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The comparison reads the same evidence fields used by broker profiles, so users can scan scores, regulation, costs, platforms, withdrawals, and caveats side by side.
Broker 1
Broker 2
| VS field |  |  |
|---|---|---|
Decision summary | ||
| Overall score | 84 | 91 |
| Trust score | 82 | 100 |
| Cost score | 86 | 92 |
| Platform score | 87 | 94 |
| Withdrawal score | 78 | 89 |
| Best for | U.S. buy-and-hold investors · automated portfolio allocation · fractional-share stock and ETF portfolios | Best suited for U.S.-centric investors and active traders who want a large, bank-affiliated multi-asset brokerage with $0 online listed stock/ETF commissions, strong platform dept… |
| Watch out | Needs verification | Needs verification |
Trust & regulation | ||
| Regulators | SEC registered broker-dealer; Member FINRA / SIPC. Source | SEC; FINRA; SIPC; CFTC; NFA; FDIC Source |
| License numbers | M1 Finance LLC CRD#: 281242 / SEC#: 8-69670; M1 Advisory Services LLC CRD Number 249787, SEC File Number 801-106511. Source | Charles Schwab & Co., Inc. CRD 5393; SEC 801-29938 and 8-16514 Source |
| Regulated entities | Not disclosed in extracted official sources; needs editor review. Source | Charles Schwab & Co., Inc.; Charles Schwab Futures and Forex LLC; Charles Schwab Bank, SSB; Charles Schwab Premier Bank, SSB Source |
| Negative balance protection | No explicit negative balance protection found for brokerage or crypto accounts; margin account disclosures emphasize maintenance calls and possible forced liquidation if equity falls below maintenance requirements. Source | Not disclosed as retail brokerage negative balance protection; futures/forex are leveraged and losses may exceed initial investment. Source |
| Investor compensation | Member SIPC; securities customers protected up to $500,000 including $250,000 cash. Certain Apex-cleared accounts have excess SIPC. High-Yield Cash balances are eligible for FDIC insurance up to $4.75M when swept to partner banks. Crypto is not SIPC or FDIC insured. Source | SIPC protection up to $500,000 including a $250,000 cash limit for brokerage account assets; futures accounts are not protected by SIPC. Source |
| Restricted countries | M1 is not available outside the U.S. except for eligible U.S. citizens or permanent residents with U.S. address and phone. Source | Not all products, services, or investments are available in all countries; Schwab is not registered outside the United States and products/services may not be registered in a user's jurisdiction. Source |
Costs & account conditions | ||
| Minimum deposit | Minimums: $100 individual/joint/custodial brokerage; $5,000 trust; $500 Traditional/Roth/SEP IRA; $100 crypto; High-Yield Cash individual account shows no minimum to open but stated APY requires $100 minimum initial deposit. Source | $0 minimum for standard U.S. brokerage and IRA accounts; Schwab One International accounts require a minimum deposit but amount is not disclosed in checked official pages. Source |
| Spread from | Not applicable or not broker-level for this investment-platform profile; review if leveraged products apply. Source | Not applicable to this stock/ETF investment broker profile; no CFD/FX spread schedule identified as a core product in reviewed sources. Source |
| Commission | M1 Finance LLC does not charge commission, trading, or management fees for self-directed brokerage accounts, but platform, regulatory, account closure, ADR and other fees may apply. Source | stock_commission: $0 online commission for listed stocks and ETFs; OTC equities $6.95; broker-assisted service charge $25; etf_commission: $0 online commission for listed U.S.-exchange ETFs; options_commission: $0 online base commission plus $0.65 per options contract; futures_commission: $2.25 per contract, per side, for futures and futures options; exchange, regulatory, overnight, NFA, and market-data fees may apply; mutual_fund_commission: $0 on thousands of Schwab Mutual Fund OneSource funds; all other mutual funds up to $74.95 per purchase; bond_commission: New-issue bonds/CDs: $0 online/selling concession included; Treasuries online $0; most other secondary bonds $1 per bond with $10 minimum and $250 maximum; forex_commission: $0 commission; forex trade costs are reflected in the bid/ask spread Source |
| Maximum leverage | Borrow up to 50% against eligible securities with M1 Margin Loans; not all securities are eligible and available margin may require more than $2,000 per brokerage account. Source | Not disclosed as a single broker-level maximum; leverage/margin depends on product, account approval, and regulatory/product requirements. Source |
| Deposit fee | Direct ACH deposits from or to connected bank are always free; incoming wire fee is $0, though sending bank may charge. Source | $0 for funds entering a standard brokerage account; banking deposit services generally no monthly/account minimum fees, but certain services can have fees Source |
| Withdrawal fee | ACH transfers are free; outgoing domestic wire from Earn is $25; outgoing direct account transfers are $100. Source | No fee for routine withdrawals from standard brokerage per FAQ; full outbound ACAT $50 and outgoing wire $25; Schwab Bank Investor Checking has unlimited ATM fee rebates for cash withdrawals worldwide, subject to conditions. Source |
| Inactivity fee | Low-balance M1 investment accounts with value $50 or less and zero trading or deposit activity for 90+ days will be closed and remaining balance up to $50 charged as a Minimum Balance Fee. Source | $0 annual maintenance/inactivity fee for standard brokerage accounts Source |
Markets, platforms & payments | ||
| Tradable assets | Most stocks and ETFs listed on major U.S. exchanges such as NYSE and NASDAQ, certain OTC securities, fractional shares, and selected cryptocurrencies via Bakkt. Source | Stocks; fractional shares; ETFs; mutual funds; bonds/CDs/fixed income; money market funds; options; futures; futures options; forex; international stocks/ADRs/foreign ordinaries; cash products; annuities; alternatives; crypto ETPs/securities/futures. Source |
| Trading platforms | M1 products are offered via its website and M1 Finance mobile application, available on iOS and Android. Source | Schwab.com; Schwab Mobile; thinkorswim desktop; thinkorswim web; thinkorswim mobile; paperMoney Source |
| Account types | Individual Brokerage, Joint Brokerage, Trust, Custodial, Traditional IRA, Roth IRA, SEP IRA, Cash Account (High-Yield Cash), Crypto Account. Source | Individual Brokerage; Joint Brokerage; Schwab One Brokerage; Investor Checking-linked brokerage; Futures Account; Global Account; IRAs; custodial, education, trust, estate, organization, and business retirement accounts; Schwab Intelligent Portfolios. Source |
| Deposit methods | External bank connection via Plaid or micro-deposits supports deposits/withdrawals; incoming wires are available for High-Yield Cash/Savings; brokerage transfers can be initiated via ACAT. Source | ACH/electronic transfer/MoneyLink; wire transfer; check/mail check; Schwab Mobile Deposit for checking; direct deposit for checking; account transfer/ACAT; branch/in-person deposit where available. Source |
| Withdrawal methods | Withdraw via linked external bank; High-Yield Cash/Savings support outgoing domestic wires by form; direct account transfers out are available for a fee. Source | Transfer to linked bank/checking; wire transfer; check; ATM/debit card for Schwab Bank Investor Checking; ACAT outbound account transfer. Source |
| Withdrawal processing time | Wire article lists ACH speed 2-5 business days, incoming wires within 1 business day after receipt, and outgoing wires same business day before 12 PM CT or next business day after cutoff. Source | Cash moved from brokerage to linked Investor Checking is generally available in seconds, but weekend/after-hours transfers may not be available until the next business day; other withdrawal methods vary/not fully disclosed on checked pages. Source |
BrokerVS provides broker comparison research only. Scores and evidence can vary by country, account type, and legal entity; users should verify source links before opening an account.