Charles Schwab vs IUX 2026

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	IUX
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

Charles Schwab and IUX both earn 4 out of 5 stars for commissions and fees. In the ForexBrokers.com rankings, Schwab is #23 of 63, while IUX sits higher at #19 of 63. Schwab has no minimum deposit for its primary brokerage accounts and uses a spread-only model for forex. IUX offers multiple account types with varying costs: $10 minimums for its Standard accounts and $500 minimums for its Pro and Raw accounts, which are designed for active traders.

At Schwab, forex trading is available through thinkorswim via the Schwab One account, and all trades settle in U.S. dollars. Schwab does not charge forex commissions; you pay the spread. The average EUR/USD spread was 1.35 pips in October 2024, which is on the higher side industry‑wide. The smallest trade size is 10,000 units (about $500 in margin at 20:1 leverage). If you want to trade in local currencies, the Schwab Global account supports 12 markets, with currency conversion fees of roughly 0.2%–1% depending on your balance. Overnight financing costs are displayed in-platform.

IUX’s pricing depends on the account you choose. Standard and Standard+ accounts require just $10 to start; Standard+ offers deposit bonuses but typically wider spreads, while Standard aims for lower spreads without bonuses. For lower pricing, the Pro and Raw accounts each require $500. Pro is spread-only with an average EUR/USD spread around 0.7 pips; Standard averages about 0.9 pips. Raw advertises the tightest spreads but adds a $6 commission per 100,000 units (about 0.6 pips effective cost on EUR/USD). In practice, IUX’s Pro or Raw accounts can undercut Schwab’s typical spread, though the sharpest IUX pricing comes with higher minimums and, for Raw, per‑trade commissions.

Feature	Charles Schwab	IUX
Minimum Deposit info	$0	10
Average spread (EUR/USD) - Standard account info	1.27 info	0.86 info
All-in Cost EUR/USD - Active info	1.27 info	0.6 info
Non-wire bank transfer info	Yes	No
PayPal (Deposit/Withdraw) info	No	No
Skrill (Deposit/Withdraw) info	No	Yes
Bank Wire (Deposit/Withdraw) info	Yes	Yes

Dive deeper: Best Low Spread Forex Brokers.

Range of investments

In the Charles Schwab vs IUX range of investments comparison, Schwab offers a far wider lineup. Schwab lists about 40,000 tradeable symbols and 73 forex pairs, while IUX has 152 symbols and 34 forex pairs. Both brokers support forex trading as CFDs or spot. For stocks, Schwab lets you buy exchange-traded securities on both U.S. and international exchanges, whereas IUX supports international exchange-traded securities but not U.S.-listed shares.

Neither broker offers copy trading or the ability to buy actual cryptocurrency, but both provide cryptocurrency CFDs. For overall range of investments, ForexBrokers.com rates Charles Schwab at 5 stars (ranked #5 of 63) and IUX at 3.5 stars (ranked #35 of 63). If you want the widest market access, Schwab is the stronger pick; IUX may suit traders who need a smaller lineup with international shares and CFDs.

Feature	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. Stocks (Shares) info	Yes	No
Global Stocks (Non-U.S. Shares) info	Yes	Yes
Copy Trading info	No	No
Cryptocurrency (Underlying) info	No	No
Cryptocurrency (CFDs) 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

Comparing Charles Schwab vs IUX for trading platforms and tools, both online brokers offer free paper trading demo accounts, proprietary platforms built in-house, a Windows desktop download, and a web-based platform. Each lets you trade directly from charts. Neither broker supports copy trading or MetaTrader 4 (MT4).

The standout difference is platform choice: IUX offers MetaTrader 5 (MT5), while Charles Schwab does not. In testing by ForexBrokers.com, Charles Schwab earns 5 stars and ranks 7th out of 63 brokers for Trading Platforms and Tools, whereas IUX earns 3.5 stars and ranks 35th. Traders who want MT5 may favor IUX, while those prioritizing higher-rated platform quality may prefer Charles Schwab.

Feature	Charles Schwab	IUX
Virtual Trading (Demo) info	Yes	Yes
Proprietary Desktop Trading Platform info	Yes	Yes
Desktop Platform (Windows) info	Yes	Yes
Web Platform info	Yes	Yes
Copy Trading info	No	No
MetaTrader 4 (MT4) info	No	No
MetaTrader 5 (MT5) info	No	Yes
Charting - Indicators / Studies (Total) info	374	106
Charting - Trade From Chart info	Yes	Yes

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

Forex trading apps

Charles Schwab and IUX both offer mobile trading apps for iPhone and Android. In third-party reviews, Schwab earns 5 stars for Mobile Trading Apps and is ranked #6 out of 63 brokers by ForexBrokers.com, while IUX holds 3.5 stars and ranks #35. If you’re looking for a higher-rated app experience, Schwab has the edge, though both brands cover the core need of trading on the go across iOS and Android.

