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Charles Stanley Direct vs Webull 2025

StockBrokers.com

Written by StockBrokers.com

July 31, 2025

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.

Charles Stanley Direct
4/5 Stars Overall
  • Minimum Deposit: £0
  • ISA: Yes
  • SIPP: Yes
Webull
4/5 Stars Overall
  • Minimum Deposit: £0
  • ISA: No
  • SIPP: No

Your capital is at risk.

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, 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.

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

For UK investors seeking a diverse range of investment choices, Charles Stanley Direct stands out as a top contender. It offers share trading, ETFs, funds trading, and the option to invest in both corporate and government bonds, including gilts. Moreover, Charles Stanley Direct provides investment trusts and access to advisor services. Rated five stars by UK.StockBrokers.com, it ranks #6 out of 21 brokers for investment choices, highlighting its broad offerings.

In contrast, Webull, rated three stars and ranked #21, offers a more limited selection for UK investors. While it does provide share trading, it lacks options like ETFs, funds, bonds, and investment trusts, also missing out on advisor services. Investors seeking simplicity in share trading may find Webull adequate, but those desiring a more comprehensive portfolio should consider Charles Stanley Direct for its superior investment variety.

Feature Charles Stanley Direct logoCharles Stanley Direct
Webull logoWebull
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 No
Advisor Services info Yes No
Investment Choices 5/5 Stars 3/5 Stars

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Trading Tools

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 logoCharles Stanley Direct
Webull logoWebull
Web Platform info Yes Yes
Stock Alerts info Yes Yes
Charting - Indicators / Studies info 14 12
Charting - Drawing Tools info 1 info 17
Charting - Notes info No Yes
Charting - Display Corporate Events info No Yes info
Charting - Stock Overlays info Yes Yes info
Charting - Index Overlays info Yes No

ISAs and SIPPs

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.

Mobile App

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.

Beginners and Education

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 logoCharles Stanley Direct
Webull logoWebull
Client Webinars info No No
Client Webinars (Archived) info Yes No
Education (Share Trading) info Yes Yes
Education (Funds) info Yes Yes
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 comparing the market research features of Charles Stanley Direct and Webull for UK investors, Charles Stanley Direct emerges as the more comprehensive choice. It provides research reports for funds and allows you to view portfolio allocation by asset class, unlike Webull, which lacks these capabilities. Both platforms offer shares research, but Charles Stanley Direct goes further with research for ETFs and funds, leaving Webull behind in these areas. Neither platform provides research on CFDs, but Charles Stanley Direct still supports a broader range of options for detailed market insights, making it a better option for those who value in-depth financial research.

Feature Charles Stanley Direct logoCharles Stanley Direct
Webull logoWebull
Research - Shares info Yes Yes
Research - CFDs info No No
Research - ETFs info Yes No
Research - Bonds info No
Research - Funds info Yes No
Fund Research - Research Reports info Yes No
Portfolio Allocation Breakdown info Yes No

Charles Stanley Direct vs Webull Winner

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 logoCharles Stanley Direct
Webull logoWebull
Overall Rating 4/5 Stars 4/5 Stars
Charges & Fees 4/5 Stars 5/5 Stars
Investment Choices 5/5 Stars 3/5 Stars
Mobile App 3.5/5 Stars 4.5/5 Stars
Website 4/5 Stars 4/5 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 Webull?

When comparing online brokers Charles Stanley Direct and Webull, potential investors should note that as of now, neither platform offers cryptocurrency trading options.

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Overall Rating Charles Stanley Direct Webull
Overall Rating 4/5 Stars 4/5 Stars
Charges & Fees 4/5 Stars 5/5 Stars
Investment Choices 5/5 Stars 3/5 Stars
Mobile App 3.5/5 Stars 4.5/5 Stars
Website 4/5 Stars 4/5 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 Webull Review
Winner check_circle
Investments Charles Stanley Direct Webull
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
Advisor Services info Yes No
Trading Fees Charles Stanley Direct Webull
Minimum Deposit info £0 £0
Share Trading: 0-9 Deals/ Month info £0 - £10 info 0.025% info
Share Trading: 10-19 Deals/ Month info £10 0.025% info
Share Trading: 20+ Deals/ Month info £10 0.025%
5 trades per year (£30k portfolio) info £57.50 0.025% of trade value info
12 trades per year (£30k portfolio) info £138 0.025% of trade value info
36 trades per year (£30k portfolio) info £414 0.025% of trade value info
120 trades per year (£30k portfolio) info £1,380 0.025% of trade value info
3 fund trades per year (£30k portfolio) info £90 - £102 N/A
Annual Custody Fee: £0 - £250,000 info £60 - £600 £0
Annual Custody Fee: £250K-£500K info £600 £0
Annual Custody Fee: £500,000 - £1m info £600 £0
Annual Custody Fee: £1m and over info £600 £0
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 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 info Yes Yes
iPhone App info Yes Yes
Android App info Yes Yes
Stock Alerts info Yes Yes
Charting - Indicators / Studies info 14 12
Charting - Drawing Tools info 1 info 17
Charting - Notes info No Yes
Charting - Display Corporate Events info No Yes info
Charting - Stock Overlays info Yes Yes info
Charting - Index Overlays info Yes No
Research Charles Stanley Direct Webull
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
Portfolio Allocation Breakdown info Yes No
Education Charles Stanley Direct Webull
Education (Share Trading) info Yes Yes
Education (Funds) info Yes Yes
Education (Retirement) info Yes No
Client Webinars info No No
Client Webinars (Archived) info Yes No
Overall Summary Charles Stanley Direct Webull
Overall Rating 4/5 Stars 4/5 Stars
Charges & Fees 4/5 Stars 5/5 Stars
Investment Choices 5/5 Stars 3/5 Stars
Mobile App 3.5/5 Stars 4.5/5 Stars
Website 4/5 Stars 4/5 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 Webull Review
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