Invest · Broker review

Charles Schwab

The benchmark US broker — available to international investors via Schwab International, with competitive FX.

Reviewed by Aayush Jain·Updated May 2026

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Overall score

8.0/10

FX rank#7 of 20

FX cost / $10k$30

Conversion spread0.3%

Trading commissionFree

Annual feeNone

Min investmentNone

$20 more per $10,000 than Interactive Brokers (FX cost only)

Not financial advice.This is a comparison of FX costs only. We don't recommend specific investments. Always consult a qualified financial adviser before investing.

Verdict

Charles Schwab International is a solid choice for ex-US investors who want the credibility of a major US broker. The 0.3% FX spread is competitive — better than eToro but worse than IBKR. Commission-free US stock trading, no account minimum, and an excellent research platform make it compelling. Best for UK, EU, and Australian investors who prioritise brand trust and research tools.

FX cost breakdown

Conversion spread

0.3%

Above mid-market rate

Fixed FX fee

None

Per currency conversion

Total FX cost / $10k

$30

Realistic all-in estimate

FX cost comparison on $10,000 investment

Interactive Brokers$10

Trading 212$15

Tiger Brokers$20

moomoo$25

Pros & cons

Pros

Zero commission on US stock and ETF trades
No account minimum
0.3% FX spread — more competitive than most traditional brokers
Excellent research and educational content
Strong brand trust — one of the most established US brokers
Available to investors in UK, EU, Australia, Latin America

Cons

FX spread (0.3%) is higher than IBKR (0.08%) — not the cheapest option
International account onboarding is slower than neo-brokers
Not available to Indian residents directly
Less coverage of non-US markets than IBKR

Who can use it

UKEUAustraliaGlobal

Markets available

USAGlobal ADRsETFsBondsOptions

Supported corridors

GBP→USDEUR→USDAUD→USDCAD→USDJPY→USD

Regulated by

USA

FINRA + SEC

FCA

Frequently asked questions

Is Charles Schwab available to UK investors?

Yes. Schwab International accepts clients from the UK, EU, Australia, and many other countries. UK clients can open a standard brokerage account to trade US stocks and ETFs. The account is denominated in USD and GBP→USD conversion costs ~0.3%.

How does Schwab compare to IBKR for international investors?

IBKR has a lower FX spread (0.08% vs 0.3%) and broader market access (150+ markets vs Schwab's US focus). Schwab wins on research quality, platform simplicity, and brand familiarity. For FX cost-focused investors, IBKR is cheaper; for those who value research and simplicity, Schwab is a strong alternative.

What's the minimum to open a Schwab International account?

There's no minimum balance requirement for the standard brokerage account. You can start investing with any amount. Note that some investment products (like certain mutual funds) have minimums, but individual stocks and ETFs do not.

Does Schwab offer fractional shares for international investors?

Schwab's Stock Slices feature (fractional shares) is available for S&P 500 stocks. International clients can access this feature, allowing investments from as little as $5 in major US companies.