Charles Schwab adds Brokerage, Options & Derivatives, Paper Trading, Advanced Order Types, Smart/Direct Routing, Alerts, Order Book / Level II, Videos, Blogs, and Newsletters coverage that Snowball Analytics skips.
VOL. XCIV, NO. 247
★ FINANCIAL TOOLS & SERVICES DIRECTORY ★
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Thursday, October 30, 2025
Tool Comparison
Charles Schwab vs Snowball Analytics comparison
Compare pricing, supported platforms, categories, and standout capabilities to decide which tool fits your workflow.
Quick takeaways
Snowball Analytics includes Backtesting, Dividend, Dividends, Splits, Financials, Scores, and Broker Connectors categories that Charles Schwab omits.
Snowball Analytics keeps a free entry point that Charles Schwab lacks.
In depth comparison
Charles Schwab
schwab.com
One of the largest US brokerages, combining commission-free stock and ETF trading with deep functionality through the thinkorswim® platform suite (desktop, web, and mobile). Options are priced at $0.65 per contract, with 24/5 trading on over a thousand stocks and ETFs. Investors can trade futures and forex (approval required), use paperMoney® for risk-free practice, and even buy fractional shares of S&P 500 companies starting at $5 through Stock Slices®. Schwab also provides flexible alerts, advanced order types, tax integrations, and access to research and screeners—all backed by decades of brand trust.
Categories
Platforms
WebMobileDesktop
Pricing
Other
Quick highlights
- Zero-commission online trades for stocks and ETFs; options at $0.65 per contract.
- thinkorswim® platform suite (desktop, web, mobile) plus Schwab Mobile, with extended 24/5 trading access to 1,100+ stocks and ETFs.
- paperMoney® virtual accounts that let you practice trading with live market data.
- Tradable universe spans stocks, ETFs, options, futures, and forex—though futures and forex require separate approval and are offered by Schwab Futures & Forex LLC.
- Fractional share investing via Stock Slices®: S&P 500 companies, starting from $5.
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Snowball Analytics
snowball-analytics.com
Portfolio & dividend tracker with multi-currency support and broker syncing via Yodlee/SnapTrade. Dividend Rating (13-factor score), dividend/ex‑div calendars, rebalancing by categories, benchmarking (indices or any asset on paid tiers), and 30+ years backtests. Quotes are delayed; site explicitly notes data is not necessarily real‑time. Mobile apps on iOS/Android.
Categories
Platforms
WebMobile
Pricing
FreeSubscription
Quick highlights
- Automatic dividend tracking, dividend & ex‑dividend calendars, and forward income forecasting.
- Dividend Rating (proprietary 0–100 score across 13 fundamental criteria) and a Top Dividend Stocks screener.
- Portfolio rebalancing based on target categories; one‑click buy/sell suggestions.
- Benchmarking vs major indices on lower tiers; benchmark to any asset on higher tiers.
- Backtests for portfolio ideas (10 years on lower tiers; 30+ years on Investor/Expert).
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Where they differ
Charles Schwab
Distinct strengths include:
BrokerageOptions & DerivativesPaper TradingAdvanced Order TypesSmart/Direct RoutingAlertsOrder Book / Level IIVideos
- Zero-commission online trades for stocks and ETFs; options at $0.65 per contract.
- thinkorswim® platform suite (desktop, web, mobile) plus Schwab Mobile, with extended 24/5 trading access to 1,100+ stocks and ETFs.
- paperMoney® virtual accounts that let you practice trading with live market data.
- Tradable universe spans stocks, ETFs, options, futures, and forex—though futures and forex require separate approval and are offered by Schwab Futures & Forex LLC.
Snowball Analytics
Distinct strengths include:
- Automatic dividend tracking, dividend & ex‑dividend calendars, and forward income forecasting.
- Dividend Rating (proprietary 0–100 score across 13 fundamental criteria) and a Top Dividend Stocks screener.
- Portfolio rebalancing based on target categories; one‑click buy/sell suggestions.
- Benchmarking vs major indices on lower tiers; benchmark to any asset on higher tiers.
Feature-by-feature breakdown
| Attribute | Charles Schwab | Snowball Analytics |
|---|---|---|
Categories Which research workflows each platform targets | Shared: Portfolio, Watchlist, News, Calendar, Screeners Unique: Brokerage, Options & Derivatives, Paper Trading, Advanced Order Types, Smart/Direct Routing, Alerts, Order Book / Level II, Videos, Blogs, Newsletters | Shared: Portfolio, Watchlist, News, Calendar, Screeners Unique: Backtesting, Dividend, Dividends, Splits, Financials, Scores, Broker Connectors |
Asset types Supported asset classes and universes | Stocks, ETFs, Options, Futures, Mutual Funds, Bonds, Currencies | Stocks, ETFs, Mutual Funds, Bonds, Cryptos, Real Estate |
Experience levels Who each product is built for | Beginner, Intermediate, Advanced | Beginner, Intermediate, Advanced |
Platforms Where you can access the product | Web, Mobile, Desktop | Web, Mobile |
Pricing High-level pricing models | Other | Free, Subscription |
Key features Core capabilities called out by each vendor | Unique
| Unique
|
Tested Verified by hands-on testing inside Find My Moat | Not yet | Not yet |
Editor pick Featured inside curated shortlists | Standard listing | Standard listing |
Frequently Asked Questions
Which workflows do Charles Schwab and Snowball Analytics both support?
Both platforms cover Portfolio, Watchlist, News, Calendar, and Screeners workflows, so you can research those use cases in either tool before digging into the feature differences below.
Which tool offers a free plan?
Snowball Analytics offers a free entry point, while Charles Schwab requires a paid subscription. Review the pricing table to see how the paid tiers compare.
How can you access Charles Schwab and Snowball Analytics?
Both Charles Schwab and Snowball Analytics support web and mobile access, making it easy to keep tabs on research away from the desk.
What unique strengths set the two platforms apart?
Charles Schwab differentiates itself with Zero-commission online trades for stocks and ETFs; options at $0.65 per contract., thinkorswim® platform suite (desktop, web, mobile) plus Schwab Mobile, with extended 24/5 trading access to 1,100+ stocks and ETFs., and paperMoney® virtual accounts that let you practice trading with live market data., whereas Snowball Analytics stands out for Automatic dividend tracking, dividend & ex‑dividend calendars, and forward income forecasting., Dividend Rating (proprietary 0–100 score across 13 fundamental criteria) and a Top Dividend Stocks screener., and Portfolio rebalancing based on target categories; one‑click buy/sell suggestions..
Keep exploring
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Curation & Accuracy
This directory blends AI‑assisted discovery with human curation. Entries are reviewed, edited, and organized with the goal of expanding coverage and sharpening quality over time. Your feedback helps steer improvements (because no single human can capture everything all at once).
Details change. Pricing, features, and availability may be incomplete or out of date. Treat listings as a starting point and verify on the provider’s site before making decisions. If you spot an error or a gap, send a quick note and I’ll adjust.