Written by StockBrokers.com
In this head to head comparison of AJ Bell vs Charles Stanley Direct, we will compare the trading platforms, mobile apps, investment options, costs, market research, and more. Let's dive in.
Your capital is at risk.
Alongside the cost per trade, most UK online brokers also charge a monthly, quarterly, or annual management fee, which varies based on the account type and balance. Based on our thorough review, AJ Bell offers better pricing than Charles Stanley Direct for share dealing.
Assuming a £30,000 portfolio size, here are the total annual costs for share dealing with both brokers, given different monthly activity scenarios.
5 trades per year - AJ Bell would cost £100 per year, while Charles Stanley Direct would cost £57.50 per year.
12 trades per year - AJ Bell would cost £135 per year, while Charles Stanley Direct would cost £138 per year.
36 trades per year - AJ Bell would cost £255 per year, while Charles Stanley Direct would cost £414 per year.
120 trades per year - AJ Bell would cost £495 per year, while Charles Stanley Direct would cost £1,380 per year.
3 fund trades per year - AJ Bell would cost £0 per year, while Charles Stanley Direct would cost £0 per year.
What type of trader are you?
New to the world of investing? See our picks for the Best UK Trading Platforms for Beginners. More experienced traders should read our guide to the Best UK Trading Platforms for Active Traders.
When comparing AJ Bell to Charles Stanley Direct, both online brokers offer a comprehensive range of investment choices for UK investors. Each platform provides options for share trading, ETFs, funds, corporate bonds, government bonds (gilts), and investment trusts, ensuring a broad selection for their clients. However, neither broker supports crypto trading, spread betting, or CFD trading. Notably, Charles Stanley Direct sets itself apart by offering advisor services, which may appeal to investors seeking professional guidance, whereas AJ Bell does not provide this service.
In terms of market recognition, both AJ Bell and Charles Stanley Direct receive a perfect five-star rating for their investment offerings from UK.StockBrokers.com. Despite sharing top marks, AJ Bell holds a slightly higher position, ranking 5th out of 21 brokers, compared to Charles Stanley Direct's 6th place. This slight edge could be a deciding factor for investors prioritizing varying rankings in their decision-making process.
| Feature |
AJ Bell
|
Charles Stanley Direct
|
|---|---|---|
| Share Trading | Yes | Yes |
| CFD Trading | ||
| ETFs | Yes | Yes |
| Funds | Yes | Yes |
| Bonds - Government (Gilts) | Yes | Yes |
| Investment Trusts | Yes | Yes |
| Spread Betting | ||
| Crypto Trading | ||
| Advisor Services | Yes | |
| Investment Choices |
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Low-cost US and UK shares.
Professional’s Gateway to the World’s Markets.
When it comes to comparing AJ Bell and Charles Stanley Direct's trading tools, AJ Bell offers a more comprehensive charting experience. AJ Bell allows users to display corporate events such as earnings, splits, and dividends directly on charts, an option not explicitly stated by Charles Stanley Direct. Additionally, AJ Bell excels in providing charting versatility with eight drawing tools and 31 technical indicators, whereas Charles Stanley Direct only includes one drawing tool and 14 technical indicators. Both platforms enable the addition of index and stock overlays to charts, which enriches the user's ability to visualize data trends.
Both AJ Bell and Charles Stanley Direct offer user-friendly browser-based trading platforms with real-time market data, ensuring timely and efficient trading experiences. They also allow traders to create alerts for stock price updates, keeping users informed of market movements. Overall, while both platforms provide essential trading tools, AJ Bell stands out with a richer set of features for chart analysis, appealing to traders who prioritise advanced charting capabilities.
