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 |
Charles Schwab and BDSwiss both earn 4 out of 5 stars for commissions and fees. In ForexBrokers.com’s rankings, Schwab places #26 out of 63 brokers, while BDSwiss ranks #31. The key difference is how each broker prices forex: Schwab is commission-free with costs built into the spread, whereas BDSwiss offers multiple account types with spreads that vary and, on its Raw account, a separate commission.
At Schwab, forex trading on thinkorswim carries no commission; you pay the bid/ask spread (the average EUR/USD spread in October 2024 was 1.35 pips). There’s no minimum deposit, and the smallest trade size is 10,000 units (about $500 minimum margin at 20:1 leverage). Trades in a Schwab One account settle in U.S. dollars, and the Schwab Global account lets you trade in local currencies with conversion fees of about 0.2% to 1% if you fund in a different currency. Schwab also shows overnight financing (carry) charges in-platform so you can estimate holding costs.
BDSwiss pricing depends on the account: Classic has a 1.5-pip EUR/USD spread, VIP is 1.2 pips, and Raw is 0.3 pips plus a $5 commission per side (about 1.3 pips effective). That means VIP and Raw can edge out Schwab’s 1.35-pip average on EUR/USD, while the Classic account is pricier. Only the Raw account charges a separate commission; the others are spread-only.
| Feature |
Charles Schwab
|
BDSwiss
|
|---|---|---|
| Minimum Deposit | $0 | $10-$5000 |
| Average spread (EUR/USD) - Standard account | 1.32 | 1.6 |
| All-in Cost EUR/USD - Active | 1.32 | 1.3 |
| Non-wire bank transfer | Yes | Yes |
| PayPal (Deposit/Withdraw) | No | |
| Skrill (Deposit/Withdraw) | No | |
| Bank Wire (Deposit/Withdraw) | Yes |
Dive deeper: Best Low Spread Forex Brokers.
Comparing Charles Schwab vs BDSwiss on range of investments, Schwab offers a far wider menu. Schwab lists about 40,000 tradable symbols and 73 forex pairs, while BDSwiss provides 1,081 symbols and 53 forex pairs. Both support forex trading as CFDs or spot, and both offer cryptocurrency CFDs (but not actual, delivered crypto). A key difference: Schwab lets you buy exchange-traded securities on U.S. exchanges (think Apple) and international exchanges, while BDSwiss does not offer real stock ownership.
If you want access to U.S. and global stocks plus a very large selection of markets, Schwab is the stronger fit. If you prefer CFD trading and want copy trading, BDSwiss may suit your style. Reflecting this breadth, ForexBrokers.com rates Schwab 5 out of 5 stars for range of investments and ranks it #5 of 63 brokers; BDSwiss earns 4 out of 5 stars and ranks #35 of 63.
| Feature |
Charles Schwab
|
BDSwiss
|
|---|---|---|
| Forex Trading (Spot or CFDs) | Yes | Yes |
| Tradeable Symbols (Total) | 40000 | 1081 |
| Forex Pairs (Total) | 73 | 53 |
| U.S. Stocks (Shares) | Yes | No |
| Global Stocks (Non-U.S. Shares) | Yes | No |
| Copy Trading | No | Yes |
| Cryptocurrency (Underlying) | No | No |
| Cryptocurrency (CFDs) | 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 check the core boxes for trading platforms and tools: each offers a free demo (paper) account, a proprietary platform built in-house, a Windows desktop download, and a web-based platform. Both also let you place trades directly from charts. In third-party ratings, Charles Schwab earns 5 stars for Trading Platforms and Tools and ranks #5 out of 63 brokers at ForexBrokers.com, while BDSwiss holds 4 stars and ranks #24.
The biggest differences show up in platform choice and trading style. BDSwiss supports MetaTrader 4 (MT4) and MetaTrader 5 (MT5) and includes copy trading—features Charles Schwab does not provide. If you want MetaTrader or social/copy trading, BDSwiss is the better fit. If you prefer a higher-rated overall platform experience, Schwab stands out. Details like indicator counts and watchlist fields vary by platform and aren’t specified here.
| Feature |
Charles Schwab
|
BDSwiss
|
|---|---|---|
| Virtual Trading (Demo) | Yes | Yes |
| Proprietary Desktop Trading Platform | Yes | Yes |
| Desktop Platform (Windows) | Yes | Yes |
| Web Platform | Yes | Yes |
| Copy Trading | No | Yes |
| MetaTrader 4 (MT4) | No | Yes |
| MetaTrader 5 (MT5) | No | Yes |
| Charting - Indicators / Studies (Total) | 374 | 30 |
| Charting - Trade From Chart | Yes | Yes |
Dive deeper: Best MetaTrader 4 Brokers, Best MetaTrader 5 Brokers.
