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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 | 82 | 91 |
| Trust score | 82 | 100 |
| Cost score | 78 | 92 |
| Platform score | 84 | 94 |
| Withdrawal score | 80 | 89 |
| Best for | New Zealand retail investors · Australian retail investors seeking fractional investing · Beginners and small-balance investors | 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 | Regulated by New Zealand FMA and NZX rules; Sharesies Australia holds an AFSL overseen by ASIC. Source | SEC; FINRA; SIPC; CFTC; NFA; FDIC Source |
| License numbers | AU: AFSL 529893 / ABN 94 648 811 830; NZ: Sharesies Investment Management FSP1001460; Sharesies Limited NZBN 9429045952838. Source | Charles Schwab & Co., Inc. CRD 5393; SEC 801-29938 and 8-16514 Source |
| Regulated entities | Key entities include Sharesies Limited (NZ), Sharesies Australia Limited, Sharesies Investment Management Limited, Sharesies Nominee Limited, and Sharesies Australia Nominee Pty Limited. Source | Charles Schwab & Co., Inc.; Charles Schwab Futures and Forex LLC; Charles Schwab Bank, SSB; Charles Schwab Premier Bank, SSB Source |
| Negative balance protection | Not applicable to CFD-style negative-balance protection; wallet debts may still be owed. Source | Not disclosed as retail brokerage negative balance protection; futures/forex are leveraged and losses may exceed initial investment. Source |
| Investor compensation | No broad compensation scheme verified; custody/trust protections and AU PI insurance disclosed; NGF exclusion for NZ/US via NZ platform. 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 | Available regionally in NZ and Australia; NZ platform no longer accepts new Australian-based investors; AU IDPS not offered outside Australia where unlawful. 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 | No minimum investment; wallet funding required; minimum top-up not clearly disclosed. 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: Sharesies is not a spread-quoted CFD/forex broker in the scoped evidence. 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 | 1.9% transaction fee up to regional market caps; managed funds not listed on an exchange have no Sharesies transaction fee. 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 | Not applicable: no leveraged CFD/forex product found in scoped official materials. Source | Not disclosed as a single broker-level maximum; leverage/margin depends on product, account approval, and regulatory/product requirements. Source |
| Deposit fee | Free standard NZ bank transfer; instant/linked/card/PayID fees vary by region and method. 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 | Standard wallet withdrawal fee not clearly disclosed; NZ fast withdrawal 1.9% of unsettled amount; share transfer-out and exceptional account-closure fees apply. 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 | No inactivity fee found in reviewed public pricing, terms, or FSG; account closure fees may apply only in stated exceptional circumstances. Source | $0 annual maintenance/inactivity fee for standard brokerage accounts Source |
Markets, platforms & payments | ||
| Tradable assets | Sharesies offers NZ/US/Australian shares and ETFs, managed funds, advised portfolios, selected crypto, and NZDX-listed bond transfer/holding support. 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 | Sharesies platform is accessible via website/web app and mobile apps on iOS and Android. Source | Schwab.com; Schwab Mobile; thinkorswim desktop; thinkorswim web; thinkorswim mobile; paperMoney Source |
| Account types | NZ adult and Kids Accounts, plus trust/company/business by approval; AU IDPS accounts with marketing references to Kids Accounts but FAQ inconsistency. 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 | NZ: bank transfer, foreign-currency bank deposit by arrangement, card, Apple/Google Pay, instant bank transfer, gift; AU: bank transfer, card, linked bank, Apple/Google Pay, PayID. 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 to local bank account in local currency only: NZD in NZ, AUD in Australia. 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 | Settled withdrawals 1-2 business days; post-sale withdrawals may take settlement/processing plus transfer time; NZ faster withdrawal option for a fee. 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.