Compare › Interactive Brokers vs Charles Schwab
Interactive Brokers vs Charles Schwab: fees and fine print
Full transfer-out: Interactive Brokers $0 vs Charles Schwab $50; reverse split/mandatory reorg: Interactive Brokers $0 vs Charles Schwab $0; cash rate: Interactive Brokers 3.38% vs Charles Schwab 0.01% APY, per each broker's official pages (checked Oct 30, 2026).
Last updated · 8 official sources (listed below)
The costs that don't show up in "$0 commissions": leaving, reverse splits, tender offers, and what idle cash earns. Every cell links to the broker's own page.
Where they differ
- Full ACATS transfer-out fee: Interactive Brokers $0 vs Charles Schwab $50
- DRIP (auto dividend reinvestment): Interactive Brokers Yes (commission applies) vs Charles Schwab Yes
- Fractional share trading: Interactive Brokers Yes vs Charles Schwab Yes (Stock Slices, $1 min)
- Rate on uninvested cash: Interactive Brokers 3.38% vs Charles Schwab 0.01% APY
| Fact | Interactive Brokers | Charles Schwab |
|---|---|---|
| Full ACATS transfer-out fee | $0 source · Oct 30, 2026 | $50 source · Oct 30, 2026 |
| Partial transfer-out fee | $0 source · Oct 30, 2026 | $0 source · Oct 30, 2026 |
| Reverse split / mandatory reorg fee | $0 Universal corporate-actions table; dissenter/appraisal rights requests are USD 500. source · Oct 30, 2026 | $0 source · Oct 30, 2026 |
| Fractional shares after a reverse split | Not published | Not published |
| Voluntary reorg / odd-lot tender fee | $0 source · Oct 30, 2026 | $0 source · Oct 30, 2026 |
| DRIP (auto dividend reinvestment) | Yes (commission applies) Dividends are skipped if the estimated commission is at least the dividend amount. source · Oct 30, 2026 | Yes source · Oct 30, 2026 |
| Fractional share trading | Yes source · Oct 30, 2026 | Yes (Stock Slices, $1 min) source · Oct 30, 2026 |
| Rate on uninvested cash | 3.38% Nothing paid on the first $10,000; accounts under $100k NAV get a proportionally lower rate. source · Oct 30, 2026 | 0.01% APY Bank Sweep / Schwab One Interest (same rate). Money funds such as SWVXX pay more but are not the default. source · Oct 30, 2026 |
Full pages: Interactive Brokers fees · Charles Schwab fees · Interactive Brokers cash rate · Charles Schwab cash rate
Questions
Is it cheaper to leave Interactive Brokers or Charles Schwab?
Full transfer-out: Interactive Brokers $0, Charles Schwab $50 (official fee schedules).
Which pays more on cash, Interactive Brokers or Charles Schwab?
Interactive Brokers: 3.38% (Nothing paid on the first $10,000; accounts under $100k NAV get a proportionally lower rate). Charles Schwab: 0.01% APY (Bank Sweep / Schwab One Interest (same rate). Money funds such as SWVXX pay more but are not the default).
Sources
- https://www.interactivebrokers.com/en/accounts/fees/pricing-interest-rates.php
- https://www.interactivebrokers.com/en/pricing/other-fees.php
- https://www.interactivebrokers.com/en/trading/fractional-trading.php
- https://www.interactivebrokers.com/lib/cstools/faq/content/1163238654
- https://www.schwab.com/cash-investments
- https://www.schwab.com/fractional-shares-stock-slices
- https://www.schwab.com/legal/schwab-pricing-guide-for-individual-investors
- https://www.schwab.com/stocks/dividend-reinvestment-plan
Each source was read on or before Oct 30, 2026. Fees and rates change; confirm on the broker's site before acting.