Investing comparison
E*TRADE vs Charles Schwab
Updated
Data as of
E*TRADE checked Charles Schwab checked
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E*TRADE
Investing app
Visit site for E*TRADE (opens in a new tab)
Charles Schwab
Investing app
Visit site for Charles Schwab (opens in a new tab)
Before you compare: This compares features and fees from each company's own pages. It isn't investment advice, and investing involves risk, including loss of money.
Short answer
- Pick Charles Schwab if you want a managed portfolio with no advisory fee (E*TRADE lists 0.30% a year).
- The biggest difference is the managed portfolio fee: Charles Schwab lists no advisory fee, and E*TRADE lists 0.30% a year.
Full disclosure: Taylor Price, who runs Priceless Tay, owns Fifecta, so keep that in mind as you read this comparison.
E*TRADE vs Charles Schwab at a glance
- E*TRADE
- Rating
- 4.7 of 5App Store, 380,746 ratings
- Platforms
- 5Power E*TRADE Pro, Power E*TRADE Web, Power E*TRADE App, E*TRADE App, E*TRADE Web
- Charles Schwab
- Rating
- 4.8 of 5App Store, 1,211,167 ratings
- Platforms
- 2iOS, Android
What it costs
- E*TRADE
E*TRADE's Core Portfolios list a flat annual advisory fee of 0.30% for an account market value of $500+.
Source
us.etrade.com/what-we-offer/pricing-and-rates, checked . - Charles Schwab
Schwab Intelligent Portfolios, Schwab's robo-advisor, lists no advisory fee and no commissions. You still pay the operating expenses of the ETFs in the portfolio.
Source
schwab.com/pricing, checked .
Bars show only when every app here lists a yearly price, so these prices sit side by side without them. Prices are list prices from each app's own page, before tax and any offer. Investing fees appear as each company states them. A yearly advisory fee is a percent of your balance, not a monthly price, so it never gets a bar or a price tag.
E*TRADE and Charles Schwab, side by side
| Detail | E*TRADE | Charles Schwab |
|---|---|---|
| Account minimumDiffers | E*TRADEE*TRADE says its brokerage account has no account minimums or maintenance fees, and that other fees may apply. Sourceus.etrade.com/what-we-offer/our-accounts/brokerage-account, checked . | Charles SchwabSchwab lists a $0 account minimum and $0 opening and maintenance fees for brokerage accounts and IRAs. Schwab Intelligent Portfolios has a $5,000 minimum. Sourceschwab.com/pricing, checked . |
| Stock and ETF commissionsDiffers | E*TRADEE*TRADE lists standard commissions of $0 for stock and options trades, plus $0.65 per options contract. Sourceus.etrade.com/what-we-offer/pricing-and-rates, checked . | Charles SchwabSchwab lists a $0 online commission for listed stocks and ETFs. Options are $0 plus $0.65 per contract. Sourceschwab.com/pricing, checked . |
| Account typesDiffers | E*TRADEE*TRADE lists these account types: Brokerage account, Traditional IRA, Roth IRA, Rollover IRA, Coverdell ESA, Custodial Account and Brokerage account for a minor. Sourceus.etrade.com/what-we-offer/our-accounts, checked . | Charles SchwabCharles Schwab lists these account types: Brokerage (Individual and Joint), IRA (Traditional, Roth, or Rollover), Schwab One Custodial (UGMA/UTMA), 529 College Savings, Education Savings, Inherited IRA/Inherited 401(k), SEP-IRA, SIMPLE-IRA, Individual 401(k) Plan and Schwab One Trust. Sourceschwab.com/pricing, checked . |
| Fractional sharesDiffers | E*TRADEE*TRADE says fractional shares are available now on select stocks and ETFs, with more on the way. You enter a share quantity with fractions up to three decimal places on the trade ticket. Sourceus.etrade.com/what-we-offer/investment-choices/fractional-shares, checked . | Charles SchwabSchwab says you can own fractional shares of most U.S.-listed stocks and ETFs for as little as $1. Sourceschwab.com/fractional-shares-stock-slices, checked . |
| Automatic investingDiffers | E*TRADEE*TRADE says Core Portfolios are rebalanced as necessary using advanced technology. Sourceus.etrade.com/what-we-offer/pricing-and-rates, checked . | Charles SchwabSchwab says its robo-advisor builds, monitors and automatically rebalances a diversified portfolio. Sourceschwab.com/intelligent-portfolios, checked . |
| Managed portfolios (robo)Differs | E*TRADECore Portfolios is E*TRADE's professionally managed advisory solution that builds, monitors and manages a portfolio. Sourceus.etrade.com/what-we-offer/pricing-and-rates, checked . | Charles SchwabSchwab Intelligent Portfolios is Schwab's robo-advisor. You can open an account with a minimum of $5,000. Sourceschwab.com/intelligent-portfolios, checked . |
