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 it comes to forex trading, Charles Schwab provides a user-friendly entry with no minimum deposit requirement for its primary brokerage accounts, including Schwab One and Schwab Global. These accounts allow traders to access the thinkorswim platform, where forex trades can be executed in U.S. dollars. Notably, the minimum trade size is 10,000 units, which equates to a $500 margin requirement with 20:1 leverage. While Schwab doesn’t charge commissions for forex trading, the costs come from the bid/ask spread, with the average spread for EUR/USD being 1.35 pips as of October 2024. Meanwhile, Schwab Global users can trade in local currencies across twelve international markets with conversion fees ranging from 0.2% to 1%. Charles Schwab is rated 4 stars for commissions and fees and ranks #23 out of 62 brokers by ForexBrokers.com.
Moneta Markets, on the other hand, offers three account types with different cost structures. The Direct STP account is commission-free, featuring an average spread of 1.38 pips for the EUR/USD pair as of August 2023. Commission-based accounts such as the Prime ECN and Ultra ECN offer lower spreads and include per-trade fees. The Prime ECN account has an average spread of 0.194 pips and a commission of $3 per side for 100,000 units, totaling approximately 0.79 pips. For traders able to deposit $20,000 or more, the Ultra ECN account provides an even lower commission of $2 per round-trip, which improves trading costs, though these accounts require significantly higher initial deposits. Moneta Markets achieves a 4.5-star rating and is ranked #16 among 62 brokers by ForexBrokers.com for commissions and fees.
In summary, both Charles Schwab and Moneta Markets offer forex trading with varying costs to suit different trader profiles. Schwab’s primary offering is cost-effective due to absence of commissions, but traders face an industry-average spread on major pairs like the EUR/USD. Conversely, Moneta Markets provides more tailored options, ranging from commission-free to low-commission accounts with competitive spreads; however, the benefits of lower spreads come with significant deposit requirements. Therefore, the selection between the two brokers depends on individual trading volumes and preferred account features, with considerations of how cost structures align with their trading strategies.
| 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 provide opportunities for forex trading through CFDs or spot contracts, allowing clients to access a broad spectrum of market options. Charles Schwab stands out with an impressive offering of 40,000 tradeable symbols, including 73 forex pairs, thereby providing extensive choices for investors. In contrast, Moneta Markets, with 1,016 tradeable symbols and 54 forex pairs, offers a more concentrated selection. Notably, Charles Schwab supports the trading of exchange-traded securities on both U.S. and international exchanges, enabling clients to purchase shares of companies like Apple and Vodafone. Unfortunately, Moneta Markets does not extend this option to its users.
Both platforms allow the trading of cryptocurrency derivatives, though neither supports the purchase of actual cryptocurrencies. Moneta Markets offers copy trading, appealing to those interested in mimicking the strategies of other successful traders, whereas Charles Schwab does not. When it comes to rating, Charles Schwab earns a full five stars for its range of investments, ranking fifth out of 62 brokers according to ForexBrokers.com. In comparison, Moneta Markets holds a four-star rating in the same category, placing thirty-fifth in the ranking. Ultimately, Charles Schwab excels with its expansive investment options, while Moneta Markets may attract those drawn to its specific trading features like copy trading.
| 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.
When comparing Charles Schwab and Moneta Markets, both offer simulated trading to help users practice without risk. Charles Schwab stands out with its in-house developed trading platform and a Windows-based desktop application, providing users robust tools for optimal trading experiences. On the other hand, Moneta Markets relies on popular third-party platforms like MetaTrader 4 and MetaTrader 5 but does not have a proprietary platform. Both brokers provide web-based trading options, but only Moneta Markets includes copy trading capabilities and ZuluTrade for easier strategy replication from successful traders.
Charting tools vary considerably between the brokers, with Charles Schwab offering 24 drawing tools compared to Moneta Markets' 78. Charles Schwab excels in creating comprehensive watch lists, boasting 580 fields, contrasting with Moneta Markets' 4. While both brokers allow trading directly from stock charts, Charles Schwab earns a 5-star rating for its trading platforms and tools, ranking 5th out of 62 brokers on ForexBrokers.com. Moneta Markets, with its 4-star rating, holds the 33rd position, indicating a noticeable difference in overall platform quality and user experience.
| 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 brokers offer apps for iPhone and Android, ensuring accessibility for most smartphone users. You’ll find essential features like stock or forex price alerts, watchlist symbol syncing, and real-time quotes in both apps. However, Schwab stands out with 374 technical studies available for charting, compared to Moneta's 30, offering in-depth analysis for keen traders. Both allow you to draw trendlines and view various time frames on charts, with autosaving functionalities to save your work efficiently.
Charles Schwab is rated highly, earning 5 stars for its mobile app from users, while Moneta Markets holds a solid 4-star rating. Schwab's superior ranking of #6 among 62 brokers in the category of mobile trading apps, compared to Moneta's #36, reflects its more comprehensive offering and user satisfaction. Whether you're adjusting watchlists on the go or analyzing market trends, both platforms are equipped to support your trading needs, but Schwab appears to lead with more advanced tools and higher user ratings.
| 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, Charles Schwab and Moneta Markets both excel in providing daily market commentary and forex news from prestigious sources like Bloomberg and Reuters. However, when we delve deeper into the tools and features offered, some differences emerge. Moneta Markets stands out by offering cutting-edge features not available with Charles Schwab, such as a sentiment-based trading tool that helps traders understand market positions across various instruments and advanced technical analysis tools from Trading Central. While Charles Schwab provides excellent research capabilities overall, Moneta Markets offers some unique elements that cater to more specific trading strategies.
Both Charles Schwab and Moneta Markets provide an economic calendar to keep traders updated on global financial events. Yet, in terms of ratings and rankings by ForexBrokers.com, Charles Schwab takes the lead with a perfect 5-star rating and a notable #4 ranking among 62 brokers for research. Moneta Markets, while offering some innovative research tools, receives a 4-star rating and is ranked #32. This comparison highlights that while both brokers equip traders with valuable information, Charles Schwab is recognized as a more comprehensive platform for research overall.
| 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 exploring the world of forex and CFDs, both Charles Schwab and Moneta Markets provide a substantial amount of content to help newcomers. Charles Schwab stands out by offering a rich selection of over ten educational pieces focused on forex and CFDs, supplemented by monthly webinars that offer deep dives into essential trading topics. Additionally, they archive these sessions for future reference, helping users review and solidify their knowledge over time. Charles Schwab also provides an extensive selection of videos geared toward both beginners and advanced traders, featuring more than ten clips tailored to each group. Notably, they include an investor dictionary that explains over 50 investment terms, making it easier to grasp complex concepts.
Moneta Markets, meanwhile, matches Charles Schwab in the quantity of beginner and advanced educational videos, with over ten training clips for each level. However, they fall short in providing monthly webinars and a searchable webinar archive, which may limit opportunities for interactive learning. The absence of an investor dictionary could also be a disadvantage for those looking to build their financial vocabulary. According to ForexBrokers.com, Charles Schwab is highly recognized for its educational offerings, ranked 6th out of 62 brokers and earning a top-notch five-star rating. In comparison, Moneta Markets is rated with a solid four stars and holds the 33rd spot among its peers, marking a noticeable difference in the depth and accessibility of educational materials between the two.
| 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 62 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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