Both the Charles Schwab mobile app and the BDSwiss mobile app are available for iPhone and Android, and each supports price alerts, drawing trendlines on charts, and auto-saving your chart drawings. A key difference is watchlist syncing: Charles Schwab syncs watchlists between the mobile app and your online account, while BDSwiss does not, which can matter if you switch between devices during the day.
For charting, Charles Schwab offers far more depth with 374 technical studies compared with 30 on BDSwiss. That power shows up in industry recognition: ForexBrokers.com rates Charles Schwab 5 stars and ranks it #6 out of 63 for Mobile Trading Apps, while BDSwiss earns 4 stars and ranks #24. If you want advanced chart tools and seamless watchlist syncing, Charles Schwab is the stronger pick. If you prefer a simpler app with the essentials, BDSwiss covers the basics on both iPhone and Android.
| Feature |
Charles Schwab
|
BDSwiss
|
|---|---|---|
| Android App | Yes | Yes |
| Apple iOS App | Yes | Yes |
| Mobile Price Alerts | Yes | Yes |
| Mobile Watchlists - Syncing | Yes | No |
| Mobile Charting - Indicators / Studies | 374 | 30 |
| Mobile Charting - Draw Trendlines | Yes | Yes |
| Mobile Charting - Trendlines Autosave | Yes | Yes |
Dive deeper: Best Forex Trading Apps.
For market research, both Charles Schwab and BDSwiss deliver daily market commentary and an economic calendar covering global events. Charles Schwab goes further on news coverage, offering forex headlines from top-tier sources like Bloomberg, Reuters, or Dow Jones—resources BDSwiss does not include. On the flip side, BDSwiss adds third-party technical analysis from Autochartist and Trading Central, which Schwab lacks. Neither broker provides a sentiment trading gauge, TipRanks research, or tools from Acuity Trading.
Independent ratings reflect these differences: Charles Schwab earns 5 stars for Research and ranks #5 out of 63 brokers at ForexBrokers.com, while BDSwiss holds 4 stars and ranks #24. Choose Schwab if you value high-quality news and broad market coverage; pick BDSwiss if you want built-in technical signals and pattern recognition to guide trade ideas.
| Feature |
Charles Schwab
|
BDSwiss
|
|---|---|---|
| Daily Market Commentary (Articles) | Yes | Yes |
| Forex News (Top-Tier Sources) | Yes | No |
| Autochartist | No | Yes |
| Trading Central | No | Yes |
| Client sentiment data | No | No |
| TipRanks | No | No |
| Acuity Trading | No | No |
| Economic Calendar | Yes | Yes |
Dive deeper: Best Brokers for Forex Research.
For beginners comparing education from Charles Schwab and BDSwiss, both brokers deliver a clear learning path. Each hosts online client webinars at least once a month and provides at least 10 beginner videos plus at least 10 advanced videos, so you can start with the basics and later dive deeper into trading topics. The details provided here don’t confirm whether either broker’s library specifically meets a 10-piece requirement focused on forex or CFDs, but both offer steady, structured content and regular live sessions to support new traders.
In independent ratings, Charles Schwab earns 5 stars for Education and is ranked #6 out of 63 brokers by ForexBrokers.com, while BDSwiss holds 4 stars and ranks #22. If top-tier education quality and standing matter most, Schwab has the edge. If you’re leaning toward a forex/CFD-oriented broker, BDSwiss still offers frequent webinars and a sizable video catalog that can help you build skills over time.
| Feature |
Charles Schwab
|
BDSwiss
|
|---|---|---|
| Webinars | Yes | Yes |
| Videos - Beginner Trading Videos | Yes | Yes |
| Videos - Advanced Trading Videos | 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
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|---|---|---|
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| Trust Score | 99 | 73 |
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In a Charles Schwab vs BDSwiss comparison for crypto, both online brokers do not offer buying actual (delivered) cryptocurrency, but each does provide access to cryptocurrency CFD trading.
