The best alternatives to Charles Stanley Direct are
- Hargreaves Lansdown - UK-based stockbroker
- Degiro - Dutch discount broker
- Saxo Bank - Danish investment bank
Let's see in a bit more detail how the Charles Stanley Direct alternatives compare to Charles Stanley Direct and each other:
| Charles Stanley Direct | Hargreaves Lansdown | Degiro | Saxo Bank | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Overall score | 4.2 | 4.5 | 4.7 | 4.7 |
| Fees score | ||||
| Account opening score | ||||
| Deposit and withdrawal score | ||||
| Web platform score | ||||
| Markets and products score | ||||
| Visit broker | Visit broker | Visit broker | Visit broker |
Why are these brokers considered good alternatives to Charles Stanley Direct? There are many areas based on which Charles Stanley Direct can be compared with others. When we say a given online broker is a good alternative to Charles Stanley Direct we mean these brokers are comparable in the following areas:
- The products they offer, meaning you can buy mostly the same things, i.e. stocks, CFDs, options, etc.
- The type of clients they target, i.e. beginners, experienced investors, or day traders.
Charles Stanley Direct alternatives recommendations
Brokers are different in a number of ways, which means each of them may be suitable for different people. Here's how they compare overall:
- Charles Stanley Direct is recommended for beginners and buy and hold investors focusing on the uk market
- Hargreaves Lansdown is recommended for beginners and buy and hold investors looking for great customer service and easy to use trading platforms
- Degiro is recommended for price-sensitive buy and hold investors and traders looking for only execution
- Saxo Bank is recommended for investors and traders looking for a great trading platform and solid research
Important factors of finding Charles Stanley Direct alternatives
So far Brokerchooser has reviewed 57 online brokers in detail, which gives this comparison a solid starting point.
Not only that, but all of these brokers are reviewed using the exact same broker review methodology, which makes everything easily comparable. For each broker, we
- open a live account
- check over 100 criteria, with weighting based on readers' preferences
- refresh data regularly
Whether Charles Stanley Direct or one of its alternatives is the best choice for you is on the following five broker characteristics that most interest people:
Fees. There are different types of fees that your online brokerage may charge, and both the number and the size of these fees may vary significantly from broker to broker. Both of these aspects can impact your returns and your overall experience. The amounts Charles Stanley Direct charges you are considered average. When picking an alternative, you could prioritize brokers that are cheaper than Charles Stanley Direct.
Deposit/withdrawal. The number of ways that you can deposit or withdraw money to or from your account matters a lot. For example, while you can make a deposit with a credit card at Charles Stanley Direct, this might not be the case at its alternatives.
Web trading platform. While online brokers are usually available on various platforms like mobile apps, tablet apps or desktop software, most people use them through their web platform in a browser. User-friendly trading platforms that offer many different resources can significantly increase your trading comfort.
Markets and products. A lot of people have specific products they would like to invest in. Knowing whether stocks, forex, mutual funds, and other products are available at the given Charles Stanley Direct alternative is a must.
Now let's dive into the details of how Charles Stanley Direct and its alternatives perform in the most important areas!
Charles Stanley Direct alternatives
Charles Stanley Direct
4.2
4 stars
Charles Stanley Direct was founded in 1985 and it is UK-based stockbroker. It is regulated by the top-tier Financial Conduct Authority (FCA). In addition, it is constituent of FTSE 100, a stock index of the biggest listed companies in the UK.
Charles Stanley Direct is considered safe because it has a long track record, is listed on a stock exchange, has a banking background, and is regulated by a top-tier regulator.
Recommended for beginners and buy and hold investors focusing on the uk market
- Great customer service
- Easy deposit and withdrawal
- Strong parent company
- High stock and ETF fees
- Limited product portfolio
- Missing education
Fees 3 stars
Charles Stanley Direct has high fees for stocks and ETFs. As a plus, there is no inactivity fee and the fees for funds are low.
