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XTB vs Charles Stanley Direct 2026

StockBrokers.com

Written by StockBrokers.com

July 31, 2025

In this head to head comparison of XTB vs Charles Stanley Direct, we will compare the trading platforms, mobile apps, investment options, costs, market research, and more. Let's dive in.

XTB
4.5/5 Stars Overall
  • Minimum Deposit: £0
  • ISA: Yes
  • SIPP: No
Charles Stanley Direct
4/5 Stars Overall
  • Minimum Deposit: £0
  • ISA: Yes
  • SIPP: Yes

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, XTB offers better pricing than Charles Stanley Direct for share dealing.

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

Comparing XTB vs Charles Stanley Direct for UK investors: both offer share dealing and ETFs, and neither supports crypto. XTB adds CFD trading, which Charles Stanley Direct does not. In contrast, Charles Stanley Direct provides access to funds, corporate bonds, government bonds (gilts), and investment trusts, plus optional adviser services—none of which are available with XTB.

For investment choice ratings, UK.StockBrokers.com scores XTB 4.5/5 and ranks it 12th of 21 brokers, while Charles Stanley Direct earns 5/5 (no ranking listed). Pick XTB if you want CFDs alongside shares and ETFs; choose Charles Stanley Direct if you need funds, bonds, investment trusts, and the option of advice.

Feature XTB logoXTB
Charles Stanley Direct logoCharles Stanley Direct
Share Trading info Yes Yes
CFD Trading info Yes No
ETFs info Yes Yes
Mutual Funds info No Yes
Bonds - Government (Gilts) info No Yes info
Investment Trusts info No Yes
Spread Betting info No No
Crypto Trading info No No
Advisor Services info No Yes
Investment Choices 4.5/5 Stars 5/5 Stars

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Trading Tools

For UK investors comparing trading tools, XTB’s charts are more feature-rich for analysis: it can display corporate events (earnings, splits, dividends) directly on charts, lets you add notes, and includes 4 drawing tools plus 13 technical indicators. Charles Stanley Direct offers 1 drawing tool and 14 indicators, but it doesn’t show corporate events or allow chart notes. Both brokers support index and stock overlays, provide real-time market data, and run on browser-based platforms.

The key difference is alerts. XTB does not offer price alerts, while Charles Stanley Direct does, which may suit hands-off monitoring. Choose XTB if you want clearer context on charts with events and annotations, or pick Charles Stanley Direct if price alerts and a simple indicator set are more important to you.

Feature XTB logoXTB
Charles Stanley Direct logoCharles Stanley Direct
Web Platform info Yes Yes
Stock Alerts info No Yes
Charting - Indicators / Studies info 13 14
Charting - Drawing Tools info 4 1 info
Charting - Notes info Yes No
Charting - Display Corporate Events info Yes No
Charting - Stock Overlays info Yes Yes
Charting - Index Overlays info Yes Yes

ISAs and SIPPs

When comparing online brokers XTB and Charles Stanley Direct for UK investors interested in retirement accounts, notable differences emerge. Both brokers provide Individual Savings Accounts (ISAs), allowing investors to grow their savings tax-efficiently. However, when it comes to Self-Invested Personal Pensions (SIPPs), Charles Stanley Direct stands out by offering this option, enabling individuals to manage their own pension investments with more flexibility. Meanwhile, XTB does not currently provide SIPP accounts, which might be a consideration for those specifically looking to invest for retirement through a pension account. Ultimately, your choice may depend on whether SIPP access is a priority in meeting your retirement goals.

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

Mobile App

Comparing XTB and Charles Stanley Direct for UK mobile trading: both brokers offer iPhone and Android apps, but UK.StockBrokers.com rates XTB’s app higher at 4.5/5 versus Charles Stanley Direct’s 3.5/5. XTB is ranked 9th out of 21 brokers for Mobile Apps, while Charles Stanley Direct has no ranking available. If app quality matters most, XTB edges ahead, though Charles Stanley Direct still provides straightforward access on both iPhone and Android.

Dive deeper: Best Stock Trading Apps UK.

Beginners and Education

For UK beginner investors comparing education, XTB and Charles Stanley Direct both earn 4.5/5 from UK.StockBrokers.com, but their learning offerings differ. Neither broker runs live client webinars; however, Charles Stanley Direct provides archived, on-demand sessions, while XTB does not. Both cover share trading, yet only Charles Stanley Direct adds education on funds and retirement. XTB ranks #8 of 21 brokers for beginner education, while Charles Stanley Direct’s ranking is not available. If you want broader topics and on-demand viewing, choose Charles Stanley Direct; for trading-focused learning, XTB holds its own.

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

Dive deeper: Best UK Trading Platforms for Beginners.

Market Research

For UK investors comparing market research tools, XTB offers research on shares and ETFs but lacks funds and bonds research, fund research reports, and a way to view your portfolio split by asset class. Charles Stanley Direct also covers shares and ETFs, and adds funds research, research reports for funds, and a portfolio allocation view by asset class; its bond research availability is not specified.

Feature XTB logoXTB
Charles Stanley Direct logoCharles Stanley Direct
Research - Shares info Yes Yes
Research - ETFs info Yes Yes
Research - Bonds info No
Research - Funds info No Yes
Fund Research - Research Reports info No Yes
Portfolio Allocation Breakdown info No Yes

XTB vs Charles Stanley Direct Winner

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

XTB is a low-cost investing platform best known for its commission-free stock and ETF trading, free ISA, and strong educational content for newer investors.

