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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 the investment choices available through Charles Stanley Direct and Freetrade, UK investors find a variety of options with both online brokers. Charles Stanley Direct offers extensive trading possibilities, including shares, ETFs, funds, corporate bonds, government bonds, and investment trusts. Additionally, they provide advisor services for those seeking expert advice. On the other hand, Freetrade offers share trading, ETFs, and investment trusts but lacks options like funds, corporate bonds, and government bonds. Notably, Freetrade does not provide advisor services, appealing more to DIY investors.

In terms of investment choice ranking, UK.StockBrokers.com rates Charles Stanley Direct highly, awarding it 5 stars and ranking it sixth out of 21 brokers. Freetrade, while still a solid option, receives a 4-star rating and is ranked 17th. This difference reflects Charles Stanley Direct's broader range of investment opportunities, appealing to a more diverse set of investment needs compared to Freetrade’s more streamlined offering. Both platforms suit different types of investors depending on whether they require a wider array of investment products or prefer simplicity and ease of use.

Feature Charles Stanley Direct logoCharles Stanley Direct
Freetrade logoFreetrade
Share Trading info Yes Yes
CFD Trading info
ETFs info Yes Yes
Funds info Yes
Bonds - Government (Gilts) info Yes info
Investment Trusts info Yes Yes
Spread Betting info
Crypto Trading info
Advisor Services info Yes
Investment Choices 5/5 Stars 4/5 Stars

Featured Offers


4.5/5 Stars

Low-cost US and UK shares.

4.5/5 Stars

Professional’s Gateway to the World’s Markets.

Trading Tools

When evaluating trading tools offered by Charles Stanley Direct and Freetrade, it's clear that Charles Stanley Direct provides a more feature-rich experience. For users interested in detailed charting capabilities, Charles Stanley Direct offers 14 technical indicators and a drawing tool for customized analysis, which are not available with Freetrade. Additionally, Charles Stanley Direct supports advanced features like index and stock overlays on charts, enriching the user's ability to gain insights into market trends, whereas Freetrade lacks these options.

Both platforms offer a browser-based trading platform and real-time market data, ensuring users have access to up-to-date information. Moreover, they both allow users to set alerts for stock price updates, keeping investors informed of relevant market changes. While Freetrade provides essential features for trading, Charles Stanley Direct stands out with its comprehensive charting tools, making it a better choice for those who prioritize in-depth analysis.

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
Charting - Display Corporate Events info
Charting - Stock Overlays info Yes
Charting - Index Overlays info Yes

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 beginner investors in the UK, Charles Stanley Direct and Freetrade both offer educational resources on share trading, funds, and retirement, making them suitable options for those starting their investment journey. Charles Stanley Direct distinguishes itself with archived educational webinars available for on-demand viewing, adding a layer of convenience. According to UK.StockBrokers.com, Charles Stanley Direct receives a higher rating of 4.5 stars compared to Freetrade's 3.5 stars for beginner education, reflecting a more favorable user experience. Furthermore, Charles Stanley Direct is ranked 12th among 21 brokers in terms of beginner education, while Freetrade trails behind, ranked at 16th. This makes Charles Stanley Direct generally more favorable for those prioritizing educational support when choosing an online broker.

Feature Charles Stanley Direct logoCharles Stanley Direct
Freetrade logoFreetrade
Client Webinars info
Client Webinars (Archived) info Yes
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 comparing Charles Stanley Direct and Freetrade regarding market research features, both offer solid resources like shares and ETFs research, as well as the ability to view portfolio allocation by asset class. Charles Stanley Direct, however, stands out by providing research reports specifically for funds, a feature that Freetrade lacks. Neither platform offers research for CFDs or bonds. Choose the broker that best fits your needs based on the specific research tools and insights you value for your investment strategy.

Feature Charles Stanley Direct logoCharles Stanley Direct
Freetrade logoFreetrade
Research - Shares info Yes Yes
Research - CFDs info
Research - ETFs info Yes Yes
Research - Bonds info
Research - Funds info Yes
Fund Research - Research Reports info Yes
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?

When comparing online brokers, Charles Stanley Direct does not offer crypto trading, whereas Freetrade allows access to cryptocurrency investments, providing a more diverse option for investors interested in digital assets.

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Compare

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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
Winner check_circle
Investments Charles Stanley Direct Freetrade
ISA info Yes Yes
SIPP info Yes Yes
Share Trading info Yes Yes
CFD Trading info
Funds info Yes
ETFs info Yes Yes
Bonds - Corporate info Yes
Bonds - Government (Gilts) info Yes info
Investment Trusts info Yes Yes
Spread Betting info
Crypto Trading info
Advisor Services info Yes
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)
Mobile Trading Apps Gallery (click to expand)
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
Charting - Display Corporate Events info
Charting - Stock Overlays info Yes
Charting - Index Overlays info Yes
Research Charles Stanley Direct Freetrade
Research - Shares info Yes Yes
Research - CFDs info
Research - Funds info Yes
Fund Research - Research Reports info Yes
Research - ETFs info Yes Yes
Research - Bonds info
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
Client Webinars (Archived) info Yes
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
Winner check_circle
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