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Charles Stanley Direct vs Revolut 2025

StockBrokers.com

Written by StockBrokers.com

August 06, 2024

In this head to head comparison of Charles Stanley Direct vs Revolut, 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
Revolut
3.5/5 Stars Overall
  • Minimum Deposit: £0 - £540 info
  • ISA: No
  • SIPP: No

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, Charles Stanley Direct offers better pricing than Revolut 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 Revolut would cost £0 per year.

12 trades per year - Charles Stanley Direct would cost £138 per year, while Revolut would cost £0 per year.

36 trades per year - Charles Stanley Direct would cost £414 per year, while Revolut would cost £47.88 per year.

120 trades per year - Charles Stanley Direct would cost £1,380 per year, while Revolut would cost £540 per year.

3 fund trades per year - Charles Stanley Direct would cost £0 per year, while Revolut would cost £0 - £540 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 with Revolut in terms of investment choices, both platforms offer distinct options catering to different investor needs. Charles Stanley Direct supports share trading, ETFs, funds, corporate bonds, government bonds, and investment trusts, presenting a comprehensive selection geared towards traditional investors. Additionally, they offer advisor services, which can be a valuable asset for those seeking expert guidance in their investment journey.

On the other hand, Revolut offers the ability to trade shares and delve into the world of cryptocurrencies, making it a more modern choice for those interested in digital assets. However, it lacks the breadth of investment tools that Charles Stanley Direct provides. Both platforms do not support spread betting or CFD trading. According to UK.StockBrokers.com, Charles Stanley Direct shines with a 5-star rating for investment choices, compared to Revolut's 3.5 stars, highlighting the former’s broad and varied selection for investors.

Feature Charles Stanley Direct logoCharles Stanley Direct
Revolut logoRevolut
Share Trading info Yes Yes
CFD Trading info No No
ETFs info Yes No
Funds info Yes No
Bonds - Government (Gilts) info Yes info No
Investment Trusts info Yes No
Spread Betting info No No
Crypto Trading info No Yes
Advisor Services info Yes No
Investment Choices 5/5 Stars 3.5/5 Stars

Featured Offers


4.5/5 Stars

Professional’s Gateway to the World’s Markets.

4.5/5 Stars

Low-cost US and UK shares.

Trading Tools

When comparing the trading tools of Charles Stanley Direct and Revolut, investors will find some notable differences. Charles Stanley Direct provides a more comprehensive charting experience, offering one drawing tool and 14 technical indicators, whereas Revolut does not provide any. Furthermore, Charles Stanley Direct allows users to add index and stock overlays to charts, an option unavailable with Revolut. However, neither platform displays corporate events on charts, and both lack the functionality to add notes.

For those who prefer a browser-based trading platform, Charles Stanley Direct supports this feature, unlike Revolut. Both platforms offer the ability to set alerts for stock price updates and provide real-time market data, helping users stay informed with live information. Overall, Charles Stanley Direct seems to cater more towards users seeking in-depth charting options, while Revolut may be more simplified for traders who do not require advanced chart tools.

Feature Charles Stanley Direct logoCharles Stanley Direct
Revolut logoRevolut
Web Platform info Yes No
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 Revolut for retirement account options, there are some key differences to consider. Charles Stanley Direct provides both Individual Savings Accounts (ISAs) and Self-Invested Personal Pensions (SIPPs), offering a comprehensive solution for those seeking to manage their retirement savings in one place. On the other hand, Revolut, while popular for its wide range of financial services, does not currently offer ISA or SIPP accounts, limiting its functionality for customers specifically looking for retirement investment options. Therefore, for those focused on retirement planning through ISAs or SIPPs, Charles Stanley Direct presents a more suitable choice.

Dive deeper: Best SIPP Providers, Best Stocks and Shares ISA Providers.

Mobile App

When comparing the mobile app offerings from Charles Stanley Direct and Revolut, both platforms provide iPhone and Android apps for convenient on-the-go access. However, in terms of user satisfaction, as rated by UK.StockBrokers.com, Revolut's mobile app stands out with a 4-star rating, surpassing Charles Stanley Direct's 3.5-star rating. Although neither platform is specifically ranked out of 18 brokers for their mobile apps by UK.StockBrokers.com, Revolut's higher rating suggests a more favorable user experience.

Dive deeper: Best Stock Trading Apps UK.

Beginners and Education

When comparing the beginner investor educational resources of Charles Stanley Direct and Revolut, Charles Stanley Direct clearly stands out. Both platforms do not offer live educational webinars, but Charles Stanley Direct provides archived webinars for on-demand viewing, a feature Revolut lacks. In terms of educational content, Charles Stanley Direct covers a broader range of topics, including share trading, funds, and retirement, whereas Revolut does not offer education on these topics. Reflecting these differences in educational support, Charles Stanley Direct holds a higher rating of 4.5 stars by UK.StockBrokers.com, compared to Revolut's 3.5 stars, making Charles Stanley Direct a more comprehensive choice for beginner investors seeking guidance.

