Written by StockBrokers.com
In this head to head comparison of Hargreaves Lansdown vs Charles Stanley Direct, 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, Hargreaves Lansdown 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 - Hargreaves Lansdown would cost £59.75 / £104.75 if in ISA. per year, while Charles Stanley Direct would cost £57.50 per year.
12 trades per year - Hargreaves Lansdown would cost £143.40 / £188.40 if in ISA. per year, while Charles Stanley Direct would cost £138 per year.
36 trades per year - Hargreaves Lansdown would cost £430.20 / £475.20 if in ISA. per year, while Charles Stanley Direct would cost £414 per year.
120 trades per year - Hargreaves Lansdown would cost £1,074 / £1,119 if in ISA. per year, while Charles Stanley Direct would cost £1,380 per year.
3 fund trades per year - Hargreaves Lansdown would cost £1 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.
Both Hargreaves Lansdown and Charles Stanley Direct offer a robust selection of investment choices for those looking to manage their portfolios online. Investors can trade shares, ETFs, funds, corporate bonds, government bonds (gilts), and investment trusts through both platforms, making them versatile options for a range of investment types. While neither platform offers crypto trading or CFD trading, they do provide access to advisory services, ensuring that investors have guidance when needed.
In terms of investment choices, both Hargreaves Lansdown and Charles Stanley Direct are recognized for their comprehensive offerings, each receiving a commendable 5-star rating from UK.StockBrokers.com. However, Hargreaves Lansdown holds a slight edge with a #4 ranking out of 18 brokers in the Investment Choices category, showcasing its prominence in the online brokerage landscape. Both platforms cater to investors seeking diverse investment opportunities without venturing into riskier markets such as crypto or CFDs.
| Feature |
Hargreaves Lansdown
|
Charles Stanley Direct
|
|---|---|---|
| Share Trading | Yes | Yes |
| CFD Trading | No | No |
| ETFs | Yes | Yes |
| Funds | Yes | Yes |
| Bonds - Government (Gilts) | Yes | Yes |
| Investment Trusts | Yes | Yes |
| Spread Betting | No | No |
| Crypto Trading | No | No |
| Advisor Services | Yes | Yes |
| Investment Choices |
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Professional’s Gateway to the World’s Markets.
Low-cost US and UK shares.
When comparing the trading tools of Hargreaves Lansdown and Charles Stanley Direct, several differences and similarities stand out. Hargreaves Lansdown provides a more robust charting experience with the ability to display corporate events such as earnings, splits, and dividends directly on their charts. They also offer a comprehensive set of 11 drawing tools and 15 technical indicators for in-depth analysis. Charles Stanley Direct, on the other hand, does not display corporate events on charts and offers only a single drawing tool, although it closely matches with Hargreaves Lansdown by providing 14 technical indicators.
Both platforms share several common features essential for modern traders. They allow users to overlay indices and stocks on charts and provide browser-based trading platforms, making them accessible from anywhere with an internet connection. Additionally, both brokers enable users to set alerts for stock price updates and deliver real-time market data, ensuring traders are always updated with the latest market movements. However, neither platform currently supports adding notes to charts, which might be a consideration for traders who frequently annotate their analysis.
| Feature |
Hargreaves Lansdown
|
Charles Stanley Direct
|
|---|---|---|
| Web Platform | Yes | Yes |
| Stock Alerts | Yes | Yes |
| Charting - Indicators / Studies | 15 | 14 |
| Charting - Drawing Tools | 11 | 1 |
| Charting - Notes | No | No |
| Charting - Display Corporate Events | Yes | No |
| Charting - Stock Overlays | Yes | Yes |
| Charting - Index Overlays | Yes | Yes |
Both Hargreaves Lansdown and Charles Stanley Direct offer competitive retirement account options, providing flexible Individual Savings Accounts (ISAs) and Self-Invested Personal Pensions (SIPPs) for UK investors. Hargreaves Lansdown is well-known for its user-friendly platform and comprehensive investment tools, while Charles Stanley Direct offers competitive pricing structures and straightforward account management. Whether you're looking to maximize tax-efficient savings with an ISA or manage your own retirement fund using a SIPP, both platforms stand out as reliable choices for building a secure financial future. Compare their features and fees to determine which broker aligns best with your investment goals and preferences.
Dive deeper: Best SIPP Providers, Best Stocks and Shares ISA Providers.
When comparing online brokers Hargreaves Lansdown and Charles Stanley Direct, both offer mobile apps for iPhone and Android users. According to UK.StockBrokers.com, Hargreaves Lansdown's app has received a commendable rating of 4.5 out of 5 stars, ranking it 4th among 18 brokers for mobile app performance. In contrast, Charles Stanley Direct's app has been rated 3.5 stars, with its ranking not specified among the reviewed brokers. This makes Hargreaves Lansdown a preferred choice for those prioritizing highly-rated mobile trading options.
Dive deeper: Best Stock Trading Apps UK.
