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.
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.
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
|
Freetrade
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|---|---|---|
| Share Trading | Yes | Yes |
| CFD Trading | ||
| ETFs | Yes | Yes |
| Funds | Yes | |
| Bonds - Government (Gilts) | 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 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
|
Freetrade
|
|---|---|---|
| Web Platform | Yes | Yes |
| Stock Alerts | Yes | Yes |
| Charting - Indicators / Studies | 14 | 0 |
| Charting - Drawing Tools | 1 | 0 |
| Charting - Notes | ||
| Charting - Display Corporate Events | ||
| Charting - Stock Overlays | Yes | |
| Charting - Index Overlays | Yes |
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 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
|
Freetrade
|
|---|---|---|
| Client Webinars | ||
| Client Webinars (Archived) | 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.
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
|
Freetrade
|
|---|---|---|
| Research - Shares | Yes | Yes |
| Research - CFDs | ||
| Research - ETFs | Yes | Yes |
| Research - Bonds | ||
| Research - Funds | Yes | |
| Fund Research - Research Reports | Yes | |
| 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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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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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 | |||
| Funds | Yes | ||
| ETFs | Yes | Yes | |
| Bonds - Corporate | Yes | ||
| Bonds - Government (Gilts) | Yes | ||
| Investment Trusts | Yes | Yes | |
| Spread Betting | |||
| Crypto Trading | |||
| Advisor Services | Yes |
| 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 | |||
| Charting - Display Corporate Events | |||
| Charting - Stock Overlays | Yes | ||
| Charting - Index Overlays | Yes |
| Research | Charles Stanley Direct | Freetrade | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Research - Shares | Yes | Yes | |
| Research - CFDs | |||
| Research - Funds | Yes | ||
| Fund Research - Research Reports | Yes | ||
| Research - ETFs | Yes | Yes | |
| Research - Bonds | |||
| 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 | |||
| Client Webinars (Archived) | Yes |
| Overall Summary | Charles Stanley Direct | Freetrade | |
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| Review | Charles Stanley Direct Review | Freetrade Review | |
| Winner | check_circle |
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