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Charles Schwab vs Tastytrade

Detailed comparison of fees, features and products

Charles Schwab logo
4.9
BROKER ONLY
Tastytrade logo
4.4
BROKER ONLY

Feature Comparison

Feature ComparisonCharles SchwabTastytrade
Wide Offering
Fractional Shares & DRIP
Free Savings Plan
Cash Sweep Yield
US Support
Tax Documents (1099)
SIPC $500k + FDIC
Score
7/7
5/7

Fee Comparison

Fee ComparisonCharles SchwabTastytrade
IRA Accounts (Roth, Traditional)$0 commission$0 commission
Cash Sweep Yield$0 commission$0 commission
Crypto FeeVia ETF only1% + $0.10/contract
Margin RateN/AN/A
Inactivity FeeNoneNone
Deposit FeeFreeFree
Withdrawal FeeFreeFree
Min. Deposit00

Product Range

Product RangeCharles SchwabTastytrade
StocksAll US + internationalAll US stocks
ETFsAll US ETFsAll US ETFs
Mutual Funds10,000+ mutual fundsLimited
BondsFull bond deskLimited
CryptoVia ETF only10+ cryptocurrencies

Pros & Cons

Charles Schwab

Pros

  • Now owns thinkorswim: Best trading platform in America
  • Institutional-grade research free for all clients
  • SIPC $500k + FDIC sweep up to $1.25M
  • One-stop shop: banking, investing, financial planning
  • Excellent 24/7 customer service
  • Schwab Slices: fractional shares from $5

Cons

  • No direct crypto (ETFs only)
  • Cash sweep yield slightly lower than Fidelity
  • Mobile app less intuitive than neobrokers
Tastytrade

Pros

  • Options paradise: $1/contract with $10 cap per leg
  • Created by thinkorswim founders
  • Live trading content and education daily
  • Best platform for options strategies
  • SIPC $500k protected
  • Futures trading available

Cons

  • Not ideal for passive index investors
  • No fractional shares
  • Less research for fundamentals
  • Focused mainly on derivatives

See also