- No inactivity fee
- Low fees for funds
- High fees for stock and ETF
| Charles Stanley Direct | Hargreaves Lansdown | Degiro | Saxo Bank | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Apple benchmark fee | - | $34.8 | $1.4 | $20.0 |
| Vodafone benchmark fee | $35.2 | $35.2 | $5.2 | $15.0 |
| EURUSD benchmark fee | - | $13.6 | - | $58.4 |
Includes spreads, commissions and financing rate for opening a position, holding for a week, and closing.
Position sizes: $2k for stocks and $20k for FX
Account opening 4 stars
Charles Stanley Direct's account opening process is quick and easy as long as you have a UK passport. If you don't have a UK passport, you have to send the photocopied documents by post.
- Fast
- Fully digital
- User-friendly
- Available for only UK residents
| Charles Stanley Direct | Hargreaves Lansdown | Degiro | Saxo Bank | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Minimum deposit | $29 | $1 | $0 | $725 |
| Time to open account | 1-3 days | 1 day | 1 day | 1-3 days |
Learn more about Charles Stanley Direct minimum deposit here.
Deposit and withdrawal 4 stars
Depositing and withdrawing money is easy and free with a debit card or bank transfers at Charles Stanley Direct. Unfortunately, accounts are available only in GBP.
- Credit/Debit card available
- Free withdrawal
- No deposit fee
- Only one account base currency
| Charles Stanley Direct | Hargreaves Lansdown | Degiro | Saxo Bank | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bank Transfer | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Credit/Debit card | Yes | Yes | No | No |
| Electronic wallets | No | No | No | No |
| Withdrawal fee | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 |
Web trading platform 3 stars
The web trading platform provides the basic functionalities and its available in English. Some parts like the search functionality could be improved.
- User-friendly
- Clear fee report
- Price alerts
- No two-step (safer) login
- Poor search function
- Limited customizability (for charts, workspace)
- Limited order types
- Bugs
| Charles Stanley Direct | Hargreaves Lansdown | Degiro | Saxo Bank | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Web platform score | ||||
| Mobile platform score | ||||
| Desktop platform score | - | - | - |
Learn more about Charles Stanley Direct's web trading platform in the detailed Charles Stanley Direct review.
Markets and products 2 stars
At Charles Stanley Direct, you can only trade with UK stocks, ETF, and mutual funds online. International stocks and bonds can be traded only offline. Options, futures, CFDs, and cryptos are missing.
| Charles Stanley Direct | Hargreaves Lansdown | Degiro | Saxo Bank | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Stock | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| ETF | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Forex | No | Yes | No | Yes |
| Fund | Yes | Yes | Yes | No |
| Bond | No | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Options | No | No | Yes | Yes |
| Futures | No | No | Yes | Yes |
| CFD | No | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Crypto | No | Yes | Yes | Yes |
Verdict
Charles Stanley Direct's customer service is great, you will get relevant answers within a short time. The deposit and withdrawal are easy and free. The company is listed on the London Stock Exchange and has a long track record.
It has some drawbacks though. It has high fees for stocks and ETFs. You can trade only stock, ETF, and mutual funds online. The educational tools are missing.
As the minimum deposit is low and no inactivity fee is charged, feel free to try Charles Stanley.
| Charles Stanley Direct | |
|---|---|
| Summary | Charles Stanley Direct is a UK broker, regulated by the top-tier FCA. The company is listed on the London Stock Exchange and constituent of FTSE 100, a stock index of the biggest listed companies in the UK. |
| Fees score | |
| Recommended for | Beginners and buy and hold investors focusing on the UK market |
Charles Stanley Direct alternatives
Hargreaves Lansdown
4.5
5 stars
Hargreaves Lansdown was founded in 1981 and one of the biggest UK-based stockbrokers. It is regulated by the top-tier Financial Conduct Authority (FCA). In addition, it is constituent of FTSE 100, a stock index of the biggest listed companies in the UK.
Hargreaves Lansdown is considered safe because it has a long track record, is regulated by a top-tier regulator, and is listed on a stock exchange.
Recommended for beginners and buy and hold investors looking for great customer service and easy to use trading platforms
- Great customer service
- Easy to use trading platforms
- High-quality educational tools
- High fees for stocks, ETFs, and CFDs
- Offline account opening for clients outside the UK
- Only GBP base currency
Fees 2 stars
Hargreaves Lansdown has high trading fees for stocks, ETFs, and CFDs. As a plus, the fund, forex, and bond fees are low and there is no inactivity fee.
