Written by StockBrokers.com
In this head to head comparison of Charles Stanley Direct vs Webull, 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, Webull 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 - Charles Stanley Direct would cost £57.50 per year, while Webull would cost 0.025% of trade value per year.
12 trades per year - Charles Stanley Direct would cost £138 per year, while Webull would cost 0.025% of trade value per year.
36 trades per year - Charles Stanley Direct would cost £414 per year, while Webull would cost 0.025% of trade value per year.
120 trades per year - Charles Stanley Direct would cost £1,380 per year, while Webull would cost 0.025% of trade value per year.
3 fund trades per year - Charles Stanley Direct would cost £0 per year, while Webull 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.
For UK investors exploring online brokerage options, Charles Stanley Direct and Webull offer distinct investment choices tailored to various preferences. Charles Stanley Direct allows investors to engage in share trading and extends its offerings to trading ETFs, funds, corporate bonds, government bonds (gilts), and investment trusts. Furthermore, it provides advisor services, making it a comprehensive choice for those seeking guidance in their investment strategies. In contrast, Webull focuses mainly on share trading and does not offer ETF, funds, bond, or advisor options, catering to investors who primarily seek direct stock market activities.
According to UK.StockBrokers.com, Charles Stanley Direct enjoys a high rating of 5 stars for its wide range of investment choices, ranking 6th out of 21 brokers. Webull, while proficient in share trading, receives a more modest 3-star rating, ranking it last at 21st for investment options. Investors looking for variety and expert assistance may prefer Charles Stanley Direct, while those satisfied with essential share trading could consider Webull's platform.
| Feature |
Charles Stanley Direct
|
Webull
|
|---|---|---|
| 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 | No |
| Advisor Services | Yes | No |
| Investment Choices |
|
|
Low-cost US and UK shares.
Professional’s Gateway to the World’s Markets.
When examining trading tools, Charles Stanley Direct and Webull cater to different needs among UK investors. Webull excels in chart customisation, allowing users to display corporate events directly on charts and add notes, features not available with Charles Stanley Direct. Moreover, Webull offers an impressive 17 drawing tools compared to Charles Stanley Direct’s single option. However, Charles Stanley Direct edges ahead with a wider array of technical indicators, providing 14 compared to Webull's 12. Both platforms support index and stock overlays, although Webull lacks index overlays, contrasting with Charles Stanley Direct's offering.
Both platforms are accessible via browser-based trading and supply real-time market data, ensuring timely information for effective trading decisions. Additionally, users of either service can set alerts for stock price changes, aiding in efficient market monitoring. While Charles Stanley Direct focuses on technical indicators and overlays, Webull offers a richer visualisation experience with flexible charting features, catering to those who value comprehensive graphical analysis.
| Feature |
Charles Stanley Direct
|
Webull
|
|---|---|---|
| Web Platform | Yes | Yes |
| Stock Alerts | Yes | Yes |
| Charting - Indicators / Studies | 14 | 12 |
| Charting - Drawing Tools | 1 | 17 |
| Charting - Notes | No | Yes |
| Charting - Display Corporate Events | No | Yes |
| Charting - Stock Overlays | Yes | Yes |
| Charting - Index Overlays | Yes | No |
When comparing Charles Stanley Direct to Webull for retirement accounts, UK investors will find that Charles Stanley Direct offers more options. If you're considering opening an Individual Savings Account (ISA) or a Self-Invested Personal Pension (SIPP), Charles Stanley Direct caters to your needs by providing both these account types. This is particularly beneficial for UK investors aiming to tax-efficiently save for their future. Conversely, Webull does not offer ISA or SIPP accounts, limiting its appeal for those specifically interested in retirement-focused saving plans available in the UK. Therefore, for those prioritizing a diverse range of retirement account options, Charles Stanley Direct stands out as a more favorable choice.
Dive deeper: Best SIPP Providers, Best Stocks and Shares ISA Providers.
When comparing the mobile apps of Charles Stanley Direct and Webull for UK users, both brokers offer apps for iPhone and Android devices. However, Webull stands out in terms of performance. According to UK.StockBrokers.com, Charles Stanley Direct receives a modest rating of 3.5 stars out of five for its mobile app, positioning it at 20th among 21 brokers. In contrast, Webull boasts an impressive 4.5-star rating, securing the 8th spot. These rankings highlight Webull's superior mobile trading experience, making it a more appealing choice for investors who prioritize efficient and user-friendly app functionality.
Dive deeper: Best Stock Trading Apps UK.