When comparing the beginner investor educational resources between online brokers Hargreaves Lansdown and Charles Stanley Direct, notable differences emerge. Hargreaves Lansdown offers live educational webinars, although they are not available for on-demand viewing, whereas Charles Stanley Direct lacks live webinars but compensates by providing archived sessions for flexible learning. Both brokers provide comprehensive education on share trading, funds, and retirement topics. UK.StockBrokers.com rates Hargreaves Lansdown higher with five stars and ranks it fourth out of 18 brokers, highlighting its robust beginner education, while Charles Stanley Direct is rated slightly lower at 4.5 stars. These distinctions make Hargreaves Lansdown particularly appealing for those seeking real-time educational interaction, while Charles Stanley Direct may suit those preferring convenience in accessing recorded content.
| Feature |
Hargreaves Lansdown
|
Charles Stanley Direct
|
|---|---|---|
| Client Webinars | Yes | No |
| Client Webinars (Archived) | No | 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 online brokers Hargreaves Lansdown and Charles Stanley Direct, both offer a comprehensive range of resources for investors. They each provide research reports for funds and allow users to view portfolio allocation by asset class. Additionally, both platforms offer research on shares, ETFs, and funds. However, neither broker provides research on CFDs. A notable difference is in bonds research, where Hargreaves Lansdown offers insights, while Charles Stanley Direct does not.
| Feature |
Hargreaves Lansdown
|
Charles Stanley Direct
|
|---|---|---|
| Research - Shares | Yes | Yes |
| Research - CFDs | No | No |
| Research - ETFs | Yes | Yes |
| Research - Bonds | Yes | No |
| Research - Funds | Yes | Yes |
| Fund Research - Research Reports | Yes | Yes |
| Portfolio Allocation Breakdown | Yes | Yes |
Which broker is better overall, Hargreaves Lansdown or Charles Stanley Direct? After collecting more than 900 data points over a 10-week period, we found Hargreaves Lansdown to be a better trading platform overall.
As the U.K.’s biggest investment platform for individual investors, Hargreaves Lansdown offers a wide range of investment choices for either beginners or seasoned investors. However, its fees are generally more expensive than rival brokers, which can become an issue for large investment pots.
| Feature |
Hargreaves Lansdown
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Charles Stanley Direct
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When comparing online brokers Hargreaves Lansdown and Charles Stanley Direct, both platforms do not offer cryptocurrency trading, focusing instead on a range of traditional investment options.
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0 of 5| Overall Rating | Hargreaves Lansdown | Charles Stanley Direct | |
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| Review | Hargreaves Lansdown Review | Charles Stanley Direct Review | |
| Winner | check_circle |
| Investments | Hargreaves Lansdown | Charles Stanley Direct | |
|---|---|---|---|
| ISA | Yes | Yes | |
| SIPP | Yes | Yes | |
| Share Trading | Yes | Yes | |
| CFD Trading | No | No | |
| Funds | Yes | Yes | |
| ETFs | Yes | Yes | |
| Bonds - Corporate | Yes | Yes | |
| Bonds - Government (Gilts) | Yes | Yes | |
| Investment Trusts | Yes | Yes | |
| Spread Betting | No | No | |
| Crypto Trading | No | No | |
| Advisor Services | Yes | Yes |
| Trading Fees | Hargreaves Lansdown | Charles Stanley Direct | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Minimum Deposit | £1 | £0 | |
| Share Trading: 0-9 Deals/ Month | £11.95 | £0 - £10 | |
| Share Trading: 10-19 Deals/ Month | £8.95 | £10 | |
| Share Trading: 20+ Deals/ Month | £5.95 | £10 | |
| 5 trades per year (£30k portfolio) | £59.75 / £104.75 if in ISA. | £57.50 | |
| 12 trades per year (£30k portfolio) | £143.40 / £188.40 if in ISA. | £138 | |
| 36 trades per year (£30k portfolio) | £430.20 / £475.20 if in ISA. | £414 | |
| 120 trades per year (£30k portfolio) | £1,074 / £1,119 if in ISA. | £1,380 | |
| 3 fund trades per year (£30k portfolio) | £135 | £90 - £102 | |
| Annual Custody Fee: £0 - £250,000 | Up to £1,125 | £60 - £600 | |
| Annual Custody Fee: £250K-£500K | Up to £625 | £600 | |
| Annual Custody Fee: £500,000 - £1m | Up to £1,250 | £600 | |
| Annual Custody Fee: £1m and over | Up to £1,000 | £600 | |
| Bonds - Corporate - Fee | £20 - £50 | £25 | |
| Bonds - Government (Gilts) - Fee | £20 - £50 | £25 | |
| ETFs - Fee | £5.95 - £11.95 | £10 | |
| Investment Trusts - Fee | £5.95 - £11.95 | £10 | |
| Telephone Dealing Fee | £20 - £50 | £25 minimum |
| Broker Screenshots | Hargreaves Lansdown | 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) |
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| Platforms & Tools | Hargreaves Lansdown | Charles Stanley Direct | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Web Platform | Yes | Yes | |
| iPhone App | Yes | Yes | |
| Android App | Yes | Yes | |
| Stock Alerts | Yes | Yes | |
| Charting - Indicators / Studies | 15 | 14 | |
| Charting - Drawing Tools | 11 | 1 | |
| Charting - Notes | No | No | |
| Charting - Display Corporate Events | Yes | No | |
| Charting - Stock Overlays | Yes | Yes | |
| Charting - Index Overlays | Yes | Yes |
| Research | Hargreaves Lansdown | Charles Stanley Direct | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Research - Shares | Yes | Yes | |
| Research - CFDs | No | No | |
| Research - Funds | Yes | Yes | |
| Fund Research - Research Reports | Yes | Yes | |
| Research - ETFs | Yes | Yes | |
| Research - Bonds | Yes | No | |
| Portfolio Allocation Breakdown | Yes | Yes |
| Education | Hargreaves Lansdown | Charles Stanley Direct | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Education (Share Trading) | Yes | Yes | |
| Education (Funds) | Yes | Yes | |
| Education (Retirement) | Yes | Yes | |
| Client Webinars | Yes | No | |
| Client Webinars (Archived) | No | Yes |
| Overall Summary | Hargreaves Lansdown | Charles Stanley Direct | |
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| Review | Hargreaves Lansdown Review | Charles Stanley Direct Review | |
| Winner | check_circle |
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