Written by ForexBrokers.com
In this head to head comparison of Charles Schwab vs BDSwiss, 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 BDSwiss, Charles Schwab stands out with a higher trust score of 99 out of 99, indicating a highly trusted reputation. Established in 1971, Charles Schwab is not only a seasoned player in the industry but also publicly traded and operates as a bank. The broker holds five Tier-1 licenses, underlining its trusted status. In contrast, BDSwiss, founded in 2012, holds a trust score of 73, indicating average risk. Although not publicly traded and not operating as a bank, BDSwiss does possess one Tier-1 license.
Charles Schwab's long-standing presence and significant regulatory oversight offer clients reassurance, particularly in comparison to BDSwiss, which is still growing in its regulatory standing. For investors prioritizing trust and regulation, Charles Schwab's extensive regulatory credentials and close ties with the banking sector may provide a more secure option than BDSwiss, which displays moderate risk given its trust score and fewer licenses.
| Feature |
Charles Schwab
|
BDSwiss
|
|---|---|---|
| Year Founded | 1971 | 2012 |
| 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 | 2 |
When comparing Charles Schwab and BDSwiss in terms of commissions and fees, both brokers receive favorable reviews but cater to slightly different trading preferences. Charles Schwab offers no minimum deposit requirement for its main brokerage accounts, making forex trading more accessible. For those using the Schwab One account, trades are settled in U.S. dollars, with a minimum trade size of 10,000 units. Schwab stands out by not charging commissions on forex trading; instead, trading costs are embedded in the bid/ask spread on currency pairs, with an average spread of 1.35 pips for EUR/USD. In terms of commissions and fees, Charles Schwab is rated 4 stars and ranks #23 out of 63 brokers according to ForexBrokers.com.
BDSwiss offers a variety of accounts with different fee structures. The Classic account presents a spread of 1.5 pips on EUR/USD, which is relatively high in comparison to industry standards. Meanwhile, the Raw account combines a lower spread of 0.3 pips with a $5 commission per side, resulting in an effective spread of 1.3 pips. The VIP account offers a spread of 1.2 pips. BDSwiss also garners a 4-star rating for commissions and fees, yet it ranks #30 in the same category as assessed by ForexBrokers.com.
Overall, both Charles Schwab and BDSwiss provide solid options for forex traders, with Schwab appealing to those seeking commission-free trading and access to multiple international markets, while BDSwiss attracts traders focused on specific account structures offering different spreads and commissions. While both brokers score equally in star ratings, their differing rank positions highlight Schwab's slight edge in fees according to industry rankings.
| Feature |
Charles Schwab
|
BDSwiss
|
|---|---|---|
| Minimum Deposit | $0 | $10-$5000 |
| Average Spread EUR/USD - Standard | 1.35 | 1.6 |
| All-in Cost EUR/USD - Active | 1.35 | 1.3 |
| 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 it comes to the variety of investment opportunities, Charles Schwab and BDSwiss offer distinctly different experiences for traders. Charles Schwab provides an extensive selection of 40,000 tradeable symbols, including 73 forex pairs, and allows clients to invest in exchange-traded securities on both U.S. and international exchanges. This means investors can directly buy shares like Apple and Vodafone without using CFDs. On the other hand, BDSwiss offers 1,081 tradeable symbols, including 53 forex pairs, but does not support direct investments in exchange-traded securities on U.S. or international exchanges. Both brokers facilitate forex trading and cryptocurrency derivatives, but BDSwiss also offers copy trading, which can appeal to those who prefer to mirror the strategies of successful traders.