| Feature |
AJ Bell
|
Charles Stanley Direct
|
|---|---|---|
| Web Platform | Yes | Yes |
| Stock Alerts | Yes | Yes |
| Charting - Indicators / Studies | 31 | 14 |
| Charting - Drawing Tools | 8 | 1 |
| Charting - Notes | ||
| Charting - Display Corporate Events | Yes | |
| Charting - Stock Overlays | Yes | Yes |
| Charting - Index Overlays | Yes | Yes |
When comparing the retirement account options available through AJ Bell and Charles Stanley Direct, both brokers in the UK offer Individual Savings Accounts (ISAs) and Self-Invested Personal Pensions (SIPPs). This means that investors seeking to grow their savings tax-efficiently or manage their pensions with flexibility have the advantage of choosing either AJ Bell or Charles Stanley Direct, depending on their specific needs and preferences. With both options providing these popular retirement accounts, UK investors can find a suitable match for their financial goals.
Dive deeper: Best SIPP Providers, Best Stocks and Shares ISA Providers.
When comparing the mobile app offerings of AJ Bell and Charles Stanley Direct, both brokers provide apps for iPhone and Android users. However, AJ Bell stands out with a higher user satisfaction, receiving a 4.5-star rating from UK.StockBrokers.com, while Charles Stanley Direct follows with a 3.5-star rating. In terms of overall rankings for mobile apps among 21 brokers, AJ Bell holds a respectable 9th position, significantly ahead of Charles Stanley Direct, which is placed at 20th. This suggests that AJ Bell users generally experience a more favorable mobile app performance compared to those using Charles Stanley Direct.
Dive deeper: Best Stock Trading Apps UK.
When comparing AJ Bell and Charles Stanley Direct for beginner investor educational resources in the UK, both online brokers offer valuable learning opportunities. AJ Bell provides educational client webinars that can also be accessed on demand, covering essential topics such as share trading, funds, and retirement planning. Charles Stanley Direct similarly offers educational webinars with on-demand availability and diverse topics. According to UK.StockBrokers.com, AJ Bell receives a top-notch rating of 5 stars for beginner education, ranking 5th out of 21 brokers, while Charles Stanley Direct earns a slightly lower rating of 4.5 stars and is ranked 12th. This highlights AJ Bell as a slightly stronger choice for beginners seeking comprehensive educational resources.
| Feature |
AJ Bell
|
Charles Stanley Direct
|
|---|---|---|
| Client Webinars | Yes | |
| Client Webinars (Archived) | Yes | Yes |
| Education (Share Trading) | Yes | Yes |
| Education (Funds) | Yes | Yes |
| Education (Retirement) | Yes | Yes |
| Education |
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|
Dive deeper: Best UK Trading Platforms for Beginners.
When comparing the market research features of AJ Bell and Charles Stanley Direct, both platforms provide ample resources for investors in the UK. AJ Bell and Charles Stanley Direct offer comprehensive research reports for funds, shares, and ETFs, helping investors make informed decisions. Both platforms also allow users to view portfolio allocation by asset class, adding another layer of insight into investment strategies. While AJ Bell additionally provides research on bonds, neither platform offers research on CFDs. Ultimately, AJ Bell and Charles Stanley Direct are well-equipped to cater to investors looking for extensive market insights, with AJ Bell offering a slight edge in bond research.
| Feature |
AJ Bell
|
Charles Stanley Direct
|
|---|---|---|
| Research - Shares | Yes | Yes |
| Research - CFDs | ||
| Research - ETFs | Yes | Yes |
| Research - Bonds | Yes | |
| Research - Funds | Yes | Yes |
| Fund Research - Research Reports | Yes | Yes |
| Portfolio Allocation Breakdown | Yes | Yes |
Which broker is better overall, AJ Bell or Charles Stanley Direct? After collecting more than 900 data points over a 10-week period, we found AJ Bell to be a better trading platform overall.
You can invest in an extensive range of investments through AJ Bell. Charges are on the high side for those with large portfolios in mutual funds and those looking to execute one-off share deals; but its new app, called Dodl, offers much lower fees and also offers a more slim-lined and user-friendly service. Educational and research materials are strong, too.
| Feature |
AJ Bell
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Charles Stanley Direct
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Both AJ Bell and Charles Stanley Direct currently do not offer cryptocurrency trading options.
