Written by StockBrokers.com
In this head to head comparison of Charles Stanley Direct vs Freetrade, 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, Freetrade 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 - Charles Stanley Direct would cost £57.50 per year, while Freetrade would cost £0 (Basic plan), £59.88 (Standard), £119.88 (Plus) per year.
12 trades per year - Charles Stanley Direct would cost £138 per year, while Freetrade would cost £0 (Basic plan), £59.88 (Standard), £119.88 (Plus) per year.
36 trades per year - Charles Stanley Direct would cost £414 per year, while Freetrade would cost £0 (Basic plan), £59.88 (Standard), £119.88 (Plus) per year.
120 trades per year - Charles Stanley Direct would cost £1,380 per year, while Freetrade would cost £0 (Basic plan), £59.88 (Standard), £119.88 (Plus) per year.
3 fund trades per year - Charles Stanley Direct would cost £0 per year, while Freetrade would cost £1 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.
Charles Stanley Direct and Freetrade both provide UK investors with the ability to trade shares and exchange-traded funds (ETFs), reflecting their appeal to those looking for straightforward investment options. However, Charles Stanley Direct stands out with additional offerings, including funds, corporate bonds, and government bonds (gilts), alongside investment trusts. This wider range of choices, complemented by advisor services, caters to investors seeking diverse portfolio opportunities and expert guidance, leading to its impressive 5-star rating for investment choices from UK.StockBrokers.com.
Freetrade, on the other hand, appeals to investors who prioritize simplicity and accessible investing, especially for those not requiring the breadth of options available with Charles Stanley Direct. While it doesn't provide as many options in funds or bonds, Freetrade supports the trading of shares, ETFs, and investment trusts, earning a solid 4-star rating for investment choices. This streamlined approach places it at 17 out of 21 brokers evaluated by UK.StockBrokers.com, a reflection of its growing but more focused portfolio offerings compared to the more comprehensive selection found with Charles Stanley Direct, ranked at 6.
| Feature |
Charles Stanley Direct
|
Freetrade
|
|---|---|---|
| Share Trading | Yes | Yes |
| CFD Trading | No | No |
| ETFs | Yes | Yes |
| Funds | Yes | No |
| Bonds - Government (Gilts) | Yes | No |
| Investment Trusts | Yes | Yes |
| Spread Betting | No | No |
| Crypto Trading | No | No |
| Advisor Services | Yes | No |
| Investment Choices |
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Low-cost US and UK shares.
Professional’s Gateway to the World’s Markets.
When comparing the trading tools of Charles Stanley Direct and Freetrade for UK investors, Charles Stanley Direct emerges ahead in several key areas. While neither platform offers the ability to display corporate events on charts or add notes, Charles Stanley Direct provides a minor edge with the availability of one drawing tool, compared to Freetrade's absence of such tools. Moreover, Charles Stanley Direct impressively includes 14 technical indicators for chart analysis, whereas Freetrade offers none. Although both platforms support browser-based trading and allow users to set alerts for stock price updates, Charles Stanley Direct offers enhanced customization by enabling index and stock overlays on charts, a feature Freetrade lacks.
Both Charles Stanley Direct and Freetrade serve investors seeking real-time market data, making them effective platforms for timely trading decisions. However, for those looking to leverage more charting capabilities, Charles Stanley Direct offers a broader toolkit, meeting the needs of investors who value comprehensive technical insights. In contrast, Freetrade's simpler approach may appeal to those prioritizing straightforward, no-frills trading without the need for extensive chart analysis options. Overall, the choice hinges on whether users value advanced charting features or prefer a simpler platform experience.
