Updated October 17, 2026 · BrokerCue Editorial Team
Charles Stanley Direct vs Pepperstone
What sets them apart
| Compare |  Charles Stanley Direct | Pepperstone ReviewVisitVisit |
|---|---|---|
| Minimum deposit | £1 | $10 |
| Stock trade fee | £10 | $0.020 |
| Markets | Stocks, ETFs, Funds | Stocks, ETFs, Forex, CFDs, Crypto, Metals |
| Platforms | Charles Stanley Direct Trading | TradingView, MetaTrader 4, MetaTrader 5, CTrader, Pepperstone platform |
| Account fee | £60 to £600 | Not confirmed |
| Regulators | Financial Conduct Authority | Not confirmed |
| Investor protection | FSCS up to GBP 85,000 | Not confirmed |
| Retail accounts that lose money | Not confirmed | 74.1% |
| Account types | ISA, SIPP | Not confirmed |
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Key differences
- Pepperstone scores higher overall: 9.2 vs 8.9.
- Markets: only Charles Stanley Direct offers Funds.
- Markets: only Pepperstone offers Forex, CFDs, Crypto.
- Platforms: only Charles Stanley Direct offers Charles Stanley Direct Trading.
- Platforms: only Pepperstone offers TradingView, MetaTrader 4, MetaTrader 5.
- Support channels: only Charles Stanley Direct offers Phone.
- Support channels: only Pepperstone offers Help centre.
Our verdict on each
Charles Stanley Direct
Charles Stanley Direct suits UK savers who want a pension or ISA wrapper from a long established provider rather than a trading app. Investor protection is stated as FSCS up to GBP 85,000, and a SIPP account fee runs £60 to £600 a year.
Pepperstone
Pepperstone is a CFD broker with several platforms and a demo account. It suits active traders, though leveraged CFDs carry a high risk of quick losses.
Score breakdown
| Area | Charles Stanley Direct | Pepperstone |
|---|---|---|
| Cost | 8.4Ranks 126 of 138 brands on account fee and 159 of 161 on stock trade fee. | 8.9Higher |
| Offer | 8.8 | 9.5Higher |
| Trust | 9.3 | Not confirmed |
What each covers
| Markets | Charles Stanley Direct | Pepperstone |
|---|---|---|
| Stocks | Yes | Yes |
| ETFs | Yes | Yes |
| Forex | No | Yes |
| CFDs | No | Yes |
| Crypto | No | Yes |
| Funds | Yes | No |
| Metals | No | Yes |
Sources behind this comparison
Charles Stanley Direct
- charles-stanley-direct.co.uk: 5 facts, checked September 26, 2026
- tradingbrokers.com: 3 facts, checked September 26, 2026
- en.wikipedia.org: 2 facts, checked September 26, 2026
- moneytothemasses.com: 2 facts, checked September 26, 2026
Pepperstone
- pepperstone.com: 6 facts, checked October 17, 2026
How they place
| Ranking | Charles Stanley Direct | Pepperstone |
|---|---|---|
| Stock and ETF brokers | 155 of 471 | 22 of 471 |
Every fact side by side
| Fact | Charles Stanley Direct | Pepperstone |
|---|---|---|
| Legal entity | Raymond James Wealth Management Limited | Not confirmed |
| Headquarters | United Kingdom | Not confirmed |
| Founded | 1792 | Not confirmed |
| Support channels | Email, Phone | Email, Help centre |
Where each stands against the rest
| Fact | Charles Stanley Direct | Pepperstone | Median |
|---|---|---|---|
| Account fee | £60 to £600highest quarter | Not confirmed | £0 |
| Retail accounts that lose money | Not confirmed | 74.1%above the median | 72.21% |
Median across 49 listed brokers.
Pros and cons
Charles Stanley Direct
Pros
- Regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority, and investor protection is stated as FSCS up to GBP 85,000.
- A minimum deposit of £1 keeps the first contribution small, and it ranks 82 of 213 on our minimum deposit data.
- The group has been running since 1792, so the name sits behind a long investment history.
Cons
- A SIPP account fee of £60 to £600 a year is the heaviest cost here, and the stock trade fee of £10 is higher than the $0 eToro lists.
- Support runs on email and phone only, with no live chat listed.
- The listed account types are isa and sipp, so there is no general investment account or joint option here.
Pepperstone
Pros
- Several platforms, including MetaTrader, cTrader and TradingView.
- Two pricing styles, one all in and one commission based.
- A demo account with virtual funds before going live.
Cons
- Leverage can cause fast losses, and a high share of retail accounts lose money.
- Overnight positions can pay or earn interest, with larger midweek rollovers.
- Withdrawals must go to an account or card in your own name.
Who each suits
Charles Stanley Direct
Who it suits
- SIPP holders who self-invest in funds and shares and want a familiar name with Financial Conduct Authority oversight.
- ISA investors who want to top up an existing holding without a large first payment, given the £1 minimum.
- People who prefer phone and email contact, since support runs on email and phone.
Who should look elsewhere
- eToro, where the stock trade fee is listed as $0, if you trade often rather than hold a pension.
- CFI, whose minimum deposit is listed as $0 in US dollars, if your budget is set in sterling.
- Vantage, whose minimum deposit is $5 in US dollars, if you want to start with a larger first payment.
Pepperstone
Who it suits
- Traders who want a choice of MetaTrader, cTrader and TradingView.
- Frequent FX, gold or index CFD traders.
Who should look elsewhere
- Anyone who cannot accept fast losses from leverage.
- Long term investors who want to own shares outright.
Country by country
| Country | Charles Stanley Direct | Pepperstone |
|---|---|---|
| United Kingdom | Yes | No |
Questions about each
Charles Stanley Direct
What does it cost to run a Charles Stanley Direct account?+
A SIPP carries an annual account fee of £60 to £600 and each stock trade costs £10. The account opens from a minimum deposit of £1, so the entry point is small, but the yearly charge is the number that shapes the total cost of holding. Both fees are quoted in pounds.
Is Charles Stanley Direct regulated, and is my money protected?+
The account is run by Raymond James Wealth Management Limited and authorised by the Financial Conduct Authority under licence 124412. Investor protection is stated as FSCS up to GBP 85,000, which is the scheme limit the provider publishes. That protection sits with the UK regulator, so eligible claims run through the UK compensation system.
Pepperstone
Does Pepperstone charge fees on deposits or withdrawals?+
The company charges no internal funding or withdrawal fees, though your bank or payment provider may apply its own charges. Deposits can be made by debit or credit card, digital wallet, or domestic and international bank transfer. Withdrawals must go to an account or card in the same name.
Can I practise on a demo account first?+
Yes. A demo account uses virtual funds in a live market environment and runs on the same platforms as live accounts. You can test strategies, try order types and explore charts and indicators without risking capital. Demo accounts cannot be reactivated once closed, so keep notes on what you tested.
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