Written by ForexBrokers.com
In this head to head comparison of Charles Schwab vs VT 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.
Founded in 1971, Charles Schwab stands out as a highly trusted online broker with a stellar Trust Score of 99 out of 99 according to ForexBrokers.com. As a publicly traded bank, it holds five Tier-1 licenses, making it a secure choice for investors seeking dependable financial services. This long-established firm benefits from its comprehensive regulatory oversight, adding to its reputation for trust and reliability in the financial sector.
In contrast, VT Markets, founded in 2016, is not a publicly traded company and does not operate as a bank. It possesses a single Tier-1 license and one Tier-2 license, leading to an average-risk Trust Score of 70 out of 99 from ForexBrokers.com. While VT Markets may cater to those exploring newer platforms, its regulatory backing is not as strong as Charles Schwab's, reflecting a moderate level of trust in comparison.
| Feature |
Charles Schwab
|
VT Markets
|
|---|---|---|
| Year Founded | 1971 | 2016 |
| 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 | 0 |
When it comes to commissions and fees, Charles Schwab and VT Markets each offer their own unique advantages for forex traders. Charles Schwab provides a low barrier to entry with no minimum deposit requirement for its primary brokerage account types. Forex trading is accessible via the Schwab One account using the thinkorswim platform, offering all trades in U.S. dollars. Although Schwab doesn't charge commissions for forex trading, traders should be aware of the bid/ask spreads, which averaged 1.35 pips for the EUR/USD in October 2024. Additionally, Schwab's overnight carry charges are transparently listed within the platform to assist traders in estimating holding costs.
VT Markets, on the other hand, offers two account types: the Standard STP and the Raw ECN account. The Standard STP account is commission-free but has higher spreads, whereas the Raw ECN account entails lower spreads starting at an average of 0.83 pips on the EUR/USD, including a round-turn commission. This tiered structure allows traders to opt for a more cost-efficient model depending on their trading volume and style, with a minimum deposit requirement of $100 for both accounts.
In terms of ratings, Charles Schwab scores 4 out of 5 stars for commissions and fees, ranking #24 out of 63 brokers, according to ForexBrokers.com. VT Markets achieves a slightly higher rating of 4.5 stars, placing it at #20 within the same category. Both brokers offer competitive options, but VT Markets edges out Schwab with its refined pricing structure for commission and spreads.
| Feature |
Charles Schwab
|
VT Markets
|
|---|---|---|
| Minimum Deposit | $0 | $100 |
| Average Spread EUR/USD - Standard | 1.35 | 1.2 |
| All-in Cost EUR/USD - Active | 1.35 | 0.8 |
| Active Trader or VIP Discounts | No | No |
| ACH or SEPA Transfers | Yes | No |
| PayPal (Deposit/Withdraw) | No | No |
| Skrill (Deposit/Withdraw) | No | Yes |
| Visa/Mastercard (Credit/Debit) | No | Yes |
| Bank Wire (Deposit/Withdraw) | Yes | Yes |
Dive deeper: Best Low Spread Forex Brokers.
When it comes to the range of investments available, Charles Schwab and VT Markets offer distinct options to cater to different types of traders. Charles Schwab boasts an impressive portfolio with access to 40,000 tradeable symbols, including 73 forex pairs and a comprehensive selection of exchange-traded securities on both U.S. and international exchanges. This makes it an attractive choice for those interested in a wide variety of traditional stocks and other securities, although it does not offer the ability to trade actual cryptocurrencies. Meanwhile, VT Markets provides a selection of 1,000 tradeable symbols and 39 forex pairs, with an emphasis on cryptocurrency derivatives and forex trading as CFDs, while also facilitating copy trading for their users.
Both platforms allow trading in forex as either a CFD or spot contract. However, if your focus is on exchange-traded securities, Schwab stands out by giving access to U.S. markets, a feature not available through VT Markets. Where VT Markets distinguishes itself is in the world of social trading with its copy trading capabilities, ideal for those new to investing or those who prefer a more guided approach. While Schwab receives a higher rating of 5 stars for its range of investments and ranks #5 by ForexBrokers.com, VT Markets earns a commendable 3.5 stars, coming in at #39 out of 63 brokers. Each platform offers unique benefits, so the optimal choice depends on individual investment goals and trading preferences.
