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Charles Schwab

SCORE8.0STRONG

Full-service brokerage with strong retirement account depth

BEST FORPeople building long-term wealth, especially those focused on retirement accounts.
Reviewed by the Clientele Research Team · Last checked 9 days ago (2026-07-15)
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Scores — click any row to see our rationale
Fee Friendliness▼9/10

Zero commissions on US stocks, ETFs, and options plus $0.65/contract. No account minimum.

Ease of Use▼6/10

The standard web and mobile apps are solid. The advanced thinkorswim platform has a steep learning curve.

What You Can Buy▼8/10

Stocks, ETFs, options, bonds, CDs, and thousands of mutual funds. No direct crypto trading.

Account Variety▼9/10

Roth IRA, Traditional IRA, SEP IRA, SIMPLE IRA, Solo 401(k), plus custodial and joint accounts — one of the widest retirement lineups of any major broker.

PROS
✓Free trades on US stocks and ETFs.
✓Offers Solo 401(k), SEP IRA, and SIMPLE IRA — more retirement account types than most competitors.
✓Buy bonds and CDs directly, not just through funds.
✓24/7 phone support with live agents.
✓Fractional shares on S&P 500 stocks starting at $5.
✓No account minimum to open or maintain.
CONS
✕Advanced thinkorswim desktop platform has a steep learning curve.
✕No direct crypto trading — only crypto-related ETFs.
✕Fractional shares limited to S&P 500 stocks.
✕Mobile app is less polished than Robinhood or Fidelity.
✕International stock trading is limited compared to IBKR.
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