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Charles Schwab vs IUX 2025

ForexBrokers.com

Written by ForexBrokers.com

February 05, 2025

In this head to head comparison of Charles Schwab vs IUX, we will compare the trading platforms, mobile apps, range of investments, costs, market research, and more. Let's dive in.

Charles Schwab
visit.jpg
5/5 Stars Overall
  • Minimum Deposit: $0
  • Trust Score: 99
  • Tradeable Symbols (Total): 40000
IUX
3.5/5 Stars Overall
  • Minimum Deposit: 10
  • Trust Score: 78
  • Tradeable Symbols (Total): 152

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.

Regulation

Charles Schwab, established in 1971, is a veteran in the financial industry and holds a Trust Score of 99, making it highly trusted according to ForexBrokers.com. Being publicly traded and operating as a bank, Charles Schwab offers a strong regulatory presence with five Tier-1 licenses. These licenses reflect the firm's commitment to high standards of trust and reliability in the online brokerage landscape. In contrast, IUX, which started in 2016, operates without the backing of a public listing or banking status. Holding one Tier-1 license and one Tier-2 license, IUX is considered an average risk player by ForexBrokers.com, with a Trust Score of 78.

Both Charles Schwab and IUX provide online brokerage services, but they differ significantly in terms of regulatory credentials and trustworthiness. Charles Schwab's extensive experience and multiple high-level licenses position it as a more reliable choice for investors seeking stability and security. Meanwhile, IUX's limited regulatory coverage suggests its suitability for those who are more comfortable with moderate risk. Overall, these factors outline the key differences that potential clients might consider when choosing between the two brokers.

Feature Charles Schwab logoCharles Schwab
IUX logoIUX
Year Founded info 1971 2016
Publicly Traded (Listed) info Yes No
Bank info Yes No
Tier-1 Licenses info 5 1
Tier-2 Licenses info 0 1
Tier-3 Licenses info 0 0
Tier-4 Licenses info 0 1

Fees

Comparing commissions and fees, both brokers earn 4 out of 5 stars, but Charles Schwab ranks higher (#26 of 63) than IUX (#49 of 63). Schwab charges no commission on forex; your cost is the bid/ask spread, which averaged about 1.35 pips on EUR/USD in October 2024. IUX’s pricing can be cheaper on spreads depending on the account: Pro averages around 0.7 pips, Standard about 0.9 pips, and the Raw account can be near 0.6 pips after adding the commission’s pip equivalent.

Charles Schwab has no minimum deposit for its primary brokerage accounts and gives forex access through the Schwab One account on thinkorswim. All trades settle in U.S. dollars, and the smallest trade size is 10,000 units (about $500 minimum margin at 20:1 leverage). For international stocks in local currencies, the Schwab Global account supports 12 markets with currency conversion fees that vary from 0.2% to 1% by balance size. Schwab also provides an in-platform calculator to see overnight carry charges.

IUX ties its commissions and fees to account type. Standard and Standard+ accounts require just $10 to start; Standard+ may include deposit bonuses but typically shows wider spreads, while Standard keeps spreads lower without promotions. Active traders can choose Pro (spread-only, lower than Standard) or Raw ($500 minimum for each; Raw adds a $6 commission per 100,000 units). Bottom line: Schwab offers $0 commissions with wider spreads and a higher minimum trade size, while IUX often delivers tighter spreads—especially on Pro or Raw—at the cost of either a commission or a higher minimum deposit.

Feature Charles Schwab logoCharles Schwab
IUX logoIUX
Minimum Deposit info $0 10
Average Spread EUR/USD - Standard info 1.32 info 0.9
All-in Cost EUR/USD - Active info 1.32 info 0.6
Active Trader or VIP Discounts [DELETED] info
Non-wire bank transfer info Yes No
PayPal (Deposit/Withdraw) info No No
Skrill (Deposit/Withdraw) info No Yes
Visa/Mastercard (Credit/Debit) info No Yes
Bank Wire (Deposit/Withdraw) info Yes Yes

Dive deeper: Best Low Spread Forex Brokers.

Featured Offers


Range of investments

Comparing the range of investments at Charles Schwab vs IUX: Schwab offers about 40,000 tradeable symbols and 73 forex pairs, while IUX lists 152 symbols and 34 pairs. Both brokers let you trade forex as CFDs or spot contracts and both provide access to cryptocurrency derivatives (not the underlying coins). For shares, Schwab supports exchange-traded securities on both U.S. and international exchanges, while IUX offers international exchange-traded securities but does not provide access to U.S.-listed stocks. Neither broker offers copy trading, and neither lets you buy actual crypto.

