Written by ForexBrokers.com
In this head to head comparison of Charles Schwab vs Moneta Markets, 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 and Moneta Markets offer different experiences for those looking to invest online. Founded in 1971, Charles Schwab stands out as a highly reputable online broker with a stellar Trust Score of 99 out of 99, making it one of the most trusted options in the market. It also operates as a bank and is publicly traded, adding layers of credibility and security for its clients. Moreover, Charles Schwab holds five Tier-1 licenses, which are considered highly trustworthy by industry standards.
Moneta Markets, established in 2009, provides its clients a secure environment, but with different credentials. Holding a Trust Score of 72, the firm is placed in the average risk category by ForexBrokers.com. While it does possess one Tier-1 license, Moneta Markets is not a publicly traded company and does not function as a bank. It also holds one Tier-2 license, establishing a moderate level of trust among its users. This comparison highlights the varied benefits and trust components of each broker, aiding potential investors in making informed decisions.
| Feature |
Charles Schwab
|
Moneta Markets
|
|---|---|---|
| Year Founded | 1971 | 2009 |
| Publicly Traded (Listed) | Yes | No |
| Bank | Yes | No |
| Tier-1 Licenses | 5 | 1 |
| Tier-2 Licenses | 0 | 1 |
| Tier-3 Licenses | 0 | 0 |
| Tier-4 Licenses | 0 | 1 |
When comparing Charles Schwab and Moneta Markets in terms of commissions and fees, both brokers offer distinct advantages for forex traders. Charles Schwab provides a user-friendly entry with no minimum deposit required for its primary brokerage accounts, Schwab One and Schwab Global, both of which provide access to forex trading via the thinkorswim platform. While Schwab doesn’t charge direct commissions for forex trades, the trading costs are included in the bid/ask spread, with the average spread for EUR/USD noted at 1.35 pips. Schwab offers access to international markets and currencies through the Schwab Global account, but conversion fees may range from 0.2% to 1% depending on the account balance. Schwab's rating for commissions and fees is a solid 4 stars, ranking it 23rd out of 63 brokers reviewed by ForexBrokers.com.
In contrast, Moneta Markets offers flexibility through its three account options: the commission-free Direct STP account and the commission-based Moneta Prime ECN and Ultra ECN accounts. The Direct STP account features a spread of 1.38 pips on the EUR/USD pair, while the Prime ECN account provides an average spread of 0.194 pips with a commission of $6 per round-trip standard lot, resulting in a competitive all-in cost of around 0.79 pips. The Ultra ECN account offers slightly better terms at $2 per round-trip commission, but requires a $20,000 deposit. With a commissions and fees rating of 4.5 stars, Moneta Markets stands out as a more competitively priced choice, ranking 16th among 63 brokers on ForexBrokers.com.
Overall, Schwab is ideal for those starting without a hefty initial deposit and who trade primarily in USD, benefiting from a broad platform with moderate spreads. Moneta Markets, however, is a strong contender for more experienced traders who can meet higher deposit requirements and prefer tighter spreads with reasonable commissions. Both brokers provide distinct paths based on individual trading strategies and financial resources.
| Feature |
Charles Schwab
|
Moneta Markets
|
|---|---|---|
| Minimum Deposit | $0 | $50 |
| Average Spread EUR/USD - Standard | 1.35 | 1.38 |
| All-in Cost EUR/USD - Active | 1.35 | 0.79 |
| Active Trader or VIP Discounts | No | No |
| ACH or SEPA Transfers | Yes | No |
| PayPal (Deposit/Withdraw) | No | No |
| Skrill (Deposit/Withdraw) | No | No |
| Visa/Mastercard (Credit/Debit) | No | Yes |
| Bank Wire (Deposit/Withdraw) | Yes | Yes |
Dive deeper: Best Low Spread Forex Brokers.
