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 vs. Tickmill: regulation and trust at a glance. Charles Schwab, founded in 1971, is publicly traded and operates as a bank. Tickmill, founded in 2014, is not publicly traded and is not a bank. ForexBrokers.com Trust Scores: Charles Schwab 99/99 (highly trusted) and Tickmill 85/99 (trusted). On this scale, 90–99 = highly trusted, 80–89 = trusted, 70–79 = average risk, 60–69 = high risk, and 59 or below = not trusted.
Licensing adds context: Charles Schwab holds five Tier-1 licenses and zero Tier-2 licenses, while Tickmill holds two Tier-1 and two Tier-2 licenses. Tier-1 regulators are viewed as highly trusted, and Tier-2 as trusted by ForexBrokers.com. In short, Schwab offers wider top-tier oversight and the highest possible Trust Score, whereas Tickmill combines two top-tier and two mid-tier licenses with a trusted rating.
| 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 vs. Tickmill on commissions and fees: Schwab earns 4/5 stars and ranks #23 of 63 (ForexBrokers.com), while Tickmill scores 4.5/5 stars and ranks #10 of 63. In short, Schwab charges no commission on forex but tends to have wider spreads, whereas Tickmill’s Raw account adds a small commission to unlock much tighter spreads and a lower all-in trading cost—especially attractive for active traders.
Charles Schwab has no minimum deposit for its main brokerage accounts. Forex trading runs through the thinkorswim platform via a Schwab One account, with all trades settled in U.S. dollars. The smallest trade size is 10,000 units (about $500 margin at 20:1 leverage). Schwab doesn’t charge a forex commission; costs come from the spread, which averaged 1.35 pips on EUR/USD in October 2024. If you need local-currency market access, the Schwab Global account supports 12 international markets, with currency conversion fees from 0.2% to 1% depending on balance size. Overnight financing (carry) estimates are shown in-platform.
Tickmill offers two accounts. Classic is commission-free but carries higher spreads (about 1.76 pips on EUR/USD as of August 2023). The Raw account has a $100 minimum and a $3-per-side commission ($6 per standard lot), paired with very low typical spreads (around 0.11 pips on EUR/USD in October 2023). That puts the estimated all-in cost near 0.71 pips after commission—lower than Schwab’s recent average—making Tickmill’s Raw account a strong value for spread-sensitive and high-frequency traders.
| Feature |
Charles Schwab
|
Tickmill
|
|---|---|---|
| Minimum Deposit | $0 | $100 |
| Average spread (EUR/USD) - Standard account | 1.27 | 1.70 |
| All-in Cost EUR/USD - Active | 1.27 | 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 much wider range of investments than Tickmill, making it a stronger choice for traders and investors who want more variety. Schwab supports about 40,000 tradeable symbols and 73 forex pairs, while Tickmill offers 637 symbols and 62 forex pairs. Both brokers provide forex trading as a CFD or spot contract, and both offer cryptocurrency CFDs, but neither lets you buy actual, delivered crypto. Schwab also stands out by offering exchange traded securities on both U.S. and international markets, so clients can buy real shares such as Apple or Vodafone, which Tickmill does not provide.
For extra features, Tickmill includes copy trading, while Charles Schwab does not. Still, Schwab comes out ahead overall for range of investments, earning 5 out of 5 stars and ranking #5 out of 63 brokers in this category. Tickmill is rated 3.5 out of 5 stars and ranks #30, reflecting a more limited selection despite its copy trading option.
| Feature |
Charles Schwab
|
Tickmill
|
|---|---|---|
| Forex Trading (Spot or CFDs) | Yes | Yes |
| Tradeable Symbols (Total) | 40000 | 637 |
| Forex Pairs (Total) | 73 | 62 |
| 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.
Comparing trading platforms and tools, Charles Schwab and Tickmill both let you practice with a free demo (paper) account. Schwab offers its own proprietary platform along with Windows desktop and web trading, and it supports trading directly from charts. Tickmill also provides Windows desktop and web platforms with chart trading, but instead of an in-house platform it focuses on MetaTrader options. According to ForexBrokers.com, Schwab earns 5 stars and ranks #7 of 63 for Trading Platforms and Tools, while Tickmill earns 4 stars and ranks #24.
The biggest differences are third-party support and social features. Tickmill supports MetaTrader 4 and MetaTrader 5 and offers copy trading, which can suit forex traders and those who want to mirror strategies. Schwab does not offer MT4/MT5 or copy trading, but its proprietary platform may appeal to investors who want an all-in-one experience. Both brokers include charting with technical indicators and watch lists, though the exact counts aren’t specified. If you need MT4/MT5 or copy trading, Tickmill fits; if you prefer a broker-built platform with strong reviewer scores, Schwab stands out.
| 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 | 97 |
| Charting - Trade From Chart | Yes | Yes |
Dive deeper: Best MetaTrader 4 Brokers, Best MetaTrader 5 Brokers.