In terms of ratings, Charles Schwab shines with a 5-star rating for its range of investments, making it one of the top contenders in the industry at 5th place among 63 brokers, as per ForexBrokers.com. Meanwhile, BDSwiss, while rated at a commendable 4 stars, ranks 34th in the same category. These rankings highlight Charles Schwab's broad investment offerings and strong market position compared to BDSwiss's more focused selection, catering to different investor profiles and preferences. Whether you're seeking a comprehensive range of tradeable options or niche services like copy trading, these brokers offer unique strengths tailored to varying investment needs.
| Feature |
Charles Schwab
|
BDSwiss
|
|---|---|---|
| Forex Trading (Spot or CFDs) | Yes | Yes |
| Tradeable Symbols (Total) | 40000 | 1081 |
| Forex Pairs (Total) | 73 | 53 |
| 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 BDSwiss both offer extensive trading platforms, making them attractive choices for traders of various skill levels. Notably, they both provide access to demo accounts, allowing new users to practice trading without the financial risk. Each broker boasts proprietary platforms, web-based trading options, and Windows-compatible desktop downloads to cater to different trading preferences. While both brokers support trading directly from a stock chart, Charles Schwab has a distinct advantage with significantly more options for watch lists, offering a staggering 580 fields compared to BDSwiss's 7, alongside more drawing tools for charting. Unfortunately, Charles Schwab does not support MetaTrader 4 or 5, whereas BDSwiss does, providing MT4 and MT5 enthusiasts with their preferred trading tools.
Copy trading is not available with Charles Schwab, setting BDSwiss apart by offering this feature to entice traders seeking a more passive investing approach. However, Charles Schwab still holds the upper hand with a five-star rating in Trading Platforms and Tools compared to BDSwiss's four-star rating. Moreover, its high ranking at #5 out of 63 brokers evaluated by ForexBrokers.com further underscores its superior appeal. Conversely, BDSwiss, ranked #24, still represents a formidable option, especially for traders who value access to MetaTrader platforms and copy trading capabilities.
| Feature |
Charles Schwab
|
BDSwiss
|
|---|---|---|
| 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.
When it comes to mobile trading apps, both Charles Schwab and BDSwiss cater to iPhone and Android users by offering dedicated apps. Traders can expect price alerts for stocks or forex from both platforms, enhancing their ability to monitor market shifts. A notable distinction, however, is the watchlist feature; Charles Schwab provides seamless syncing between its mobile app and online accounts, ensuring changes are reflected across all devices, while BDSwiss lacks this syncing capability. Looking at technical analysis tools, Schwab offers users 374 technical studies for charting, providing in-depth market analysis, compared to just 30 available through BDSwiss. Additionally, both platforms allow users to draw trendlines and view multiple time frames on charts, with the added convenience of auto-saving drawings.
For traders keen on creating watchlists with real-time quotes, both apps have this functionality. However, in terms of user ratings and rankings, Schwab edges out BDSwiss with a 5-star rating versus 4 stars, showcasing the app's superior user experience and features. Charles Schwab is ranked 6th among 63 brokers by ForexBrokers.com for their mobile app offerings, highlighting its premium status, while BDSwiss holds the 24th spot. This distinction may guide traders seeking more comprehensive technical tools and seamless account syncing in selecting the best app for their trading needs.
| Feature |
Charles Schwab
|
BDSwiss
|
|---|---|---|
| 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.
Both Charles Schwab and BDSwiss provide daily market commentary, ensuring that traders stay updated with current market trends. However, when it comes to delivering forex news from premier sources like Bloomberg, Reuters, and Dow Jones, Charles Schwab takes the lead, offering such insights, whereas BDSwiss does not. In terms of analysis tools, BDSwiss stands out by providing technical analysis resources from companies like Autochartist and Trading Central, options that Charles Schwab does not offer. While both brokers provide an economic calendar to track global economic events, neither offers sentiment-based trading tools or research services from TipRanks or Acuity Trading.
Evaluating their overall research capabilities, Charles Schwab earns a higher rating of five stars compared to BDSwiss's four stars. According to ForexBrokers.com, Charles Schwab is ranked 4th out of 63 brokers for their research offerings, underscoring its commitment to delivering high-quality market insights. BDSwiss, while respectable with its provision of technical tools, ranks 24th, showcasing a respectable yet slightly lesser emphasis on comprehensive research in comparison to Charles Schwab.
| Feature |
Charles Schwab
|
BDSwiss
|
|---|---|---|
| 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.
