
|---|---|---|
| Overall Rating |
|
|
| Trust Score | 99 | 96 |
| Range of Investments |
|
|
| Commissions & Fees |
|
|
| Platform & Tools |
|
|
| Research |
|
|
| Mobile Trading |
|
|
| Education |
|
|
Both Charles Schwab and XTB do not offer the ability to purchase actual delivered cryptocurrency; however, they both provide the option to trade cryptocurrency derivatives.
When comparing online brokers, Charles Schwab supports ACH or SEPA transfers and bank wires for depositing or withdrawing funds but does not accept PayPal, Skrill, or Visa/Mastercard, whereas XTB offers more flexibility with options like PayPal, Skrill, Visa/Mastercard, and bank wires but lacks ACH or 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.
Select Brokers
↓×Compare
0 of 5| Overall Rating | Charles Schwab | XTB | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Overall Rating |
|
| |
| Commissions & Fees |
|
| |
| Range of Investments |
|
| |
| Platform & Tools |
|
| |
| Mobile Trading |
|
| |
| Research |
|
| |
| Education |
|
| |
| Trust Score | 99 | 96 | |
| Winner | check_circle | ||
| Review | Charles Schwab Review | XTB Review |
| Broker Screenshots | Charles Schwab | XTB | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Trading Platforms Gallery (click to expand) |
|
| |
| Mobile Trading Gallery (click to expand) |
|
| |
| Research Gallery (click to expand) |
|
| |
| Education Gallery (click to expand) |
|
|
| Regulation | Charles Schwab | XTB | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Trust Score | 99 | 96 | |
| Year Founded | 1971 | 2002 | |
| Publicly Traded (Listed) | Yes | Yes | |
| Bank | Yes | No | |
| Regulated in one or more EU or EEA countries (MiFID). | No | Yes | |
| Tier-1 Licenses | 5 | 2 | |
| Tier-2 Licenses | 0 | 2 | |
| Tier-3 Licenses | 0 | 0 | |
| Tier-4 Licenses | 0 | 2 |
| Tier-1 Licenses (Highly Trusted) | Charles Schwab | XTB | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 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 | XTB | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kenya (CMA Authorised) | No | No | |
| Israel (ISA Authorised) | No | No | |
| South Africa (FSCA Authorised) | No | Yes | |
| UAE (DFSA/Central Bank Authorised) | No | Yes | |
| India (SEBI Authorised) | No | No | |
| Jordan (JSC Authorised) | No | No |
| Investments | Charles Schwab | XTB | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Forex Trading (Spot or CFDs) | Yes | Yes | |
| Tradeable Symbols (Total) | 40000 | 7184 | |
| Forex Pairs (Total) | 73 | 71 | |
| U.S. Stock Trading (Non CFD) | Yes | Yes | |
| Int'l Stock Trading (Non CFD) | Yes | Yes | |
| Social Trading / Copy Trading | No | No | |
| 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 | XTB | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Spread EUR/USD - Standard | 1.35 | 1.00 | |
| All-in Cost EUR/USD - Active | 1.35 | 1.00 | |
| Active Trader or VIP Discounts | No | No | |
| Inactivity Fee | No | Yes | |
| Execution: Agency Broker | Yes | Yes | |
| Execution: Market Maker | No | Yes |
| Funding | Charles Schwab | XTB | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Minimum Deposit | $0 | $0 | |
| 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 | XTB | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Proprietary Platform | Yes | Yes | |
| Desktop Platform (Windows) | Yes | Yes | |
| Web Platform | Yes | Yes | |
| Social Trading / Copy Trading | No | No | |
| MetaTrader 4 (MT4) | No | No | |
| MetaTrader 5 (MT5) | No | No | |
| cTrader | No | No | |
| DupliTrade | No | No | |
| ZuluTrade | No | No |
| Trading Tools | Charles Schwab | XTB | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Virtual Trading (Demo) | Yes | Yes | |
| Alerts - Basic Fields | Yes | Yes | |
| Watchlists - Total Fields | 580 | 8 | |
| Charting - Indicators / Studies (Total) | 374 | 39 | |
| Charting - Drawing Tools (Total) | 24 | 32 | |
| Charting - Trade From Chart | Yes | Yes | |
| Charts can be saved | Yes | Yes |
| Mobile Trading | Charles Schwab | XTB | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 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 | 39 | |
| 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 | XTB | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Daily Market Commentary | Yes | Yes | |
| Forex News (Top-Tier Sources) | Yes | Yes | |
| Autochartist | No | No | |
| Trading Central (Recognia) | No | No | |
| TipRanks | No | No | |
| Social Sentiment - Currency Pairs | No | Yes | |
| Economic Calendar | Yes | Yes |
| Education | Charles Schwab | XTB | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 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 | No |
| Major Forex Pairs | Charles Schwab | XTB | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 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 | XTB Review |
| Overall | Charles Schwab | XTB | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Overall Rating |
|
| |
| Commissions & Fees |
|
| |
| Range of Investments |
|
| |
| Platform & Tools |
|
| |
| Mobile Trading |
|
| |
| Research |
|
| |
| Education |
|
| |
| Trust Score | 99 | 96 | |
| Winner | check_circle | ||
| Review | Charles Schwab Review | XTB Review |
IG
CMC Markets
FOREX.com
XTB
eToro
AvaTrade
Plus500
Pepperstone
FP Markets
Tickmill