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Bestinvest vs Charles Stanley Direct

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

Bestinvest

Bestinvest

UK long-term fund and SIPP investors

Bestinvest is a UK investment platform offering stocks, funds, ETFs and ready-made portfolios across ISA, SIP…

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

Bestinvest vs Charles Stanley Direct
Feature Bestinvest Charles Stanley Direct
Minimum deposit - -
Stock trading fee UK shares: £4.95 per online trade; telephone dealing: £30 per trade £10 per online trade; telephone dealing 1% (min £25, max £100)
Regulators FCA FCA
Best for UK long-term fund and SIPP investors UK long-term investors and fund holders
Markets & account
Stocks
ETFs
Bonds
Funds
Ready Made Portfolios
Isa
Sipp
Business Account
Investment Plans
-

Pros & cons

Bestinvest

Bestinvest

Pros

  • No fund dealing fees
  • No US share dealing fees
  • Free withdrawal and no exit fees
  • SIPP fee is competitive with no setup charge
  • Free unlimited investment coaching sessions
  • Over 3,700 funds, shares, ETFs and investment trusts available
  • Flexible ISA - withdraw and replace without losing allowance
  • FSCS protection up to £85,000

Cons

  • £4.95 per UK share and ETF trade
  • FX conversion fee of 0.95% on US shares and foreign currency transactions
  • SIPP minimum charge of £120 per year even on small balances
  • No fractional shares
  • No demo account
  • Limited to UK and US shares only - no European or Asian exchanges
  • Mobile app redirects to browser for some investment actions
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
Bestinvest

Bestinvest

Bestinvest is a UK investment platform offering stocks, funds, ETFs and ready-made portfolios across ISA, SIPP and general investment accounts, backed by Evelyn Partners.

Visit Bestinvest 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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