Written by StockBrokers.com
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.
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.
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 - XTB would cost £0 per year, while Charles Stanley Direct would cost £57.50 per year.
12 trades per year - XTB would cost £0 per year, while Charles Stanley Direct would cost £138 per year.
36 trades per year - XTB would cost £0 per year, while Charles Stanley Direct would cost £414 per year.
120 trades per year - XTB would cost £0 per year, while Charles Stanley Direct would cost £1,380 per year.
3 fund trades per year - XTB would cost £0 per year, while Charles Stanley Direct 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.
When considering investment options, both XTB and Charles Stanley Direct offer diverse choices but cater to different types of investors. XTB allows for share and ETF trading, and they excel in Contract for Difference (CFD) trading, giving it a unique edge for those interested in this area. However, XTB does not provide the option for funds trading or investing in bonds and investment trusts. It also lacks advisory services, which could be a drawback for those needing investment guidance. UK.StockBrokers.com gives XTB a solid 4.5-star rating for its investment offerings, although it ranks 14th out of 18 brokers.
On the other hand, Charles Stanley Direct provides a comprehensive range of investment choices, including shares, ETFs, funds, and bonds, alongside investment trusts. This platform caters well to traditional investors by offering advisory services, which can help guide your financial decisions. Although it doesn't rank in UK.StockBrokers.com's top investment choice rankings, it still garners a full 5-star rating, indicating robust options and customer satisfaction in their investment services. However, it's important to note that neither XTB nor Charles Stanley Direct offers crypto trading or spread betting.
| Feature |
XTB
|
Charles Stanley Direct
|
|---|---|---|
| Share Trading | Yes | Yes |
| CFD Trading | Yes | No |
| ETFs | Yes | Yes |
| Funds | No | Yes |
| Bonds - Government (Gilts) | No | Yes |
| Investment Trusts | No | Yes |
| Spread Betting | Yes | No |
| Crypto Trading | No | No |
| Advisor Services | No | Yes |
| Investment Choices |
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Professional’s Gateway to the World’s Markets.
Low-cost US and UK shares.
XTB and Charles Stanley Direct both provide a solid range of trading tools for investors, but they shine in different areas. XTB impresses with its ability to display corporate events like earnings, splits, and dividends directly on charts. With 20 drawing tools and 39 technical indicators, it allows for detailed and versatile charting. Additionally, traders can add notes to charts, enhancing the analysis experience. On the other hand, Charles Stanley Direct does not offer corporate event display or note-adding capabilities, and has just one drawing tool, although it does provide a respectable selection of 14 technical indicators.
Both platforms offer browser-based trading and real-time market data but diverge when it comes to overlays. XTB doesn’t support index or stock overlays, whereas Charles Stanley Direct excels in this area, accommodating both. Users on both platforms can receive alerts for stock price updates, ensuring they stay informed. Ultimately, XTB offers more robust charting tools for detailed analysis, while Charles Stanley Direct stands out for those looking to incorporate overlays in their charting strategy.
| Feature |
XTB
|
Charles Stanley Direct
|
|---|---|---|
| Web Platform | Yes | Yes |
| Stock Alerts | Yes | Yes |
| Charting - Indicators / Studies | 39 | 14 |
| Charting - Drawing Tools | 20 | 1 |
| Charting - Notes | Yes | No |
| Charting - Display Corporate Events | Yes | No |
| Charting - Stock Overlays | No | Yes |
| Charting - Index Overlays | No | Yes |
When comparing XTB and Charles Stanley Direct for retirement accounts, it's important to consider your specific needs. Both brokers offer ISA accounts, providing tax-efficient saving and investment options. However, when it comes to SIPP accounts, which are a popular choice for those wanting greater control over their pension investments, Charles Stanley Direct offers this option, while XTB does not. This difference may influence which broker you choose if a SIPP account is a priority in your retirement planning. With both offering unique advantages, evaluating these features can help determine the best fit for your investment strategy.
Dive deeper: Best SIPP Providers, Best Stocks and Shares ISA Providers.
When it comes to mobile trading applications, both XTB and Charles Stanley Direct cater to iPhone and Android users with their dedicated apps. XTB distinguishes itself with a high rating of 4.5 stars from UK.StockBrokers.com for its mobile app, earning the #10 spot out of 18 brokers. In contrast, Charles Stanley Direct's mobile app holds a 3.5-star rating, though its overall ranking isn't listed by UK.StockBrokers.com. These ratings reflect XTB's stronger performance in mobile app usability and features, making it a noteworthy choice for traders who prioritize mobile trading efficiency.
Dive deeper: Best Stock Trading Apps UK.
When comparing XTB and Charles Stanley Direct for beginner investor educational resources, both platforms have their strengths. XTB does not offer educational webinars or archived content for later viewing, but it provides strong educational materials on share trading. However, it lacks support in areas like funds and retirement. Conversely, Charles Stanley Direct does not host live webinars but does archive them for on-demand access and provides comprehensive educational resources on share trading, funds, and retirement topics. Both platforms are rated 4.5 stars by UK.StockBrokers.com for beginner education. However, XTB is notably ranked 8th out of 18 brokers, while Charles Stanley Direct does not have a ranking available. This makes both platforms similar in their quality of beginner education, but their core educational offerings differ, giving aspiring investors varied options depending on their learning preferences and areas of interest.
| Feature |
XTB
|
Charles Stanley Direct
|
|---|---|---|
| Client Webinars | No | No |
| Client Webinars (Archived) | No | Yes |
| Education (Share Trading) | Yes | Yes |
| Education (Funds) | No | Yes |
| Education (Retirement) | No | Yes |
| Education |
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Dive deeper: Best UK Trading Platforms for Beginners.