| ProtectionDiffers | E*TRADEMorgan Stanley Smith Barney LLC is a member of SIPC, which protects customer accounts up to $500,000 (including $250,000 for cash only). Morgan Stanley also carries excess of SIPC insurance with a $1 billion aggregate firmwide cap for securities and a $1.9 million per client limit for uninvested cash. Sourceus.etrade.com/l/f/asset-protection, checked . | Charles SchwabCharles Schwab & Co., Inc. is a member of SIPC. Schwab says its clients also get excess SIPC coverage for securities and cash, with a $600 million aggregate limit for the excess portion. Sourceschwab.com/legal/account-protection, checked . |
| PlatformsDiffers | E*TRADEE*TRADE lists Power E*TRADE Pro, Power E*TRADE Web, Power E*TRADE App, E*TRADE App and E*TRADE Web. Sourceus.etrade.com/platforms, checked . | Charles SchwabCharles Schwab lists iOS and Android. Sourceschwab.com/mobile, checked . |
| App store ratingDiffers | E*TRADEE*TRADE has 4.7 out of 5 on the App Store from 380,746 ratings. SourceApp Store listing, checked . | Charles SchwabCharles Schwab has 4.8 out of 5 on the App Store from 1,211,167 ratings. SourceApp Store listing, checked . |
Store ratings are a dated snapshot from each listing, not our score. A row shows only when both apps have a current official source for it. How we source and date this data. Spotted a change? Tell us if something changed.
Weighing a third option? Add up to two more apps and compare up to four side by side.
Screen by screen
Pick a task to see what each app shows for it. App Store and Google Play images are the apps' own marketing, so they can show sample data and staged layouts. Help center images come from the app's support articles. See every app's screens.
Home
E*TRADE
App Store marketing imageApp Store image with the headline "Trade. Invest. Save." showing the home screen with $37,843.45 in net assets and a "Best Mobile App" Kiplinger badge.App Store listing, as of 
App Store marketing imageThe home screen in dark mode: Net Assets $37,843.45 and Day's Gain $909.07, DOW, NASDAQ and S&P 500 tiles, a Brokerage -0023 summary, What's Moving the Market tiles and Portfolio News.App Store listing, as of 
App Store marketing imageNet Assets $37,843.45, Day's Gain $909.07 and tiles for the DOW, NASDAQ and S&P 500.App Store listing, as of 
Google Play marketing imageThe Android tab bar: Accounts, Watch Lists, Trade, Markets and Menu.Google Play listing, as of
Charles Schwab
App Store marketing imageApp Store image with the headline "Manage your financial life in one app" showing a Summary screen with a $460,847.83 total value.App Store listing, as of 
App Store marketing imageThe Summary tab: Total Value $460,847.83 with a 1Y change of +$101,123.75 (28.11%), a line chart, Transfer, Deposit, Orders and Insights buttons, and an Investment list of brokerage and retirement accounts.App Store listing, as of 
App Store marketing imageTotal Value $460,847.83, 1Y Change +$101,123.75 (28.11%) and a rising line chart from Aug '25 to Jun.App Store listing, as of
Accounts
E*TRADE
App Store marketing imageThe iPad Brokerage -0023 account on the Portfolio tab: Net Account Value $37,843.45, Day's Gain, Total Gain and Cash, and a positions table with last price and gains per symbol.App Store listing, as of 
App Store marketing imageA Brokerage -0023 card: Net Account Value $37,843.45, Day's Gain $909.07 (2.48%), Total Gain $3,031.47 (8.27%) and Cash $1,187.22.App Store listing, as of
Charles Schwab
App Store marketing imageApp Store image with the headline "Track your portfolio" showing a brokerage account's positions.App Store listing, as of 
App Store marketing imageA Brokerage account on Positions: Account Value $10,206.20, day change -$26.07 (-0.25%), unrealized gain $5,000.13, and a table of six holdings with quantity, price and price change.App Store listing, as of 
App Store marketing imageAn Investment list with value and day change: Brokerage Account $45,921.11, Retirement Account $48,481.40 and another Brokerage Account $1,062.45.App Store listing, as of
Reports and insights
E*TRADE
No official screen found yet
Charles Schwab
App Store marketing imageInsights and Education with New To Investing, Retirement, Taxes and Trading filters and The latest commentary: a Schwab Market Update story titled "Stocks Up Ahead of Nvidia" and more articles.App Store listing, as of
Investments
E*TRADE
App Store marketing imageApp Store image with the headline "Stay in-the-know" showing the Markets tab with index charts and Bloomberg TV.App Store listing, as of 
App Store marketing imageApp Store image with the headline "Invest" showing a stock trade ticket.App Store listing, as of 
App Store marketing imageThe Markets tab on Overview: DOW, NASDAQ and S&P 500 values, a one-day line chart of the three indexes and a Now on BloombergTV video.App Store listing, as of 
