Written by ForexBrokers.com
In this head to head comparison of Charles Schwab vs ACY Securities, we will compare the trading platforms, mobile apps, range of investments, costs, market research, and more. Let's dive in.
CFDs are complex instruments and come with a high risk of losing money rapidly due to leverage. Between 51% and 89% of retail investor accounts lose money when trading CFDs. You should consider whether you understand how CFDs work and whether you can afford to take the high risk of losing your money.
When comparing Charles Schwab and ACY Securities, both companies offer distinct advantages based on their credentials and regulatory standing. Charles Schwab, founded in 1971, enjoys a high level of trust with a perfect Trust Score of 99, according to ForexBrokers.com. This American broker is publicly traded and operates as a bank, bringing added security and reliability. Schwab holds five Tier-1 licenses, which are considered the pinnacle of trustworthiness in the financial world.
On the other hand, ACY Securities, established in 2011, has a ForexBrokers.com Trust Score of 75, placing it in the average risk category. While not publicly traded or a bank, ACY Securities has a single Tier-1 license, indicating a level of regulatory recognition but not quite on the same level as Schwab's. As an investor, these factors may help guide your decision based on the level of trust and security you prioritize in an online broker.
| Feature |
Charles Schwab
|
ACY Securities
|
|---|---|---|
| Year Founded | 1971 | 2011 |
| Publicly Traded (Listed) | Yes | No |
| Bank | Yes | No |
| Tier-1 Licenses | 5 | 1 |
| Tier-2 Licenses | 0 | 0 |
| Tier-3 Licenses | 0 | 0 |
| Tier-4 Licenses | 0 | 1 |
Charles Schwab offers a broad range of account options with no minimum deposit requirement, making it easy for traders to enter the forex market. With Schwab One, traders can access forex trading through the thinkorswim platform, where transactions settle in U.S. dollars with a minimum trade size of 10,000 units. For those interested in international markets, the Schwab Global account provides access to various local currencies, though conversion fees can apply. Schwab does not charge commissions on forex trading; instead, trading costs are determined by the bid/ask spread, which is slightly higher than the industry average, such as the 1.35 pips spread on EUR/USD in October 2024. Schwab earns a 4-star rating and ranks #23 out of 63 brokers for commissions and fees.
ACY Securities is ideal for a range of traders, offering both low-deposit and commission-based accounts. The Standard account requires a minimum $50 deposit with wider spreads averaging 1.2 pips on the EUR/USD, while the ProZero and Bespoke accounts offer narrower spreads and require larger deposits. Notably, the ProZero account boasts average spreads of 0.25 pips with a $6 per round turn commission, which can drop to $3 for Australian residents. This brings the effective spread to 0.55 pips, matching some of the top brokers. ACY Securities is rated 4.5 stars and ranked #21 out of 63 brokers for their commissions and fees.
In summary, while Charles Schwab provides a user-friendly entry point into forex trading with no commissions and various account options, its trading costs through spreads are slightly above the industry average. Conversely, ACY Securities excels with competitive pricing, especially for Australian residents, offering both commission-free and commission-based accounts with tighter spreads. Ultimately, each broker presents its own advantages depending on trading preferences and geographic location, with ACY Securities enjoying a slight edge in terms of cost efficiency.
| Feature |
Charles Schwab
|
ACY Securities
|
|---|---|---|
| Minimum Deposit | $0 | $50 |
| Average Spread EUR/USD - Standard | 1.35 | 1.2 |
| All-in Cost EUR/USD - Active | 1.35 | 0.85 |
| Active Trader or VIP Discounts | No | Yes |
| ACH or SEPA Transfers | Yes | Yes |
| PayPal (Deposit/Withdraw) | No | No |
| Skrill (Deposit/Withdraw) | No | Yes |
| Visa/Mastercard (Credit/Debit) | No | Yes |
| Bank Wire (Deposit/Withdraw) | Yes | Yes |
Dive deeper: Best Low Spread Forex Brokers.