Charles Schwab and Moneta Markets both offer opportunities for forex trading through contracts for difference (CFDs) or spot contracts. However, they differ significantly in the range of investments available to their clients. Charles Schwab provides a staggering 40,000 tradeable symbols, which includes 73 forex pairs, along with the option to invest in exchange-traded securities on both U.S. and international exchanges. In contrast, Moneta Markets offers 1,016 tradeable symbols, featuring 54 forex pairs, but does not allow trading in U.S. or international exchange-traded securities.
Both brokers allow for trading in cryptocurrency derivatives, though neither supports the purchase of actual cryptocurrencies. While Charles Schwab does not support copy trading, Moneta Markets offers this feature, which might appeal to traders interested in mirroring the strategies of experienced investors. In terms of industry rankings, Charles Schwab holds a prestigious 5-star rating for its range of investments and is ranked 5th out of 63 brokers, while Moneta Markets receives a 4-star rating and is ranked 35th. This comparison highlights the broad investment opportunities available through Charles Schwab, making it a strong contender for investors seeking a wide variety of trading options.
| Feature |
Charles Schwab
|
Moneta Markets
|
|---|---|---|
| Forex Trading (Spot or CFDs) | Yes | Yes |
| Tradeable Symbols (Total) | 40000 | 1016 |
| Forex Pairs (Total) | 73 | 54 |
| 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 Moneta Markets both cater to traders with different needs through their respective trading platforms and tools. Charles Schwab boasts a proprietary platform, offering users a tailored trading experience on both Windows-based desktop and web interfaces. While it doesn't support the popular MetaTrader 4 and 5, Schwab compensates with an impressive selection of watch list columns and direct-from-chart trading, rounding out to a five-star rating for its platforms and tools. In contrast, Moneta Markets supports MetaTrader 4 and 5, along with copy trading and ZuluTrade options, making it a versatile choice for those interested in standard trading platforms and social trading features. However, it offers fewer fields for watch lists, contributing to its four-star rating.
Both Charles Schwab and Moneta Markets offer free virtual demo accounts, which allow new traders to explore the platforms risk-free. Moneta Markets distinguishes itself with 78 drawing tools for charting, significantly more than Schwab's 24, potentially appealing to traders who rely heavily on technical analysis. Schwab's higher ForexBrokers.com ranking—fifth compared to Moneta's thirty-third—reflects its wide array of features and customization options, making it a preferred choice for many. However, Moneta Markets remains a competitive option, particularly for those who value copy trading and MetaTrader compatibility.
| Feature |
Charles Schwab
|
Moneta Markets
|
|---|---|---|
| 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 | Yes |
| Charting - Indicators / Studies (Total) | 374 | 105 |
| Charting - Drawing Tools (Total) | 24 | 78 |
| Charting - Trade From Chart | Yes | Yes |
| Watchlists - Total Fields | 580 | 4 |
Dive deeper: Best MetaTrader 4 Brokers, Best MetaTrader 5 Brokers.
When comparing the mobile trading apps of Charles Schwab and Moneta Markets, both provide iPhone and Android options, featuring tools like price alerts and watchlist syncing that ensure seamless updates between the app and online accounts. Both brokers allow users to draw trendlines and view stock or forex charts across different time frames, auto-saving any drawings made. Additionally, both support creating watchlists with real-time quotes, catering to traders who need fast access to market data.
Despite these similarities, Charles Schwab offers a notable advantage with an impressive 374 technical studies for charting, compared to Moneta Markets’ 30. This advantage could be a factor in Charles Schwab's top-tier 5-star rating and its #6 ranking out of 63 brokers for mobile trading apps by ForexBrokers.com, while Moneta Markets garners a 4-star rating and ranks #36. Therefore, considering technical analysis options and overall ratings, Charles Schwab might be a preferred choice for those seeking extensive charting features and high user satisfaction in mobile trading.
| Feature |
Charles Schwab
|
Moneta Markets
|
|---|---|---|
| Android App | Yes | Yes |
| Apple iOS App | Yes | Yes |
| Mobile Alerts - Basic Fields | Yes | Yes |
| Watchlist Syncing | Yes | Yes |
| 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.