App Store marketing imageThe Trade ticket for Brokerage -0023: account values, Stocks PMDV with bid and ask, Order Type Buy, Quantity 100, Price Type Market, Term Good for Day and an Advanced Order toggle.App Store listing, as of 
App Store marketing imageA quote screen for PMDV: 91.73, up 2.62 (2.86%), bid and ask, 1D to 5Y range buttons and a five-minute price chart.App Store listing, as of 
App Store marketing imageWhat's Moving the Market, NASDAQ most active: six tiles with prices and daily changes, five green and one red.App Store listing, as of
Charles Schwab
App Store marketing imageApp Store image with the headline "Trade intuitively" showing a stock and ETF trade ticket.App Store listing, as of 
App Store marketing imageApp Store image with the headline "Stay on top of the market" showing a Markets screen with an indices chart.App Store listing, as of 
App Store marketing imageThe Trade ticket on Stock/ETF for a brokerage account: a ZQVX quote with bid and ask, Action, Shares or Dollars, Quantity, a Limit order type, Price and a Review Order button.App Store listing, as of 
App Store marketing imageThe Markets tab: an Indices line chart with 1 Day, 5 Day, 1 Month and 1 Year tabs and four indexes with values and gains, plus View More Indices.App Store listing, as of 
App Store marketing imageA dark Watchlist with Basic, Custom and Heatmap views listing nine stocks with prices and daily changes in green and red.App Store listing, as of
Transfer and send
E*TRADE
App Store marketing imageApp Store image with the headline "Bank" showing a Zelle review screen to send $42.50.App Store listing, as of 
App Store marketing imageA Zelle Review screen: Send $42.50 to Steve Rogers, enrolled as Steve, dated Today, with an optional note and "The money will typically be available in minutes."App Store listing, as of
Charles Schwab
App Store marketing imageFour round buttons: Transfer, Deposit, Orders and Insights.App Store listing, as of
Check deposit
E*TRADE
App Store marketing imageThe iPad Check Deposit screen for Brokerage -0023: Amount $100.00, Check Front and Check Back buttons, a Submit button and the tab bar.App Store listing, as of 
App Store marketing imageTwo buttons with check marks: Check Front and Check Back.App Store listing, as of
Charles Schwab
No official screen found yet
Settings and security
E*TRADE
No official screen found yet
Charles Schwab
App Store marketing imageA Good Morning login screen with a Login ID field, a Remember Login ID toggle and a Continue button, with Fingerprint, Face ID and Passcode labels placed over it.App Store listing, as of
Who it's for
Pick the tab that sounds like you. Every answer comes from the app's own pages, and its source opens from the Source link.
Just me
Budgeting on your own? These are the basics people ask about first.
Is there support from the app's makers if I need help?
E*TRADE: Yes. Phone.
Source
In their words: “Speak with a Customer Service Representative about your brokerage or bank account.” us.etrade.com/contact-us, checked .Charles Schwab: Yes. Phone, chat and branches.
Source
In their words: “Reach out to Charles Schwab customer service by phone, chat, or visit your local branch.” schwab.com/contact-us, checked .
Partners
Sharing money with a partner? Here's how each app handles a second person.
Can my partner use their own login details?
E*TRADE: Joint accounts, yes. The source doesn't say your partner gets a separate login.
Source
In their words: “Domestic individual, joint and custodial brokerage accounts are eligible for a debit card.” us.etrade.com/frequently-asked-questions/account-features, checked .Charles Schwab: Joint accounts, yes. The source doesn't say your partner gets a separate login.
Source
In their words: “Schwab offers individual accounts if you're investing on your own, and joint accounts if you're planning and investing with a partner.” schwab.com/brokerage, checked .
Family
Bringing in more of the household? Here's what each app says about families and kids. See apps with custodial accounts for kids.
Does it have accounts or features for kids or teens?
E*TRADE: Yes. It has accounts or features for kids or teens.
Source
In their words: “Save and invest on a child’s behalf with a custodial account, while maintaining full control until they reach adulthood.” us.etrade.com/what-we-offer/our-accounts/custodial-account, checked .Charles Schwab: Yes. It has accounts or features for kids or teens.
Source
In their words: “A Schwab One Custodial Account lets you invest in your child's future while teaching them how to build it.” schwab.com/custodial-account, checked .
A question shows only when every app here has a current official source that answers it. We only say no when the app's own page does.