When comparing Charles Schwab and ACY Securities for investment options, both platforms facilitate forex trading through CFDs or spot contracts. However, Charles Schwab outshines with an impressive 40,000 tradeable symbols, dwarfing ACY Securities' 2,200. While Schwab offers 73 forex pairs compared to ACY's 66, its investment range is further bolstered by the ability to purchase exchange-traded securities on both U.S and international exchanges, allowing for the acquisition of stocks like Apple and Vodafone. Conversely, ACY Securities limits its offering to CFDs and does not provide direct access to such markets. Though both platforms offer cryptocurrency derivatives instead of actual cryptocurrencies, ACY stands out for offering social trading features like copy trading, which Schwab does not provide.
Given their diverse offerings, Charles Schwab receives a top rating of five stars for its range of investments, ranking fifth out of 63 brokers according to ForexBrokers.com. ACY Securities, while providing a solid selection with a rating of four stars, falls behind at 30th in the same category. For investors seeking a wider array of trading symbols and direct stock purchases, Charles Schwab presents a more comprehensive choice, whereas those interested in social trading mechanisms might consider ACY Securities, despite its comparatively limited symbol availability.
| Feature |
Charles Schwab
|
ACY Securities
|
|---|---|---|
| Forex Trading (Spot or CFDs) | Yes | Yes |
| Tradeable Symbols (Total) | 40000 | 2200 |
| Forex Pairs (Total) | 73 | 66 |
| U.S. Stock Trading (Non CFD) | Yes | No |
| Int'l Stock Trading (Non CFD) | Yes | No |
| Social Trading / Copy Trading | No | Yes |
| Cryptocurrency (Physical) | No | No |
| Cryptocurrency (Derivative) | Yes | Yes |
| Disclaimers | Note: Crypto CFDs are not available to retail traders from any broker's U.K. entity, nor to U.K. residents (except to Professional clients). | Note: Crypto CFDs are not available to retail traders from any broker's U.K. entity, nor to U.K. residents (except to Professional clients). |
Dive deeper: Best Copy Trading Platforms.
Charles Schwab and ACY Securities both offer versatile trading platforms and tools designed to cater to a wide range of trading needs. Each broker provides access to a free virtual demo account, allowing users to practice trading without financial risk. They also both feature proprietary platforms, Windows-based desktop software, and web-based trading platforms, ensuring flexibility in how traders can access the market. However, for traders interested in copy trading or using MetaTrader 4 (MT4) and MetaTrader 5 (MT5), ACY Securities holds an advantage, offering all these options, while Charles Schwab does not. Additionally, Charles Schwab provides a more extensive range of chart drawing tools, supporting 24 options compared to ACY Securities' 15. Moreover, when it comes to customizing watch lists, Schwab offers 580 fields, dramatically more than the 7 fields available with ACY, catering to traders who appreciate detailed and personalized data tracking.
When considering their overall ratings and rankings, Charles Schwab tends to stand out. It is highly rated at five stars for its Trading Platforms and Tools, ranking fifth out of 63 brokers according to ForexBrokers.com. This suggests a high level of satisfaction among users with its offerings. In comparison, ACY Securities has a four-star rating and ranks 41st, indicating that while it provides some strong features, there's room for improvement. Therefore, users seeking more comprehensive trading tools and higher customization may lean toward Charles Schwab, while those interested in copy trading and using MetaTrader platforms might prefer ACY Securities.
| Feature |
Charles Schwab
|
ACY Securities
|
|---|---|---|
| Virtual Trading (Demo) | Yes | Yes |
| Proprietary Platform | Yes | Yes |
| Desktop Platform (Windows) | Yes | Yes |
| Web Platform | Yes | Yes |
| Social Trading / Copy Trading | No | Yes |
| MetaTrader 4 (MT4) | No | Yes |
| MetaTrader 5 (MT5) | No | Yes |
| DupliTrade | No | No |
| ZuluTrade | No | No |
| Charting - Indicators / Studies (Total) | 374 | 30 |
| Charting - Drawing Tools (Total) | 24 | 15 |
| Charting - Trade From Chart | Yes | Yes |
| Watchlists - Total Fields | 580 | 7 |
Dive deeper: Best MetaTrader 4 Brokers, Best MetaTrader 5 Brokers.