Comparing online brokers Charles Schwab and BDSwiss for deposit and withdrawal methods: Charles Schwab supports ACH/SEPA transfers and bank wires but not PayPal or Skrill (Visa/Mastercard not specified), while BDSwiss supports ACH/SEPA transfers with PayPal, Skrill, Visa/Mastercard, and bank wire availability not specified.
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 |
| Broker Screenshots | Charles Schwab | BDSwiss | |
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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 | ||
| Singapore (MAS Authorised) | Yes | No | |
| Switzerland (FINMA Authorised) | |||
| United Kingdom (U.K.) (FCA Authorised) | Yes | Yes | |
| USA (CFTC Authorized) | Yes | No | |
| New Zealand (FMA Authorised) | No | ||
| Regulated in one or more EU or EEA countries (MiFID). | No | Yes |
| Tier-2 Licenses (Trusted) | Charles Schwab | BDSwiss | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kenya (CMA Authorised) | |||
| Israel (ISA Authorised) | No | ||
| South Africa (FSCA Authorised) | No | ||
| UAE (DFSA, FSRA, or SCA Authorised) | Yes | ||
| India (SEBI Authorised) | No | ||
| Jordan (JSC Authorised) |
| Investments | Charles Schwab | BDSwiss | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Forex Trading (Spot or CFDs) | Yes | Yes | |
| Tradeable Symbols (Total) | 40000 | 1081 | |
| Forex Pairs (Total) | 73 | 53 | |
| U.S. Stocks (Shares) | Yes | No | |
| Global Stocks (Non-U.S. Shares) | Yes | No | |
| Copy Trading | No | Yes | |
| Cryptocurrency (Underlying) | No | No | |
| Cryptocurrency (CFDs) | 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 account | 1.32 | 1.6 | |
| All-in Cost EUR/USD - Active | 1.32 | 1.3 | |
| Inactivity Fee | No | Yes | |
| Order execution: Agency | Yes | Yes | |
| Order execution: Market Maker | No | No |
| Funding | Charles Schwab | BDSwiss | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Minimum Deposit | $0 | $10-$5000 | |
| PayPal (Deposit/Withdraw) | No | ||
| Skrill (Deposit/Withdraw) | No | ||
| Bank Wire (Deposit/Withdraw) | Yes | ||
| Non-wire bank transfer | Yes | Yes |
| Trading Platforms | Charles Schwab | BDSwiss | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Proprietary Desktop Trading Platform | Yes | Yes | |
| Desktop Platform (Windows) | Yes | Yes | |
| Web Platform | Yes | Yes | |
| Copy Trading | No | Yes | |
| MetaTrader 4 (MT4) | No | Yes | |
| MetaTrader 5 (MT5) | No | Yes | |
| cTrader | No | No |
| Trading Tools | Charles Schwab | BDSwiss | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Virtual Trading (Demo) | Yes | Yes | |
| Price Alerts | Yes | Yes | |
| Charting - Indicators / Studies (Total) | 374 | 30 | |
| 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 Price Alerts | Yes | Yes | |
| Mobile Watchlist [DELETED] | |||
| Mobile Watchlists - Syncing | Yes | No | |
| Mobile Charting - Indicators / Studies | 374 | 30 | |
| Mobile Charting - Draw Trendlines | Yes | Yes | |
| Mobile Charting - Trendlines Autosave | Yes | Yes | |
| Mobile Research - Economic Calendar | Yes | Yes |
| Research | Charles Schwab | BDSwiss | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Daily Market Commentary (Articles) | Yes | Yes | |
| Forex News (Top-Tier Sources) | Yes | No | |
| Autochartist | No | Yes | |
| Trading Central | No | Yes | |
| TipRanks | No | No | |
| Client sentiment data | No | No | |
| Economic Calendar | Yes | Yes |
| Education | Charles Schwab | BDSwiss | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Webinars | Yes | Yes | |
| Videos - Beginner Trading Videos | Yes | Yes | |
| Videos - Advanced Trading Videos | Yes | Yes |
| Major Forex Pairs | Charles Schwab | BDSwiss | |
|---|---|---|---|
| GBP/USD [DELETED] | |||
| USD/JPY [DELETED] | |||
| EUR/USD | Yes | Yes | |
| USD/CHF [DELETED] | |||
| USD/CAD [DELETED] | |||
| NZD/USD [DELETED] | |||
| AUD/USD [DELETED] | |||
| 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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