Charles Schwab and Tickmill both offer mobile trading apps for iPhone and Android, and both let users sync watchlists between the app and their online account. Each app also supports drawing trendlines on charts, which helps traders review price moves on the go. For traders who want mobile alerts, though, Charles Schwab has the edge because it offers stock or forex price alerts, while Tickmill does not.
When it comes to chart tools, Charles Schwab offers 374 technical studies in its mobile app, compared with 97 at Tickmill. Schwab’s app also auto-saves chart drawings, which makes it easier to pick up where you left off. These differences help explain why Charles Schwab is rated 5 stars for mobile trading apps and ranked #6 out of 63 brokers by ForexBrokers.com, while Tickmill is rated 4 stars and ranked #25.
| Feature |
Charles Schwab
|
Tickmill
|
|---|---|---|
| Android App | Yes | Yes |
| Apple iOS App | Yes | Yes |
| Mobile Price Alerts | Yes | No |
| Mobile Watchlists - Syncing | Yes | Yes |
| Mobile Charting - Indicators / Studies | 374 | 97 |
| Mobile Charting - Draw Trendlines | Yes | Yes |
| Mobile Charting - Trendlines Autosave | Yes | No |
Dive deeper: Best Forex Trading Apps.
Charles Schwab and Tickmill both give traders daily market commentary and an economic calendar, so each platform helps users stay aware of major news and upcoming events. That said, Charles Schwab has the edge for market research because it also offers forex news from major sources like Bloomberg, Reuters, and Dow Jones, while Tickmill does not. Neither broker includes research tools from Autochartist, Trading Central, or TipRanks, and neither offers a sentiment tool that shows long versus short positioning across currency pairs.
One key difference is that Tickmill includes research tools from Acuity Trading, such as Signal Centre, which Charles Schwab does not. Even so, Charles Schwab is better rated overall for research, earning 5 out of 5 stars and ranking #5 out of 63 brokers by ForexBrokers.com, compared with Tickmill’s 4 out of 5 stars and #19 ranking. For traders who want broader market news and higher-rated research, Charles Schwab is the stronger choice.
| Feature |
Charles Schwab
|
Tickmill
|
|---|---|---|
| Daily Market Commentary (Articles) | Yes | Yes |
| Forex News (Top-Tier Sources) | Yes | No |
| Autochartist | No | No |
| Trading Central | No | No |
| Client sentiment data | No | No |
| TipRanks | No | No |
| Acuity Trading | No | Yes |
| Economic Calendar | Yes | Yes |
Dive deeper: Best Brokers for Forex Research.
For beginner traders, both Charles Schwab and Tickmill deliver clear, structured learning. Each broker runs online educational webinars at least once a month and provides large video libraries, with 10+ beginner videos to build core skills and 10+ advanced videos for when you’re ready to level up. Where they differ is overall strength: ForexBrokers.com rates Schwab’s education at 5 stars and ranks it #6 out of 63 brokers, while Tickmill earns 4 stars and ranks #14.
If your top priority is the most complete, highly rated education path, Schwab is the safer pick. If you want frequent webinars and plenty of videos while focusing on trading with a forex-first broker, Tickmill remains a good alternative. Either way, beginners get ongoing guidance plus room to grow into more advanced topics.
| 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 #23.
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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|---|---|---|
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| Trust Score | 99 | 85 |
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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 | 85 | |
| 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 | 85 | |
| 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 (FSA 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 CMA 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 | 62 | |
| 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 | 1.27 | 1.70 | |
| All-in Cost EUR/USD - Active | 1.27 | 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 | No | |
| Charting - Indicators / Studies (Total) | 374 | 97 | |
| 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 | No | |
| Mobile Watchlist [DELETED] | |||
| Mobile Watchlists - Syncing | Yes | Yes | |
| Mobile Charting - Indicators / Studies | 374 | 97 | |
| Mobile Charting - Draw Trendlines | Yes | Yes | |
| Mobile Charting - Trendlines Autosave | Yes | No | |
| Mobile Research - Economic Calendar | Yes | No |
| Research | Charles Schwab | Tickmill | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Daily Market Commentary (Articles) | Yes | Yes | |
| Forex News (Top-Tier Sources) | Yes | No | |
| Autochartist | No | No | |
| Trading Central | No | No | |
| TipRanks | No | No | |
| Client sentiment data | No | No | |
| 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 | 85 | |
| Winner | check_circle | ||
| Review | Charles Schwab Review | Tickmill Review |
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