When it comes to market research, both Charles Schwab and Moneta Markets provide daily market commentaries and access to forex news from top-tier sources like Bloomberg and Reuters. However, there are notable distinctions in their offerings. Moneta Markets provides advanced tools such as Trading Central, which offers technical analytics, and a sentiment-based trading tool to gauge market sentiment. On the other hand, Charles Schwab does not offer these specific tools. Both brokers supply an economic calendar showcasing global economic events, evolving insights into market movements.
In terms of ratings, Charles Schwab shines with a five-star research rating and is ranked 4th out of 63 brokers by ForexBrokers.com, underlining its strong emphasis on in-depth market research. Although Moneta Markets maintains a solid offering, it is rated four stars and ranked 32nd in the same category, reflecting room for growth in its research capabilities. Investors seeking comprehensive market analysis might find Charles Schwab's higher ranking and broader resources more appealing, while those focusing on sentiment and analytics tools may be drawn to Moneta Markets.
| Feature |
Charles Schwab
|
Moneta Markets
|
|---|---|---|
| Daily Market Commentary | Yes | Yes |
| Forex News (Top-Tier Sources) | Yes | Yes |
| Autochartist | No | No |
| Trading Central (Recognia) | No | Yes |
| Social Sentiment - Currency Pairs | No | Yes |
| TipRanks | No | No |
| Signal Centre (Acuity Trading) | No | No |
| Economic Calendar | Yes | Yes |
Dive deeper: Best Brokers for Forex Research.
When it comes to educational resources for beginners in the world of online trading, both Charles Schwab and Moneta Markets strive to provide helpful content, but their offerings differ in some key areas. Charles Schwab excels by providing a wide range of educational materials, including more than 10 resources focused on forex and CFDs. Beginners can also benefit from at least 10 starter videos dedicated to trading topics, and they have access to frequent client webinars each month, supported by a comprehensive archive to revisit past sessions. In addition to these resources, Schwab offers a detailed investor dictionary with over 50 definitions to help clarify complex investing terms, showcasing their dedication to educating new traders.
Moneta Markets also delivers a good selection of educational materials with over 10 resources on forex and CFDs, as well as a collection of beginner-focused trading videos. However, unlike Schwab, Moneta Markets does not host monthly educational webinars nor provide an archive to access recorded sessions later. Furthermore, they are missing an inclusive investor dictionary of terms. These differences in resources are reflected in their ratings and rankings, with ForexBrokers.com awarding Charles Schwab 5 stars for education and placing them in the 6th position among 63 brokers, while Moneta Markets receives 4 stars and ranks 33rd. While both brokers offer substantial educational content, Charles Schwab stands out for its breadth and accessibility of resources, catering well to beginners eager to deepen their understanding of trading.
| Feature |
Charles Schwab
|
Moneta Markets
|
|---|---|---|
| Education (Forex or CFDs) | Yes | Yes |
| Client Webinars | Yes | No |
| Client Webinars (Archived) | Yes | No |
| Videos - Beginner Trading Videos | Yes | Yes |
| Videos - Advanced Trading Videos | Yes | Yes |
| Investor Dictionary (Glossary) | Yes | No |
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 Moneta Markets. Charles Schwab finished with an overall rank of #6, while Moneta Markets 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
|
Moneta Markets
|
|---|---|---|
| Overall Rating |
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| Trust Score | 99 | 72 |
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Both Charles Schwab and Moneta Markets do not offer the ability to buy actual delivered cryptocurrency; however, they both provide the option to purchase cryptocurrency derivatives.