| Feature |
Charles Schwab
|
VT Markets
|
|---|---|---|
| Forex Trading (Spot or CFDs) | Yes | Yes |
| Tradeable Symbols (Total) | 40000 | 1000 |
| Forex Pairs (Total) | 73 | 39 |
| U.S. Stock Trading (Non CFD) | Yes | No |
| Int'l Stock Trading (Non CFD) | Yes | Yes |
| 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 trading platforms and tools, Charles Schwab and VT Markets each bring unique offerings to their users. Charles Schwab stands out with a proprietary platform developed in-house, alongside options for both Windows-based desktop and web-based trading. Traders can take advantage of a free virtual demo account to simulate trading, and the ability to trade directly from stock charts. With an impressive 580 columns for watchlists and 24 drawing tools for charts, Schwab caters to detail-oriented traders. However, it lacks support for popular platforms like MetaTrader 4 (MT4) and MetaTrader 5 (MT5) and does not provide copy trading options. Rated five stars for its trading platforms and tools, Charles Schwab holds a high rank of #5 out of 63 brokers according to ForexBrokers.com.
VT Markets offers a very different approach, especially for traders interested in social trading and widely-used platforms. Though it lacks a proprietary platform, VT Markets supports MetaTrader 4 and MetaTrader 5, both highly popular among traders. A free virtual demo account is available, allowing newcomers to practice risk-free. Traders can also make direct trades from stock charts and have access to a web-based and Windows-based desktop platform. The broker offers copy trading, an appealing feature for those looking to mirror other successful trades, and provides 30 drawing tools but only 7 watchlist columns. Rated four stars for its trading platforms and tools, VT Markets is ranked #47 out of 63 brokers in this category by ForexBrokers.com.
| Feature |
Charles Schwab
|
VT 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 | No |
| Charting - Indicators / Studies (Total) | 374 | 15 |
| Charting - Drawing Tools (Total) | 24 | 30 |
| Charting - Trade From Chart | Yes | Yes |
| Watchlists - Total Fields | 580 | 7 |
Dive deeper: Best MetaTrader 4 Brokers, Best MetaTrader 5 Brokers.
Charles Schwab and VT Markets both offer user-friendly mobile trading apps available on iPhone and Android devices, catering to the needs of modern traders. Both platforms provide stock or forex price alerts and allow for trendline drawing and multiple time frame views on their charts. However, Charles Schwab takes the lead in offering a more integrated experience with its watchlist symbol syncing and impressive range of 374 technical studies for charting, compared to VT Markets' 30. Additionally, Schwab's app automatically saves chart drawings, adding to its convenience.
In terms of real-time information, both apps enable users to create watchlists with live quotes. However, when it comes to user ratings, Charles Schwab stands out with a 5-star rating for its mobile trading app, whereas VT Markets earns 4 stars. Reflecting these distinctions, ForexBrokers.com ranks Charles Schwab at #6 and VT Markets at #44 out of 63 brokers in the Mobile Trading Apps category, highlighting Schwab's superior mobile trading experience.
| Feature |
Charles Schwab
|
VT Markets
|
|---|---|---|
| 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 | No |
| Mobile Watchlist | Yes | Yes |
Dive deeper: Best Forex Trading Apps.
When comparing Charles Schwab to VT Markets in terms of market research, both platforms excel in providing daily market commentary and offering forex news from top-tier sources such as Bloomberg and Reuters. However, there are notable differences in the tools and features they offer. VT Markets stands out by providing technical analysis tools from Trading Central and sentiment-based trading tools, which can offer deeper insights into trading patterns and strategies. On the other hand, Charles Schwab does not provide these specific tools but still offers highly rated research resources, including an economic calendar that highlights global news events.
Charles Schwab's research capabilities are highly regarded, earning a five-star rating and ranking fourth among 63 brokers according to ForexBrokers.com. VT Markets, while offering some unique analysis tools, receives a research rating of 3.5 stars and ranks 36th, indicating some room for improvement in comparison to Charles Schwab. For investors seeking comprehensive market insights with strong research backing, Charles Schwab might be the more suitable option, whereas VT Markets could appeal more to traders interested in specific analysis tools and sentiment indicators.
| Feature |
Charles Schwab
|
VT 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 | |
| Signal Centre (Acuity Trading) | No | |
| Economic Calendar | Yes | Yes |
Dive deeper: Best Brokers for Forex Research.
When it comes to educational resources for beginners, Charles Schwab and VT Markets both offer valuable content, though there are notable differences. Charles Schwab provides more comprehensive resources for those looking to learn about forex or CFDs. They meet the minimum standard with plenty of educational materials like articles and videos, and they also hold online client webinars each month with a searchable archive for on-demand learning. These features make them particularly appealing for beginners and more experienced traders seeking ongoing education. Charles Schwab also offers a well-rounded selection of videos tailored specifically to beginners and advanced traders, coupled with an investor dictionary boasting over 50 investment term definitions.