These features align with third-party scores: Charles Schwab is rated 5 stars for Range of Investments and ranks #5 out of 63 brokers at ForexBrokers.com, whereas IUX earns 3.5 stars and ranks #61. In short, Schwab delivers far broader market access, especially for U.S. shares and overall symbol count, while IUX covers the basics with fewer markets.

Feature Charles Schwab logoCharles Schwab
IUX logoIUX
Forex Trading (Spot or CFDs) info Yes Yes
Tradeable Symbols (Total) info 40000 152
Forex Pairs (Total) info 73 34
U.S. Stock Trading (Non CFD) info Yes No
Int'l Stock Trading (Non CFD) info Yes Yes
Social Trading / Copy Trading info No No
Cryptocurrency (Physical) info No No
Cryptocurrency (Derivative) info 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).

Dive deeper: Best Copy Trading Platforms.

Trading platforms and tools

Charles Schwab and IUX both offer simulated (paper) trading with free demo accounts, in-house proprietary platforms, Windows desktop software, and web-based platforms. Each lets you trade directly from charts. Neither broker supports copy trading or MetaTrader 4. One key difference: IUX offers MetaTrader 5, while Charles Schwab does not.

For trading platforms and tools, Charles Schwab is rated 5 stars and ranks #5 out of 63 brokers by ForexBrokers.com, while IUX holds 3.5 stars and ranks #60. If you want MT5 specifically, IUX has it; if overall platform quality and tools matter most, Schwab scores higher. Specific counts for chart indicators, drawing tools, and watchlist fields weren’t provided.

Feature Charles Schwab logoCharles Schwab
IUX logoIUX
Virtual Trading (Demo) info Yes Yes
Proprietary Desktop Trading Platform info Yes Yes
Desktop Platform (Windows) info Yes Yes
Web Platform info Yes Yes
Social Trading / Copy Trading info No No
MetaTrader 4 (MT4) info No No
MetaTrader 5 (MT5) info No Yes
DupliTrade [DELETED] info
ZuluTrade [DELETED] info
Charting - Indicators / Studies (Total) info 374 106
Charting - Drawing Tools (Total) [DELETED] info
Charting - Trade From Chart info Yes Yes
Watchlists - Total Fields [DELETED] info

Dive deeper: Best MetaTrader 4 Brokers, Best MetaTrader 5 Brokers.

Forex trading apps

Both Charles Schwab and IUX offer mobile trading apps for iPhone and Android with real-time watchlists, multiple time frames (daily, weekly, intraday), and auto-saving chart drawings. The big differences show up in tools and syncing: Schwab provides price alerts and watchlist syncing with your online account, while IUX does not. Schwab also supports drawing trendlines on stock and forex charts, which IUX lacks. For charting depth, Schwab includes 374 technical studies versus IUX’s 106.

Ratings back up the gap in features: in ForexBrokers.com’s Mobile Trading Apps category, Charles Schwab scores 5 stars and ranks #6 out of 63 brokers, while IUX earns 3.5 stars and ranks #61. If you want richer charting, alerts, and seamless syncing across devices, Schwab’s mobile app is the stronger pick; if you only need core charting and real-time quotes on iPhone or Android, IUX can cover the basics.

Feature Charles Schwab logoCharles Schwab
IUX logoIUX
Android App info Yes Yes
Apple iOS App info Yes Yes
Mobile Alerts - Basic Fields info Yes No
Watchlist Syncing info Yes No
Mobile Charting - Indicators / Studies info 374 106
Mobile Charting - Draw Trendlines info Yes No
Mobile Charting - Multiple Time Frames info Yes Yes
Mobile Charting - Drawings Autosave info Yes Yes
Mobile Watchlist info Yes Yes

Dive deeper: Best Forex Trading Apps.

Market research

For market research, Charles Schwab has a clear edge over IUX. Schwab provides daily market commentary and offers forex news from top-tier sources such as Bloomberg, Reuters, or Dow Jones, while IUX does not. Both brokers include an economic calendar for upcoming events. Neither firm integrates tools from Autochartist or Trading Central, offers a sentiment gauge, or provides research from TipRanks or Acuity Trading.

These differences show up in independent scores: Charles Schwab earns 5 out of 5 stars for Research and ranks 5th out of 63 brokers, whereas IUX earns 3 out of 5 stars and ranks 60th. Choose Schwab if you want frequent commentary and premium news alongside an event calendar; consider IUX if a basic calendar is enough and you don’t need added news feeds or third-party research tools.

