Learn to Trade
Review

A robust, free trading education platform from a trusted brokerage, ideal for hands-on beginners and intermediate traders

Easy
  • Last updated 14/06/2025
by Charles Schwab

What you'll learn ? Overview

Charles Schwab's Learn to Trade isn't your typical online course with modules to complete. Instead, it's a comprehensive educational ecosystem that we found refreshingly practical during our review. The platform offers an expanding library covering technical and fundamental analysis, strategies for equities and derivatives, and risk management fundamentals.

What caught our attention was Schwab Coaching™, where you observe trading professionals demonstrate concepts in real-time. Unlike pre-recorded courses, these live sessions let you ask questions and see how pros navigate actual market conditions (we appreciated this transparency).

The program also features Schwab Network™, which streams real-time market insights directly through the thinkorswim desktop and mobile platforms. This integration means you're learning while staying connected to live market movements, not theoretical scenarios from months ago.

We spent considerable time exploring the platform tutorials, particularly for thinkorswim. While the sheer volume of content can feel overwhelming initially, the organization by skill level helps newcomers find their footing. Advanced traders might find the core content basic, but the platform-specific tutorials and live coaching sessions still offer value.

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Is this course for you?

👉

Prior experience needed

Beginner (No Prior Experience Needed)

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Time commitment

light Light (1–5 Hours/Week)

👉

Learning style

Hybrid (Mix Of Pre-Recorded Lessons & Live Workshops)

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Goal

Learn A New Skill

Best suited for:

Self-motivated beginners and intermediate traders seeking quality education without upfront costs, particularly those considering Schwab as their broker

Instructor

Charles Schwab

Pioneering Investment Services Magnate Legitimacy Score: 10/10
Charles Schwab, founder and chairman of The Charles Schwab Corporation, revolutionized the investment services industry by making investing more accessible and affordable for individual investors. With a career spanning over five decades, Schwab has been instrumental in democratizing investment through innovations like discount brokerage services, 24/7 access, and online trading platforms. His company manages around $7.8 trillion in client assets, serving 32.5 million accounts, solidifying its position as the nation's largest publicly traded investment services firm.
Schwab's journey began in 1971 when he founded the San Francisco-based Charles Schwab Corporation. In 1974, he pioneered the discount brokerage business, offering a combination of low prices and efficient order executions. He served as CEO for most of the company's history until 2008 and continues as Chairman. Schwab has also chaired Charles Schwab Bank and served on various investment company boards. His expertise extends beyond business, having chaired the President's Advisory Council on Financial Literacy in 2008, showcasing his commitment to financial education.
• Golden Plate Award of the American Academy of Achievement (1989)
• Named "King of Online Brokers" by Forbes magazine (1997)
• Financial Innovation Award from The Museum of American Finance (2016)
• Inducted into the Junior Achievement U.S. Business Hall of Fame (1982)
• Authored several bestselling investment books, including "Invested" (2019)
• Grew Charles Schwab Corporation to manage $7.8 trillion in client assets
• Pioneered discount brokerage services, revolutionizing the investment industry
• Co-founded The Charles and Helen Schwab Foundation, supporting various charitable causes
• Frequent speaker at financial industry conferences and events
• Guest on CNBC's "Mad Money" with Jim Cramer
• Appeared on Bloomberg TV to discuss market trends and financial literacy
• Keynote speaker at Stanford Graduate School of Business events
• Participated in the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland
• Featured speaker at the Milken Institute Global Conference
Charles Schwab maintains a modest digital footprint, primarily through the official Charles Schwab Corporation channels. The company's social media accounts regularly share market insights, financial education content, and company updates. Schwab himself occasionally features in company videos and statements, particularly on topics related to financial literacy and market commentary.

Course Details

  • ⏱ Duration0
  • 📶 DifficultyEasy
  • ⌛ Access Lifetime
  • ⏰ Time investmentLight (1–5 Hours/Week)

🧠 Prerequisites

None required, suitable for complete beginners


💻 Requirements

Internet-enabled device, reliable connection for streaming content


💸 Hidden Costs

No costs for educational content. Trading requires funded account and capital at risk


🙋‍♂️ Support Options

Live chat during webcasts, customer service support for technical issues

Course content

  • Module 1: Trading Fundamentals - Market basics, order types, risk management principles, understanding different asset classes
  • Module 2: Technical Analysis - Chart reading, indicators (MACD, RSI, Moving Averages), pattern recognition, trend analysis
  • Module 3: Fundamental Analysis - Company financials, economic indicators, industry analysis, valuation methods
  • Module 4: Platform Mastery - Thinkorswim tutorials, StreetSmart Edge walkthroughs, mobile app navigation, paper trading setup
  • Module 5: Derivatives Trading - Options basics, strategies for equities and derivatives, Greeks, risk management for options
  • Module 6: Live Coaching Sessions - Real-time market analysis, trade execution demonstrations, Q&A with professionals, strategy implementation
  • Module 7: Market Commentary - Schwab Network™ integration, daily market updates, economic event analysis, sector rotations
  • Module 8: Portfolio Management - Asset allocation, diversification strategies, rebalancing techniques, long-term planning

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Feedbacks

Overall sentiment

Users consistently praise Schwab's educational offerings for their practical approach and zero-cost accessibility, though the company's broader customer service reputation creates mixed feelings.

