Yes, Thinkorswim is available in the UK. Charles Schwab, which took over TD Ameritrade, launched Thinkorswim for UK residents in June 2024. You open a US brokerage account through Schwab’s UK branch and trade US stocks and options on the Thinkorswim platforms.
There are some limits that matter to UK investors: no ISA or SIPP, an account held in the US and no FSCS protection. Below we explain how it works, what it costs and which UK alternatives suit you better if you need a tax wrapper or UK shares.
| Platform | Best for | ISA and SIPP | US stock commission |
| Thinkorswim (Schwab) | Active traders in US stocks and options | No | $0 online |
| Interactive Brokers | Global markets and advanced tools | Yes | $0.005 per share, min. $1 (fixed) |
| Saxo | Advanced investors who want one platform for everything | Yes | From 0.08% |
| eToro | Social investing | ISA only | No commission (other fees may apply) |
Sources: Schwab UK, Interactive Brokers, Saxo and eToro, October 2026.
Is Thinkorswim available in the UK?
Yes. Thinkorswim was created by TD Ameritrade, which Charles Schwab bought in 2020. Schwab moved all TD Ameritrade clients to its own platform by 2024 and kept Thinkorswim as its trading platform for active traders.
In June 2024, Schwab launched Thinkorswim for UK residents. UK clients sign up through Charles Schwab, U.K., Limited, which is authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA), with reference number 225116.
Thinkorswim comes in three versions: a desktop platform, a web platform and a mobile app. All three connect to the same account.
How much does Thinkorswim cost in the UK?
Schwab UK states a US$0 account minimum. Its main prices for UK clients are:
| Product | Online commission |
| US-listed stocks | $0 |
| US options | $0.65 per contract |
| Broker-assisted trades | $25 service charge |
Source: Schwab UK pricing, October 2026. US regulatory fees apply on some trades, such as the FINRA fee on stock sales. Some ETFs may carry a commission, and futures are priced separately.
The account is held in US dollars, so you pay your bank’s or Schwab’s exchange rate when you send pounds. Check the cost of the transfer before you fund the account.
What UK investors should know before opening an account
Your account is held in the US: the account agreement is with Charles Schwab & Co., Inc., the US broker. Schwab UK helps you access it. This means the UK Financial Services Compensation Scheme (FSCS) does not apply. Your account is covered by the US Securities Investor Protection Corporation (SIPC) instead.
No ISA or SIPP: Schwab doesn’t offer UK tax wrappers. Gains above the £3,000 annual allowance are subject to Capital Gains Tax, and dividends above £500 are subject to dividend tax. You report them on your Self Assessment tax return.
US dividend tax: if you complete a W-8BEN form, the US withholds 15% on dividends from US companies under the UK and US tax treaty, instead of 30%.
US-listed ETFs: UK rules restrict retail access to many US-listed ETFs. Check which ETFs you can buy before you choose Schwab for an ETF portfolio.
Tax treatment depends on your individual circumstances and may change.
Can I use a VPN to use Thinkorswim from the UK?
You don’t need one. UK residents can open a Schwab account directly through schwab.co.uk and use Thinkorswim legally. Using a VPN to hide where you live breaks the terms of most brokers and can lead to your account being closed.
Thinkorswim UK alternatives
Thinkorswim is a strong choice for active traders in US stocks and options. If you also want an ISA or a SIPP, UK shares or a UK-regulated account, these platforms are worth comparing.
Interactive Brokers: best for global markets and advanced tools
Interactive Brokers in a nutshell
Interactive Brokers (IBKR) is the closest match to Thinkorswim for advanced traders. Its Trader Workstation (TWS) platform offers advanced charting, options analytics and customisable layouts, and you can trade stocks, ETFs, bonds, funds, options and futures on more than 150 exchanges. Unlike Schwab, IBKR offers a Stocks and Shares ISA and a SIPP.
Interactive Brokers (U.K.) Limited is authorised and regulated by the FCA, with reference number 208159. US stocks cost $0.005 per share with a $1 minimum on fixed pricing, UK shares £3 per trade, and US options up to $0.65 per contract. There is no account minimum, and the ISA has a £3 minimum monthly activity fee.
Saxo: best for one platform for everything
Saxo Bank in a nutshell
Saxo offers two platforms: SaxoInvestor for simple investing and SaxoTrader for advanced trading, with stocks, ETFs, bonds, funds, options, futures and forex. You can invest through a general account, a flexible ISA or a SIPP, and there is no minimum initial funding.
Saxo Capital Markets UK Ltd is authorised and regulated by the FCA, with reference number 551422. Stock commissions start from 0.08%. Saxo also charges a custody fee of 0.12% a year on stocks, ETFs and bonds on the Classic tier, and 0.60% on currency conversion.
eToro: best for social investing
76% of retail CFD accounts lose money.
eToro in a nutshell
eToro is the simplest option on this list. It charges no commission on real stocks and ETFs for UK clients. Other fees may apply. With CopyTrader, you can copy the portfolios of other investors automatically.
UK clients can hold a GBP account with no fee on pound deposits or withdrawals, and eToro offers a Stocks and Shares ISA. The minimum first deposit is $50. eToro (UK) Ltd is authorised and regulated by the FCA.
CFDs are complex instruments and come with a high risk of losing money rapidly due to leverage. 52% of retail investor accounts lose money when trading CFDs with this provider. You should consider whether you understand how CFDs work and whether you can afford to take the high risk of losing your money.
Conclusion
UK residents can use Thinkorswim through Charles Schwab UK, with $0 online commissions on US stocks and $0.65 per options contract. It suits active traders focused on US markets.
The trade-offs are no ISA or SIPP, a US-held account without FSCS protection and access mainly to US products. If you want a tax wrapper or UK shares, Interactive Brokers is the closest alternative for advanced traders, Saxo offers a broad range in one platform and eToro is the easiest to start with.
When investing, your capital is at risk and you may get back less than you invest.
FAQ
Can I open a Schwab account in the UK?
Yes. UK residents can open an account through Charles Schwab, U.K., Limited. The account itself is held with Charles Schwab & Co., Inc. in the US, and Schwab UK states a US$0 account minimum.
Is Thinkorswim free in the UK?
The platform is free to use for Schwab clients, and online US stock trades have no commission. Options cost $0.65 per contract, and regulatory and exchange fees may apply.
Can I hold Thinkorswim in an ISA?
No. Schwab doesn’t offer ISAs or SIPPs. If you want to trade in a tax wrapper, Interactive Brokers, Saxo and eToro offer a Stocks and Shares ISA.
What happened to TD Ameritrade?
Charles Schwab bought TD Ameritrade in 2020 and moved its clients to Schwab by 2024. TD Ameritrade no longer opens accounts, and Thinkorswim is now a Schwab platform.