| Feature |
Charles Stanley Direct
|
Freetrade
|
|---|---|---|
| Web Platform | Yes | Yes |
| Stock Alerts | Yes | Yes |
| Charting - Indicators / Studies | 14 | 0 |
| Charting - Drawing Tools | 1 | 0 |
| Charting - Notes | No | No |
| Charting - Display Corporate Events | No | No |
| Charting - Stock Overlays | Yes | No |
| Charting - Index Overlays | Yes | No |
When comparing Charles Stanley Direct and Freetrade for UK investors looking to plan for retirement, both platforms offer Individual Savings Accounts (ISAs) and Self-Invested Personal Pensions (SIPPs), making them suitable options for saving on taxes and growing your pension pot. Charles Stanley Direct provides a comprehensive approach, supporting users with a range of resources, while Freetrade appeals to investors seeking a sleek, user-friendly experience through its mobile app. Each platform caters to different investment styles, allowing individuals to choose the best fit for their retirement needs. Whether you prefer a more traditional interface or an app-centered experience, both Charles Stanley Direct and Freetrade deliver essential retirement account options to UK investors.
Dive deeper: Best SIPP Providers, Best Stocks and Shares ISA Providers.
When comparing Charles Stanley Direct and Freetrade for UK investors primarily seeking mobile app convenience, both brokers offer apps compatible with iPhone and Android devices. However, the user experience and reviews differ. Charles Stanley Direct, with a mobile app rating of 3.5 stars, ranks 20th out of 21 brokers reviewed by UK.StockBrokers.com, indicating room for improvement. In contrast, Freetrade boasts a slightly higher mobile app rating of 4 stars and ranks 12th, reflecting a stronger preference among users for its app experience.
Dive deeper: Best Stock Trading Apps UK.
For UK beginners exploring investment platforms, both Charles Stanley Direct and Freetrade offer educational resources covering share trading, funds, and retirement, making them suitable options for those new to investing. However, Charles Stanley Direct stands out by providing on-demand archived webinars, offering added flexibility for learning at one's own pace—a feature that Freetrade lacks. Rated at 4.5 stars, Charles Stanley Direct is ranked 12th out of 21 brokers for beginner education by UK.StockBrokers.com, surpassing Freetrade, which holds a 3.5-star rating and is ranked 16th. While both platforms offer essential educational content, the additional resources from Charles Stanley Direct give it an edge for those prioritizing comprehensive introductory learning.
| Feature |
Charles Stanley Direct
|
Freetrade
|
|---|---|---|
| Client Webinars | No | No |
| Client Webinars (Archived) | Yes | No |
| 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.
For investors in the UK looking to compare the market research features of Charles Stanley Direct and Freetrade, several key differences and similarities stand out. Charles Stanley Direct provides research reports for funds, whereas Freetrade does not offer this feature. Both platforms allow users to view portfolio allocations by asset class, supporting investor insights into asset distribution. Additionally, both Charles Stanley Direct and Freetrade deliver research on shares and ETFs, enabling users to make informed investment decisions. However, when it comes to funds research, Charles Stanley Direct takes the lead by offering this service, unlike Freetrade. Neither platform supplies research on CFDs, and while it's unclear if Charles Stanley Direct covers bonds, Freetrade does not offer research in this area.
| Feature |
Charles Stanley Direct
|
Freetrade
|
|---|---|---|
| Research - Shares | Yes | Yes |
| Research - CFDs | No | No |
| Research - ETFs | Yes | Yes |
| Research - Bonds | No | |
| Research - Funds | Yes | No |
| Fund Research - Research Reports | Yes | No |
| Portfolio Allocation Breakdown | Yes | Yes |
Which broker is better overall, Charles Stanley Direct or Freetrade? After collecting more than 900 data points over a 10-week period, we found Charles Stanley Direct to be a better trading platform overall.
Charles Stanley Direct allows you to invest in a wide range of products, including stocks and ETFs, using various accounts like tax-advantaged ISAs and SIPPs. However, fees are more expensive than similar platforms, although clients receive £50 worth of credit every six months to bring down the overall trading cost.
| Feature |
Charles Stanley Direct
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Freetrade
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While both Charles Stanley Direct and Freetrade do not offer crypto trading, they cater to investors seeking traditional investment options.