Both Charles Schwab and ACY Securities offer mobile trading apps available on iPhone and Android devices, making it easy for traders to stay connected on the go. They both provide stock and forex price alerts, as well as the ability to create watchlists with real-time quotes. However, a standout feature for Charles Schwab is its watchlist symbol syncing, enabling seamless integration between mobile and online accounts. ACY Securities, on the other hand, doesn't support this syncing capability, which might be a consideration for those who rely heavily on watchlists.
When it comes to technical tools, Charles Schwab impresses with a whopping 374 technical studies for charting, compared to just 30 available in ACY Securities’ app. Both platforms allow users to draw trendlines and view multiple time frames on charts, which are convenient for in-depth analysis. Additionally, both apps auto-save chart drawings, adding an extra layer of ease. In terms of user ratings, Charles Schwab scores 5 stars for its mobile trading app, which is reflected in its #6 ranking by ForexBrokers.com out of 63 brokers. In contrast, ACY Securities holds a 4-star rating and ranks #40, which might influence users considering which app to use for trading on the move.
| Feature |
Charles Schwab
|
ACY Securities
|
|---|---|---|
| Android App | Yes | Yes |
| Apple iOS App | Yes | Yes |
| Mobile Alerts - Basic Fields | Yes | Yes |
| Watchlist Syncing | Yes | No |
| Mobile Charting - Indicators / Studies | 374 | 30 |
| Mobile Charting - Draw Trendlines | Yes | Yes |
| Mobile Charting - Multiple Time Frames | Yes | Yes |
| Mobile Charting - Drawings Autosave | Yes | Yes |
| Mobile Watchlist | Yes | Yes |
Dive deeper: Best Forex Trading Apps.
When selecting an online broker for market research capabilities, Charles Schwab and ACY Securities both offer essential tools, but there are notable differences to consider. Both brokers provide daily market commentary, ensuring investors stay informed on the latest market movements. However, Charles Schwab stands out by offering access to forex news from high-profile sources like Bloomberg and Reuters, whereas ACY Securities does not include these top-tier sources. Neither broker offers technical or fundamental research tools from Autochartist or Trading Central, sentiment-based trading tools, or market research from TipRanks and Acuity Trading.
While both Charles Schwab and ACY Securities provide an economic calendar to keep traders updated on global news events, Charles Schwab consistently scores higher in research ratings with a solid 5-star rating compared to ACY Securities' 3.5 stars. This distinction is further reflected in their rankings by ForexBrokers.com, where Charles Schwab is positioned at an impressive #4 out of 63 brokers in the Research category, whereas ACY Securities is ranked #45. This makes Charles Schwab a more appealing choice for those emphasizing comprehensive and reliable market research in their trading strategies.
| Feature |
Charles Schwab
|
ACY Securities
|
|---|---|---|
| Daily Market Commentary | Yes | Yes |
| Forex News (Top-Tier Sources) | Yes | No |
| Autochartist | No | No |
| Trading Central (Recognia) | No | No |
| Social Sentiment - Currency Pairs | No | No |
| TipRanks | No | No |
| Signal Centre (Acuity Trading) | No | No |
| Economic Calendar | Yes | Yes |
Dive deeper: Best Brokers for Forex Research.
When it comes to educational resources for new traders, both Charles Schwab and ACY Securities offer plenty of options, but there are key differences. Charles Schwab provides a comprehensive selection of learning materials for those diving into forex and CFDs, with over ten educational pieces including articles, videos, and archived webinars specifically focused on these topics. They also host monthly live webinars and maintain a searchable archive of recorded sessions, making it easy for investors to learn at their own pace. Schwab goes above and beyond with at least ten beginner-friendly videos and another set for advanced traders. Additionally, their extensive investor dictionary, containing over 50 key investing terms, adds a valuable touch for anyone looking to expand their trading vocabulary. As a result, Charles Schwab has earned a top-notch 5-star rating for its educational offerings and ranks #6 out of 63 brokers according to ForexBrokers.com.
