Commission-free trading online. Same award-winning experience.

Common questions

What is commission-free trading?

Commissions are fees that a brokerage charges when you buy or sell an investment product like stocks, ETFs, and more.

At Schwab, whether you are a new or existing client, you can trade for $0 online commission when you buy or sell a listed stock or ETF. You can also buy or sell options online for only $0.65 per contract with $0 commission.¹

Are there account minimums or trade minimums to be eligible for commission-free trading?

There are no account or trade activity minimums to be eligible for commission-free trading. You do not need to initially fund your account to a certain level nor maintain funding or trading activity at a minimum level to be eligible for commission-free trading. 

This means you can enjoy $0 online commissions¹ for eligible products whether you trade 1 or 100 times a month, or whether you have $1 or $1,000,000 in your account.

How do I place commission-free trades at Schwab?

Commission-free trading for eligible products is available on Schwab.com, all StreetSmart trading platforms, and the Schwab Mobile app.

With Schwab offering $0 commissions¹, do you charge for other services like education or support from trading specialists?

No. Our goal is to make investing and trading accessible to all. Our clients get the same level of resources and service as they did when Schwab used to charge commission. From our robust education, expert insights, and dedicated support from trading specialists, to premium research and our advanced trading platforms with streaming data, the only thing that's changed is that clients don't pay commission for online trades.¹

Will Schwab scale back on new tools and technology as a result of commission-free trading?

No. At Schwab, we are continually evaluating our tools and platforms to ensure we are offering you the best trading experience possible. Our commitment to innovation remains the same regardless of commissions.

How do $0 commissions¹ affect trade speed or execution quality?

$0 commissions¹ have no effect on trade speed or execution quality. Schwab is committed to providing fast, quality executions with the highest level of transparency related to our performance, process, and practices. Learn more about Schwab Order Execution Advantage™.

What is the difference between automated phone trades and broker-assisted trades?

An automated phone trade is when you call in and use your phone keypad to enter the order details. A broker assisted trade is when you call in to our broker teams and they place the order on your behalf. A broker assisted trade represents a transfer of risk from you to Schwab in placing the order correctly. While no commission fees apply for eligible products, automated phone trades have a service fee of $5 and broker assisted trades have a service fee of $25.

Clients are always welcome to call in to speak with a broker for assistance at 800-435-9050. There is never a service fee associated with a guided walk through of how to place a trade online.