Schwab also pulls ahead on features. It supports price alerts (IUX does not) and syncs watchlists between the mobile app and your online account (IUX does not). For charting, Schwab includes 374 technical studies compared with 106 at IUX, and it lets you draw trendlines in the app, which IUX lacks. Both apps auto-save chart drawings. Overall, Schwab’s app offers more tools and conveniences, while IUX delivers a simpler setup without alerts or synced watchlists.

Feature	Charles Schwab	IUX
Android App info	Yes	Yes
Apple iOS App info	Yes	Yes
Mobile Price Alerts info	Yes	No
Mobile Watchlists - Syncing info	Yes	No
Mobile Charting - Indicators / Studies info	374	106
Mobile Charting - Draw Trendlines info	Yes	No
Mobile Charting - Trendlines Autosave info	Yes	Yes

Dive deeper: Best Forex Trading Apps.

Market research

When comparing market research, Charles Schwab stands out over IUX. Schwab provides daily market commentary and delivers forex news from top-tier sources like Bloomberg, Reuters, or Dow Jones, while IUX does not offer these. Both brokers include an economic calendar for tracking global events. Neither Schwab nor IUX features third-party suites such as Autochartist or Trading Central, and both lack sentiment tools, TipRanks, and Acuity Trading integrations.

Ratings reflect the gap: Charles Schwab earns 5 stars for Research and ranks #5 out of 63 brokers at ForexBrokers.com, whereas IUX holds a 3-star Research rating and ranks #35. If you value daily insights and premium news, Schwab is the stronger choice; if you only need a basic calendar without extra research tools, IUX may suffice.

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

Dive deeper: Best Brokers for Forex Research.

Beginners and education

For beginner traders comparing educational support, Charles Schwab clearly outpaces IUX. Schwab runs client webinars at least once a month, offers 10+ beginner videos, and also delivers 10+ advanced videos for when you’re ready to level up. IUX matches Schwab with 10+ beginner videos but does not host monthly webinars and lacks a comparable library of advanced content. The results show in the scores: Schwab earns 5 stars for Education and ranks #6 out of 63 brokers on ForexBrokers.com, while IUX earns 3 stars and ranks #35.

If your goal is steady learning with live sessions and a deeper video path, Schwab is the stronger pick. If you only need a basic starter set of videos, IUX can work—just know it’s lighter on advanced material and live education. Availability of forex and CFD-specific education (10+ dedicated pieces) is not specified for either broker, so consider checking each broker’s library if those markets are your focus.

Feature	Charles Schwab	IUX
Webinars info	Yes	No
Videos - Beginner Trading Videos info	Yes	Yes
Videos - Advanced Trading Videos info	Yes	No

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 #35.

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	IUX
Overall Rating info
Trust Score info	99	78
Range of Investments
Trading Fees
Trading Platforms
Research
Mobile Trading
Education

FAQs

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Overall Rating	Charles Schwab	IUX
Overall Rating info
Trading Fees
Range of Investments
Trading Platforms
Mobile Trading
Research
Education
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 (FSA 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. Stocks (Shares) info	Yes	No
Global Stocks (Non-U.S. Shares) info	Yes	Yes
Copy Trading info	No	No
Cryptocurrency (Underlying) info	No	No
Cryptocurrency (CFDs) 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 account info	1.27 info	0.86 info
All-in Cost EUR/USD - Active info	1.27 info	0.6 info
Inactivity Fee info	No	Yes
Order execution: Agency info	Yes	No
Order 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
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
Copy Trading info	No	No
MetaTrader 4 (MT4) info	No	No
MetaTrader 5 (MT5) info	No	Yes
cTrader info	No	No

Trading Tools	Charles Schwab	IUX
Virtual Trading (Demo) info	Yes	Yes
Price Alerts info	Yes	Yes
Charting - Indicators / Studies (Total) info	374	106
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 Price Alerts info	Yes	No
Mobile Watchlist [DELETED] info
Mobile Watchlists - Syncing info	Yes	No
Mobile Charting - Indicators / Studies info	374	106
Mobile Charting - Draw Trendlines info	Yes	No
Mobile Charting - Trendlines Autosave info	Yes	Yes
Mobile Research - Economic Calendar info	Yes	No

Research	Charles Schwab	IUX
Daily Market Commentary (Articles) info	Yes	No
Forex News (Top-Tier Sources) info	Yes	No
Autochartist info	No	No
Trading Central info	No	No
TipRanks info	No	No
Client sentiment data info	No	No
Economic Calendar info	Yes	Yes

Education	Charles Schwab	IUX
Webinars info	Yes	No
Videos - Beginner Trading Videos info	Yes	Yes
Videos - Advanced Trading Videos info	Yes	No

Major Forex Pairs	Charles Schwab	IUX
GBP/USD [DELETED] info
USD/JPY [DELETED] info
EUR/USD info	Yes	Yes
USD/CHF [DELETED] info
USD/CAD [DELETED] info
NZD/USD [DELETED] info
AUD/USD [DELETED] info
Review	Charles Schwab Review	IUX Review

Overall	Charles Schwab	IUX
Overall Rating info
Trading Fees
Range of Investments
Trading Platforms
Mobile Trading
Research
Education
Trust Score info	99	78
Winner	check_circle
Review	Charles Schwab Review	IUX Review