Praised points

  • Comprehensive free resources covering everything from basics to advanced strategies
  • Live coaching sessions that demonstrate real-world trading scenarios
  • No aggressive upselling or misleading promises about guaranteed profits

Criticisms

  • Content volume can overwhelm beginners without clear learning paths
  • Platform-specific focus on thinkorswim might not translate to other brokers
  • Limited advanced algorithmic trading content for experienced traders

Testimonials

"The coaching sessions helped me execute my first trades with confidence, seeing professionals work in real-time made the difference."

"No hidden fees or pressure to upgrade, just solid educational content that actually teaches you something useful."

"Content feels beginner-friendly without being condescending, though I wish there were clearer learning paths."

"The thinkorswim tutorials alone saved me hours of trial and error, worth checking out even if you use another broker."

"Would appreciate more advanced options strategies, but for free education, this exceeds expectations."

Social insights

Reddit discussions on r/stocks and r/investing frequently recommend Schwab's educational resources, particularly for beginners. Users appreciate the practical demonstrations but note that some content subtly promotes Schwab's services (expected from broker-provided education).

Video review

Marketing Analysis

Claim Verification

Schwab promises practical trading education without guaranteeing profits. Our review confirms they deliver quality educational content that matches these modest, realistic claims.

Price History

Core educational resources have remained free since inception

Upsell Practices

Optional paid workshops ($299+) for structured learning. Primary "upsell" is opening a Schwab brokerage account

Student Success

No inflated success claims or income promises found. Success stories focus on increased confidence and knowledge rather than specific profit figures

Platform & Delivery

Learning Platform

Schwab website and integrated thinkorswim platform. Clean interface, though navigation can be challenging due to content volume

Content Accessibility

On-demand videos, downloadable guides, archived webcasts available for replay

Mobile Compatibility

Full mobile access through responsive website and dedicated Schwab/thinkorswim apps

Technical Requirements

Standard broadband connection, modern browser, no special software required for educational content

Red flags check

😬

Complaints

No significant complaints about the educational content itself. Most negative feedback targets Schwab's brokerage services, customer support wait times, and account management issues.

😬

Refund policy issues

Not applicable (content is free)

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Marketing practices

Refreshingly transparent with no promises of guaranteed profits or get-rich-quick schemes. Educational content clearly states risks involved in trading.

😬

Community feedback

Investment forums consistently praise the educational value while acknowledging the inherent goal of converting learners into Schwab clients.

Is this course legit?

Value For Money

Exceptional value for free content that rivals many paid courses. The quality and depth of material, combined with live coaching access, makes this one of the best free trading education resources available.

Conclusion

After thorough testing, we can confirm Charles Schwab's Learn to Trade platform is legitimate and valuable. It's not a structured course but rather a comprehensive educational library backed by a major financial institution. The integration of TD Ameritrade's thinkorswim educational content has created one of the most robust free learning ecosystems in the industry.

While the company faces criticism for its broader customer service (reflected in the 1.6 Trustpilot rating), the educational content itself maintains high standards. Yes, there's an inherent goal to convert learners into Schwab clients, but this doesn't compromise the quality or honesty of the education provided.

For anyone starting their trading journey or looking to enhance their skills without financial commitment, Schwab's resources offer exceptional value. Just be prepared to navigate through extensive content and understand that some materials naturally highlight Schwab's platforms and services.

FAQs about this course

Yes, the vast majority of educational resources including articles, videos, and webcasts are completely free. Optional paid workshops start at $299 for more structured learning.

Most educational content is accessible without an account, though platform-specific tutorials and some live events may require registration.

There's no fixed duration since it's a resource library rather than a linear course. You can learn at your own pace, spending as little as a few hours per week.

The focus is primarily on traditional assets like stocks, options, and ETFs. Cryptocurrency coverage is limited compared to traditional securities.

Instructors are experienced Schwab trading professionals, though specific individual credentials aren't detailed on the website.

No formal certification is offered since this is an open educational resource rather than a structured certification program.

Yes, content is continuously updated with new webcasts, market commentary, and educational materials added regularly.

The free content rivals many courses costing hundreds or thousands of dollars, particularly for beginners and intermediate traders. Advanced traders might need specialized paid programs.

While platform tutorials are Schwab-specific, the core trading concepts apply universally to any broker.

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Learn to Trade screenshot
Learn to Trade Review
$ 0
Total score: 8,8/10 ⭐
  • Duration0
  • DifficultyEasy
  • Release Date06/2025
  • Format Self-Paced
  • AccessLifetime
  • Time InvestmentLight (1–5 Hours/Week)
  • Payment Options One-Time
  • LanguageEnglish
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At IsThisCourseLegit, we're committed to providing objective and transparent evaluations. Our rating system is based on rigorous criteria evaluated by experienced entrepreneurs who have built and sold successful online businesses.

Our Rating System

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Learn to Trade Review