Written by StockBrokers.com
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.
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, 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.
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 it comes to investing in the UK, Charles Stanley Direct and Revolut offer distinct options to suit different investor needs. Charles Stanley Direct shines with its broad selection, providing access to share trading, exchange-traded funds (ETFs), funds, corporate bonds, government bonds (gilts), and investment trusts. Moreover, their investor support is complemented by available advisor services, all contributing to a noteworthy five-star rating from UK.StockBrokers.com for investment choices, securing the sixth position out of 21 brokers.
Contrastingly, Revolut presents a more limited range mainly focused on share and crypto trading, aligning well with users who are keen to dabble in cryptocurrencies alongside equities. Despite offering a streamlined digital experience, it lacks access to ETFs, funds, bonds, or advisory services. This narrower scope results in a 3.5-star rating, ranking it 19th for investment choices according to UK.StockBrokers.com. Each platform offers unique benefits depending on your investment aspirations and interests.
| Feature |
Charles Stanley Direct
|
Revolut
|
|---|---|---|
| Share Trading | Yes | Yes |
| CFD Trading | No | No |
| ETFs | Yes | No |
| Funds | Yes | No |
| Bonds - Government (Gilts) | Yes | No |
| Investment Trusts | Yes | No |
| Spread Betting | No | No |
| Crypto Trading | No | Yes |
| Advisor Services | Yes | No |
| Investment Choices |
|
|
Low-cost US and UK shares.
Professional’s Gateway to the World’s Markets.
For UK investors considering online trading platforms, the choice between Charles Stanley Direct and Revolut could come down to specific trading tools offered by each. Charles Stanley Direct features a more comprehensive charting tool set, such as providing 14 technical indicators and the ability to add both index and stock overlays. In contrast, Revolut offers a basic charting experience without any drawing tools or indicators. Both platforms fall short of allowing users to display corporate events on charts or add personal notes.
When it comes to additional features, Charles Stanley Direct provides a browser-based trading platform, making it more versatile for users who prefer trading on a web interface. In comparison, Revolut lacks this feature and focuses primarily on mobile-based trading. Both platforms, however, ensure users receive timely alerts for stock price updates and access to real-time market data, aligning them in terms of keeping users informed in a dynamic market environment.
| Feature |
Charles Stanley Direct
|
Revolut
|
|---|---|---|
| Web Platform | Yes | No |
| Stock Alerts | Yes | Yes |
| Charting - Indicators / Studies | 14 | 0 |
| Charting - Drawing Tools | 1 | 0 |
| Charting - Notes | No | No |
| Charting - Display Corporate Events | No | No |
| Charting - Stock Overlays | Yes | No |
| Charting - Index Overlays | Yes | No |
When considering retirement account options, Charles Stanley Direct and Revolut present distinct choices for UK investors. Charles Stanley Direct offers both ISA and SIPP accounts, making it a versatile option for those looking to save for retirement while benefiting from tax advantages. With the ability to invest in a wide range of assets, it caters to individuals aiming to grow their savings over time. On the other hand, Revolut does not provide ISA or SIPP accounts, which may limit its appeal for those specifically seeking retirement-focused investment solutions. Therefore, Charles Stanley Direct emerges as a more comprehensive option for retirement planning in the UK, especially for those prioritizing tax-efficient investment opportunities.
Dive deeper: Best SIPP Providers, Best Stocks and Shares ISA Providers.
For UK investors exploring mobile trading options, Charles Stanley Direct and Revolut both provide apps for iOS and Android devices. While both platforms ensure accessibility via smartphones, user ratings and rankings differ significantly. UK.StockBrokers.com rates Revolut's app at 4 stars, placing it 14th among 21 brokers for mobile experience, highlighting its higher user satisfaction. On the other hand, Charles Stanley Direct garners a 3.5-star rating, ranking 20th, which may impact its appeal to those prioritizing seamless mobile functionality. Investing with Revolut might offer a more user-friendly experience if app performance is a key consideration.
Dive deeper: Best Stock Trading Apps UK.
When it comes to educational resources for beginner investors, Charles Stanley Direct outshines Revolut by a noticeable margin. Charles Stanley Direct provides access to archived educational webinars and covers key investing topics such as share trading, funds, and retirement planning, making it a comprehensive learning hub. In contrast, Revolut lacks offerings in these areas, presenting no archived webinars or educational content on these topics. This disparity in educational support is reflected in their ratings, with Charles Stanley Direct earning 4.5 stars and ranking 12th out of 21 brokers for beginner education according to UK.StockBrokers.com, while Revolut receives a lower rating of 3.5 stars and sits at the bottom of the list at 21st place. For UK investors eager to learn and grow in their investment journey, Charles Stanley Direct offers a more substantial educational foundation.
| Feature |
Charles Stanley Direct
|
Revolut
|
|---|---|---|
| Client Webinars | No | No |
| Client Webinars (Archived) | Yes | No |
| Education (Share Trading) | Yes | No |
| Education (Funds) | Yes | No |
| Education (Retirement) | Yes | No |
| Education |
|
|
Dive deeper: Best UK Trading Platforms for Beginners.
