What are Charles Schwab’s trading fees in 2026? Charles Schwab charges $0 commission on online US-listed stock and ETF trades, with no inactivity fee, no annual maintenance fee, and no account minimum. Options cost $0.65 per contract, broker-assisted trades add $25, and certain mutual funds and OTC stocks carry their own charges. This guide breaks down every Charles Schwab commission and charge so you can see what you really pay to trade.
Schwab advertises commission-free trading, and for the most common trades that is genuinely true. But “free” never covers everything. If you trade options, buy certain mutual funds, place a trade over the phone, or move money by wire, charges still apply. Knowing them upfront keeps surprises off your statement.
Read our Charles Schwab Broker Review 2026 for the full platform breakdown.
Charles Schwab Trading Fees at a Glance
Here are the headline Charles Schwab commissions and charges in 2026:
| Fee type | Cost |
|---|---|
| Online stock & ETF trades (US-listed) | $0 |
| Options | $0 + $0.65 per contract |
| OTC (over-the-counter) equities | $6.95 online |
| Broker-assisted trades | $25 |
| Automated phone trades | $5 |
| Mutual funds (non-OneSource) | Up to $49.95 per purchase |
| Mutual funds (OneSource / NTF) | $0 |
| Treasuries (new issues & secondary, online) | $0 |
| Secondary bonds | $1 per bond ($10 min, $250 max) |
| Inactivity fee | None |
| Annual / maintenance fee | None |
| Account minimum | None |
| Outgoing ACH transfer | $0 |
| Outgoing wire transfer | $25 |
| Account transfer out (ACAT) | $0 |
Schwab’s brokerage fees are among the most transparent in the US market, and its lack of an inactivity fee, annual fee, or transfer-out fee sets it apart from many competitors.
See Charles Schwab’s Full Fee Breakdown in our complete review.
Does Charles Schwab Charge an Inactivity Fee?
No. Charles Schwab does not charge an inactivity fee. You can leave your account idle for as long as you like without paying a penalty, which makes it well suited to long-term and buy-and-hold investors. Schwab also confirms there is no annual maintenance fee and no minimum balance requirement on standard brokerage accounts. This is one of the clearest advantages in Schwab’s pricing: your account does not cost you anything to simply hold.
Charles Schwab Stock and ETF Trading Fees
Charles Schwab stock trading fees are $0 for online trades of US-listed stocks and ETFs. Schwab eliminated stock and ETF commissions in 2019, and there is no minimum trade size and no per-share fee. This applies to all listed US stocks and ETFs, including Schwab’s own ETFs and all major third-party funds.
The main points to know:
- Online US-listed stock and ETF trades: $0 commission.
- No account minimum to open or hold a standard brokerage account.
- Unlisted or OTC equities are the exception and are not covered by the $0 rate (see below).
For most everyday investors buying stocks and ETFs online, Schwab’s trading commissions are effectively zero.
Charles Schwab Options Fees
Options trades carry no base commission, but a per-contract fee applies. Charles Schwab options fees are $0 plus $0.65 per contract. So a trade of ten contracts costs $6.50 in contract fees. Multiple-leg options strategies involve a commission on each leg, so the per-contract fee applies across every leg of the strategy. There is no separate base charge on top of the per-contract fee for online trades.
Charles Schwab Futures Trading Fees
Futures and futures options are not covered by the $0 online rate. Charles Schwab charges a per-contract fee on futures trades (in the region of $2.25 per contract, plus exchange and regulatory fees), applied on both the buy and sell side. Futures trading is available through the thinkorswim platform, which Schwab retained after integrating TD Ameritrade. Always confirm the current per-contract rate in Schwab’s pricing guide before trading, as futures pricing can change.
Charles Schwab Mutual Fund Fees
Mutual fund costs depend on whether the fund is part of Schwab’s no-transaction-fee (OneSource) list:
- OneSource / no-transaction-fee funds: $0 to buy or sell online. Thousands of funds qualify.
- Non-OneSource (transaction-fee) funds: up to $49.95 per purchase online. Sales of these funds are typically free.
For fund-heavy investors, the $49.95 non-OneSource transaction fee is the main cost to watch, so sticking to OneSource funds keeps mutual fund investing free.
Charles Schwab OTC Stock Trading Fees
Over-the-counter (OTC) equities are the notable exception to Schwab’s $0 stock trading fees. Charles Schwab charges $6.95 per online OTC trade. OTC stocks (often penny stocks or smaller unlisted companies) carry more risk and less liquidity, and this transaction fee reflects that. If you trade OTC names regularly, this is a Charles Schwab commission fee to factor in, since it does not fall under the standard commission-free structure.
Charles Schwab Broker-Assisted Trading Fees
If you place a trade by speaking to a Schwab representative rather than online, a service charge applies. Broker-assisted trades cost $25 per trade, and trades placed through the automated phone system cost $5. These charges apply on top of any standard per-contract options fee. To avoid them, place routine trades through the website or mobile app, and reserve broker assistance for when you genuinely need it.
Charles Schwab Bond and Fixed-Income Fees
Fixed-income pricing at Schwab is competitive:
- US Treasuries: $0 online, for both new issues and secondary trades.
- Secondary corporate and municipal bonds: $1 per bond, with a $10 minimum and a $250 maximum per trade.
- New-issue bonds: typically sold at no separate transaction fee, as the selling concession is included in the price.
