Written by ForexBrokers.com
In this head to head comparison of Charles Schwab vs ATFX, 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.
Charles Schwab, founded in 1971, is a well-established online broker that offers clients the assurance of a high Trust Score rating of 99, as per ForexBrokers.com. This indicates that Schwab is highly trusted and secure in the eyes of industry experts. Being publicly traded and operating as a bank, Charles Schwab holds five Tier-1 licenses, underscoring its strong regulatory framework. Its longstanding presence in the financial market reflects a deep commitment to reliability and investor protection.
ATFX, on the other hand, started its journey in 2017 and has rapidly positioned itself as a trusted name with a ForexBrokers.com Trust Score of 85. While not publicly traded and not a bank, ATFX maintains a respectable standing with four Tier-1 licenses and two Tier-2 licenses. This blend of licenses portrays a careful adherence to regulatory standards, providing a level of trust and safety to its clients. Both brokers offer unique strengths suited for different investor needs, backed by their regulatory credentials.
| Feature |
Charles Schwab
|
ATFX
|
|---|---|---|
| Year Founded | 1971 | 2017 |
| Publicly Traded (Listed) | Yes | No |
| Bank | Yes | No |
| Tier-1 Licenses | 5 | 4 |
| Tier-2 Licenses | 0 | 2 |
| Tier-3 Licenses | 0 | 0 |
| Tier-4 Licenses | 0 | 1 |
Charles Schwab and ATFX have different offerings when it comes to commissions and fees, which are a critical component to consider for forex traders. Charles Schwab stands out with its absence of a minimum deposit requirement, making it accessible to newcomers in forex trading. It provides access to forex trading through two account types: Schwab One and Schwab Global. Traders using the Schwab One account can trade forex using the thinkorswim platform, with trades settled in U.S. dollars. The smallest trade size is 10,000 units, translating to a $500 minimum margin requirement with 20:1 leverage. For those interested in international markets, the Schwab Global account offers access to twelve international exchanges, although conversion fees ranging from 0.2% to 1% might apply depending on the account balance size. Schwab doesn't charge commissions for forex trading; instead, costs are wrapped into the bid/ask spread, with an average spread of 1.35 pips on the EUR/USD during October 2024.
On the other hand, ATFX does not provide its average spread data, which can make it challenging for traders to estimate trading costs upfront. When considering these two brokers, Schwab has a slight edge with a four-star rating for its commissions and fees, compared to ATFX's three-star rating. This evaluation reflects Schwab's more transparent fee structure and broader account options tailored to varying trading needs.
In the competitive landscape of forex brokers, Charles Schwab is ranked 23rd out of 63 brokers on ForexBrokers.com for commissions and fees, standing well ahead of ATFX, which sits at the 60th position. This broader industry ranking represents a more favorable perception of Schwab's offerings compared to ATFX, particularly in terms of fee transparency and flexibility in trading account types.
| Feature |
Charles Schwab
|
ATFX
|
|---|---|---|
| Minimum Deposit | $0 | $500 |
| Average Spread EUR/USD - Standard | 1.35 | N/A |
| All-in Cost EUR/USD - Active | 1.35 | N/A |
| Active Trader or VIP Discounts | No | No |
| ACH or SEPA Transfers | Yes | No |
| 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 the range of investments offered by Charles Schwab and ATFX, it's clear that both platforms provide a variety of trading opportunities, though they cater to slightly different needs. Charles Schwab stands out with an impressive offering of 40,000 tradeable symbols, including 73 forex pairs, and access to exchange-traded securities on both U.S. and international exchanges. This makes it an attractive option for investors looking to explore a wide array of investments. In contrast, ATFX offers 150 tradeable symbols and 44 forex pairs, alongside CFD options. However, it lacks the ability to trade directly in U.S. and international exchange-listed securities.
In the realm of forex trading, both Charles Schwab and ATFX provide opportunities through CFDs or spot contracts. Charles Schwab also offers cryptocurrency derivatives, whereas ATFX provides this option but does not enable the purchase of actual cryptocurrencies, akin to its competitor. For investors interested in copy trading, ATFX provides this feature, unlike Charles Schwab. Based on ForexBrokers.com rankings, Charles Schwab receives high marks, rated 5 stars and ranked 5th out of 63 brokers in the Range of Investments category. Meanwhile, ATFX scores 3.5 stars and is ranked 57th in the same category, reflecting a narrower scope of investment opportunities.
| Feature |
Charles Schwab
|
ATFX
|
|---|---|---|
| Forex Trading (Spot or CFDs) | Yes | Yes |
| Tradeable Symbols (Total) | 40000 | 150 |
| Forex Pairs (Total) | 73 | 44 |
| 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 ATFX both offer paper trading options, allowing users to practice trading through a free virtual demo account, which is a great feature for beginners. Schwab stands out for having its own proprietary platform and provides a Windows-based desktop application, alongside a web-based trading platform. In contrast, ATFX does not have a proprietary platform but also offers both a Windows-based download and a web-based option. When it comes to trading features, Schwab's platform does not support MetaTrader 4 (MT4) or MetaTrader 5 (MT5), which are available with ATFX. However, Schwab shines with its ability to handle complex charting needs, providing 24 drawing tools and supporting direct trading from stock charts.