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0 of 5| Overall Rating | Charles Stanley Direct | Freetrade | |
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| Review | Charles Stanley Direct Review | Freetrade Review | |
| Winner | check_circle |
| Investments | Charles Stanley Direct | Freetrade | |
|---|---|---|---|
| ISA | Yes | Yes | |
| SIPP | Yes | Yes | |
| Share Trading | Yes | Yes | |
| CFD Trading | No | No | |
| Funds | Yes | No | |
| ETFs | Yes | Yes | |
| Bonds - Corporate | Yes | No | |
| Bonds - Government (Gilts) | Yes | No | |
| Investment Trusts | Yes | Yes | |
| Spread Betting | No | No | |
| Crypto Trading | |||
| Advisor Services | Yes | No |
| Trading Fees | Charles Stanley Direct | Freetrade | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Minimum Deposit | £0 | £1 | |
| Share Trading: 0-9 Deals/ Month | £0 - £10 | £0 | |
| Share Trading: 10-19 Deals/ Month | £10 | £0 | |
| Share Trading: 20+ Deals/ Month | £10 | £0 | |
| 5 trades per year (£30k portfolio) | £57.50 | £0 (Basic plan), £59.88 (Standard), £119.88 (Plus) | |
| 12 trades per year (£30k portfolio) | £138 | £0 (Basic plan), £59.88 (Standard), £119.88 (Plus) | |
| 36 trades per year (£30k portfolio) | £414 | £0 (Basic plan), £59.88 (Standard), £119.88 (Plus) | |
| 120 trades per year (£30k portfolio) | £1,380 | £0 (Basic plan), £59.88 (Standard), £119.88 (Plus) | |
| 3 fund trades per year (£30k portfolio) | £90 - £102 | N/A | |
| Annual Custody Fee: £0 - £250,000 | £60 - £600 | £0 (Basic plan), £59.88 (Standard), £119.88 (Plus) | |
| Annual Custody Fee: £250K-£500K | £600 | £0 (Basic plan), £59.88 (Standard), £119.88 (Plus) | |
| Annual Custody Fee: £500,000 - £1m | £600 | £0 (Basic plan), £59.88 (Standard), £119.88 (Plus) | |
| Annual Custody Fee: £1m and over | £600 | £0 (Basic plan), £59.88 (Standard), £119.88 (Plus) | |
| Bonds - Corporate - Fee | £25 | N/A | |
| Bonds - Government (Gilts) - Fee | £25 | N/A | |
| ETFs - Fee | £10 | £0 | |
| Investment Trusts - Fee | £10 | £0 | |
| Telephone Dealing Fee | £25 minimum | N/A |
| Broker Screenshots | Charles Stanley Direct | Freetrade | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 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 | Charles Stanley Direct | Freetrade | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Web Platform | Yes | Yes | |
| iPhone App | Yes | Yes | |
| Android App | Yes | Yes | |
| Stock Alerts | Yes | Yes | |
| Charting - Indicators / Studies | 14 | 0 | |
| Charting - Drawing Tools | 1 | 0 | |
| Charting - Notes | No | No | |
| Charting - Display Corporate Events | No | No | |
| Charting - Stock Overlays | Yes | No | |
| Charting - Index Overlays | Yes | No |
| Research | Charles Stanley Direct | Freetrade | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Research - Shares | Yes | Yes | |
| Research - CFDs | No | No | |
| Research - Funds | Yes | No | |
| Fund Research - Research Reports | Yes | No | |
| Research - ETFs | Yes | Yes | |
| Research - Bonds | No | ||
| Portfolio Allocation Breakdown | Yes | Yes |
| Education | Charles Stanley Direct | Freetrade | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Education (Share Trading) | Yes | Yes | |
| Education (Funds) | Yes | Yes | |
| Education (Retirement) | Yes | Yes | |
| Client Webinars | No | No | |
| Client Webinars (Archived) | Yes | No |
| Overall Summary | Charles Stanley Direct | Freetrade | |
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| Review | Charles Stanley Direct Review | Freetrade Review | |
| Winner | check_circle |
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