Charles Schwab Reviews & Ratings

4.6/5

“Branch network plus digital convenience, best of both worlds”

I appreciate that I can manage my portfolio online but also drop into a branch if needed. That hybrid model is why I switched to Schwab.

Pros : Schwab combines digital platforms and physical branch network, offering both online trading and in-person support.

Cons : Some traders transitioning from other platforms found the migration process challenging.

Switched from : Wealthfront

Reason to switch : I switched because the purely digital broker lacked physical branch support; Schwab gave me both options.

4.6/5

“Robust platform with research-tools galore for my investing”

I switched to Schwab because I wanted more comprehensive research and a more mature platform. With Schwab I’m using their stock/ETF research, screeners and I like the toolset much better than my previous broker.

Pros : Schwab offers commission-free trading on U.S. stocks and ETFs, deep research tools and multiple trading platforms.

Cons : Margin rates are higher than certain competitors.

Switched from : Lightspeed Trading

Reason to switch : My old broker charged nothing for trades but didn’t give me research; Schwab provided both free trades and strong analysis tools.

4.6/5

“Excellent customer service and branch access – felt secure”

For me, having access to a branch and being able to call someone made a big difference. I moved to Schwab because reliability and human support mattered.

Pros : Reviewers say Schwab has strong customer service, 24/7 phone/live-chat support and physical branches.

Cons : The interface could be sleeker.

Switched from : Ally Invest

Reason to switch : I switched because my prior broker was online-only; Schwab’s branch network and support gave me greater confidence.

4.5/5

“Great for retirement planning and long-term goals”

As I shifted focus to retirement, I switched to Schwab because they offered not just brokerage but full planning: IRAs, rollovers, advice and long-term tools.

Pros : Schwab supports a wide range of account types (IRA, Roth, rollover), and offers wealth-management, automated investing and advice.

Cons : The ultra-low cash-yield on uninvested dollars could be better.

Switched from : Fidelity

Reason to switch : My previous broker had good trading but no strong retirement planning features; Schwab gave me both.

4.5/5

“Solid overall platform, just watch advanced fee/feature trade-offs”

For my trading and investing needs Schwab is excellent. It isn’t always the cheapest for ultra-active futures or exotic products, but for general investors it hits the sweet spot. I switched because I wanted the “do everything” broker.

Pros : Schwab’s strong across the board: trading, research, service, account types. Scores and awards back it up.

Cons : Margin rates remain relatively high and some advanced features may cost more.

Switched from : Lightspeed Trading

Reason to switch : I switched because the passive broker lacked flexibility for options/futures, and Schwab gave me both breadth and value.

4.5/5

“Research and screeners are top-notch for finding opportunities”

I actively scan stocks, ETFs and funds. Schwab’s screeners and research tools let me filter by forward P/E, revenue growth, analyst ratings etc. Switching to Schwab elevated my analysis.

Pros : Schwab’s research is highly rated for depth, actionable insight, and interface.

Cons : The user interface is a bit clunky or older compared to new fintech competitors.

Switched from : Wealthfront

Reason to switch : I switched because the old platform had weak screeners; Schwab’s tools gave me richer data to work with.

4.3/5

“Global access and multi-currency features helped my overseas trades”

I’m based outside the U.S. but trade U.S. stocks. I moved to Schwab because they made international access easier, offered U.S. stock trading, and supported multiple currencies.

Pros : Schwab offers international clients access, multiple account types, U.S. stocks, and certain global wiring/currency features.

Cons : Non-U.S. investors may face foreign-exchange or international-trade costs that are higher than some global brokers.

Switched from : Robinhood

Reason to switch : My previous broker had minimal U.S. market access; Schwab unlocked those markets for me.

4.3/5

“Powerful tools like thinkorSwim make me feel professional”

I moved from a simple broker to Schwab because I wanted access to thinkorswim’s advanced trading tools. I’m now using multiple watchlists, option chains, and feel like I’ve stepped up.

Pros : Schwab includes advanced trading platforms such as thinkorswim, with professional-grade charting and options/futures support.

Cons : The learning curve for these tools can be steep for non-professional investors.

Switched from : Alpaca

Reason to switch : My previous broker lacked a pro-style interface; Schwab gave me more advanced capability without needing a dedicated trading firm.

4.3/5

“Good value with no minimums and free trades – cost-effective”

I used to pay commissions with my old broker. Schwab’s free-trade model allowed me to invest more regularly without worrying about fees.

Pros : Schwab offers $0 commission for U.S. stocks and ETFs, no account minimum for standard brokerage accounts.

Cons : Some account types or services (like deep futures trading) may have extra fees.

Switched from : GannTrader

Reason to switch : I switched because fee structure of my old broker restricted me; Schwab’s cost model let me do frequent trades affordably.

4.2/5

“Beginner-friendly yet strong enough as I grow”

I was just starting to invest and chose Schwab because I felt it would grow with me. The onboarding, tutorials and free trades were perfect; and now as I do more trades I’m still comfortable.

Pros : Schwab supports beginners and experienced investors alike – commission-free trades, educational resources, multiple account types.

Cons : Some advanced option or futures traders might prefer more specialised platforms.

Switched from : Lightspeed Trading

Reason to switch : I switched because the robo-advisor was too limited for my growing ambitions; Schwab offered flexibility.