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 |
Charles Schwab makes it easy to get started with no minimum deposit on its core brokerage accounts. Forex trading is available through the thinkorswim platform via a Schwab One account, and all trades settle in U.S. dollars. The smallest trade size is 10,000 units (about $500 in margin at 20:1 leverage). Schwab doesn’t charge a commission for forex; your cost is the spread. In October 2024, the average EUR/USD spread was 1.35 pips, which is on the higher side. If you use a Schwab Global account to access 12 international markets in local currencies, expect currency conversion fees of roughly 0.2%–1% when funding in a different currency, and note that placing trades in a foreign currency may require a phone order.
Tickmill offers two pricing paths. The Classic account is commission-free but has wider spreads (about 1.76 pips on EUR/USD as of August 2023). The Raw account charges $3 per side ($6 per standard lot) and lists a typical EUR/USD spread of 0.11 pips (October 2023). After the commission increase, the Raw account’s estimated all-in cost comes to about 0.71 pips under normal market conditions. The minimum to open the Raw account is just $100.
For pure trading costs, Tickmill’s Raw account undercuts Schwab’s typical EUR/USD spread by a wide margin, while Schwab’s appeal is its no-commission model and broad account lineup, with potential extra costs if currency conversion is involved. Ratings: Charles Schwab earns 4 out of 5 stars and ranks #25 of 63 for Commissions and Fees; Tickmill earns 5 out of 5 stars and ranks #4 of 63.
| Feature |
Charles Schwab
|
Tickmill
|
|---|---|---|
| Minimum Deposit | $0 | $100 |
| Average Spread EUR/USD - Standard | 1.35 | 1.70 |
| All-in Cost EUR/USD - Active | 1.35 | 0.70 |
| Active Trader or VIP Discounts | No | No |
| ACH or SEPA Transfers | Yes | No |
| PayPal (Deposit/Withdraw) | No | Yes |
| Skrill (Deposit/Withdraw) | No | Yes |
| Visa/Mastercard (Credit/Debit) | No | Yes |
| Bank Wire (Deposit/Withdraw) | Yes | Yes |
Dive deeper: Best Low Spread Forex Brokers.
Charles Schwab vs. Tickmill: both let you trade forex as CFDs or spot, and both offer crypto derivatives (but not actual coins). The size of the product lineup is very different, though. Schwab lists about 40,000 tradable symbols and 73 forex pairs, and crucially lets you buy real exchange-traded securities on U.S. and international exchanges—so you can own shares like Apple or Vodafone directly. Tickmill focuses on CFDs with about 637 symbols and 63 forex pairs, and it does not offer real stocks or ETFs.
If you value breadth, Schwab earns 5 stars for Range of Investments and ranks #5 out of 63 brokers at ForexBrokers.com. Tickmill earns 3.5 stars and ranks #43. That said, Tickmill supports copy trading, which Schwab does not—making Tickmill appealing if you want to mirror other traders while concentrating on forex and CFD markets.
| Feature |
Charles Schwab
|
Tickmill
|
|---|---|---|
| Forex Trading (Spot or CFDs) | Yes | Yes |
| Tradeable Symbols (Total) | 40000 | 637 |
| Forex Pairs (Total) | 73 | 63 |
| 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 vs Tickmill: Both brokers provide free paper trading (demo accounts), Windows desktop and web platforms, and the ability to place trades directly from charts. Schwab offers its own in-house platform, while Tickmill does not have a proprietary platform but supports MetaTrader 4 (MT4) and MetaTrader 5 (MT5). If copy trading matters, Tickmill supports it; Schwab does not. Neither broker offers DupliTrade or ZuluTrade.
For charting tools, Schwab lists 24 drawing tools versus 9 at Tickmill (indicator counts weren’t provided). Watch lists are far more detailed at Schwab (580 fields) than at Tickmill (7 fields). Reflecting these differences, ForexBrokers.com rates Schwab 5 stars and ranks it #5 out of 63 for Trading Platforms and Tools, while Tickmill earns 4 stars and ranks #30. Pick Schwab if you want an in-house platform with extensive watch list customization; choose Tickmill if you prefer MT4/MT5 and want built-in copy trading.
| Feature |
Charles Schwab
|
Tickmill
|
|---|---|---|
| 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 | No |
| Charting - Indicators / Studies (Total) | 374 | 91 |
| Charting - Drawing Tools (Total) | 24 | 9 |
| Charting - Trade From Chart | Yes | Yes |
| Watchlists - Total Fields | 580 | 7 |
Dive deeper: Best MetaTrader 4 Brokers, Best MetaTrader 5 Brokers.
Both Charles Schwab and Tickmill offer mobile trading apps for iPhone and Android, with price alerts and real-time watchlists. Their charting tools let you draw trendlines, switch between multiple time frames (like intraday, daily, or weekly), and auto‑save your drawings. The biggest difference is depth: Schwab’s app includes 374 technical studies for charting and syncs your watchlists between mobile and your online account, while Tickmill offers 30 studies and does not sync watchlists across platforms.
For overall quality, ForexBrokers.com rates Charles Schwab’s mobile app 5 stars and ranks it #6 out of 63 brokers, while Tickmill earns 4 stars and ranks #30. If you want extensive chart studies and watchlist syncing, Schwab stands out; if you just need core tools on a straightforward app, Tickmill covers the basics on both iOS and Android.
| Feature |
Charles Schwab
|
Tickmill
|
|---|---|---|
| Android App | Yes | Yes |
| Apple iOS App | Yes | Yes |
| Mobile Alerts - Basic Fields | Yes | Yes |
| Watchlist Syncing | Yes | No |
| 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.