- No inactivity fee
- Low fees for funds, forex, and bonds
- High stock, ETF, and CFD fees
| Hargreaves Lansdown | Charles Stanley Direct | |
|---|---|---|
| Apple benchmark fee | $34.8 | - |
| Vodafone benchmark fee | $35.2 | $35.2 |
| EURUSD benchmark fee | $13.6 | - |
Includes spreads, commissions and financing rate for opening a position, holding for a week, and closing.
Position sizes: $2k for stocks and $20k for FX
Account opening 4 stars
Hargreaves Lansdown's account opening process is quick and easy as long as you're in the UK and they manage to electronically verify the details you entered. If this fails or you live outside the UK, you have to send the photocopied documents by post.
- Fast
- Fully digital
- User-friendly
- Offline account opening for non-UK clients
| Hargreaves Lansdown | Charles Stanley Direct | |
|---|---|---|
| Minimum deposit | $1 | $29 |
| Time to open account | 1 day | 1-3 days |
If you are interested more in Hargreaves Lansdown minimum deposit, this overview will help you.
Deposit and withdrawal 4 stars
Depositing and withdrawing money is easy and free with a debit card or fast bank transfers at Hargreaves Lansdown. Unfortunately, accounts are available only in GBP.
- Credit/Debit card available
- Free withdrawal
- No deposit fee
- Only one account base currency
| Hargreaves Lansdown | Charles Stanley Direct | |
|---|---|---|
| Bank Transfer | Yes | Yes |
| Credit/Debit card | Yes | Yes |
| Electronic wallets | No | No |
| Withdrawal fee | $0 | $0 |
Web trading platform 4 stars
Hargreaves Lansdown's web platform is great. It is user-friendly and easy to use. However, it lacks a two-step login and customizability.
- User-friendly
- Clear fee report
- Good search function
- No two-step (safer) login
- Limited customizability (for charts, workspace)
| Hargreaves Lansdown | Charles Stanley Direct | |
|---|---|---|
| Web platform score | ||
| Mobile platform score | ||
| Desktop platform score | - | - |
Learn more about Hargreaves Lansdown's web trading platform in the detailed Hargreaves Lansdown review.
Markets and products 4 stars
At Hargreaves Lansdown, you can access many markets and trade with a lot of different products, except for options and futures.
| Hargreaves Lansdown | Charles Stanley Direct | |
|---|---|---|
| Stock | Yes | Yes |
| ETF | Yes | Yes |
| Forex | Yes | No |
| Fund | Yes | Yes |
| Bond | Yes | No |
| Options | No | No |
| Futures | No | No |
| CFD | Yes | No |
| Crypto | Yes | No |
Verdict
Hargreaves Lansdown is one of the biggest UK brokers regulated by top-tier regulators.
Its customer service is great, you will get relevant answers within a short time. The web and mobile trading platforms are user-friendly. The educational tools have high-quality.
It has some drawbacks though. It has high fees for stocks, ETFs, and CFDs. The account opening for clients outside the UK is not fully digital. There is only one base currency, the GBP.
As there is no minimum deposit and no inactivity fee is charged, feel free to try Hargreaves Lansdown.
| Hargreaves Lansdown | |
|---|---|
| Summary | Hargreaves Lansdown is a UK broker, regulated by the top-tier FCA. The company is listed on the London Stock Exchange and constituent of FTSE 100, a stock index of the biggest listed companies in the UK. |
| Fees score | |
| Recommended for | Beginners and buy and hold investors looking for great customer service and easy to use trading platforms |
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Charles Stanley Direct alternatives
Degiro
4.7
5 stars
Best discount broker
DEGIRO is a trending Dutch online discount broker. It is privately owned and was established in 2013 by former employees of another brokerage company.
DEGIRO is considered safe as it is regulated by top-tier financial regulators, the Dutch AFM and DNB. It is registered with the Chamber of Commerce and Industry in Amsterdam under number 34342820.
