Written by StockBrokers.com
In this head to head comparison of IG vs Charles Stanley Direct, 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, IG 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 - IG would cost £0 per year, while Charles Stanley Direct would cost £57.50 per year.
12 trades per year - IG would cost £0 per year, while Charles Stanley Direct would cost £138 per year.
36 trades per year - IG would cost £0 per year, while Charles Stanley Direct would cost £414 per year.
120 trades per year - IG would cost £0 per year, while Charles Stanley Direct would cost £1,380 per year.
3 fund trades per year - IG would cost £0 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.
When comparing IG and Charles Stanley Direct regarding investment options, both platforms allow users to trade shares and exchange-traded funds (ETFs), but they differ in other areas. IG stands out with its offering of Contract for Difference (CFD) trading and investment trusts, appealing to those interested in more speculative trading strategies. However, it lacks options for trading funds, corporate bonds, or government bonds. Unlike IG, Charles Stanley Direct offers trading in funds, corporate bonds, government bonds (gilts), and provides investment trust opportunities, making it a more rounded choice for investors seeking diverse fixed-income options.
IG is rated 4.5 stars by UK.StockBrokers.com for its investment choices, ranking 11th out of 21 brokers due to its focus on CFDs and investment trusts. In contrast, Charles Stanley Direct earns a perfect 5-star rating and is ranked 6th for its extensive range of investment products, including advisor services and various bonds. Both platforms cater to different investor preferences, with IG attracting those interested in CFDs, while Charles Stanley Direct appeals to investors looking for a broader selection of traditional investment vehicles.
| Feature |
IG
|
Charles Stanley Direct
|
|---|---|---|
| Share Trading | Yes | Yes |
| CFD Trading | Yes | No |
| ETFs | Yes | Yes |
| Funds | No | Yes |
| Bonds - Government (Gilts) | No | Yes |
| Investment Trusts | Yes | Yes |
| Spread Betting | Yes | No |
| Crypto Trading | No | No |
| Advisor Services | No | Yes |
| Investment Choices |
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Low-cost US and UK shares.
Professional’s Gateway to the World’s Markets.
When it comes to charting tools, IG provides a more comprehensive suite compared to Charles Stanley Direct. IG allows users to display corporate events such as earnings, splits, and dividends directly on charts, and offers 19 drawing tools and 33 technical indicators. In contrast, Charles Stanley Direct lacks the ability to display corporate events on charts and provides just one drawing tool alongside 14 technical indicators. Additionally, IG enables traders to add notes to charts for a more customized analysis, something that Charles Stanley Direct does not support.
However, Charles Stanley Direct does have its strengths with the ability to include both index and stock overlays on charts, a feature not available with IG. Both platforms offer a browser-based trading system, real-time market data, and the capability to create alerts for stock price updates, ensuring that traders stay informed and can execute trades efficiently. Overall, while IG offers more advanced charting features, Charles Stanley Direct provides unique customization options not found with IG.
| Feature |
IG
|
Charles Stanley Direct
|
|---|---|---|
| Web Platform | Yes | Yes |
| Stock Alerts | Yes | Yes |
| Charting - Indicators / Studies | 33 | 14 |
| Charting - Drawing Tools | 19 | 1 |
| Charting - Notes | Yes | No |
| Charting - Display Corporate Events | Yes | No |
| Charting - Stock Overlays | No | Yes |
| Charting - Index Overlays | No | Yes |
For UK investors seeking convenient online brokerage services, both IG and Charles Stanley Direct provide Individual Savings Accounts (ISAs) and Self-Invested Personal Pensions (SIPPs), catering to those looking to optimize their retirement planning options. IG stands out with its extensive range of investment choices and user-friendly trading platform, ensuring seamless management of your ISA and SIPP accounts. Similarly, Charles Stanley Direct offers comprehensive tools and resources, supporting informed investment decisions across both ISA and SIPP accounts. Whether you prefer the advanced technology of IG or the personalized service from Charles Stanley Direct, both platforms offer solid options for managing your retirement savings effectively.
Dive deeper: Best SIPP Providers, Best Stocks and Shares ISA Providers.
For UK investors comparing mobile trading platforms, both IG and Charles Stanley Direct offer apps compatible with iPhone and Android devices. However, IG's mobile app outshines its competitor, receiving a perfect 5-star rating from UK.StockBrokers.com and securing the second spot in a ranking of 21 brokers. In contrast, Charles Stanley Direct's app receives a modest 3.5-star rating, placing it near the bottom at the 20th position. This highlights IG as a superior choice for those prioritizing mobile trading efficiency and user experience.
Dive deeper: Best Stock Trading Apps UK.
For UK beginners delving into the world of investing, IG and Charles Stanley Direct offer different strengths in educational resources. IG provides educational client webinars that are both live and available on demand, covering vital topics like share trading and retirement. While IG does not offer education on funds, it holds a top-ranked beginner education status with a flawless 5-star rating by UK.StockBrokers.com. Meanwhile, Charles Stanley Direct, though not offering live webinars, does archive them for on-demand access and covers essential topics such as share trading, funds, and retirement. It maintains a solid educational reputation with a 4.5-star rating, ranking 12th among 21 brokers. Overall, IG might be more appealing for those seeking a comprehensive beginner education experience, especially with its top rating and ranking.
| Feature |
IG
|
Charles Stanley Direct
|
|---|---|---|
| Client Webinars | Yes | No |
| Client Webinars (Archived) | Yes | Yes |
| Education (Share Trading) | Yes | Yes |
| Education (Funds) | No | Yes |
| Education (Retirement) | Yes | Yes |
| Education |
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|
Dive deeper: Best UK Trading Platforms for Beginners.