Both Charles Schwab and BDSwiss offer a wealth of educational resources for beginners delving into forex or CFDs. Each provides over ten educational pieces, including articles, videos, and archived webinars, covering these financial instruments. Both platforms also keep beginners engaged with at least monthly online webinars, all of which are searchable for revisit. This makes it easy to catch up on missed sessions or refresh your memory on specific topics. New traders can find numerous videos dedicated to trading basics on both platforms, ensuring a strong foundational understanding before moving to more advanced strategies.
Despite both brokers offering extensive educational resources, Charles Schwab receives a slightly higher rating in this area with five stars, compared to the four stars given to BDSwiss. Schwab also outranks BDSwiss, holding the sixth position out of 63 brokers in the Education category on ForexBrokers.com, whereas BDSwiss is ranked at number 19. Both platforms include investor dictionaries with definitions of over 50 investing terms, catering to beginner learning. However, the higher rank and ratings suggest that Charles Schwab might provide a slightly more comprehensive learning experience for those just starting their trading journey.
| Feature |
Charles Schwab
|
BDSwiss
|
|---|---|---|
| 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 | Yes |
| 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 BDSwiss. Charles Schwab finished with an overall rank of #6, while BDSwiss finished with an overall rank of #36.
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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BDSwiss
|
|---|---|---|
| Overall Rating |
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| Trust Score | 99 | 73 |
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Both Charles Schwab and BDSwiss do not provide the option to purchase actual delivered cryptocurrency, but they both offer the ability to trade cryptocurrency derivatives.
Both Charles Schwab and BDSwiss offer ACH, SEPA transfers, and bank wires for deposits and withdrawals, but only BDSwiss additionally supports payment through Skrill and Visa or Mastercard, while neither broker supports PayPal 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 | BDSwiss | |
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| Trust Score | 99 | 73 | |
| Winner | check_circle | ||
| Review | Charles Schwab Review | BDSwiss Review |
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| Regulation | Charles Schwab | BDSwiss | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Trust Score | 99 | 73 | |
| Year Founded | 1971 | 2012 | |
| Publicly Traded (Listed) | Yes | No | |
| Bank | Yes | No | |
| Regulated in one or more EU or EEA countries (MiFID). | No | Yes | |
| Tier-1 Licenses | 5 | 1 | |
| Tier-2 Licenses | 0 | 0 | |
| Tier-3 Licenses | 0 | 0 | |
| Tier-4 Licenses | 0 | 2 |
| Tier-1 Licenses (Highly Trusted) | Charles Schwab | BDSwiss | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Australia (ASIC Authorised) | No | No | |
| 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 | 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 | BDSwiss | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 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 | BDSwiss | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Forex Trading (Spot or CFDs) | Yes | Yes | |
| Tradeable Symbols (Total) | 40000 | 1081 | |
| Forex Pairs (Total) | 73 | 53 | |
| 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 | BDSwiss | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Spread EUR/USD - Standard | 1.35 | 1.6 | |
| All-in Cost EUR/USD - Active | 1.35 | 1.3 | |
| Active Trader or VIP Discounts | No | Yes | |
| Inactivity Fee | No | Yes | |
| Execution: Agency Broker | Yes | Yes | |
| Execution: Market Maker | No | No |
| Funding | Charles Schwab | BDSwiss | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Minimum Deposit | $0 | $10-$5000 | |
| 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 | BDSwiss | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 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 | BDSwiss | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 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 | BDSwiss | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 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 | Yes |
| Research | Charles Schwab | BDSwiss | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 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 | BDSwiss | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 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 | Yes | |
| Investor Dictionary (Glossary) | Yes | Yes |
| Major Forex Pairs | Charles Schwab | BDSwiss | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 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 | BDSwiss Review |
| Overall | Charles Schwab | BDSwiss | |
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| Trust Score | 99 | 73 | |
| Winner | check_circle | ||
| Review | Charles Schwab Review | BDSwiss Review |
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