Smarter investing starts when you open a brokerage account.
The Schwab One™ Brokerage Account uses the power of people, technology, and research to support every investor with confidence.
What can you do when you open a brokerage account?
Buy and sell with ease.
Invest and trade stocks, mutual funds, ETFs, options, and more.1
Set money aside for your goals.
Save for the future or even a down payment and give it a chance to grow over time.
Use your funds any time.
Withdraw whenever you want without penalties or fees.
Amplify your brokerage account.
Get award-winning tech for advanced trading.
thinkorswim® unlocks advanced tools to analyze, strategize, and trade like never before.
Automate your investing with our robo-advisor.
Schwab Intelligent Portfolios® builds and manages investments tailored to your goals, with human help when you need it.
Turn to our licensed and experienced professionals.
Work with a dedicated advisor to get personalized guidance and comprehensive wealth management solutions.
Add a Schwab Bank Investor Checking™ account.
Transfer cash in seconds when you link your Schwab brokerage to Schwab Bank Investor Checking™ account to help you manage your checking and investing in one convenient location.
Important Note: Charles Schwab & Co., Inc. is not an FDIC-insured bank and deposit insurance covers the failure of an insured bank. Non-deposit products are not insured by the FDIC; are not deposits; and may lose value.
Compare us to other online brokers.
Compare us to other online brokers
| Schwab | E*Trade | Fidelity | Vanguard | Robinhood | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Online listed stock and options commissions | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 |
| 4,000+ no-load, no-transaction-fee mutual funds | Yes | Yes | - | - | - |
| Satisfaction Guarantee | Yes | - | - | - | - |
| 400+ branch locations | Yes | - | - | - | - |
| 24/7 customer service | Yes | Yes | Yes | - | Yes |
| Platforms specialized for traders | Yes | Yes | Yes | - | Yes |
| Support teams specialized for traders | Yes | Yes | Yes | - | Yes |
| Exclusive daily live educational content | Yes | - | Yes | - | - |
Ready to open a brokerage account?
Get started in minutes. It's fast, easy, and secure.
Frequently asked questions.
Yes, you can easily transfer your account, including stocks, bonds, mutual funds, and IRAs, from another provider via electronic funds transfer, wire transfer, or check deposit. This means your investments move to Schwab as they are, with no tax implications or additional fees.
To open a brokerage account, you'll need some basic personal information, such as:
- Your Social Security number
- Driver's license
- Employment details
- Information on assets or cash you would like to transfer
There's no account minimum to open a Schwab brokerage account, so you can begin with any amount you choose.
Most accounts are approved within minutes online. Once approved, you can begin funding almost immediately.
The easiest way to open Schwab brokerage account is online. You can also get help opening an account by calling us at 866-232-9890 or visiting one of over 400 local branches.
The online account application process only takes about 10 minutes. Key steps include:
- Choosing the type of brokerage account (individual or joint)
- Providing your personal, employment, and financial information
- Selecting specific account features
- Creating login credentials and providing contact information for your account
- Verifying your identity
- Indicating how you'll fund the account
You can fund your brokerage account using various methods:
- Link a bank account for electronic transfers.
- Send a wire transfer.
- Mail a check or deposit in person at a Schwab branch.
A taxable brokerage account is subject to taxes on dividends, interest, and capital gains. The timing and amount depend on your holding period and applicable tax rates.
Yes! You can withdraw money from a brokerage account at any time.
Schwab offers individual accounts if you're investing on your own, and joint accounts if you're planning and investing with a partner. You can also open a custodial account, which lets you make a financial gift to a minor and help teach them about investing.
Learn more about brokerage accounts >
There are no fees or commissions for online trades for listed U.S. stocks and ETFs. For options trades, there is a $0.65 fee per contract. Trades placed via a broker or over the phone may incur additional service charges.
No, Schwab does not charge any annual maintenance fees or inactivity fees for standard brokerage accounts.
There are no fees for funds entering your account or for partial transfers. A full outbound account transfer (ACAT) carries a fee of $50, while outgoing wire transfers are $25 per transfer.

