Written by ForexBrokers.com
In this head to head comparison of Charles Schwab vs Tickmill, 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, established in 1971, stands out in the online brokerage world as a publicly traded bank with a top-tier reputation. It holds a perfect Trust Score of 99 out of 99 from ForexBrokers.com, highlighting its reliability. Schwab possesses five Tier-1 licenses, making it a highly trusted choice for investors looking for security and peace of mind. This longstanding institution is recognized for combining a banking platform with brokerage services, offering a comprehensive financial experience.
In contrast, Tickmill, founded in 2014, is a newer player in the market. Though not publicly traded nor a bank, it still maintains a respectable ForexBrokers.com Trust Score of 86, falling into the trusted category. Tickmill holds two Tier-1 and two Tier-2 licenses, indicating a solid regulatory standing. While Tickmill offers a different business model compared to Charles Schwab, it provides trusted services that cater to those who prefer a more focused trading platform.
| Feature |
Charles Schwab
|
Tickmill
|
|---|---|---|
| Year Founded | 1971 | 2014 |
| Publicly Traded (Listed) | Yes | No |
| Bank | Yes | No |
| Tier-1 Licenses | 5 | 2 |
| Tier-2 Licenses | 0 | 2 |
| Tier-3 Licenses | 0 | 0 |
| Tier-4 Licenses | 0 | 1 |
Comparing commissions and fees, Charles Schwab is best for traders who want $0 forex commissions and no account minimum on its main brokerage accounts, while Tickmill’s Raw account uses a small per-trade commission to deliver a lower all-in cost on major pairs. In our ratings, Charles Schwab earns 4 out of 5 stars and ranks #26 of 63 for Commissions and Fees, whereas Tickmill earns 5 out of 5 stars and ranks #4 of 63. If you value ultra-tight pricing, Tickmill’s Raw account tends to be cheaper on EUR/USD even after adding its commission. If you prefer a familiar U.S. broker with $0 commission and tools like thinkorswim, Schwab may suit you despite wider spreads.
Charles Schwab does not charge a commission for forex; your cost is the bid/ask spread. The average EUR/USD spread was 1.35 pips in October 2024, which is on the higher side. Forex trading is available through a Schwab One account with thinkorswim, trades settle in U.S. dollars, and the smallest trade size is 10,000 units (about $500 minimum margin at 20:1 leverage). Schwab Global lets you access 12 international markets in local currencies, with currency conversion fees ranging from 0.2% to 1% based on balance size. Schwab also shows overnight financing (carry) estimates within thinkorswim, helping you gauge the cost of holding positions.
Tickmill offers two accounts. The Classic account is commission-free but has wider average spreads (about 1.76 pips on EUR/USD as of August 2023). The Raw account has a $3 per side commission per standard lot ($6 round turn) and typical EUR/USD spreads around 0.11 pips (October 2023); the estimated all-in cost is roughly 0.71 pips after the updated commission. The Raw account’s $100 minimum keeps the entry barrier low, and Tickmill notes its typical spread data reflects normal market conditions. Overall, Tickmill’s pricing remains attractive for active traders who prioritize tight spreads plus a transparent commission.
| Feature |
Charles Schwab
|
Tickmill
|
|---|---|---|
| Minimum Deposit | $0 | $100 |
| Average spread (EUR/USD) - Standard account | 1.32 | 1.70 |
| All-in Cost EUR/USD - Active | 1.32 | 0.70 |
| Non-wire bank transfer | Yes | No |
| PayPal (Deposit/Withdraw) | No | Yes |
| Skrill (Deposit/Withdraw) | No | Yes |
| Bank Wire (Deposit/Withdraw) | Yes | Yes |
Dive deeper: Best Low Spread Forex Brokers.
Charles Schwab offers a far wider range of investments than Tickmill. Schwab lists about 40,000 tradeable symbols versus Tickmill’s 637, and 73 forex pairs compared with 63 at Tickmill. Both brokers let you trade forex as CFDs or spot, and each supports cryptocurrency CFDs (but neither offers actual, delivered crypto). Where they differ most: Schwab provides access to exchange-traded securities on U.S. and international exchanges, so you can buy shares such as Apple (NASDAQ: AAPL) or Vodafone (LSE: VOD) directly; Tickmill does not offer real stock trading. Tickmill does, however, include copy trading, which Schwab lacks.
