BrokerCue

Broker Comparison

Charles Stanley Direct vs CMC Invest

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

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…

VS
CMC Invest

CMC Invest

App-based long-term investors using ISAs and SIPPs

CMC Invest is an app-based investing platform with £0 commission, GIA, flexible ISAs, SIPP, stocks, ETFs and …

Head-to-head comparison

Charles Stanley Direct vs CMC Invest
Feature Charles Stanley Direct CMC Invest
Minimum deposit - £1
Stock trading fee £10 per online trade; telephone dealing 1% (min £25, max £100) £0 commission
Regulators FCA FCA
Best for UK long-term investors and fund holders App-based long-term investors using ISAs and SIPPs
Markets & account
Stocks
ETFs
Bonds
-
Funds
Isa
Sipp
Investment Plans
-
Ready Made Portfolios
-
Business Account
-
Multi Currency
-

Pros & cons

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
CMC Invest

CMC Invest

Pros

  • £0 commission on all in-app trades
  • Core plan has no monthly price plan fee
  • FX fee falls to 0.39% on Premium
  • USD and EUR wallets reduce repeat FX conversions
  • Uninvested cash earns up to 3.30% AER on Premium
  • Transfers can start in-app in as little as 30 seconds
  • Flexible ISAs allow same-year withdrawals and redeposits

Cons

  • Plus costs up to £6.99/month
  • Premium costs up to £10.99/month
  • Core FX fee is 0.99%
  • Failed payments or late settlement cost £25 plus interest
  • Paper documents cost £3 + VAT per document
  • UK share buys carry 0.50% stamp duty
  • UK share trades over £10,000 may add a £1 PTM levy
  • Mutual funds are only on Plus and Premium
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.

CMC Invest

CMC Invest

CMC Invest is an app-based investing platform with £0 commission, GIA, flexible ISAs, SIPP, stocks, ETFs and mutual funds. FX and plan fees vary by tier.

Visit CMC Invest Read review

Your capital is at risk. Other fees apply.

Not the right match?

Line up any two brokers side by side, or browse the full list to find your next platform.

Compare another broker Browse all brokers