ATFX, on the other hand, shines in offering copy trading and the popular MetaTrader platforms, which Schwab does not. Nonetheless, the range of technical indicators and charting tools available at Schwab is more extensive. For those who focus heavily on stock analysis, Schwab offers 580 columns for watch lists, far outperforming ATFX's 7 columns. In terms of trading platforms and tools, Charles Schwab is rated at 5 stars and ranked fifth by ForexBrokers.com, while ATFX has a rating of 3.5 stars, placing it 62nd. These distinctions highlight Schwab's advanced offerings and usability compared to ATFX, making it more suitable for traders seeking comprehensive tools and a powerful trading experience.
| Feature |
Charles Schwab
|
ATFX
|
|---|---|---|
| Virtual Trading (Demo) | Yes | Yes |
| Proprietary Platform | Yes | No |
| 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.
Charles Schwab and ATFX both offer mobile trading apps for iPhone and Android, making them easily accessible for traders on the go. While both platforms provide stock and forex price alerts and allow users to draw trendlines and view different time frames on charts, Charles Schwab surpasses ATFX in several essential features. Charles Schwab's app offers an impressive 374 technical studies for charting, whereas ATFX provides only 7, giving Charles Schwab users significantly more analytical tools. Another key advantage of the Charles Schwab app is the ability to sync watchlists with the client’s online account, a feature not available with ATFX. Additionally, both apps auto-save drawings on charts and enable users to create watchlists with real-time quotes, enhancing the trading experience.
When evaluating overall user satisfaction and recognition, Charles Schwab's mobile app holds an outstanding 5-star rating, while ATFX has a rating of 3.5 stars. According to ForexBrokers.com, Charles Schwab ranks 6th out of 63 brokers for mobile trading apps, demonstrating its strong reputation in the market. In contrast, ATFX ranks 63rd, indicating there may be areas for improvement. With these insights, it's clear that Charles Schwab offers a more comprehensive and highly rated mobile trading experience compared to ATFX.
| Feature |
Charles Schwab
|
ATFX
|
|---|---|---|
| Android App | Yes | Yes |
| Apple iOS App | Yes | Yes |
| Mobile Alerts - Basic Fields | Yes | Yes |
| Watchlist Syncing | Yes | No |
| Mobile Charting - Indicators / Studies | 374 | 7 |
| 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 it comes to daily market commentary, both Charles Schwab and ATFX have traders covered, providing insights to help with decision-making. However, Charles Schwab holds a distinct edge in the realm of forex news. It provides updates from leading sources such as Bloomberg, Reuters, and Dow Jones, offering users access to high-quality information essential for informed trading. In contrast, ATFX does not deliver news from these top-tier sources. Both platforms offer comprehensive economic calendars, ensuring that traders are aware of global news events that may impact their strategies.
ATFX outperforms Charles Schwab by offering tools for technical and fundamental analysis from providers like Autochartist and Trading Central, which are valuable for identifying trading opportunities and analyzing market trends. Despite this advantage, Charles Schwab excels in overall research quality with a 5-star rating, standing at 4th place among 63 brokers, according to ForexBrokers.com. Meanwhile, ATFX, rated 3 stars for research, holds the 54th position in the same category. In sum, traders may find Schwab's high-quality research appealing, while those seeking specific analytical tools might be drawn to ATFX's offerings.
| Feature |
Charles Schwab
|
ATFX
|
|---|---|---|
| Daily Market Commentary | Yes | Yes |
| Forex News (Top-Tier Sources) | Yes | No |
| Autochartist | No | Yes |
| Trading Central (Recognia) | No | Yes |
| 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 comparing the educational services of Charles Schwab and ATFX, beginners will find a substantial range of learning materials offered by both brokers. Both platforms provide more than ten resources focused on forex and CFDs, including articles, videos, and archived webinars. Additionally, each broker meets the needs of newcomers by offering ten beginner-focused educational videos on trading. Notably, both Schwab and ATFX also feature a robust dictionary with over 50 investing terms to broaden users' vocabulary and understanding.
However, certain differences emerge in the educational offerings of Charles Schwab and ATFX. Charles Schwab provides monthly online educational webinars for clients, whereas ATFX does not. In terms of advanced educational video content, Schwab offers material specifically designed for experienced traders, unlike ATFX. For users seeking to explore past webinar content, both brokers provide an accessible archive. According to ForexBrokers.com ratings, Charles Schwab ranks higher with a five-star rating and is placed sixth out of 63 brokers for education, while ATFX trails with a three-star rating and a 28th-place ranking, reflecting Schwab's more comprehensive educational support.
| Feature |
Charles Schwab
|
ATFX
|
|---|---|---|
| Education (Forex or CFDs) | Yes | Yes |
| Client Webinars | Yes | No |
| Client Webinars (Archived) | Yes | Yes |
| Videos - Beginner Trading Videos | Yes | Yes |
| Videos - Advanced Trading Videos | Yes | No |
| Investor Dictionary (Glossary) | Yes | Yes |
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 ATFX. Charles Schwab finished with an overall rank of #6, while ATFX finished with an overall rank of #51.