When comparing the market research features of online brokers XTB and Charles Stanley Direct, there are distinct differences and similarities to consider. XTB does not provide research reports for funds, whereas Charles Stanley Direct does, making the latter a preferable choice for fund-focused investors. Both brokers allow users to view portfolio allocation by asset class, catering to those who wish to maintain a well-diversified investment portfolio. In terms of shares, ETFs, and CFDs research, XTB covers all these areas, while Charles Stanley Direct provides insights into shares and ETFs but not CFDs. Neither broker, however, offers research on bonds, which may be a drawback for investors interested in fixed-income securities.
| Feature |
XTB
|
Charles Stanley Direct
|
|---|---|---|
| Research - Shares | Yes | Yes |
| Research - CFDs | Yes | No |
| Research - ETFs | Yes | Yes |
| Research - Bonds | No | No |
| Research - Funds | No | Yes |
| Fund Research - Research Reports | No | Yes |
| Portfolio Allocation Breakdown | Yes | Yes |
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 has set itself up as a strong competitor in commission-free share trading. Its low fees and solid educational content will make XTB particularly attractive to newer investors. It does not, however, offer an ISA or SIPP.
| Feature |
XTB
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Charles Stanley Direct
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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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0 of 5| Overall Rating | XTB | Charles Stanley Direct | |
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| Review | XTB Review | Charles Stanley Direct Review | |
| Winner | check_circle |
| Investments | XTB | Charles Stanley Direct | |
|---|---|---|---|
| ISA | Yes | Yes | |
| SIPP | No | Yes | |
| Share Trading | Yes | Yes | |
| CFD Trading | Yes | No | |
| Funds | No | Yes | |
| ETFs | Yes | Yes | |
| Bonds - Corporate | No | Yes | |
| Bonds - Government (Gilts) | No | Yes | |
| Investment Trusts | No | Yes | |
| Spread Betting | Yes | No | |
| Crypto Trading | No | No | |
| Advisor Services | No | Yes |
| Trading Fees | XTB | Charles Stanley Direct | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Minimum Deposit | £0 | £0 | |
| Share Trading: 0-9 Deals/ Month | £0 | £0 - £10 | |
| Share Trading: 10-19 Deals/ Month | £0 | £10 | |
| Share Trading: 20+ Deals/ Month | £0 | £10 | |
| 5 trades per year (£30k portfolio) | £0 | £57.50 | |
| 12 trades per year (£30k portfolio) | £0 | £138 | |
| 36 trades per year (£30k portfolio) | £0 | £414 | |
| 120 trades per year (£30k portfolio) | £0 | £1,380 | |
| 3 fund trades per year (£30k portfolio) | N/A | £90 - £102 | |
| Annual Custody Fee: £0 - £250,000 | 0 | £60 - £600 | |
| Annual Custody Fee: £250K-£500K | 0 | £600 | |
| Annual Custody Fee: £500,000 - £1m | 0 | £600 | |
| Annual Custody Fee: £1m and over | 0 | £600 | |
| Bonds - Corporate - Fee | N/A | £25 | |
| Bonds - Government (Gilts) - Fee | N/A | £25 | |
| ETFs - Fee | £0 | £10 | |
| Investment Trusts - Fee | N/A | £10 | |
| Telephone Dealing Fee | N/A | £25 minimum |
| Broker Screenshots | XTB | Charles Stanley Direct | |
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| Website Gallery (click to expand) |
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| Education Gallery (click to expand) |
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| Platforms & Tools | XTB | Charles Stanley Direct | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Web Platform | Yes | Yes | |
| iPhone App | Yes | Yes | |
| Android App | Yes | Yes | |
| Stock Alerts | Yes | Yes | |
| Charting - Indicators / Studies | 39 | 14 | |
| Charting - Drawing Tools | 20 | 1 | |
| Charting - Notes | Yes | No | |
| Charting - Display Corporate Events | Yes | No | |
| Charting - Stock Overlays | No | Yes | |
| Charting - Index Overlays | No | Yes |
| Research | XTB | Charles Stanley Direct | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Research - Shares | Yes | Yes | |
| Research - CFDs | Yes | No | |
| Research - Funds | No | Yes | |
| Fund Research - Research Reports | No | Yes | |
| Research - ETFs | Yes | Yes | |
| Research - Bonds | No | No | |
| Portfolio Allocation Breakdown | Yes | Yes |
| Education | XTB | Charles Stanley Direct | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Education (Share Trading) | Yes | Yes | |
| Education (Funds) | No | Yes | |
| Education (Retirement) | No | Yes | |
| Client Webinars | No | No | |
| Client Webinars (Archived) | No | Yes |
| Overall Summary | XTB | Charles Stanley Direct | |
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| Review | XTB Review | Charles Stanley Direct Review | |
| Winner | check_circle |
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