Charles Schwab review

Schwab is a close second and a strong fit for investors who expect to stay with one broker for decades. Its pricing page lists a $0 online commission on listed stocks and ETFs, $0 opening and maintenance fees and $0 minimums for individual and joint brokerage accounts, and the same terms for traditional, Roth and rollover IRAs. Fractional shares, formerly sold as Schwab Stock Slices, now cover more than 7,000 US-listed stocks and ETFs and start at $1, so a new investor can spread a small deposit across several holdings. Thousands of mutual funds in the Mutual Fund OneSource program and Treasury purchases also trade at $0 online. More advanced users get thinkorswim for charting and options. Costs appear at the edges: options carry $0.65 per contract, broker-assisted trades add $25 and funds outside OneSource can cost up to $74.95 per online purchase. The mobile app adds check deposit straight into brokerage and IRA accounts.

Who it is for

Investors who want a long-standing broker with branch support, no minimums and room to grow into active trading.

Price

$0 online commission on listed stocks and ETFs; options $0.65 per contract; no account minimums.

$0 Listed Stocks and ETFs online commission
Quoted from the vendor pricing page on November 10, 2026.

Key features

• $0 online commission on listed stocks and ETFs
• Fractional shares on more than 7,000 US-listed stocks and ETFs from $1
• $0 opening fees, maintenance fees and minimums on brokerage accounts and IRAs
• $0 trades on Schwab Mutual Fund OneSource funds and Treasuries
• thinkorswim platform for active and options traders

Strengths and weaknesses

• Strength: No account minimums on brokerage accounts or IRAs
• Strength: Fractional shares on 7,000+ stocks and ETFs
• Strength: Branches and broker help available, plus mobile check deposit
• Weakness: Options carry a $0.65 per contract fee
• Weakness: Broker-assisted trades add a $25 service charge
• Weakness: Funds outside OneSource can cost up to $74.95 per purchase online

Key facts

• Stock and ETF commission: $0 online
• Account minimum: $0
• Fractional shares: 7,000+ stocks and ETFs from $1

Where it ranks

Charles Schwab is No. 2 in our Best Investing Apps verdict.