ACY Securities, on the other hand, also offers a solid foundation for beginners interested in forex and CFDs, with more than ten educational pieces available. They host monthly webinars and have a searchable archive, much like Schwab, ensuring that learning materials are accessible. However, ACY Securities falls short in offering advanced educational videos exclusively for experienced traders. Furthermore, their educational resources do not include a comprehensive investor dictionary, limiting the scope of beginner support somewhat. Consequently, ACY Securities holds a 3.5-star rating in education and a ranking of #43 according to ForexBrokers.com, positioning them behind Charles Schwab in terms of educational support for new investors.
| Feature |
Charles Schwab
|
ACY Securities
|
|---|---|---|
| Education (Forex or CFDs) | Yes | Yes |
| Client Webinars | Yes | Yes |
| Client Webinars (Archived) | Yes | Yes |
| Videos - Beginner Trading Videos | Yes | Yes |
| Videos - Advanced Trading Videos | Yes | No |
| Investor Dictionary (Glossary) | Yes | No |
Dive deeper: Best Forex Brokers for Beginners.
After testing 63 of the best forex brokers, our research and account testing finds that Charles Schwab is better than ACY Securities. Charles Schwab finished with an overall rank of #6, while ACY Securities finished with an overall rank of #41.
Charles Schwab is a highly trusted financial institution and multi-asset broker catering to U.S.-based and international forex traders. Schwab's award-winning thinkorswim platform offers over 70 tradeable currency pairs alongside impressive tools, research, and education. That said, the broker’s forex offering is still largely limited to what is available on thinkorswim.
| Feature |
Charles Schwab
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ACY Securities
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|---|---|---|
| Overall Rating |
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| Trust Score | 99 | 75 |
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While neither Charles Schwab nor ACY Securities provides the option to purchase actual cryptocurrency, both platforms offer the ability to trade cryptocurrency derivatives, catering to investors interested in market exposure without owning the digital assets.
Both Charles Schwab and ACY Securities allow ACH or SEPA transfers and bank wires for deposits and withdrawals, but ACY Securities stands out by also accepting Skrill, Visa, and Mastercard, which Charles Schwab does not, and neither offers PayPal as a transaction option.
Please note:
We review each broker’s overall global offering – a “Yes” checkmark in our Compare Tool does not guarantee the availability of any specific features in your country of residence. To verify the availability of any features within your country of residence, please contact the broker directly.
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0 of 5| Overall Rating | Charles Schwab | ACY Securities | |
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| Trust Score | 99 | 75 | |
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| Review | Charles Schwab Review | ACY Securities Review |
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| Regulation | Charles Schwab | ACY Securities | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Trust Score | 99 | 75 | |
| Year Founded | 1971 | 2011 | |
| Publicly Traded (Listed) | Yes | No | |
| Bank | Yes | No | |
| Regulated in one or more EU or EEA countries (MiFID). | No | No | |
| Tier-1 Licenses | 5 | 1 | |
| Tier-2 Licenses | 0 | 0 | |
| Tier-3 Licenses | 0 | 0 | |
| Tier-4 Licenses | 0 | 1 |
| Tier-1 Licenses (Highly Trusted) | Charles Schwab | ACY Securities | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Australia (ASIC Authorised) | No | Yes | |
| Canada (CIRO Authorised) | Yes | No | |
| Hong Kong (SFC Authorised) | Yes | No | |
| Japan (SFC Authorised) | No | No | |
| Singapore (MAS Authorised) | Yes | No | |
| Switzerland (FINMA Authorised) | No | No | |
| United Kingdom (U.K.) (FCA Authorised) | Yes | No | |
| USA (CFTC Authorized) | Yes | No | |
| New Zealand (FMA Authorised) | No | No | |
| Regulated in one or more EU or EEA countries (MiFID). | No | No |
| Tier-2 Licenses (Trusted) | Charles Schwab | ACY Securities | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kenya (CMA Authorised) | No | No | |