For breadth, Schwab earns 5 stars and ranks #5 out of 63 brokers for Range of Investments on ForexBrokers.com, while Tickmill scores 3.5 stars and ranks #43. Choose Schwab if you want a large selection that spans traditional stocks plus forex and crypto CFDs; consider Tickmill if your focus is primarily forex and CFD trading with access to copy trading.
| Feature |
Charles Schwab
|
Tickmill
|
|---|---|---|
| Forex Trading (Spot or CFDs) | Yes | Yes |
| Tradeable Symbols (Total) | 40000 | 637 |
| Forex Pairs (Total) | 73 | 63 |
| 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 Tickmill both make it easy to get started with a free demo (paper) account and support trading on Windows desktop and in the browser. Schwab offers its own proprietary platform, while Tickmill does not; instead, Tickmill leans into MetaTrader 4 (MT4) and MetaTrader 5 (MT5), which Schwab does not support. Both brokers let you place trades directly from charts. If you want copy trading, Tickmill has it, whereas Schwab does not.
For Trading Platforms and Tools, Charles Schwab earns 5 stars and ranks #5 out of 63 brokers on ForexBrokers.com, while Tickmill earns 4 stars and ranks #30. In short, Schwab suits traders who prefer an in-house platform experience, and Tickmill fits those who want MT4/MT5 and copy trading alongside desktop and web access.
| Feature |
Charles Schwab
|
Tickmill
|
|---|---|---|
| Virtual Trading (Demo) | Yes | Yes |
| Proprietary Desktop Trading Platform | Yes | No |
| 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 | 91 |
| Charting - Trade From Chart | Yes | Yes |
Dive deeper: Best MetaTrader 4 Brokers, Best MetaTrader 5 Brokers.
Charles Schwab vs. Tickmill: mobile trading apps compared. Both brokers offer iPhone and Android apps, send stock or forex price alerts, let you draw trendlines on charts, and auto-save your drawings. The key differences show up in charting depth and watchlists. Charles Schwab includes 374 technical studies in its mobile charts and syncs watchlists between the app and your online account. Tickmill offers 30 technical studies and does not sync watchlists across platforms.
Ratings and rankings back this up: Charles Schwab’s mobile trading app is rated 5 stars and ranks #6 out of 63 brokers for Mobile Trading Apps at ForexBrokers.com, while Tickmill earns 4 stars and ranks #30 out of 63. If you want extensive chart tools and seamless watchlist syncing, Schwab stands out. If you’re fine with core features like alerts and drawing tools on both iPhone and Android, Tickmill may suit your needs.
| Feature |
Charles Schwab
|
Tickmill
|
|---|---|---|
| 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.
Charles Schwab and Tickmill both deliver daily market commentary, timely forex news from top-tier sources like Bloomberg, Reuters, and Dow Jones, and a clear economic calendar. Neither broker integrates Autochartist, Trading Central, or TipRanks. Where they differ: Tickmill adds a sentiment tool that shows the ratio of long vs. short positions and includes research from Acuity Trading (Signal Centre), while Schwab does not offer those two features.
For research quality, Charles Schwab earns 5 stars and ranks #5 out of 63 brokers on ForexBrokers.com, whereas Tickmill earns 4 stars and ranks #21. In short, Schwab suits traders who want deep, wide-ranging market research, while Tickmill appeals to traders who value sentiment insights and Acuity-powered trading signals alongside daily commentary and premium news.
| Feature |
Charles Schwab
|
Tickmill
|
|---|---|---|
| Daily Market Commentary (Articles) | Yes | Yes |
| Forex News (Top-Tier Sources) | Yes | Yes |
| Autochartist | No | No |
| Trading Central | No | No |
| Client sentiment data | No | Yes |
| TipRanks | No | No |
| Acuity Trading | No | Yes |
| Economic Calendar | Yes | Yes |
Dive deeper: Best Brokers for Forex Research.
Charles Schwab and Tickmill both give beginner traders plenty of ways to learn. Each runs online client webinars at least once a month and provides large video libraries that include 10+ beginner lessons plus 10+ advanced videos for when you’re ready to level up. The mix of videos and webinars helps newcomers build skills step by step and revisit topics on demand.