Feature XTB logoXTB
Charles Stanley Direct logoCharles Stanley Direct
Overall Rating 4.5/5 Stars 4/5 Stars
Charges & Fees 5/5 Stars 4/5 Stars
Investment Choices 4.5/5 Stars 5/5 Stars
Mobile App 4.5/5 Stars 3.5/5 Stars
Website 4.5/5 Stars 4/5 Stars
Ease of Use 4/5 Stars 4.5/5 Stars
Education 4.5/5 Stars 4.5/5 Stars

FAQs

Can you trade cryptocurrency with XTB or Charles Stanley Direct?

Both XTB and Charles Stanley Direct do not offer cryptocurrency trading, making them comparable for investors focused on traditional financial assets.

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Overall Rating XTB Charles Stanley Direct
Overall Rating 4.5/5 Stars 4/5 Stars
Charges & Fees 5/5 Stars 4/5 Stars
Investment Choices 4.5/5 Stars 5/5 Stars
Mobile App 4.5/5 Stars 3.5/5 Stars
Website 4.5/5 Stars 4/5 Stars
Ease of Use 4/5 Stars 4.5/5 Stars
Education 4.5/5 Stars 4.5/5 Stars
Review XTB Review Charles Stanley Direct Review
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Investments XTB Charles Stanley Direct
ISA info Yes Yes
SIPP info No Yes
Share Trading info Yes Yes
CFD Trading info Yes No
Mutual Funds info No Yes
ETFs info Yes Yes
Bonds - Corporate info No Yes
Bonds - Government (Gilts) info No Yes info
Investment Trusts info No Yes
Spread Betting info No No
Crypto Trading info
Advisor Services info No Yes
Trading Fees XTB Charles Stanley Direct
Minimum Deposit info £0 £0
Share Trading: 0-9 Deals/ Month info £0 £0 - £10 info
Share Trading: 10-19 Deals/ Month info £0 £10
Share Trading: 20+ Deals/ Month info £0 £10
5 trades per year (£30k portfolio) info
12 trades per year (£30k portfolio) info
36 trades per year (£30k portfolio) info
120 trades per year (£30k portfolio) info
3 fund trades per year (£30k portfolio) info
Annual Platform Fee (Funds): £0 - £250,000 info N/A £60 - £600
Annual Platform Fee (Funds): £250K-£500K info N/A £600
Annual Platform Fee (Funds): £500,000 - £1m info N/A £600
Annual Platform Fee (Funds): £1m and over info N/A £600
Bonds - Corporate - Fee info N/A £25
Bonds - Government (Gilts) - Fee info N/A £25 info
ETFs - Fee info £0 £10 info
Investment Trusts - Fee info N/A £10
Telephone Dealing Fee info N/A £25 minimum
Broker Screenshots XTB Charles Stanley Direct
Website Gallery (click to expand)
Home page of the XTB xStation 5 web app. A trade ticket for purchasing Tesla on the xStation 5 web app. An example commission cost for purchasing £350,000 worth of shares on the xStation 5 web app. Full view of the trade ticket pop-up dialog on the xStation 5 web app. Viewing a ESG rating chart for Persimmon stock on the xStation 5 web app. XTB UK xStation5 platform share trading news headlines. XTB UK xStation5 platform share trading charts. XTB UK xStation5 platform share trading ticket window. XTB UK xStation5 platform share trading markets. XTB UK xStation5 platform sentiment. XTB UK xStation5 platform share trading economic calendar. XTB UK xStation5 platform share trading heat map. XTB UK xStation5 dividend calendar. XTB UK client dashboard portal messages.
Mobile Trading Apps Gallery (click to expand)
Home tab of the XTB mobile app. Viewing the stock chart of Tesla shares on the XTB mobile app. Viewing the Tesla stock chart and trade ticket in the XTB mobile app. Purchasing Tesla stock and viewing the trade ticket costs on the XTB mobile app. Viewing key financial information about Tesla shares on the XTB mobile app. The Discover tab on the XTB mobile app.
Education Gallery (click to expand)
Education tab on the XTB mobile app. XTB education. XTB UK xStation5 platform share trading educational video detail. XTB UK share trading research videos YouTube playlist detail. XTB UK share trading educational videos YouTube playlist.
Platforms & Tools XTB Charles Stanley Direct
Web Platform info Yes Yes
iPhone App info Yes Yes
Android App info Yes Yes
Stock Alerts info No Yes
Charting - Indicators / Studies info 13 14
Charting - Drawing Tools info 4 1 info
Charting - Notes info Yes No
Charting - Display Corporate Events info Yes No
Charting - Stock Overlays info Yes Yes
Charting - Index Overlays info Yes Yes
Research XTB Charles Stanley Direct
Research - Shares info Yes Yes
Research - CFDs info
Research - Funds info No Yes
Fund Research - Research Reports info No Yes
Research - ETFs info Yes Yes
Research - Bonds info No
Portfolio Allocation Breakdown info No Yes
Education XTB Charles Stanley Direct
Education (Share Trading) info Yes Yes
Education (Funds) info No Yes
Education (Retirement) info No Yes
Client Webinars info No No
Client Webinars (Archived) info No Yes
Overall Summary XTB Charles Stanley Direct
Overall Rating 4.5/5 Stars 4/5 Stars
Charges & Fees 5/5 Stars 4/5 Stars
Investment Choices 4.5/5 Stars 5/5 Stars
Mobile App 4.5/5 Stars 3.5/5 Stars
Website 4.5/5 Stars 4/5 Stars
Ease of Use 4/5 Stars 4.5/5 Stars
Education 4.5/5 Stars 4.5/5 Stars
Review XTB Review Charles Stanley Direct Review
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