| Israel (ISA Authorised) | No | No | |
| South Africa (FSCA Authorised) | No | No | |
| UAE (DFSA/Central Bank Authorised) | No | No | |
| India (SEBI Authorised) | No | No | |
| Jordan (JSC Authorised) | No | No |
| Investments | Charles Schwab | ACY Securities | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Forex Trading (Spot or CFDs) | Yes | Yes | |
| Tradeable Symbols (Total) | 40000 | 2200 | |
| Forex Pairs (Total) | 73 | 66 | |
| U.S. Stock Trading (Non CFD) | Yes | No | |
| Int'l Stock Trading (Non CFD) | Yes | No | |
| Social Trading / Copy Trading | No | Yes | |
| Cryptocurrency (Physical) | No | No | |
| Cryptocurrency (Derivative) | Yes | Yes | |
| Disclaimers | Note: Crypto CFDs are not available to retail traders from any broker's U.K. entity, nor to U.K. residents (except to Professional clients). | Note: Crypto CFDs are not available to retail traders from any broker's U.K. entity, nor to U.K. residents (except to Professional clients). |
| Cost | Charles Schwab | ACY Securities | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Spread EUR/USD - Standard | 1.35 | 1.2 | |
| All-in Cost EUR/USD - Active | 1.35 | 0.85 | |
| Active Trader or VIP Discounts | No | Yes | |
| Inactivity Fee | No | No | |
| Execution: Agency Broker | Yes | No | |
| Execution: Market Maker | No | No |
| Funding | Charles Schwab | ACY Securities | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Minimum Deposit | $0 | $50 | |
| PayPal (Deposit/Withdraw) | No | No | |
| Skrill (Deposit/Withdraw) | No | Yes | |
| Visa/Mastercard (Credit/Debit) | No | Yes | |
| Bank Wire (Deposit/Withdraw) | Yes | Yes | |
| ACH or SEPA Transfers | Yes | Yes |
| Trading Platforms | Charles Schwab | ACY Securities | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Proprietary Platform | Yes | Yes | |
| Desktop Platform (Windows) | Yes | Yes | |
| Web Platform | Yes | Yes | |
| Social Trading / Copy Trading | No | Yes | |
| MetaTrader 4 (MT4) | No | Yes | |
| MetaTrader 5 (MT5) | No | Yes | |
| cTrader | No | No | |
| DupliTrade | No | No | |
| ZuluTrade | No | No |
| Trading Tools | Charles Schwab | ACY Securities | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Virtual Trading (Demo) | Yes | Yes | |
| Alerts - Basic Fields | Yes | Yes | |
| Watchlists - Total Fields | 580 | 7 | |
| Charting - Indicators / Studies (Total) | 374 | 30 | |
| Charting - Drawing Tools (Total) | 24 | 15 | |
| Charting - Trade From Chart | Yes | Yes | |
| Charts can be saved | Yes | Yes |
| Mobile Trading | Charles Schwab | ACY Securities | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Android App | Yes | Yes | |
| Apple iOS App | Yes | Yes | |
| Mobile Alerts - Basic Fields | Yes | Yes | |
| Mobile Watchlist | Yes | Yes | |
| Watchlist Syncing | Yes | No | |
| Mobile Charting - Indicators / Studies | 374 | 30 | |
| Mobile Charting - Draw Trendlines | Yes | Yes | |
| Mobile Charting - Multiple Time Frames | Yes | Yes | |
| Mobile Charting - Drawings Autosave | Yes | Yes | |
| Mobile Economic Calendar | Yes | No |
| Research | Charles Schwab | ACY Securities | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Daily Market Commentary | Yes | Yes | |
| Forex News (Top-Tier Sources) | Yes | No | |
| Autochartist | No | No | |
| Trading Central (Recognia) | No | No | |
| TipRanks | No | No | |
| Social Sentiment - Currency Pairs | No | No | |
| Economic Calendar | Yes | Yes |
| Education | Charles Schwab | ACY Securities | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Education (Forex or CFDs) | Yes | Yes | |
| Client Webinars | Yes | Yes | |
| Client Webinars (Archived) | Yes | Yes | |
| Videos - Beginner Trading Videos | Yes | Yes | |
| Videos - Advanced Trading Videos | Yes | No | |
| Investor Dictionary (Glossary) | Yes | No |
| Major Forex Pairs | Charles Schwab | ACY Securities | |
|---|---|---|---|
| GBP/USD | Yes | Yes | |
| USD/JPY | Yes | Yes | |
| EUR/USD | Yes | Yes | |
| USD/CHF | Yes | Yes | |
| USD/CAD | Yes | Yes | |
| NZD/USD | Yes | Yes | |
| AUD/USD | Yes | Yes | |
| Review | Charles Schwab Review | ACY Securities Review |
| Overall | Charles Schwab | ACY Securities | |
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| Trust Score | 99 | 75 | |
| Winner | check_circle | ||
| Review | Charles Schwab Review | ACY Securities Review |
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