Schwab Mobile 4+

Highly functional with a dated look

I’ve been using this app for over a decade and have experienced all the versions of it since. I can say, hands down, this is highly functional, reliable, mobile banking app with all the stock trading power you could ask for in the palm of your hand. I can tell you Schwab has Leo their app competitive with all the mobile banking functionality you would expect any bank to offer, plus the added power and flexibility of stock trading that also keeps up with the best of the industry players.

That being said, with all efforts for functional upkeep, it seems the user interface has taken a backseat as of late. Nowadays, the dark color-themed user interfaces are king on mobile Apps and most software in general, and they seemingly take advantage of high-contrast design with vibrant interactive dashboards. The Schwab app is uninspiring comprised of mostly white, light grey, or beige color schemes with a few static bar charts that look straight out of Windows 2000 - frozen in time.

Overall, the user interface has really begun to look aged and frankly, more than a bit out of date. For such an amazingly powerful mobile banking app, the user interface (UI) just feels lacking and could benefit from a major visual overhaul - One that helps to better position Schwab as a leader of online mobile banking and information technology space. A banking app for the future.

New version is terrible

I e been a long time customer and user of this app on both iPhone and iPad. The old version worked flawlessly. The new version is terrible! First, it cannot maintain connection reliably over 1 minutes. This results in screen freezes, errors displayed - but worse is that orders are either not placed or duplicated. Schwab won’t honor these software mistakes. Furthermore, quotes are inconsistent and often wrong or severely delayed. When I say inconsistent, portfolio may say one current price, while order screen shows another and watchlist yet a third! Speaking of watchlists - they revamped them to “improve” but they ended up making almost unusable. You no longer change position of symbol in watchlist. Basically all you can do is delete and re-add from “edit”. Terrible. Old lists lock up after a couple of refreshes. New list often stop working with “oops - something went wrong”. Forcing you to end the app and re-login. Whoever does software testing for this app should be fired! It’s definitely not ready for prime time. It will fail on you during the most critical times that will often cost you real money! After more than 25 years with Schwab, this new version will probably FORCE me to go to another company.

Developer Response ,

Hi LimpopoTexas - We’re sorry to hear about your poor experience. We’d like a chance to
try and assist with resolving the issues you have had with us. Please give us a call at 800-435-4000.

Excellent company & customer service

I opened a checking and savings account in 2009 after my son advised me that Schwab received the Number One ratings in 2008 and 2009. I was very hesitant to change checking accounts, as I had been with my locally owned bank since I was 14 years of age. After researching all of the benefits of “no cost” Investor Checking & Savings accounts I made the change. It sounded too good to be true. The benefits are incredible and I’m still surprised there are no charges for any of these benefits. And, the Customer Service Representatives are the best I’ve ever experienced in any business relationship. The Representatives are extremely knowledgeable in all areas and I’ve never been transferred to another individual to get my issue handled. Specifically, when my son lived in Tokyo, Japan for three years and I had to make multiple international transfers for him I never experienced any difficulties. Nor did he on the receiving end. Over the past 11 years anytime the subject of banking arises I always recommend Charles Schwab and take time to explain the outstanding account benefits and Customer Service. I’m still impressed! Keep up the great work.