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0 of 5| Overall Rating | AJ Bell | Charles Stanley Direct | |
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| Review | AJ Bell Review | Charles Stanley Direct Review | |
| Winner | check_circle |
| Investments | AJ Bell | Charles Stanley Direct | |
|---|---|---|---|
| ISA | Yes | Yes | |
| SIPP | Yes | Yes | |
| Share Trading | Yes | Yes | |
| CFD Trading | |||
| Funds | Yes | Yes | |
| ETFs | Yes | Yes | |
| Bonds - Corporate | Yes | Yes | |
| Bonds - Government (Gilts) | Yes | Yes | |
| Investment Trusts | Yes | Yes | |
| Spread Betting | |||
| Crypto Trading | |||
| Advisor Services | Yes |
| Trading Fees | AJ Bell | Charles Stanley Direct | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Minimum Deposit | £0 | £0 | |
| Share Trading: 0-9 Deals/ Month | £5 | £0 - £10 | |
| Share Trading: 10-19 Deals/ Month | £3.50 | £10 | |
| Share Trading: 20+ Deals/ Month | £3.50 | £10 | |
| 5 trades per year (£30k portfolio) | £100 | £57.50 | |
| 12 trades per year (£30k portfolio) | £135 | £138 | |
| 36 trades per year (£30k portfolio) | £255 | £414 | |
| 120 trades per year (£30k portfolio) | £495 | £1,380 | |
| 3 fund trades per year (£30k portfolio) | £79.50 | £90 - £102 | |
| Annual Custody Fee: £0 - £250,000 | £0 - £625 | £60 - £600 | |
| Annual Custody Fee: £250K-£500K | £625 - £875 | £600 | |
| Annual Custody Fee: £500,000 - £1m | £875 | £600 | |
| Annual Custody Fee: £1m and over | £875 | £600 | |
| Bonds - Corporate - Fee | £5 | £25 | |
| Bonds - Government (Gilts) - Fee | £5 | £25 | |
| ETFs - Fee | £5 | £10 | |
| Investment Trusts - Fee | £5 | £10 | |
| Telephone Dealing Fee | £25 | £25 minimum |
| Broker Screenshots | AJ Bell | Charles Stanley Direct | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Website Gallery (click to expand) |
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| Mobile Trading Apps Gallery (click to expand) |
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| Education Gallery (click to expand) |
| Platforms & Tools | AJ Bell | Charles Stanley Direct | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Web Platform | Yes | Yes | |
| iPhone App | Yes | Yes | |
| Android App | Yes | Yes | |
| Stock Alerts | Yes | Yes | |
| Charting - Indicators / Studies | 31 | 14 | |
| Charting - Drawing Tools | 8 | 1 | |
| Charting - Notes | |||
| Charting - Display Corporate Events | Yes | ||
| Charting - Stock Overlays | Yes | Yes | |
| Charting - Index Overlays | Yes | Yes |
| Research | AJ Bell | Charles Stanley Direct | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Research - Shares | Yes | Yes | |
| Research - CFDs | |||
| Research - Funds | Yes | Yes | |
| Fund Research - Research Reports | Yes | Yes | |
| Research - ETFs | Yes | Yes | |
| Research - Bonds | Yes | ||
| Portfolio Allocation Breakdown | Yes | Yes |
| Education | AJ Bell | Charles Stanley Direct | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Education (Share Trading) | Yes | Yes | |
| Education (Funds) | Yes | Yes | |
| Education (Retirement) | Yes | Yes | |
| Client Webinars | Yes | ||
| Client Webinars (Archived) | Yes | Yes |
| Overall Summary | AJ Bell | Charles Stanley Direct | |
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| Review | AJ Bell Review | Charles Stanley Direct Review | |
| Winner | check_circle |
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