Which fits your Money Type?
There are four Money Types: Strategist, Spender, Saver and Scrambler. Each card matches one type to what the sources say about these two apps.
StrategistNeither app's sources confirm a feature we match to this type yet, so the quiz is the better place to start.
First fix: Save the Raise.
SpenderNeither app's sources confirm a feature we match to this type yet, so the quiz is the better place to start.
First fix: Sleep on It.
SaverNeither app's sources confirm a feature we match to this type yet, so the quiz is the better place to start.
First fix: Put It to Work.
ScramblerNeither app's sources confirm a feature we match to this type yet, so the quiz is the better place to start.
First fix: Bills First.
Not sure which one you are? Take the free Money Types quiz. It takes about two minutes.
Full disclosure: Taylor Price, who runs Priceless Tay, owns Fifecta, so keep that in mind as you read this comparison.
Another option: Fifecta
If neither E*TRADE nor Charles Schwab feels right, here is one more option to look at. Fifecta gives every paycheck a plan with FUNDS, and it starts from your Money Type, so the plan matches how you already handle money.
FAQ
How much does E*TRADE charge?
E*TRADE's Core Portfolios list a flat annual advisory fee of 0.30% for an account market value of $500+. We checked this on Nov 3, 2026.
How much does Charles Schwab charge?
Schwab Intelligent Portfolios, Schwab's robo-advisor, lists no advisory fee and no commissions. You still pay the operating expenses of the ETFs in the portfolio. We checked this on Nov 3, 2026.
What is E*TRADE's app store rating?
E*TRADE has 4.7 out of 5 on the App Store from 380,746 ratings. That's a snapshot from the store listing on Nov 3, 2026, not our score.
What is Charles Schwab's app store rating?
Charles Schwab has 4.8 out of 5 on the App Store from 1,211,167 ratings. That's a snapshot from the store listing on Nov 3, 2026, not our score.
More comparisons
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Keep comparing
- See E*TRADE alternatives, closest category first.
- See Charles Schwab alternatives, closest category first.
- Browse our guide to the low-cost brokerage accounts.
- Want the bigger picture? Compare more money apps.
Full disclosure: Taylor Price, who runs Priceless Tay, owns Fifecta, so keep that in mind as you read this comparison.
Want a plan built on your Money Type?
Fifecta gives every paycheck a plan with FUNDS, so you know where each dollar goes.
Sources and confidence
- Last checked
- Sourced facts
- 20 facts, each linked and dated
E*TRADE10 sourced facts, last checked Nov 3, 2026
- Management or subscription feeus.etrade.com/what-we-offer/pricing-and-rates, as of Nov 3, 2026
- Account minimumus.etrade.com/what-we-offer/our-accounts/brokerage-account, as of Nov 3, 2026
- Stock and ETF commissionsus.etrade.com/what-we-offer/pricing-and-rates, as of Nov 3, 2026
- Account typesus.etrade.com/what-we-offer/our-accounts, as of Nov 3, 2026
- Fractional sharesus.etrade.com/what-we-offer/investment-choices/fractional-shares, as of Nov 3, 2026
- Automatic investingus.etrade.com/what-we-offer/pricing-and-rates, as of Nov 3, 2026
- Managed portfolios (robo)us.etrade.com/what-we-offer/pricing-and-rates, as of Nov 3, 2026
- Protectionus.etrade.com/l/f/asset-protection, as of Nov 3, 2026
- Platformsus.etrade.com/platforms, as of Nov 3, 2026
- App store ratingApp Store listing, as of Nov 3, 2026
Charles Schwab10 sourced facts, last checked Nov 3, 2026
- Management or subscription feeschwab.com/pricing, as of Nov 3, 2026
- Account minimumschwab.com/pricing, as of Nov 3, 2026
- Stock and ETF commissionsschwab.com/pricing, as of Nov 3, 2026
- Account typesschwab.com/pricing, as of Nov 3, 2026
- Fractional sharesschwab.com/fractional-shares-stock-slices, as of Nov 3, 2026
- Automatic investingschwab.com/intelligent-portfolios, as of Nov 3, 2026
- Managed portfolios (robo)schwab.com/intelligent-portfolios, as of Nov 3, 2026
- Protectionschwab.com/legal/account-protection, as of Nov 3, 2026
- Platformsschwab.com/mobile, as of Nov 3, 2026
- App store ratingApp Store listing, as of Nov 3, 2026
- Reference: sipc.org/for-investors/what-sipc-protects, checked Oct 24, 2026.
Each fact links to the official page it came from, with the date we checked it. Once a fact is older than 30 days, it comes off the page until we check it again. How we source, date and index this data.
This is education, not financial advice.