While both Charles Schwab and Moneta Markets support bank wire transfers, only Charles Schwab allows ACH or SEPA transfers, whereas Moneta Markets uniquely accepts Visa and Mastercard for deposits and withdrawals, with neither platform providing options for PayPal or Skrill 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 | Moneta Markets | |
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| Trust Score | 99 | 72 | |
| Winner | check_circle | ||
| Review | Charles Schwab Review | Moneta Markets Review |
| Broker Screenshots | Charles Schwab | Moneta Markets | |
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| Regulation | Charles Schwab | Moneta Markets | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Trust Score | 99 | 72 | |
| Year Founded | 1971 | 2009 | |
| Publicly Traded (Listed) | Yes | No | |
| Bank | Yes | No | |
| Regulated in one or more EU or EEA countries (MiFID). | No | No | |
| Tier-1 Licenses | 5 | 1 | |
| Tier-2 Licenses | 0 | 1 | |
| Tier-3 Licenses | 0 | 0 | |
| Tier-4 Licenses | 0 | 1 |
| Tier-1 Licenses (Highly Trusted) | Charles Schwab | Moneta Markets | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Australia (ASIC Authorised) | No | Yes | |
| 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 | No | |
| USA (CFTC Authorized) | Yes | No | |
| New Zealand (FMA Authorised) | No | No | |
| Regulated in one or more EU or EEA countries (MiFID). | No | No |
| Tier-2 Licenses (Trusted) | Charles Schwab | Moneta Markets | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 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 | Moneta Markets | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Forex Trading (Spot or CFDs) | Yes | Yes | |
| Tradeable Symbols (Total) | 40000 | 1016 | |
| Forex Pairs (Total) | 73 | 54 | |
| 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 | Moneta Markets | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Spread EUR/USD - Standard | 1.35 | 1.38 | |
| All-in Cost EUR/USD - Active | 1.35 | 0.79 | |
| Active Trader or VIP Discounts | No | No | |
| Inactivity Fee | No | No | |
| Execution: Agency Broker | Yes | No | |
| Execution: Market Maker | No | Yes |
| Funding | Charles Schwab | Moneta Markets | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Minimum Deposit | $0 | $50 | |
| PayPal (Deposit/Withdraw) | No | No | |
| Skrill (Deposit/Withdraw) | No | No | |
| Visa/Mastercard (Credit/Debit) | No | Yes | |
| Bank Wire (Deposit/Withdraw) | Yes | Yes | |
| ACH or SEPA Transfers | Yes | No |
| Trading Platforms | Charles Schwab | Moneta Markets | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 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 | Yes |
| Trading Tools | Charles Schwab | Moneta Markets | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Virtual Trading (Demo) | Yes | Yes | |
| Alerts - Basic Fields | Yes | Yes | |
| Watchlists - Total Fields | 580 | 4 | |
| Charting - Indicators / Studies (Total) | 374 | 105 | |
| Charting - Drawing Tools (Total) | 24 | 78 | |
| Charting - Trade From Chart | Yes | Yes | |
| Charts can be saved | Yes | Yes |
| Mobile Trading | Charles Schwab | Moneta Markets | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Android App | Yes | Yes | |
| Apple iOS App | Yes | Yes | |
| Mobile Alerts - Basic Fields | Yes | Yes | |
| Mobile Watchlist | Yes | Yes | |
| Watchlist Syncing | Yes | Yes | |
| 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 | Moneta Markets | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Daily Market Commentary | Yes | Yes | |
| Forex News (Top-Tier Sources) | Yes | Yes | |
| Autochartist | No | No | |
| Trading Central (Recognia) | No | Yes | |
| TipRanks | No | No | |
| Social Sentiment - Currency Pairs | No | Yes | |
| Economic Calendar | Yes | Yes |
| Education | Charles Schwab | Moneta Markets | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Education (Forex or CFDs) | Yes | Yes | |
| Client Webinars | Yes | No | |
| Client Webinars (Archived) | Yes | No | |
| Videos - Beginner Trading Videos | Yes | Yes | |
| Videos - Advanced Trading Videos | Yes | Yes | |
| Investor Dictionary (Glossary) | Yes | No |
| Major Forex Pairs | Charles Schwab | Moneta Markets | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 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 | Moneta Markets Review |
| Overall | Charles Schwab | Moneta Markets | |
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| Trust Score | 99 | 72 | |
| Winner | check_circle | ||
| Review | Charles Schwab Review | Moneta Markets Review |
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