When Schwab acts as principal on a fixed-income trade, the bond price includes its transaction fee and may include a markup reflecting the bid-ask spread. Treasuries being free online is a clear advantage for income-focused investors.
Charles Schwab Account Maintenance Fees
Charles Schwab does not charge account maintenance fees on standard brokerage accounts. There is no annual fee, no inactivity fee, and no minimum balance. A few service-specific charges exist:
- Outgoing wire transfer: $25 (ACH transfers are free).
- Account transfer out (full ACAT): $0, which is unusual, since many competitors charge $49.95 to $75 to move your account elsewhere.
- Paper statement and certain premium-service charges may apply depending on your preferences.
The $0 transfer-out fee is worth highlighting: you can leave Schwab without paying a penalty, which is not the case at many rival brokers.
Charles Schwab Fees vs Fidelity and E*TRADE
Schwab, Fidelity, and E*TRADE are closely matched on core pricing, and all three offer $0 online stock and ETF trades and $0.65-per-contract options.
| Fee | Charles Schwab | Fidelity | E*TRADE |
|---|---|---|---|
| Stock & ETF (online) | $0 | $0 | $0 |
| Options (per contract) | $0.65 | $0.65 | $0.65 (or $0.50 for active traders) |
| Broker-assisted trade | $25 | $32.95 | $25 |
| Non-NTF mutual fund | Up to $49.95 | Up to $49.95 (or $75 on some) | Up to $19.99 |
| Account transfer out (ACAT) | $0 | $0 | $75 |
| Inactivity fee | None | None | None |
Schwab’s standout advantages are its $0 transfer-out fee and free Treasuries. Fidelity matches it closely on most fees, while E*TRADE charges to transfer your account out. For most investors the three are very close, and the right choice comes down to platform and research preferences as much as cost.
Hidden or Additional Charles Schwab Trading Costs
Beyond the headline commissions, a few smaller Charles Schwab transaction fees and pass-through costs can appear:
- Margin interest: if you borrow to trade, margin rates apply and are tiered by balance. Schwab’s rates are competitive but not the lowest in the market.
- Regulatory and exchange fees: small industry pass-through fees (such as the SEC fee and TAF) apply on sales, as they do at every broker.
- ADR fees: custody fees on American Depositary Receipts, charged by the depositary bank.
- Stock borrow fees: apply on short positions.
- Currency conversion: applies when trading in a currency different from your account base currency.
- Wire transfers: $25 outgoing (ACH is free).
None of these are unique to Schwab, and most investors trading US stocks and ETFs online will rarely encounter them. But it is worth knowing they exist so nothing is a surprise.
Are Charles Schwab Fees Competitive in 2026?
Yes. For the core activity most investors do, buying and selling US stocks and ETFs online, Schwab’s trading fees are effectively zero, with no inactivity fee, no annual fee, and no account minimum. Its $0 account-transfer-out fee and free Treasuries genuinely stand out against competitors. The costs that matter are situational: the $49.95 non-OneSource mutual fund fee for fund-heavy investors, the $25 broker-assisted surcharge, and the $6.95 OTC trade fee. Stick to online trades and no-transaction-fee funds, and most investors will pay very little to trade at Schwab.
Conclusion
Charles Schwab remains one of the strongest low-cost options for US investors in 2026, with $0 commissions on online stock and ETF trades, transparent options and bond pricing, and no inactivity or maintenance fees. A few services, such as broker-assisted trades, non-OneSource mutual funds, and OTC stocks, carry higher charges, but most everyday investors will find Schwab affordable and predictable. To keep costs at their lowest, trade online, favour no-transaction-fee funds, and use free ACH transfers rather than wires.
For the complete picture, Read the Complete Charles Schwab Review.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does Charles Schwab charge an inactivity fee? No. Charles Schwab does not charge an inactivity fee, an annual maintenance fee, or require a minimum balance on standard brokerage accounts.
How much does Charles Schwab charge per trade? Online US-listed stock and ETF trades are $0. Options are $0.65 per contract, OTC stocks are $6.95 online, and broker-assisted trades add a $25 service charge.
Is Charles Schwab really commission-free? For online US-listed stock and ETF trades, yes. The $0 rate does not apply to OTC equities, futures, transaction-fee mutual funds, or trades placed by phone or broker.
Does Charles Schwab charge an annual account fee? No. There is no annual fee and no account minimum on standard brokerage accounts.
What are Charles Schwab options fees? Options trades have no base commission but cost $0.65 per contract. Multiple-leg strategies incur the per-contract fee on each leg.
What is the Charles Schwab futures trading fee? Futures carry a per-contract fee (around $2.25 per contract) plus exchange and regulatory fees, on both the buy and sell side, traded through thinkorswim. Confirm the current rate in Schwab’s pricing guide.
Does Charles Schwab charge fees for ETFs? No. Online trades of US-listed ETFs are commission-free, including Schwab’s own ETFs and major third-party funds. Unlisted ETFs may carry a commission.
Are there hidden fees with Charles Schwab? Schwab is transparent, but situational costs exist: margin interest, the $49.95 non-OneSource mutual fund fee, the $25 wire and broker-assisted charges, ADR and regulatory pass-through fees, and the $6.95 OTC fee.
Is Charles Schwab expensive for active traders? Not for stock and ETF traders, who pay $0 online. Active options traders pay $0.65 per contract, and futures traders pay per-contract fees. Very high-volume options traders may find lower per-contract rates elsewhere, but Schwab remains competitive.