When comparing educational resources for beginner investors, Charles Stanley Direct and Webull present distinct offerings. Charles Stanley Direct shines with its archived educational webinars, allowing users to learn at their pace, a feature Webull lacks entirely. Both platforms provide guidance on trading shares and understanding funds, but Charles Stanley Direct extends its educational support to cover retirement, a crucial topic for long-term planning not addressed by Webull. In the UK educational ratings, Charles Stanley Direct scores 4.5 stars, ranking 12th out of 21 brokers, while Webull sits lower, with a 3.5-star rating and a 19th-place ranking. Overall, UK investors seeking comprehensive educational resources might find Charles Stanley Direct a more favorable option.
| Feature |
Charles Stanley Direct
|
Webull
|
|---|---|---|
| Client Webinars | No | No |
| Client Webinars (Archived) | Yes | No |
| Education (Share Trading) | Yes | Yes |
| Education (Funds) | Yes | Yes |
| Education (Retirement) | Yes | No |
| Education |
|
|
Dive deeper: Best UK Trading Platforms for Beginners.
When it comes to market research features, Charles Stanley Direct stands out for UK investors by offering a comprehensive range of resources. It provides research reports for funds and lets users view portfolio allocation by asset class, which Webull does not. Both platforms offer shares research, but Charles Stanley Direct goes further with research on ETFs and funds, areas where Webull lacks support. Neither platform offers research on CFDs or Bonds, ensuring that while Charles Stanley Direct provides extensive research tools, both services have their limitations.
| Feature |
Charles Stanley Direct
|
Webull
|
|---|---|---|
| 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 | No |
Which broker is better overall, Charles Stanley Direct or Webull? 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
|
Webull
|
|---|---|---|
| Overall Rating |
|
|
| Charges & Fees |
|
|
| Investment Choices |
|
|
| Mobile App |
|
|
| Website |
|
|
| Ease of Use |
|
|
| Education |
|
|
When comparing online brokers Charles Stanley Direct and Webull, potential investors should note that as of now, neither platform offers cryptocurrency trading options.
Select Brokers
↓×Compare
0 of 5| Overall Rating | Charles Stanley Direct | Webull | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Overall Rating |
|
| |
| Charges & Fees |
|
| |
| Investment Choices |
|
| |
| Mobile App |
|
| |
| Website |
|
| |
| Ease of Use |
|
| |
| Education |
|
| |
| Review | Charles Stanley Direct Review | Webull Review | |
| Winner | check_circle |
| Investments | Charles Stanley Direct | Webull | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 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 | Webull | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Minimum Deposit | £0 | £0 | |
| Share Trading: 0-9 Deals/ Month | £0 - £10 | 0.025% | |
| Share Trading: 10-19 Deals/ Month | £10 | 0.025% | |
| Share Trading: 20+ Deals/ Month | £10 | 0.025% | |
| 5 trades per year (£30k portfolio) | £57.50 | 0.025% of trade value | |
| 12 trades per year (£30k portfolio) | £138 | 0.025% of trade value | |
| 36 trades per year (£30k portfolio) | £414 | 0.025% of trade value | |
| 120 trades per year (£30k portfolio) | £1,380 | 0.025% of trade value | |
| 3 fund trades per year (£30k portfolio) | £90 - £102 | N/A | |
| Annual Custody Fee: £0 - £250,000 | £60 - £600 | £0 | |
| Annual Custody Fee: £250K-£500K | £600 | £0 | |
| Annual Custody Fee: £500,000 - £1m | £600 | £0 | |
| Annual Custody Fee: £1m and over | £600 | £0 | |
| 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 | Webull | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Website Gallery (click to expand) | |||
| Mobile Trading Apps Gallery (click to expand) | |||
| Education Gallery (click to expand) |
| Platforms & Tools | Charles Stanley Direct | Webull | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Web Platform | Yes | Yes | |
| iPhone App | Yes | Yes | |
| Android App | Yes | Yes | |
| Stock Alerts | Yes | Yes | |
| Charting - Indicators / Studies | 14 | 12 | |
| Charting - Drawing Tools | 1 | 17 | |
| Charting - Notes | No | Yes | |
| Charting - Display Corporate Events | No | Yes | |
| Charting - Stock Overlays | Yes | Yes | |
| Charting - Index Overlays | Yes | No |
| Research | Charles Stanley Direct | Webull | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 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 | No |
| Education | Charles Stanley Direct | Webull | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Education (Share Trading) | Yes | Yes | |
| Education (Funds) | Yes | Yes | |
| Education (Retirement) | Yes | No | |
| Client Webinars | No | No | |
| Client Webinars (Archived) | Yes | No |
| Overall Summary | Charles Stanley Direct | Webull | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Overall Rating |
|
| |
| Charges & Fees |
|
| |
| Investment Choices |
|
| |
| Mobile App |
|
| |
| Website |
|
| |
| Ease of Use |
|
| |
| Education |
|
| |
| Review | Charles Stanley Direct Review | Webull 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