Recommended for price-sensitive buy and hold investors and traders looking for only execution
- One of the lowest fees in the market
- Broad access to international markets
- Easy to use web and mobile platform
- Limited research and education
- No forex trading
- No credit/debit card deposit and withdrawal
Fees 5 stars
DEGIRO has low trading and non-trading fees. In most asset classes, it is the best in the market. There are some ETFs which you can trade free once per month. It's a great offer for buy-and-hold investors.
- Low trading fees
- Low non-trading fees
- No withdrawal fee
- At some ETFs, one free trade per month
- Yearly service fee for mutual funds
- Higher trading fees for Asian and smaller European stock exchanges
| Degiro | Charles Stanley Direct | |
|---|---|---|
| Apple benchmark fee | $1.4 | - |
| Vodafone benchmark fee | $5.2 | $35.2 |
| EURUSD benchmark fee | - | - |
Includes spreads, commissions and financing rate for opening a position, holding for a week, and closing.
Position sizes: $2k for stocks and $20k for FX
Account opening 5 stars
DEGIRO has an easy and fast account opening process. Also, there is no minimum deposit.
- Fully digital
- No minimum deposit
- User-friendly
| Degiro | Charles Stanley Direct | |
|---|---|---|
| Minimum deposit | $0 | $29 |
| Time to open account | 1 day | 1-3 days |
If you are interested more in Degiro minimum deposit, this overview will help you.
Deposit and withdrawal 3 stars
DEGIRO deposit and withdrawal is free of charge via bank transfer. On the other hand, you cannot deposit with credit or debit card.
- Free withdrawal
- No deposit fee
- Several account base currencies
- Credit/Debit card not available
| Degiro | Charles Stanley Direct | |
|---|---|---|
| Bank Transfer | Yes | Yes |
| Credit/Debit card | No | Yes |
| Electronic wallets | No | No |
| Withdrawal fee | $0 | $0 |
Web trading platform 4 stars
DEGIRO’s web platform is simple and easy to use. Even beginners can easily navigate it and buy stocks. On the negative side, it is a bit complicated to customize.
- User-friendly
- Two-step (safer) login
- Modern design
- Limited customizability (for charts, workspace)
- No price alerts
| Degiro | Charles Stanley Direct | |
|---|---|---|
| Web platform score | ||
| Mobile platform score | ||
| Desktop platform score | - | - |
Learn more about Degiro's web trading platform in the detailed Degiro review.
Markets and products 3 stars
At DEGIRO you can access many markets and trade with a lot of different products, except for forex.
| Degiro | Charles Stanley Direct | |
|---|---|---|
| Stock | Yes | Yes |
| ETF | Yes | Yes |
| Forex | No | No |
| Fund | Yes | Yes |
| Bond | Yes | No |
| Options | Yes | No |
| Futures | Yes | No |
| CFD | Yes | No |
| Crypto | Yes | No |
Verdict
DEGIRO is a good choice if you want a simple platform and don’t want to spend a fortune on fees.
It is far cheaper than its big European competitors and only Interactive Brokers can compete with DEGIRO fees. DEGIRO also has great access to international markets and trading products. And it is als one of the best trading platforms for Europeans.
However, cheapness comes with some shortfalls. Education and research tools are limited, there is no forex trading and limited deposit and withdrawal options.
All in all, it is a great online broker. As there is no minimum deposit and no inactivity fee, feel free to try it out.
| Degiro | |
|---|---|
| Summary | DEGIRO is a Dutch discount broker established in 2008. It is regulated by the Dutch FMA. |
| Fees score | |
| Recommended for | Price-sensitive buy and hold investors and traders looking for only execution |
Charles Stanley Direct alternatives
Saxo Bank
4.7
5 stars
Best trading platform
Saxo Bank is a Danish investment bank providing online trading and investments. It is a leading European retail brokerage innovator. Saxo is privately owned, established in 1992, and headquartered in Copenhagen.
Saxo is considered safe as it is regulated worldwide by more than 10 financial regulators, including top-tier regulators, like the UK FCA.