Feature Charles Schwab logoCharles Schwab
IUX logoIUX
Daily Market Commentary info Yes No
Forex News (Top-Tier Sources) info Yes No
Autochartist info No No
Trading Central (Recognia) info No No
Client sentiment data info No No
TipRanks info No No
Signal Centre (Acuity Trading) info No No
Economic Calendar info Yes Yes

Dive deeper: Best Brokers for Forex Research.

Beginners and education

Choosing between Charles Schwab and IUX for beginner trading education? Charles Schwab stands out: it’s rated 5 stars for Education and ranks #6 out of 63 brokers at ForexBrokers.com, while IUX holds 3 stars and ranks #60. Schwab runs at least one client webinar each month, giving newcomers regular live learning. Both brokers offer 10+ beginner-focused trading videos, but only Charles Schwab also provides 10+ advanced videos to help you progress beyond the basics; IUX does not.

Some items are not confirmed for either broker, including whether they provide 10+ forex/CFDs-focused pieces, a searchable archive of past webinars, or an investor dictionary with 50+ terms. If those features are important, check each broker’s education page. Based on what’s known, beginners who want frequent webinars and a clearer path from beginner to advanced topics may prefer Charles Schwab, while IUX can suit learners who primarily want a basic video library without recurring classes.

Feature Charles Schwab logoCharles Schwab
IUX logoIUX
Education (Forex or CFDs) info
Webinars info Yes No
Client Webinars (Archived) [DELETED] info
Videos - Beginner Trading Videos info Yes Yes
Videos - Advanced Trading Videos info Yes No
Investor Dictionary (Glossary) [DELETED] info

Dive deeper: Best Forex Brokers for Beginners.

Winner

After testing 63 of the best forex brokers, our research and account testing finds that Charles Schwab is better than IUX. Charles Schwab finished with an overall rank of #6, while IUX finished with an overall rank of #55.

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 logoCharles Schwab
IUX logoIUX
Overall Rating info 5/5 Stars 3.5/5 Stars
Trust Score info 99 78
Range of Investments 5/5 Stars 3.5/5 Stars
Commissions & Fees 4/5 Stars 4/5 Stars
Platforms & Tools 5/5 Stars 3.5/5 Stars
Research 5/5 Stars 3/5 Stars
Mobile Trading 5/5 Stars 3.5/5 Stars
Education 4.5/5 Stars 3/5 Stars

FAQs

Can you trade cryptocurrency with Charles Schwab or IUX?

Both Charles Schwab and IUX offer the ability to buy cryptocurrency derivatives, but neither platform provides the option to purchase actual delivered cryptocurrencies.

What funding options does each broker offer?

Charles Schwab supports ACH and SEPA transfers as well as bank wires but not PayPal, Skrill, or Visa/Mastercard for account transactions, while IUX offers Skrill, Visa/Mastercard, and bank wires but does not support ACH, SEPA, or PayPal.




announcementPlease 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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Compare