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
|
ATFX
|
|---|---|---|
| Overall Rating |
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| Trust Score | 99 | 85 |
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While both Charles Schwab and ATFX do not provide the option to purchase actual (delivered) cryptocurrency, they both offer opportunities to invest in cryptocurrency derivatives, allowing traders to leverage market opportunities without owning the underlying digital asset.
Charles Schwab supports ACH and SEPA transfers for account deposits and withdrawals but does not facilitate transactions via PayPal, Skrill, Visa, or Mastercard, while ATFX does not offer ACH or SEPA transfers yet accepts Skrill, Visa, and Mastercard and, like Charles Schwab, also supports bank wire transactions.
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 | ATFX | |
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| Trust Score | 99 | 85 | |
| Winner | check_circle | ||
| Review | Charles Schwab Review |
| Broker Screenshots | Charles Schwab | ATFX | |
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| Regulation | Charles Schwab | ATFX | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Trust Score | 99 | 85 | |
| Year Founded | 1971 | 2017 | |
| Publicly Traded (Listed) | Yes | No | |
| Bank | Yes | No | |
| Regulated in one or more EU or EEA countries (MiFID). | No | Yes | |
| Tier-1 Licenses | 5 | 4 | |
| Tier-2 Licenses | 0 | 2 | |
| Tier-3 Licenses | 0 | 0 | |
| Tier-4 Licenses | 0 | 1 |
| Tier-1 Licenses (Highly Trusted) | Charles Schwab | ATFX | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Australia (ASIC Authorised) | No | Yes | |
| Canada (CIRO Authorised) | Yes | No | |
| Hong Kong (SFC Authorised) | Yes | Yes | |
| Japan (SFC Authorised) | No | No | |
| Singapore (MAS Authorised) | Yes | No | |
| Switzerland (FINMA Authorised) | No | No | |
| United Kingdom (U.K.) (FCA Authorised) | Yes | Yes | |
| USA (CFTC Authorized) | Yes | No | |
| New Zealand (FMA Authorised) | No | No | |
| Regulated in one or more EU or EEA countries (MiFID). | No | Yes |
| Tier-2 Licenses (Trusted) | Charles Schwab | ATFX | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kenya (CMA Authorised) | No | No | |
| Israel (ISA Authorised) | No | No | |
| South Africa (FSCA Authorised) | No | Yes | |
| UAE (DFSA/Central Bank Authorised) | No | No | |
| India (SEBI Authorised) | No | No | |
| Jordan (JSC Authorised) | No | No |
| Investments | Charles Schwab | ATFX | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Forex Trading (Spot or CFDs) | Yes | Yes | |
| Tradeable Symbols (Total) | 40000 | 150 | |
| Forex Pairs (Total) | 73 | 44 | |
| 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 | ATFX | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Spread EUR/USD - Standard | 1.35 | N/A | |
| All-in Cost EUR/USD - Active | 1.35 | N/A | |
| Active Trader or VIP Discounts | No | No | |
| Inactivity Fee | No | No | |
| Execution: Agency Broker | Yes | No | |
| Execution: Market Maker | No | Yes |
| Funding | Charles Schwab | ATFX | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Minimum Deposit | $0 | $500 | |
| 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 | No |
| Trading Platforms | Charles Schwab | ATFX | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Proprietary Platform | Yes | No | |
| 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 | ATFX | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 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 | ATFX | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 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 | 7 | |
| Mobile Charting - Draw Trendlines | Yes | Yes | |
| Mobile Charting - Multiple Time Frames | Yes | Yes | |
| Mobile Charting - Drawings Autosave | Yes | Yes | |
| Mobile Economic Calendar | Yes | Yes |
| Research | Charles Schwab | ATFX | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Daily Market Commentary | Yes | Yes | |
| Forex News (Top-Tier Sources) | Yes | No | |
| Autochartist | No | Yes | |
| Trading Central (Recognia) | No | Yes | |
| TipRanks | No | No | |
| Social Sentiment - Currency Pairs | No | No | |
| Economic Calendar | Yes | Yes |
| Education | Charles Schwab | ATFX | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Education (Forex or CFDs) | Yes | Yes | |
| Client Webinars | Yes | No | |
| Client Webinars (Archived) | Yes | Yes | |
| Videos - Beginner Trading Videos | Yes | Yes | |
| Videos - Advanced Trading Videos | Yes | No | |
| Investor Dictionary (Glossary) | Yes | Yes |
| Major Forex Pairs | Charles Schwab | ATFX | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 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 |
| Overall | Charles Schwab | ATFX | |
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| Trust Score | 99 | 85 | |
| Winner | check_circle | ||
| Review | Charles Schwab Review |
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