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Ally Invest vs Charles Stanley Direct

Compare Ally Invest and Charles Stanley Direct side by side: fees, regulation, platforms.

Ally Invest

Ally Invest

DIY investors who also want managed portfolio options

Ally Invest combines self-directed trading with robo portfolios and personal advice, with $0 commissions on m…

VS
Charles Stanley Direct

Charles Stanley Direct

UK long-term investors and fund holders

Charles Stanley Direct is a UK investment platform launched in 2013, offering stocks, ETFs, funds, bonds, ISA…

Head-to-head comparison

Ally Invest vs Charles Stanley Direct
Feature Ally Invest Charles Stanley Direct
Minimum deposit No minimum deposit required for Self-Directed brokerage cash account; $2,000 for Self-Directed brokerage margin accounts; $100 for Robo Portfolios; $100,000 for Personal Advice -
Stock trading fee $0 commission £10 per online trade; telephone dealing 1% (min £25, max £100)
Regulators FINRA, SIPC, SEC FCA
Best for DIY investors who also want managed portfolio options UK long-term investors and fund holders
Markets & account
Stocks
ETFs
Bonds
Options
-
Funds
Margin
-
Ready Made Portfolios
Isa
-
Sipp
-
Investment Plans
-
Business Account
-

Pros & cons

Ally Invest

Ally Invest

Pros

  • $0 commissions on most U.S.-listed stocks and ETFs
  • $0 options commission with a $0.50 contract fee
  • $100 minimum for Ally Invest Robo Portfolios
  • Cash-enhanced Robo Portfolios have no advisory fee
  • Daily robo review and rebalancing at no extra fee
  • $75 ACAT transfer-fee credit on $2,500+ transfers
  • Apex adds up to $150 million aggregate excess coverage

Cons

  • $2,000 minimum deposit for Self-Directed margin accounts
  • $100,000 minimum assets for Personal Advice
  • Market-focused Robo Portfolios charge 0.30% annually
  • Low-priced securities cost $4.95 plus $0.01 per share
  • Personal Advice is available only to current customers
  • Withdrawals over 20% of Personal Advice account require a call
  • Robo ETF expense ratios are not included in advisory fee
Charles Stanley Direct

Charles Stanley Direct

Pros

  • FCA regulated with FSCS protection
  • Wide range of accounts: ISA, SIPP, Junior ISA, GIA, business account
  • Access to 12,500+ UK and international investments
  • No inactivity fee
  • No deposit or withdrawal fees
  • £50 trading credit every six months offsets dealing costs
  • In-house research and market commentary
  • Flexible ISA feature uncommon among competitors

Cons

  • No demo account
  • £10 per trade for shares, ETFs and investment trusts is among the highest of UK platforms
  • Annual platform fee minimum of £60 disadvantages smaller portfolios
  • Annual fee cap raised to £600 in 2024, increasing costs for mid-size portfolios
  • FX conversion charge of 1% on trades under £10,000
  • Bonds and gilts available by telephone only
  • No fractional shares
  • Basic mobile app lacks advanced charting and research tools
Ally Invest

Ally Invest

Ally Invest combines self-directed trading with robo portfolios and personal advice, with $0 commissions on most U.S.-listed stocks and ETFs.

Visit Ally Invest Read review

Your capital is at risk. Other fees apply.

Charles Stanley Direct

Charles Stanley Direct

Charles Stanley Direct is a UK investment platform launched in 2013, offering stocks, ETFs, funds, bonds, ISA, SIPP and Junior ISA accounts with in-house research.

Visit Charles Stanley Direct Read review

Your capital is at risk. Other fees apply.

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