For overall quality, Charles Schwab leads with a 5-star Education rating and a #6 ranking out of 63 brokers at ForexBrokers.com, while Tickmill holds a 4-star rating and ranks #15. Choose Schwab if you want the highest-rated education experience; pick Tickmill if you’re comfortable trading with a broker that still offers frequent webinars and plenty of beginner and advanced videos.
| Feature |
Charles Schwab
|
Tickmill
|
|---|---|---|
| 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 Tickmill. Charles Schwab finished with an overall rank of #6, while Tickmill finished with an overall rank of #22.
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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Tickmill
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|---|---|---|
| Overall Rating |
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| Trust Score | 99 | 86 |
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Comparing online brokers Charles Schwab and Tickmill, neither offers the ability to buy actual (delivered) cryptocurrencies, but both provide access to trading cryptocurrency CFDs.
Comparing online brokers Charles Schwab vs. Tickmill for deposit and withdrawal methods: Charles Schwab offers ACH/SEPA and bank wire transfers but not PayPal or Skrill, while Tickmill offers PayPal, Skrill, and bank wire transfers but not ACH/SEPA; Visa/Mastercard availability for both is 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 | Tickmill | |
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| Trust Score | 99 | 86 | |
| Winner | check_circle | ||
| Review | Charles Schwab Review | Tickmill Review |
| Broker Screenshots | Charles Schwab | Tickmill | |
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| Regulation | Charles Schwab | Tickmill | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Trust Score | 99 | 86 | |
| Year Founded | 1971 | 2014 | |
| Publicly Traded (Listed) | Yes | No | |
| Bank | Yes | No | |
| Regulated in one or more EU or EEA countries (MiFID). | No | Yes | |
| Tier-1 Licenses | 5 | 2 | |
| Tier-2 Licenses | 0 | 2 | |
| Tier-3 Licenses | 0 | 0 | |
| Tier-4 Licenses | 0 | 1 |
| Tier-1 Licenses (Highly Trusted) | Charles Schwab | Tickmill | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 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 | Tickmill | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kenya (CMA Authorised) | |||
| Israel (ISA Authorised) | No | ||
| South Africa (FSCA Authorised) | Yes | ||
| UAE (DFSA, FSRA, or SCA Authorised) | Yes | ||
| India (SEBI Authorised) | No | ||
| Jordan (JSC Authorised) |
| Investments | Charles Schwab | Tickmill | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Forex Trading (Spot or CFDs) | Yes | Yes | |
| Tradeable Symbols (Total) | 40000 | 637 | |
| Forex Pairs (Total) | 73 | 63 | |
| 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 | Tickmill | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average spread (EUR/USD) - Standard account | 1.32 | 1.70 | |
| All-in Cost EUR/USD - Active | 1.32 | 0.70 | |
| Inactivity Fee | No | No | |
| Order execution: Agency | Yes | Yes | |
| Order execution: Market Maker | No | Yes |
| Funding | Charles Schwab | Tickmill | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Minimum Deposit | $0 | $100 | |
| PayPal (Deposit/Withdraw) | No | Yes | |
| Skrill (Deposit/Withdraw) | No | Yes | |
| Bank Wire (Deposit/Withdraw) | Yes | Yes | |
| Non-wire bank transfer | Yes | No |
| Trading Platforms | Charles Schwab | Tickmill | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Proprietary Desktop Trading Platform | Yes | No | |
| 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 | Tickmill | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Virtual Trading (Demo) | Yes | Yes | |
| Price Alerts | Yes | Yes | |
| Charting - Indicators / Studies (Total) | 374 | 91 | |
| Charting - Trade From Chart | Yes | Yes | |
| Charts can be saved | Yes | Yes |
| Mobile Trading | Charles Schwab | Tickmill | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 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 | Tickmill | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Daily Market Commentary (Articles) | Yes | Yes | |
| Forex News (Top-Tier Sources) | Yes | Yes | |
| Autochartist | No | No | |
| Trading Central | No | No | |
| TipRanks | No | No | |
| Client sentiment data | No | Yes | |
| Economic Calendar | Yes | Yes |
| Education | Charles Schwab | Tickmill | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Webinars | Yes | Yes | |
| Videos - Beginner Trading Videos | Yes | Yes | |
| Videos - Advanced Trading Videos | Yes | Yes |
| Major Forex Pairs | Charles Schwab | Tickmill | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 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 | Tickmill Review |
| Overall | Charles Schwab | Tickmill | |
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| Trust Score | 99 | 86 | |
| Winner | check_circle | ||
| Review | Charles Schwab Review | Tickmill Review |
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