Tastytrade vs thinkorswim (Schwab) 2026: Options Traders' Showdown
Two legendary options trading platforms go head to head. Tastytrade from the founders of thinkorswim vs. thinkorswim now under Schwab. Both are best-in-class — the differences will surprise you.
Tastytrade is the top choice for anyone serious about options trading. The free-to-close model alone saves active traders hundreds per month. If you're trading more than 10 options contracts per week, this is your platform.
Open Tastytrade Account →Schwab + thinkorswim is the best combination for traders who also want a full banking relationship. You get a legendary trading platform, checking and savings integration, and institutional research under one roof.
Open Schwab Account →Side-by-Side Comparison
| Tastytrade | Charles Schwab | |
|---|---|---|
| Rating | 4.8★ | 4.4★ |
| Commissions | $1/contract | $0.65/contract |
| Min. Deposit | $0 | $0 |
| Options Trading | ✅ Yes | − |
| Free to Close Options | ✅ Yes | ❌ No |
| Paper Trading | − | − |
| Regulated | FINRA / SIPC | FINRA / SIPC |
Tastytrade — Full Review
Tastytrade was founded by Tom Sosnoff and Tony Battista — the same team that built thinkorswim before selling it to TD Ameritrade. The platform shows its DNA: options analytics are first-class, with probability cones, expected moves, and real-time Greeks displayed prominently. The free-to-close model is transformative for active traders — on a 10-contract position, you save $6.50 every time you close, which adds up to thousands per year. The Follow Feed is a unique social feature that lets you see the live trades of experienced traders in the community. The education library is genuinely deep, covering everything from first options trade to advanced multi-leg strategies.
Charles Schwab — Full Review
Charles Schwab's 2020 acquisition of TD Ameritrade brought the legendary thinkorswim platform under the Schwab umbrella — giving Schwab customers access to one of the most powerful retail trading platforms ever built. thinkorswim's options analysis capabilities (P&L graphs, probability analysis, risk curves) are matched only by Tastytrade's own platform. Schwab's banking integration is best-in-class: the checking account earns interest, reimburses all ATM fees worldwide, and connects seamlessly with the brokerage. The Schwab Intelligent Portfolios robo-advisor is free with no management fee for accounts over $5,000. Fixed income and bond trading capabilities are the strongest of any retail broker.
The Verdict
Choose Tastytrade if active premium selling and free-to-close pricing matter most, or if you want a community of options traders around you.
Open Tastytrade Account →Choose thinkorswim/Schwab if you want a more comprehensive platform with banking integration, and need the deepest technical analysis tools available.
Open Schwab Account →