When comparing IG to Charles Stanley Direct for market research features, UK investors will find both platforms provide research reports for funds, as well as insights into shares and ETFs. However, Charles Stanley Direct stands out with its comprehensive overview of portfolio allocation by asset class, a feature IG lacks. For those interested in CFDs, IG is the option to consider, providing research that Charles Stanley Direct does not. Conversely, Charles Stanley Direct offers dedicated research on funds, an area IG does not cover. While both brokers have their strengths, the choice will ultimately depend on the specific research needs of an investor.
| Feature |
IG
|
Charles Stanley Direct
|
|---|---|---|
| Research - Shares | Yes | Yes |
| Research - CFDs | Yes | No |
| Research - ETFs | Yes | Yes |
| Research - Bonds | No | |
| Research - Funds | No | Yes |
| Fund Research - Research Reports | Yes | Yes |
| Portfolio Allocation Breakdown | No | Yes |
Which broker is better overall, IG or Charles Stanley Direct? After collecting more than 900 data points over a 10-week period, we found IG to be a better trading platform overall.
IG is an investment platform aimed at experienced investors looking to make frequent trades on the stock market, with thousands of shares, trusts and ETFs to trade. It offers a comprehensive and easy-to-use trading platform that is used by both private and professional investors.
| Feature |
IG
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Charles Stanley Direct
|
|---|---|---|
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Neither IG nor Charles Stanley Direct offer crypto trading, making them equal in this aspect for investors seeking cryptocurrency trading options.
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0 of 5| Overall Rating | IG | Charles Stanley Direct | |
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| Review | IG Review | Charles Stanley Direct Review | |
| Winner | check_circle |
| Investments | IG | Charles Stanley Direct | |
|---|---|---|---|
| ISA | Yes | Yes | |
| SIPP | Yes | Yes | |
| Share Trading | Yes | Yes | |
| CFD Trading | Yes | No | |
| Funds | No | Yes | |
| ETFs | Yes | Yes | |
| Bonds - Corporate | No | Yes | |
| Bonds - Government (Gilts) | No | Yes | |
| Investment Trusts | Yes | Yes | |
| Spread Betting | Yes | No | |
| Crypto Trading | |||
| Advisor Services | No | Yes |
| Trading Fees | IG | Charles Stanley Direct | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Minimum Deposit | £0 | £0 | |
| Share Trading: 0-9 Deals/ Month | £0 | £0 - £10 | |
| Share Trading: 10-19 Deals/ Month | £0 | £10 | |
| Share Trading: 20+ Deals/ Month | £0 | £10 | |
| 5 trades per year (£30k portfolio) | £0 | £57.50 | |
| 12 trades per year (£30k portfolio) | £0 | £138 | |
| 36 trades per year (£30k portfolio) | £0 | £414 | |
| 120 trades per year (£30k portfolio) | £0 | £1,380 | |
| 3 fund trades per year (£30k portfolio) | N/A | £90 - £102 | |
| Annual Custody Fee: £0 - £250,000 | £0 / £96 | £60 - £600 | |
| Annual Custody Fee: £250K-£500K | £0 / £96 | £600 | |
| Annual Custody Fee: £500,000 - £1m | £0 / £96 | £600 | |
| Annual Custody Fee: £1m and over | £0 / £96 | £600 | |
| Bonds - Corporate - Fee | N/A | £25 | |
| Bonds - Government (Gilts) - Fee | N/A | £25 | |
| ETFs - Fee | £0 - £8 | £10 | |
| Investment Trusts - Fee | £0 - £8 | £10 | |
| Telephone Dealing Fee | £50 | £25 minimum |
| Broker Screenshots | IG | 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 | IG | Charles Stanley Direct | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Web Platform | Yes | Yes | |
| iPhone App | Yes | Yes | |
| Android App | Yes | Yes | |
| Stock Alerts | Yes | Yes | |
| Charting - Indicators / Studies | 33 | 14 | |
| Charting - Drawing Tools | 19 | 1 | |
| Charting - Notes | Yes | No | |
| Charting - Display Corporate Events | Yes | No | |
| Charting - Stock Overlays | No | Yes | |
| Charting - Index Overlays | No | Yes |
| Research | IG | Charles Stanley Direct | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Research - Shares | Yes | Yes | |
| Research - CFDs | Yes | No | |
| Research - Funds | No | Yes | |
| Fund Research - Research Reports | Yes | Yes | |
| Research - ETFs | Yes | Yes | |
| Research - Bonds | No | ||
| Portfolio Allocation Breakdown | No | Yes |
| Education | IG | Charles Stanley Direct | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Education (Share Trading) | Yes | Yes | |
| Education (Funds) | No | Yes | |
| Education (Retirement) | Yes | Yes | |
| Client Webinars | Yes | No | |
| Client Webinars (Archived) | Yes | Yes |
| Overall Summary | IG | Charles Stanley Direct | |
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| Review | IG Review | Charles Stanley Direct Review | |
| Winner | check_circle |
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