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Charles Stanley Direct vs Freetrade 2025

StockBrokers.com

Written by StockBrokers.com

April 17, 2025

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.

Charles Stanley Direct
4/5 Stars Overall
  • Minimum Deposit: £0
  • ISA: Yes
  • SIPP: Yes
Freetrade
4/5 Stars Overall
  • Minimum Deposit: £1
  • ISA: Yes
  • SIPP: Yes

Fees

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.

query_stats 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.

Investment Choices

When comparing Charles Stanley Direct and Freetrade, both online brokers offer compelling investment options for UK investors, but with notable differences. While both platforms provide share and ETF trading, Charles Stanley Direct distinguishes itself with a wider array of offerings, including funds, corporate bonds, government bonds (gilts), and investment trusts. This extensive selection positions Charles Stanley Direct well for investors seeking diverse portfolio options, earning it a 5-star rating from UK.StockBrokers.com. In contrast, Freetrade focuses more narrowly on shares, ETFs, and investment trusts, resulting in a 4-star investment choices rating.

Additionally, Charles Stanley Direct offers advisory services, catering to investors who desire expert guidance, whereas Freetrade does not provide this feature, aiming instead at a more self-directed investing audience. Consequently, Charles Stanley Direct is ranked sixth out of 21 brokers for investment choices by UK.StockBrokers.com, while Freetrade holds the seventeenth spot. Neither broker supports crypto trading, spread betting, or CFD trading, aligning with many traditional investor preferences.

Feature Charles Stanley Direct logoCharles Stanley Direct
Freetrade logoFreetrade
Share Trading info Yes Yes
CFD Trading info No No
ETFs info Yes Yes
Funds info Yes No
Bonds - Government (Gilts) info Yes info No
Investment Trusts info Yes Yes
Spread Betting info No No
Crypto Trading info No No
Advisor Services info Yes No
Investment Choices 5/5 Stars 4/5 Stars

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Trading Tools

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 logoCharles Stanley Direct
Freetrade logoFreetrade
Web Platform info Yes Yes
Stock Alerts info Yes Yes
Charting - Indicators / Studies info 14 0
Charting - Drawing Tools info 1 info 0
Charting - Notes info No No
Charting - Display Corporate Events info No No
Charting - Stock Overlays info Yes No
Charting - Index Overlays info Yes No

ISAs and SIPPs

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.

Mobile App

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.

Beginners and Education

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 logoCharles Stanley Direct
Freetrade logoFreetrade
Client Webinars info No No
Client Webinars (Archived) info Yes No
Education (Share Trading) info Yes Yes
Education (Funds) info Yes Yes
Education (Retirement) info Yes Yes
Education 4.5/5 Stars 3.5/5 Stars

Dive deeper: Best UK Trading Platforms for Beginners.

Market Research

For UK investors looking for comprehensive market research tools, Charles Stanley Direct and Freetrade present different offerings. Charles Stanley Direct stands out by providing in-depth research reports for funds, a feature not available with Freetrade. Both platforms allow users to view portfolio allocation by asset class, offering insightful visibility into assets. When it comes to shares and ETFs research, both Charles Stanley Direct and Freetrade offer these tools, catering to those interested in individual stocks and exchange-traded funds. However, while Charles Stanley Direct also includes funds research, Freetrade lacks in this area, potentially limiting options for investors interested in mutual funds. Neither platform offers research for CFDs or bonds, so investors looking for these specific insights may need to explore other resources.

Feature Charles Stanley Direct logoCharles Stanley Direct
Freetrade logoFreetrade
Research - Shares info Yes Yes
Research - CFDs info No No
Research - ETFs info Yes Yes
Research - Bonds info No No
Research - Funds info Yes No
Fund Research - Research Reports info Yes No
Portfolio Allocation Breakdown info Yes Yes

Charles Stanley Direct vs Freetrade Winner

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 logoCharles Stanley Direct
Freetrade logoFreetrade
Overall Rating 4/5 Stars 4/5 Stars
Charges & Fees 4/5 Stars 4.5/5 Stars
Investment Choices 5/5 Stars 4/5 Stars
Mobile App 3.5/5 Stars 4/5 Stars
Website 4/5 Stars 4/5 Stars
Ease of Use 4.5/5 Stars 4.5/5 Stars
Education 4.5/5 Stars 3.5/5 Stars

FAQs

Can you trade cryptocurrency with Charles Stanley Direct or Freetrade?

While both Charles Stanley Direct and Freetrade do not offer crypto trading, they cater to investors seeking traditional investment options.