VT Markets also offers a solid selection of educational materials focusing on forex and CFDs. They excel in providing beginner-oriented educational videos and a similar dictionary of investing terms. However, for those interested in more interactive learning, VT Markets falls short as they do not offer regular online webinars or have an archive of past webinars. While Charles Schwab consistently rates highly, earning a 5-star rating and placing 6th out of 63 brokers for education, VT Markets holds a 3.5-star rating and ranks 55th, indicating there's room for improvement in their educational offerings.
| Feature |
Charles Schwab
|
VT 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 | No |
| 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 VT Markets. Charles Schwab finished with an overall rank of #6, while VT Markets finished with an overall rank of #44.
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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VT Markets
|
|---|---|---|
| Overall Rating |
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| Trust Score | 99 | 70 |
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Both Charles Schwab and VT Markets provide opportunities for trading cryptocurrency derivatives, but neither offers the option to purchase actual, delivered cryptocurrency.
When comparing the online brokers Charles Schwab and VT Markets, Charles Schwab supports ACH or SEPA transfers and bank wires for depositing and withdrawing account funds, while VT Markets offers options including Skrill, Visa or Mastercard, and bank wires, but not ACH, SEPA, or PayPal for 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 | VT Markets | |
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| Trust Score | 99 | 70 | |
| Winner | check_circle | ||
| Review | Charles Schwab Review | VT Markets Review |
| Broker Screenshots | Charles Schwab | VT Markets | |
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| Regulation | Charles Schwab | VT Markets | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Trust Score | 99 | 70 | |
| Year Founded | 1971 | 2016 | |
| 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 | 0 |
| Tier-1 Licenses (Highly Trusted) | Charles Schwab | VT Markets | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Australia (ASIC Authorised) | No | Yes | |
| 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 | No | |
| USA (CFTC Authorized) | Yes | No | |
| New Zealand (FMA Authorised) | No | ||
| Regulated in one or more EU or EEA countries (MiFID). | No | No |
| Tier-2 Licenses (Trusted) | Charles Schwab | VT Markets | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kenya (CMA Authorised) | |||
| Israel (ISA Authorised) | No | ||
| South Africa (FSCA Authorised) | Yes | ||
| UAE (DFSA/Central Bank Authorised) | No | ||
| India (SEBI Authorised) | No | ||
| Jordan (JSC Authorised) |
| Investments | Charles Schwab | VT Markets | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Forex Trading (Spot or CFDs) | Yes | Yes | |
| Tradeable Symbols (Total) | 40000 | 1000 | |
| Forex Pairs (Total) | 73 | 39 | |
| U.S. Stock Trading (Non CFD) | Yes | No | |
| Int'l Stock Trading (Non CFD) | Yes | Yes | |
| 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 | VT Markets | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Spread EUR/USD - Standard | 1.35 | 1.2 | |
| All-in Cost EUR/USD - Active | 1.35 | 0.8 | |
| Active Trader or VIP Discounts | No | No | |
| Inactivity Fee | No | No | |
| Execution: Agency Broker | Yes | No | |
| Execution: Market Maker | No | Yes |
| Funding | Charles Schwab | VT Markets | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Minimum Deposit | $0 | $100 | |
| PayPal (Deposit/Withdraw) | No | No | |
| 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 | VT 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 | No |
| Trading Tools | Charles Schwab | VT Markets | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Virtual Trading (Demo) | Yes | Yes | |
| Alerts - Basic Fields | Yes | Yes | |
| Watchlists - Total Fields | 580 | 7 | |
| Charting - Indicators / Studies (Total) | 374 | 15 | |
| Charting - Drawing Tools (Total) | 24 | 30 | |
| Charting - Trade From Chart | Yes | Yes | |
| Charts can be saved | Yes | Yes |
| Mobile Trading | Charles Schwab | VT Markets | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 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 | No | |
| Mobile Economic Calendar | Yes | Yes |
| Research | Charles Schwab | VT Markets | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Daily Market Commentary | Yes | Yes | |
| Forex News (Top-Tier Sources) | Yes | Yes | |
| Autochartist | No | No | |
| Trading Central (Recognia) | No | Yes | |
| TipRanks | No | ||
| Social Sentiment - Currency Pairs | No | Yes | |
| Economic Calendar | Yes | Yes |
| Education | Charles Schwab | VT 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 | No | |
| Investor Dictionary (Glossary) | Yes | Yes |
| Major Forex Pairs | Charles Schwab | VT 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 | VT Markets Review |
| Overall | Charles Schwab | VT Markets | |
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| Trust Score | 99 | 70 | |
| Winner | check_circle | ||
| Review | Charles Schwab Review | VT Markets Review |
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