When it comes to market research features, Charles Stanley Direct and Revolut offer different strengths for UK investors. Charles Stanley Direct provides comprehensive research reports for funds, shares, ETFs, and funds allocation, giving investors detailed insights into these areas. It also allows users to view their portfolio allocation by asset class. In contrast, Revolut, while also offering portfolio allocation visibility and shares research, lacks research reports for funds and ETFs. Additionally, neither platform offers research on CFDs or bonds, making Charles Stanley Direct a more informative option for those interested in diverse investment research.
| Feature |
Charles Stanley Direct
|
Revolut
|
|---|---|---|
| Research - Shares | Yes | Yes |
| Research - CFDs | No | No |
| Research - ETFs | Yes | No |
| Research - Bonds | No | |
| Research - Funds | Yes | No |
| Fund Research - Research Reports | Yes | No |
| Portfolio Allocation Breakdown | Yes | Yes |
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.
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
|
Revolut
|
|---|---|---|
| Overall Rating |
|
|
| Charges & Fees |
|
|
| Investment Choices |
|
|
| Mobile App |
|
|
| Website |
|
|
| Ease of Use |
|
|
| Education |
|
|
Charles Stanley Direct does not offer crypto trading services, whereas Revolut provides crypto trading options, appealing to investors interested in digital currencies.
Select Brokers
↓×Compare
0 of 5| Overall Rating | Charles Stanley Direct | Revolut | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Overall Rating |
|
| |
| Charges & Fees |
|
| |
| Investment Choices |
|
| |
| Mobile App |
|
| |
| Website |
|
| |
| Ease of Use |
|
| |
| Education |
|
| |
| Review | Charles Stanley Direct Review | Revolut Review | |
| Winner | check_circle |
| Investments | Charles Stanley Direct | Revolut | |
|---|---|---|---|
| ISA | Yes | No | |
| SIPP | Yes | No | |
| Share Trading | Yes | Yes | |
| CFD Trading | No | No | |
| Funds | Yes | No | |
| ETFs | Yes | No | |
| Bonds - Corporate | Yes | No | |
| Bonds - Government (Gilts) | Yes | No | |
| Investment Trusts | Yes | No | |
| Spread Betting | No | No | |
| Crypto Trading | |||
| Advisor Services | Yes | No |
| Trading Fees | Charles Stanley Direct | Revolut | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Minimum Deposit | £0 | £0 - £540 | |
| Share Trading: 0-9 Deals/ Month | £0 - £10 | £0 | |
| Share Trading: 10-19 Deals/ Month | £10 | 0.25% or £1 | |
| Share Trading: 20+ Deals/ Month | £10 | 0.25% or £1 | |
| 5 trades per year (£30k portfolio) | £57.50 | £0 | |
| 12 trades per year (£30k portfolio) | £138 | £0 | |
| 36 trades per year (£30k portfolio) | £414 | £47.88 | |
| 120 trades per year (£30k portfolio) | £1,380 | £540 | |
| 3 fund trades per year (£30k portfolio) | £90 - £102 | N/A | |
| Annual Custody Fee: £0 - £250,000 | £60 - £600 | £0 - £45 | |
| Annual Custody Fee: £250K-£500K | £600 | £0 - £45 | |
| Annual Custody Fee: £500,000 - £1m | £600 | £0 - £45 | |
| Annual Custody Fee: £1m and over | £600 | £0 - £45 | |
| Bonds - Corporate - Fee | £25 | N/A | |
| Bonds - Government (Gilts) - Fee | £25 | N/A | |
| ETFs - Fee | £10 | N/A | |
| Investment Trusts - Fee | £10 | N/A | |
| Telephone Dealing Fee | £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 | Yes | No | |
| iPhone App | Yes | Yes | |
| Android App | Yes | Yes | |
| Stock Alerts | Yes | Yes | |
| Charting - Indicators / Studies | 14 | 0 | |
| Charting - Drawing Tools | 1 | 0 | |
| Charting - Notes | No | No | |
| Charting - Display Corporate Events | No | No | |
| Charting - Stock Overlays | Yes | No | |
| Charting - Index Overlays | Yes | No |
| Research | Charles Stanley Direct | Revolut | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Research - Shares | Yes | Yes | |
| Research - CFDs | No | No | |
| Research - Funds | Yes | No | |
| Fund Research - Research Reports | Yes | No | |
| Research - ETFs | Yes | No | |
| Research - Bonds | No | ||
| Portfolio Allocation Breakdown | Yes | Yes |
| Education | Charles Stanley Direct | Revolut | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Education (Share Trading) | Yes | No | |
| Education (Funds) | Yes | No | |
| Education (Retirement) | Yes | No | |
| Client Webinars | No | No | |
| Client Webinars (Archived) | Yes | No |
| Overall Summary | Charles Stanley Direct | Revolut | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Overall Rating |
|
| |
| Charges & Fees |
|
| |
| Investment Choices |
|
| |
| Mobile App |
|
| |
| Website |
|
| |
| Ease of Use |
|
| |
| Education |
|
| |
| Review | Charles Stanley Direct Review | Revolut Review | |
| Winner | check_circle |
Trading 212 Review
Interactive Brokers Review
Hargreaves Lansdown Review
XTB Review
IG Group Review
eToro Review
Saxo Review
CMC Invest Review
Freetrade Review
Halifax Review
Vanguard Review