Charles Schwab and Tickmill both offer useful resources for market research, including daily market commentary and forex news from reputable sources like Bloomberg and Reuters. While Charles Schwab garners a stellar five-star rating for its research offerings, Tickmill is slightly behind with four stars. The absence of tools from Autochartist and Trading Central is common to both, but Tickmill stands out with a sentiment-based trading tool that provides trader position ratios, a feature Charles Schwab lacks. Additionally, while both platforms offer economic calendars to track significant global news, Tickmill also provides resources from Acuity Trading, such as the Signal Centre, which can offer an extra layer of market insight.
Despite these differences, Charles Schwab holds a stronger position in research capabilities, ranking fourth out of 63 brokers per ForexBrokers.com. In contrast, Tickmill ranks 21st, suggesting that while it provides some unique tools, it may not be as comprehensive as Charles Schwab’s offerings. This makes Charles Schwab an appealing choice for those seeking highly-rated research features, whereas Tickmill might attract traders looking for specific analytical tools not found in its counterpart.
| Feature |
Charles Schwab
|
Tickmill
|
|---|---|---|
| Daily Market Commentary | Yes | Yes |
| Forex News (Top-Tier Sources) | Yes | Yes |
| Autochartist | No | No |
| Trading Central (Recognia) | No | No |
| Social Sentiment - Currency Pairs | No | Yes |
| TipRanks | No | No |
| Signal Centre (Acuity Trading) | No | Yes |
| Economic Calendar | Yes | Yes |
Dive deeper: Best Brokers for Forex Research.
For beginners diving into the world of trading, both Charles Schwab and Tickmill provide comprehensive educational resources. They each offer more than 10 educational pieces focusing on forex or CFDs, including articles, videos, and archived webinars. Whether you're just starting or advancing, both platforms cater to your learning needs with an array of webinars conducted monthly, coupled with easy access to a searchable archive of recorded sessions. New traders will appreciate the beginner-focused videos, while seasoned investors can tap into advanced educational content to hone their skills.
When comparing the quality of educational offerings, Charles Schwab shines with a 5-star rating, placing it 6th in the Education category among 63 brokers according to ForexBrokers.com. Meanwhile, Tickmill receives 4 stars, ranking it 15th. Both brokers provide a handy investor dictionary covering at least 50 investing terms, making it easier for traders to familiarize themselves with industry jargon and concepts. Although both brokers excel in educating clients, Charles Schwab takes a slight edge in rankings based on these resources. Whether you choose Charles Schwab or Tickmill, both offer valuable tools to enhance your trading knowledge and skills.
| Feature |
Charles Schwab
|
Tickmill
|
|---|---|---|
| Education (Forex or CFDs) | Yes | Yes |
| Client Webinars | Yes | Yes |
| Client Webinars (Archived) | Yes | Yes |
| Videos - Beginner Trading Videos | Yes | Yes |
| Videos - Advanced Trading Videos | Yes | Yes |
| Investor Dictionary (Glossary) | 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
|
|---|---|---|
| Overall Rating |
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| Trust Score | 99 | 86 |
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Both Charles Schwab and Tickmill do not offer the option to purchase actual (delivered) cryptocurrency, but they provide the ability to trade cryptocurrency derivatives.
When comparing online brokers, Charles Schwab offers ACH, SEPA, and bank wire transfers for depositing and withdrawing funds, but lacks options like PayPal, Skrill, and card payments such as Visa or Mastercard, whereas Tickmill supports PayPal, Skrill, card payments, and bank wires but does not provide ACH or SEPA transfers.
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/Central Bank 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. 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 | Tickmill | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Spread EUR/USD - Standard | 1.35 | 1.70 | |
| All-in Cost EUR/USD - Active | 1.35 | 0.70 | |
| Active Trader or VIP Discounts | No | No | |
| Inactivity Fee | No | No | |
| Execution: Agency Broker | Yes | Yes | |
| Execution: Market Maker | No | Yes |
| Funding | Charles Schwab | Tickmill | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Minimum Deposit | $0 | $100 | |
| PayPal (Deposit/Withdraw) | No | Yes | |
| Skrill (Deposit/Withdraw) | No | Yes | |
| Visa/Mastercard (Credit/Debit) | No | Yes | |
| Bank Wire (Deposit/Withdraw) | Yes | Yes | |
| ACH or SEPA Transfers | Yes | No |
| Trading Platforms | Charles Schwab | Tickmill | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 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 | No |
| Trading Tools | Charles Schwab | Tickmill | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Virtual Trading (Demo) | Yes | Yes | |
| Alerts - Basic Fields | Yes | Yes | |
| Watchlists - Total Fields | 580 | 7 | |
| Charting - Indicators / Studies (Total) | 374 | 91 | |
| Charting - Drawing Tools (Total) | 24 | 9 | |
| 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 Alerts - Basic Fields | Yes | Yes | |
| Mobile Watchlist | Yes | Yes | |
| Watchlist Syncing | Yes | No | |
| 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 | Tickmill | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Daily Market Commentary | Yes | Yes | |
| Forex News (Top-Tier Sources) | Yes | Yes | |
| Autochartist | No | No | |
| Trading Central (Recognia) | No | No | |
| TipRanks | No | No | |
| Social Sentiment - Currency Pairs | No | Yes | |
| Economic Calendar | Yes | Yes |
| Education | Charles Schwab | Tickmill | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Education (Forex or CFDs) | Yes | Yes | |
| Client Webinars | Yes | Yes | |
| Client Webinars (Archived) | Yes | Yes | |
| Videos - Beginner Trading Videos | Yes | Yes | |
| Videos - Advanced Trading Videos | Yes | Yes | |
| Investor Dictionary (Glossary) | Yes | Yes |
| Major Forex Pairs | Charles Schwab | Tickmill | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 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 | 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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