Charles Schwab charges $0 commission on all online ETF trades and runs one of the best proprietary ETF families in the business — including SCHD, one of the most popular dividend ETFs in the US with over $60 billion in assets. Here is how to buy ETFs at Schwab in 2026 and which Schwab ETFs to know.
ETF Costs at Schwab
| Cost | Amount |
|---|---|
| Online ETF commission | $0 |
| Schwab ETF expense ratios | 0.03%–0.06% (most funds) |
| Third-party ETFs | $0 commission; expense ratio applies |
| Account maintenance fee | $0 |
| Account minimum | $0 |
Schwab’s ETF OneSource programme includes more than 2,000 ETFs from over 100 providers — all commission-free. You pay only the fund’s internal expense ratio.
Schwab’s Proprietary ETF Family
Schwab operates a highly regarded ETF family with ultra-low expense ratios competing directly with Vanguard and iShares:
| Ticker | Fund | Expense Ratio | Assets |
|---|---|---|---|
| SCHB | Schwab US Broad Market ETF | 0.03% | $26B+ |
| SCHX | Schwab US Large-Cap ETF | 0.03% | $12B+ |
| SCHA | Schwab US Small-Cap ETF | 0.04% | $15B+ |
| SCHD | Schwab US Dividend Equity ETF | 0.06% | $60B+ |
| SCHG | Schwab US Large-Cap Growth ETF | 0.04% | $30B+ |
| SCHV | Schwab US Large-Cap Value ETF | 0.04% | $10B+ |
| SCHF | Schwab International Equity ETF | 0.06% | $30B+ |
| SCHC | Schwab International Small-Cap Equity ETF | 0.11% | $5B+ |
| SCHE | Schwab Emerging Markets Equity ETF | 0.11% | $8B+ |
| SCHZ | Schwab US Aggregate Bond ETF | 0.03% | $8B+ |
| SCHP | Schwab US TIPS ETF | 0.03% | $3B+ |
SCHD is Schwab’s flagship dividend ETF and one of the top-performing dividend funds over the past decade, screening for dividend growth, sustainability, and yield. It holds approximately 100 stocks with a 12-month yield of roughly 3.5%–4.0%.
Popular Third-Party ETFs at Schwab
Beyond its own family, Schwab provides access to the full US-listed ETF universe:
| ETF | Category | Expense Ratio |
|---|---|---|
| VOO | S&P 500 (Vanguard) | 0.03% |
| VTI | Total US Market (Vanguard) | 0.03% |
| QQQ | Nasdaq-100 (Invesco) | 0.20% |
| SPY | S&P 500 (SPDR) | 0.0945% |
| IVV | S&P 500 (iShares) | 0.03% |
| AGG | US Aggregate Bond (iShares) | 0.03% |
| VYM | High Dividend Yield (Vanguard) | 0.06% |
| JEPI | JP Morgan Equity Premium Income | 0.35% |
How to Buy an ETF at Schwab — Step by Step
- Log in to Schwab.com or the Schwab mobile app
- Click “Trade” in the top navigation bar
- Select “ETFs & Mutual Funds” or type the ticker directly in the search bar
- Enter the ticker symbol (e.g., SCHD, SCHB, VOO)
- Choose order type — Market, Limit, or Stop; Limit orders recommended for less-liquid ETFs
- Enter quantity in whole shares (fractional ETF shares not supported)
- Select account — brokerage, Roth IRA, Traditional IRA, etc.
- Review and place order
Advanced ETF traders can use thinkorswim (Schwab’s pro platform) for real-time level 2 quotes, charting with hundreds of indicators, and scripted ETF screening using thinkScript.
Building a Schwab ETF Portfolio
Core three-fund portfolio using Schwab ETFs:
- 60% SCHB (Total US Market)
- 30% SCHF (International)
- 10% SCHZ (US Bonds)
Total expense ratio on a $50,000 portfolio: approximately $19/year.
Dividend-focused portfolio:
- 50% SCHD (US dividend equity)
- 25% SCHG (US growth)
- 15% SCHF (International)
- 10% SCHZ (Bonds)
SCHD’s dividend growth approach appeals to income-focused investors. Over the 10 years ending 2025, SCHD’s dividend per share grew at roughly 12%/year, significantly outpacing inflation.
ETF Screener at Schwab (Stock Hacker)
Schwab’s Stock Hacker in thinkorswim is widely regarded as the best retail ETF and stock screener available. You can scan for ETFs by:
- Expense ratio threshold
- 52-week price performance
- Volume and liquidity
- Dividend yield
- Sector and geography
- Custom thinkScript conditions
The standard Schwab.com platform also has a simplified ETF screener covering asset class, geography, Morningstar rating, expense ratio, and performance. For active ETF investors, thinkorswim’s real-time scanning has no peer among retail brokers.
Schwab ETFs in IRAs
| IRA Type | ETF Trading | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Roth IRA | $0 commission | Tax-free growth |
| Traditional IRA | $0 commission | Tax-deferred growth |
| Rollover IRA | $0 commission | Roll 401(k) into Schwab IRA |
| SEP IRA | $0 commission | Self-employed option |
| SIMPLE IRA | $0 commission | Employer plan |
DRIP is available for all ETFs in Schwab accounts. Dividends reinvest in whole shares; fractional amounts go to cash. For fully automated ETF investing, Schwab Intelligent Portfolios uses Schwab ETFs (and some third-party ETFs) in pre-built portfolios with $0 advisory fee and a $5,000 minimum.
Schwab vs. Fidelity vs. Vanguard for ETF Investing
| Feature | Schwab | Fidelity | Vanguard |
|---|---|---|---|
| ETF commission | $0 | $0 | $0 |
| Proprietary ETF family | SCHB, SCHD, SCHG… | Fidelity ETFs + ZERO funds | VOO, VTI, BND… |
| Lowest-cost option | 0.03% (SCHB) | 0.00% (FZROX) | 0.03% (VOO) |
| ETF screener | thinkorswim (best in class) | Fidelity screener + Morningstar | Basic |
| Fractional ETF shares | No | No | No |
| Automated ETF investing | Intelligent Portfolios ($5K min) | Fidelity Go ($0 min) | Digital Advisor ($3K min) |
Schwab wins on ETF screener quality (thinkorswim) and offers a compelling dividend ETF (SCHD). Fidelity wins on zero-cost index options. Vanguard wins if you exclusively want Vanguard funds.
Key Takeaways
- Schwab charges $0 commission on all ETF trades with no minimums
- SCHD is one of the largest and best-performing dividend ETFs in the US
- thinkorswim’s Stock Hacker is the most powerful ETF screener at any retail broker
- Schwab ETFs (SCHB, SCHF, SCHZ) provide a complete portfolio at ~0.03%–0.06% expense ratios
- ETFs in Schwab IRAs grow tax-advantaged with DRIP available
For platform comparisons, see our Schwab vs. Fidelity and Schwab vs. Merrill Edge guides. To understand Schwab’s stock screener in detail, see our Schwab stock screener guide.
The content on Wealthvieu is for informational purposes only and should not be considered financial, tax, or investment advice. Consult a qualified professional before making financial decisions. Full disclaimer · Editorial policy