How to Transfer Between Robinhood and Charles Schwab
As you gain more experience as an investor or need different features over time, you may decide to switch brokerages. One of the most common brokerage transitions is from Robinhood to Charles Schwab and, in some cases, from Charles Schwab to Robinhood.
Robinhood is a popular entry-level brokerage for many investors. One of the first to popularize commission-free trading, Robinhood’s platform is centered around its mobile app, which makes it easy to trade securities on the go. What, then, are some of the common reasons to transfer a Robinhood account to Charles Schwab?
Mutual funds. Robinhood does not offer mutual fund trading, so investors who want access to mutual funds may prefer Charles Schwab.
Account types. Robinhood offers individual, joint, custodial, Traditional IRA, and Roth IRA accounts, but Schwab still has a broader account lineup for investors who need additional account structures. Robinhood does not currently accept ACATS transfers from trust or business accounts.
Education and trading tools. While Robinhood’s educational content and market data have improved, larger brokerages generally provide a broader range of research tools and trading platforms. For example, Schwab offers thinkorswim with advanced charting, screening, and complex options order capabilities, as well as portfolio construction and advisory tools.
With these features and services, why might a Schwab client consider transferring an account to Robinhood?
Low margin rates. Robinhood offers relatively low margin rates compared to many traditional brokers.
Options commissions. Schwab charges $0.65 per options contract, while Robinhood does not charge per-contract commissions for options trades. Active options traders may save on per-contract fees at Robinhood.
Cryptocurrency. Robinhood offers direct cryptocurrency trading in many digital assets. Schwab offers several crypto-related investment choices and is rolling out direct bitcoin and ether trading through Schwab Crypto, but crypto is still handled outside the ACATS securities-transfer process.
There are many reasons an investor might want to move an account, but how is it done? Liquidating all holdings into cash can be time-consuming and may trigger tax consequences. Fortunately, both Robinhood and Schwab support ACATS transfers, which allow many eligible holdings to be moved directly between firms.
Free Charles Schwab Account
Free Robinhood Account
3% deposit match and FREE stock worth up to $200 at Robinhood.
ACATS Overview
Before transferring accounts, it helps to understand how the process works.
The Automated Customer Account Transfer Service (ACATS) allows brokerage accounts to be transferred
electronically without selling most eligible holdings. In short, ACATS transfers securities along with
cost basis information, which helps preserve tax records where applicable.
ACATS can transfer many standard assets such as stocks, ETFs, options, and cash, but keep the following in mind when moving between Schwab and Robinhood:
1. ACATS does not support cryptocurrency transfers, so crypto held at Robinhood cannot be moved to Schwab through ACATS.
2. Robinhood does not accept mutual funds or bonds through ACATS. Futures positions are also held outside the standard ACATS securities-transfer process. These assets held at Schwab generally cannot be transferred into Robinhood and may need to be liquidated or left behind.
Assuming there are no issues with asset eligibility or account setup, most ACATS transfers are completed within about 5 to 7 business days, though some transfers may take longer.
Ready to get started? Let’s look at the process.
Transfer From Robinhood to Charles Schwab
If you want access to more advanced research and trading tools, transferring from
Robinhood to Schwab can be a good option.
All ACATS transfers are initiated with the receiving brokerage. This means that, instead of requesting the transfer at Robinhood, you begin the process with Schwab, and Schwab coordinates the transfer with Robinhood.
Here are the steps:
1. Open a Charles Schwab account. From your Schwab account dashboard, go to the “Move Money” section and choose the option to transfer an account.
2. Select Robinhood as the outgoing firm. Keep in mind:
a. If you have margin at Robinhood, your Schwab account must be approved for margin to receive margin positions.
b. Crypto cannot be moved through ACATS, so it must be excluded from the ACATS request, moved separately where supported, or liquidated.
3. Enter your Robinhood account number and choose whether to complete a full or partial transfer. For partial transfers, you will list the specific assets to be moved.
4. Review your information, confirm account details and tax information, and submit the transfer request.
Note – Robinhood charges a $100 transfer-out fee for full and partial ACATS transfers. Schwab may reimburse transfer fees for qualifying transfers, depending on account size and promotional terms.
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How Long Does a Transfer From Robinhood to Schwab Take?
After your Schwab account is open, ACATS transfers from Robinhood to Schwab commonly take about 5 to 7 business days once the request is submitted. Delays can occur if there are asset eligibility issues or errors in the transfer request.
Transfer From Schwab to Robinhood
If you want access to Robinhood’s crypto trading, low per-contract options costs, or app-based experience, you can transfer a Schwab account into Robinhood. The process is similar to moving assets into Schwab.
Robinhood supports ACATS transfers of stocks, ETFs, cash, and options that
expire more than seven days out. Margin balances and open short positions can be transferred only into a margin-enabled Robinhood account. Assets that Robinhood does not accept through ACATS, such as mutual funds and bonds, cannot be transferred in.
Robinhood Promotion
3% deposit match and FREE stock worth up to $200 at Robinhood.
Instructions
Once your Robinhood account is open,
you can initiate the transfer from within the app:
1. In the app, open your main account menu and select “Transfers.”
2. Select “Transfer Accounts in.”
3. Choose Charles Schwab from the list of brokerages.
4. Follow the prompts to enter your Schwab account details and select whether to complete a full or partial transfer. If you select a full transfer but hold unsupported assets, the request may be rejected, so unsupported positions should be excluded or liquidated beforehand.
Note – Schwab charges $50 for a full outgoing transfer of assets and $0 for a partial outgoing transfer of assets. Robinhood reimburses up to $75 of an outside brokerage’s transfer fee for eligible transfers of $7,500 or more into Robinhood.
How Long Does a Transfer From Schwab to Robinhood Take?
After your Robinhood account is open, ACATS transfers from Schwab to Robinhood generally take about 5 to 7 business days. Actual timing can vary depending on asset eligibility and whether any issues arise during processing.
Updated on 6/29/2026.
Arthur Chachuna is a professional personal finance blogger, and the owner of Brokerage-Review.com.
He has been an avid investor for 25 years, and has a background in both applied math and programming.
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