Recommended for investors and traders looking for a great trading platform and solid research
- Outstanding research
- Great trading platform
- Broad product portfolio
- High forex, bond, options, and futures fees
- Slow account opening
- Missing live chat
Fees 3 stars
Saxo Bank has average trading and non-trading fees.
- No withdrawal fee
- Transparent fee structure
- Lower fees for Platinum and VIP clients
- Inactivity fee
- High financing rate
- High forex, bond, options and futures fees
| Saxo Bank | Charles Stanley Direct | |
|---|---|---|
| Apple benchmark fee | $20.0 | - |
| Vodafone benchmark fee | $15.0 | $35.2 |
| EURUSD benchmark fee | $58.4 | - |
Includes spreads, commissions and financing rate for opening a position, holding for a week, and closing.
Position sizes: $2k for stocks and $20k for FX
Account opening 3 stars
Account opening is available for residents of almost every country and is fully digital.
- Fast
- Fully digital
- Available for residents of almost every country
- Minimum deposit is higher than $500
- Sales team pushy
- Classic accounts available only in a single currency
| Saxo Bank | Charles Stanley Direct | |
|---|---|---|
| Minimum deposit | $725 | $29 |
| Time to open account | 1-3 days | 1-3 days |
If you are interested more in Saxo Bank minimum deposit, this overview will help you.
Deposit and withdrawal 5 stars
Saxo provides multiple deposit and withdrawal options free of charge on a user-friendly interface.
- Free withdrawal
- No deposit fee
- Several account base currencies
- Credit/Debit card withdrawal not available
| Saxo Bank | Charles Stanley Direct | |
|---|---|---|
| Bank Transfer | Yes | Yes |
| Credit/Debit card | No | Yes |
| Electronic wallets | No | No |
| Withdrawal fee | $0 | $0 |
Web trading platform 5 stars
Saxo Bank's web trading platform is easy-to-use and well-designed. However, it doesn't provide a two-step login and the customizability is limited.
- User-friendly
- Good search function
- Modern design
- No two-step (safer) login
- Limited customizability (for charts, workspace)
| Saxo Bank | Charles Stanley Direct | |
|---|---|---|
| Web platform score | ||
| Mobile platform score | ||
| Desktop platform score | - |
Learn more about Saxo Bank's web trading platform in the detailed Saxo Bank review.
Markets and products 4 stars
At Saxo Bank you can reach many markets and trade with a lot of different products, except for funds.
| Saxo Bank | Charles Stanley Direct | |
|---|---|---|
| Stock | Yes | Yes |
| ETF | Yes | Yes |
| Forex | Yes | No |
| Fund | No | Yes |
| Bond | Yes | No |
| Options | Yes | No |
| Futures | Yes | No |
| CFD | Yes | No |
| Crypto | Yes | No |
Verdict
Saxo Bank is a great broker, providing a complex and good service.
It has the best trading platforms backed by great research. The product portfolio is covering all important international markets and asset classes.
It has some drawbacks though. The fees for forex, bond, options, and futures are high. The account opening can take long and the live chat is missing.
In general, Saxo Bank is one of the best online brokerage companies you can choose. By opening an account, you end up with a broad, well-developed service.
| Saxo Bank | |
|---|---|
| Summary | Saxo Bank is a Danish investment bank. It is regulated by more than 10 financial authorities, including the top-tier FCA. |
| Fees score | |
| Recommended for | Investors and traders looking for a great trading platform and solid research |
Charles Stanley Direct alternatives
Bottom line
Based on our analysis, there are several good alternatives to Charles Stanley Direct. They all offer similar products and target similar customers. Here's a recap of the results in a table.
| Broker | Info | Recommended for |
|---|---|---|
| Charles Stanley Direct | UK-based stockbroker | Beginners and buy and hold investors focusing on the UK market |
| Hargreaves Lansdown | UK-based stockbroker | Beginners and buy and hold investors looking for great customer service and easy to use trading platforms |
| Degiro | Dutch discount broker | Price-sensitive buy and hold investors and traders looking for only execution |
| Saxo Bank | Danish investment bank | Investors and traders looking for a great trading platform and solid research |
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