Charles Stanley Direct vs Interactive Brokers - BrokerCue
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Broker Comparison

Charles Stanley Direct vs Interactive Brokers

Compare Charles Stanley Direct and Interactive Brokers 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
Interactive Brokers

Interactive Brokers

Active investors and multi-asset traders

Interactive Brokers is a multi-asset broker with stocks, ETFs, options, futures, currencies, bonds, funds and…

Head-to-head comparison

Charles Stanley Direct vs Interactive Brokers
Feature Charles Stanley Direct Interactive Brokers
Minimum deposit - -
Stock trading fee £10 per online trade; telephone dealing 1% (min £25, max £100) -
Regulators FCA SEC, CFTC, FINRA, FCA, CBI, ASIC, SEBI, MAS, CIRO
Best for UK long-term investors and fund holders Active investors and multi-asset traders
Markets & account
Stocks
ETFs
Forex
-
Crypto
-
Bonds
Options
-
Futures
-
Funds
Isa
-
Sipp
-
Investment Plans
Ready Made Portfolios
-
Business Account
-
Fractional Shares
-
Margin
-
Multi Currency
-
Demo Account
-

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
Interactive Brokers

Interactive Brokers

Pros

  • $0 Lite commissions on US stocks and ETFs
  • IBKR Pro stocks from USD 0.0005 per share
  • US options from USD 0.15 per contract
  • Margin loans start at USD 4.14%
  • Cash interest up to USD 3.14%
  • No inactivity fees
  • No minimums for general investment accounts
  • Paper trading with simulated funds

Cons

  • IBKR Pro stocks cost up to USD 0.0035 per share
  • IBKR Lite stock orders include PFOF
  • US options cost up to USD 0.65 per contract
  • Crypto execution and custody are for eligible clients
  • Forecast contracts are limited to eligible clients
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.

Interactive Brokers

Interactive Brokers

Interactive Brokers is a multi-asset broker with stocks, ETFs, options, futures, currencies, bonds, funds and crypto across web, mobile and desktop platforms.

Visit Interactive Brokers Read review

Your capital is at risk. Other fees apply.

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