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Overall Rating Charles Stanley Direct Freetrade
Overall Rating 4/5 Stars 4/5 Stars
Charges & Fees 4/5 Stars 4.5/5 Stars
Investment Choices 5/5 Stars 4/5 Stars
Mobile App 3.5/5 Stars 4/5 Stars
Website 4/5 Stars 4/5 Stars
Ease of Use 4.5/5 Stars 4.5/5 Stars
Education 4.5/5 Stars 3.5/5 Stars
Review Charles Stanley Direct Review Freetrade Review
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Investments Charles Stanley Direct Freetrade
ISA info Yes Yes
SIPP info Yes Yes
Share Trading info Yes Yes
CFD Trading info No No
Funds info Yes No
ETFs info Yes Yes
Bonds - Corporate info Yes No
Bonds - Government (Gilts) info Yes info No
Investment Trusts info Yes Yes
Spread Betting info No No
Crypto Trading info No No
Advisor Services info Yes No
Trading Fees Charles Stanley Direct Freetrade
Minimum Deposit info £0 £1
Share Trading: 0-9 Deals/ Month info £0 - £10 info £0
Share Trading: 10-19 Deals/ Month info £10 £0
Share Trading: 20+ Deals/ Month info £10 £0
5 trades per year (£30k portfolio) info £57.50 £0 (Basic plan), £59.88 (Standard), £119.88 (Plus)
12 trades per year (£30k portfolio) info £138 £0 (Basic plan), £59.88 (Standard), £119.88 (Plus)
36 trades per year (£30k portfolio) info £414 £0 (Basic plan), £59.88 (Standard), £119.88 (Plus)
120 trades per year (£30k portfolio) info £1,380 £0 (Basic plan), £59.88 (Standard), £119.88 (Plus)
3 fund trades per year (£30k portfolio) info £90 - £102 N/A
Annual Custody Fee: £0 - £250,000 info £60 - £600 £0 (Basic plan), £59.88 (Standard), £119.88 (Plus)
Annual Custody Fee: £250K-£500K info £600 £0 (Basic plan), £59.88 (Standard), £119.88 (Plus)
Annual Custody Fee: £500,000 - £1m info £600 £0 (Basic plan), £59.88 (Standard), £119.88 (Plus)
Annual Custody Fee: £1m and over info £600 £0 (Basic plan), £59.88 (Standard), £119.88 (Plus)
Bonds - Corporate - Fee info £25 N/A
Bonds - Government (Gilts) - Fee info £25 info N/A
ETFs - Fee info £10 info £0
Investment Trusts - Fee info £10 £0
Telephone Dealing Fee info £25 minimum N/A
Broker Screenshots Charles Stanley Direct Freetrade
Website Gallery (click to expand)
Home page of the Freetrade website. Discover tab of the Freetrade web platform. Discover by sector on the Freetrade web platform. A chart of Barclays share price on the Freetrade web platform.
Mobile Trading Apps Gallery (click to expand)
Showing the overall stats of a BP stock on the Freetrade mobile app. Discover tab for searching symbols on the Freetrade mobile app. A breakdown of total portfolio allocation on the Freetrade mobile app. A chart of L'Oréal stock price on the Freetrade mobile app. The trade ticket for purchasing shares of L'Oréal stock on the Freetrade mobile app.
Education Gallery (click to expand)
Platforms & Tools Charles Stanley Direct Freetrade
Web Platform info Yes Yes
iPhone App info Yes Yes
Android App info Yes Yes
Stock Alerts info Yes Yes
Charting - Indicators / Studies info 14 0
Charting - Drawing Tools info 1 info 0
Charting - Notes info No No
Charting - Display Corporate Events info No No
Charting - Stock Overlays info Yes No
Charting - Index Overlays info Yes No
Research Charles Stanley Direct Freetrade
Research - Shares info Yes Yes
Research - CFDs info No No
Research - Funds info Yes No
Fund Research - Research Reports info Yes No
Research - ETFs info Yes Yes
Research - Bonds info No No
Portfolio Allocation Breakdown info Yes Yes
Education Charles Stanley Direct Freetrade
Education (Share Trading) info Yes Yes
Education (Funds) info Yes Yes
Education (Retirement) info Yes Yes
Client Webinars info No No
Client Webinars (Archived) info Yes No
Overall Summary Charles Stanley Direct Freetrade
Overall Rating 4/5 Stars 4/5 Stars
Charges & Fees 4/5 Stars 4.5/5 Stars
Investment Choices 5/5 Stars 4/5 Stars
Mobile App 3.5/5 Stars 4/5 Stars
Website 4/5 Stars 4/5 Stars
Ease of Use 4.5/5 Stars 4.5/5 Stars
Education 4.5/5 Stars 3.5/5 Stars
Review Charles Stanley Direct Review Freetrade Review
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