Feature Charles Stanley Direct logoCharles Stanley Direct
Revolut logoRevolut
Client Webinars info No No
Client Webinars (Archived) info Yes No
Education (Share Trading) info Yes No
Education (Funds) info Yes No
Education (Retirement) info Yes No
Education 4.5/5 Stars 3.5/5 Stars

Dive deeper: Best UK Trading Platforms for Beginners.

Market Research

When it comes to market research features, Charles Stanley Direct and Revolut offer distinct advantages for investors. Charles Stanley Direct provides comprehensive research reports for funds and ETFs, a feature Revolut lacks. Both platforms support shares research and allow users to view portfolio allocation by asset class, enabling a clearer overview of investments. However, neither platform offers research on CFDs or bonds. For those prioritizing extensive market research options, Charles Stanley Direct edges ahead with its broader research coverage.

Feature Charles Stanley Direct logoCharles Stanley Direct
Revolut logoRevolut
Research - Shares info Yes Yes
Research - CFDs info No No
Research - ETFs info Yes No
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 Revolut Winner

Which broker is better overall, Charles Stanley Direct or Revolut? After collecting more than 900 data points over a 10-week period, we found Charles Stanley Direct to be a better trading platform overall.

Feature Charles Stanley Direct logoCharles Stanley Direct
Revolut logoRevolut
Overall Rating 4/5 Stars 3.5/5 Stars
Charges & Fees 4/5 Stars 4/5 Stars
Investment Choices 5/5 Stars 3.5/5 Stars
Mobile App 3.5/5 Stars 4/5 Stars
Website 4/5 Stars 1/5 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 Revolut?

Charles Stanley Direct does not offer crypto trading services, whereas Revolut provides crypto trading options, appealing to investors interested in digital currencies.

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Compare

0 of 5
Overall Rating Charles Stanley Direct Revolut
Overall Rating 4/5 Stars 3.5/5 Stars
Charges & Fees 4/5 Stars 4/5 Stars
Investment Choices 5/5 Stars 3.5/5 Stars
Mobile App 3.5/5 Stars 4/5 Stars
Website 4/5 Stars 1/5 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 Revolut Review
Winner check_circle
Investments Charles Stanley Direct Revolut
ISA info Yes No
SIPP info Yes No
Share Trading info Yes Yes
CFD Trading info No No
Funds info Yes No
ETFs info Yes No
Bonds - Corporate info Yes No
Bonds - Government (Gilts) info Yes info No
Investment Trusts info Yes No
Spread Betting info No No
Crypto Trading info No No
Advisor Services info Yes No
Trading Fees Charles Stanley Direct Revolut
Minimum Deposit info £0 £0 - £540 info
Share Trading: 0-9 Deals/ Month info £0 - £10 info £0
Share Trading: 10-19 Deals/ Month info £10 0.25% or £1 info
Share Trading: 20+ Deals/ Month info £10 0.25% or £1 info
5 trades per year (£30k portfolio) info £57.50 £0 info
12 trades per year (£30k portfolio) info £138 £0 info
36 trades per year (£30k portfolio) info £414 £47.88 info
120 trades per year (£30k portfolio) info £1,380 £540 info
3 fund trades per year (£30k portfolio) info £90 - £102 N/A
Annual Custody Fee: £0 - £250,000 info £60 - £600 £0 - £45
Annual Custody Fee: £250K-£500K info £600 £0 - £45
Annual Custody Fee: £500,000 - £1m info £600 £0 - £45
Annual Custody Fee: £1m and over info £600 £0 - £45
Bonds - Corporate - Fee info £25 N/A
Bonds - Government (Gilts) - Fee info £25 info N/A
ETFs - Fee info £10 info N/A
Investment Trusts - Fee info £10 N/A
Telephone Dealing Fee info £25 minimum N/A
Broker Screenshots Charles Stanley Direct Revolut
Website Gallery (click to expand)
Mobile Trading Apps Gallery (click to expand)
Education Gallery (click to expand)
Platforms & Tools Charles Stanley Direct Revolut
Web Platform info Yes No
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 Revolut
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 No
Research - Bonds info No No
Portfolio Allocation Breakdown info Yes Yes
Education Charles Stanley Direct Revolut
Education (Share Trading) info Yes No
Education (Funds) info Yes No
Education (Retirement) info Yes No
Client Webinars info No No
Client Webinars (Archived) info Yes No
Overall Summary Charles Stanley Direct Revolut
Overall Rating 4/5 Stars 3.5/5 Stars
Charges & Fees 4/5 Stars 4/5 Stars
Investment Choices 5/5 Stars 3.5/5 Stars
Mobile App 3.5/5 Stars 4/5 Stars
Website 4/5 Stars 1/5 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 Revolut Review
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