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.
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 choosing an online broker in the UK, Charles Stanley Direct and Revolut bring distinct investment options to the table. Charles Stanley Direct stands out by offering a comprehensive investment portfolio that includes share trading, ETFs, funds, corporate bonds, government bonds (often known as gilts), and investment trusts. In addition, they provide advisor services, making it a well-rounded choice for investors seeking a breadth of traditional investment opportunities. This extensive array of options has earned Charles Stanley Direct a glowing 5-star rating from UK.StockBrokers.com for investment choices, placing it 6th out of 21 brokers.
On the other hand, Revolut carves out a niche by integrating share and crypto trading, providing a modern twist for investors keen on diversifying into digital currencies. Unlike Charles Stanley Direct, Revolut doesn't offer ETFs, funds, corporate bonds, government bonds, or investment trusts, and it lacks advisor services. Despite this, its unique offering in the crypto domain contributes to a respectable 3.5-star rating from UK.StockBrokers.com, albeit landing it at a lower 19th place among 21 brokers for investment choices. Both brokers do not engage in spread betting or CFD trading, reflecting a cautious approach to these high-risk options.
| 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 |
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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 comparing the market research features of Charles Stanley Direct and Revolut, there are notable differences. Charles Stanley Direct provides comprehensive research reports on funds, shares, and ETFs, making it a strong choice for investors seeking detailed insights into these areas. Conversely, Revolut does not offer research reports for funds or ETFs, although it does provide shares research. Both platforms allow investors to view portfolio allocation by asset class, which helps users assess the diversity of their investments. Neither Charles Stanley Direct nor Revolut provides research on CFDs or bonds, so users looking for insights on these instruments will need to look elsewhere.
| Feature |
Charles Stanley Direct
|
Revolut
|
|---|---|---|
| Research - Shares | Yes | Yes |
| Research - CFDs | No | No |
| Research - ETFs | Yes | No |
| Research - Bonds | No | 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 |
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| Charges & Fees |
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| Investment Choices |
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| Mobile App |
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| Website |
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| Ease of Use |
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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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0 of 5| Overall Rating | Charles Stanley Direct | Revolut | |
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| 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 | No | No | |
| 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 | 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 | |
|---|---|---|---|
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| Review | Charles Stanley Direct Review | Revolut Review | |
| Winner | check_circle |
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