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Broker Comparison

Charles Stanley Direct vs ETRADE from Morgan Stanley

Compare Charles Stanley Direct and ETRADE from Morgan Stanley 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
ETRADE from Morgan Stanley

ETRADE from Morgan Stanley

Self-directed investors and active traders

ETRADE from Morgan Stanley offers $0 online stock and ETF trades, advanced Power ETRADE platforms, options, f…

Head-to-head comparison

Charles Stanley Direct vs ETRADE from Morgan Stanley
Feature Charles Stanley Direct ETRADE from Morgan Stanley
Minimum deposit - No account minimums for brokerage accounts
Stock trading fee £10 per online trade; telephone dealing 1% (min £25, max £100) $0 online US-listed stock trades
Regulators FCA SIPC, NFA, FDIC, CFTC
Best for UK long-term investors and fund holders Self-directed investors and active traders
Markets & account
Stocks
ETFs
Crypto
-
Bonds
Options
-
Futures
-
Funds
Isa
-
Sipp
-
Investment Plans
-
Ready Made Portfolios
Business Account
-
Margin
-

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
ETRADE from Morgan Stanley

ETRADE from Morgan Stanley

Pros

  • $0 online US-listed stock, ETF, mutual fund and options trades
  • No brokerage account minimums or maintenance fees
  • Options contract fee falls to $0.50 with 30+ quarterly trades
  • Power ETRADE App trades stocks, ETFs, options and futures
  • Core Portfolios add rebalancing and tax-loss harvesting
  • CME Group and CFE futures quote fees are absorbed

Cons

  • OTC trades cost $6.95, or $4.95 after 30+ quarterly trades
  • Broker-assisted trades add $25
  • Outgoing full account transfers cost $75
  • Outgoing wires cost $25
  • Crypto access is indirect through ETPs, trusts and futures
  • Futures accounts are not protected by SIPC
  • Core Portfolios require $500 and charge 0.30% annually
  • Paper statements cost $2.00 each unless exempt
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.

ETRADE from Morgan Stanley

ETRADE from Morgan Stanley

ETRADE from Morgan Stanley offers $0 online stock and ETF trades, advanced Power ETRADE platforms, options, futures, bonds and managed portfolios.

Visit ETRADE from Morgan Stanley Read review

Your capital is at risk. Other fees apply.

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