0 of 5
Overall Rating Charles Schwab IUX
Overall Rating info 5/5 Stars 3.5/5 Stars
Commissions & Fees 4/5 Stars 4/5 Stars
Range of Investments 5/5 Stars 3.5/5 Stars
Platforms & Tools 5/5 Stars 3.5/5 Stars
Mobile Trading 5/5 Stars 3.5/5 Stars
Research 5/5 Stars 3/5 Stars
Education 4.5/5 Stars 3/5 Stars
Trust Score info 99 78
Winner check_circle
Review Charles Schwab Review IUX Review
Broker Screenshots Charles Schwab IUX
Broker Gallery (click to expand) info
Regulation Charles Schwab IUX
Trust Score info 99 78
Year Founded info 1971 2016
Publicly Traded (Listed) info Yes No
Bank info Yes No
Regulated in one or more EU or EEA countries (MiFID). info No No
Tier-1 Licenses info 5 1
Tier-2 Licenses info 0 1
Tier-3 Licenses info 0 0
Tier-4 Licenses info 0 1
Tier-1 Licenses (Highly Trusted) Charles Schwab IUX
Australia (ASIC Authorised) info No Yes
Canada (CIRO Authorised) info Yes No
Hong Kong (SFC Authorised) info Yes No
Japan (SFC Authorised) info No
Singapore (MAS Authorised) info Yes No
Switzerland (FINMA Authorised) info No
United Kingdom (U.K.) (FCA Authorised) info Yes No
USA (CFTC Authorized) info Yes No
New Zealand (FMA Authorised) info No
Regulated in one or more EU or EEA countries (MiFID). info No No
Tier-2 Licenses (Trusted) Charles Schwab IUX
Kenya (CMA Authorised) info No
Israel (ISA Authorised) info No
South Africa (FSCA Authorised) info Yes
UAE (DFSA, FSRA, or SCA Authorised) info No
India (SEBI Authorised) info No
Jordan (JSC Authorised) info No
Investments Charles Schwab IUX
Forex Trading (Spot or CFDs) info Yes Yes
Tradeable Symbols (Total) info 40000 152
Forex Pairs (Total) info 73 34
U.S. Stock Trading (Non CFD) info Yes No
Int'l Stock Trading (Non CFD) info Yes Yes
Social Trading / Copy Trading info No No
Cryptocurrency (Physical) info No No
Cryptocurrency (Derivative) info 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).
Cost Charles Schwab IUX
Average Spread EUR/USD - Standard info 1.32 info 0.9
All-in Cost EUR/USD - Active info 1.32 info 0.6
Active Trader or VIP Discounts [DELETED] info
Inactivity Fee info No Yes
Execution: Agency Broker info Yes No
Execution: Market Maker info No Yes
Funding Charles Schwab IUX
Minimum Deposit info $0 10
PayPal (Deposit/Withdraw) info No No
Skrill (Deposit/Withdraw) info No Yes
Visa/Mastercard (Credit/Debit) info No Yes
Bank Wire (Deposit/Withdraw) info Yes Yes
Non-wire bank transfer info Yes No
Trading Platforms Charles Schwab IUX
Proprietary Desktop Trading Platform info Yes Yes
Desktop Platform (Windows) info Yes Yes
Web Platform info Yes Yes
Social Trading / Copy Trading info No No
MetaTrader 4 (MT4) info No No
MetaTrader 5 (MT5) info No Yes
cTrader info No No
DupliTrade [DELETED] info
ZuluTrade [DELETED] info
Trading Tools Charles Schwab IUX
Virtual Trading (Demo) info Yes Yes
Alerts - Basic Fields info Yes Yes
Watchlists - Total Fields [DELETED] info
Charting - Indicators / Studies (Total) info 374 106
Charting - Drawing Tools (Total) [DELETED] info
Charting - Trade From Chart info Yes Yes
Charts can be saved info Yes No
Mobile Trading Charles Schwab IUX
Android App info Yes Yes
Apple iOS App info Yes Yes
Mobile Alerts - Basic Fields info Yes No
Mobile Watchlist info Yes Yes
Watchlist Syncing info Yes No
Mobile Charting - Indicators / Studies info 374 106
Mobile Charting - Draw Trendlines info Yes No
Mobile Charting - Multiple Time Frames info Yes Yes
Mobile Charting - Drawings Autosave info Yes Yes
Mobile Economic Calendar info Yes No
Research Charles Schwab IUX
Daily Market Commentary info Yes No
Forex News (Top-Tier Sources) info Yes No
Autochartist info No No
Trading Central (Recognia) info No No
TipRanks info No No
Client sentiment data info No No
Economic Calendar info Yes Yes
Education Charles Schwab IUX
Education (Forex or CFDs) info
Webinars info Yes No
Client Webinars (Archived) [DELETED] info
Videos - Beginner Trading Videos info Yes Yes
Videos - Advanced Trading Videos info Yes No
Investor Dictionary (Glossary) [DELETED] info
Major Forex Pairs Charles Schwab IUX
GBP/USD info Yes Yes
USD/JPY info Yes Yes
EUR/USD info Yes Yes
USD/CHF info Yes Yes
USD/CAD info Yes Yes
NZD/USD info Yes Yes
AUD/USD info Yes Yes
Review Charles Schwab Review IUX Review
Overall Charles Schwab IUX
Overall Rating info 5/5 Stars 3.5/5 Stars
Commissions & Fees 4/5 Stars 4/5 Stars
Range of Investments 5/5 Stars 3.5/5 Stars
Platforms & Tools 5/5 Stars 3.5/5 Stars
Mobile Trading 5/5 Stars 3.5/5 Stars
Research 5/5 Stars 3/5 Stars
Education 4.5/5 Stars 3/5 Stars
Trust Score info 99 78
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Review Charles Schwab Review IUX Review
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