Updated October 18, 2026 · SumCue Editorial Team
Charles Stanley Direct vs ii
Charles Stanley Direct
Higher score in this comparison
ii
Where Charles Stanley Direct and ii differ
| Compare | Charles Stanley DirectReviewSee alternativesSee alternatives | iiReviewSee alternativesSee alternatives |
|---|---|---|
| Minimum deposit | £1 | £0Lower |
| Stock trade fee | £10 | £3.99Lower |
| Account fee | £60 to £600Lower | £71.88 |
| Markets | Stocks, ETFs, Funds | Stocks, ETFs, Funds, BondsCovers more |
| Platforms | Charles Stanley Direct Trading | Mobile app |
| Account types | ISA, SIPP | ISA, SIPP, Jisa, JointCovers more |
| Currency conversion fee | Not confirmed | 0.75% |
| Deposit and withdrawal fees | Not confirmed | Free transfers in/out; free next-day withdrawals, GBP15 same-day |
| Interest on cash | Not confirmed | 0.8% |
Same on both: Regulators (Financial Conduct Authority), Investor protection (FSCS up to GBP 85,000).
We earn a commission when you sign up through links on this site. Partner status can affect where a brand appears in our rankings. Partners with a live offer in your country come first, then every other brand by score.
Key differences
- Charles Stanley Direct scores higher overall: 8.9 vs 8.6.
- Minimum deposit is lower at ii: £0 vs £1.
- Stock trade fee is lower at ii: £3.99 vs £10.
- Account fee is lower at Charles Stanley Direct: £60 to £600 vs £71.88.
- Markets: only ii offers Bonds.
- Platforms: only Charles Stanley Direct offers Charles Stanley Direct Trading.
- Platforms: only ii offers Mobile app.
- Account types: only ii offers Jisa, Joint.
- Support channels: only Charles Stanley Direct offers Email.
- Support channels: only ii offers Help centre.
Our verdict on each
Charles Stanley Direct
Charles Stanley Direct suits UK savers who want a self-run ISA and SIPP held with a regulated broker. Minimum deposits start at £1, and holdings sit under FSCS up to GBP 85,000, so small regular investors get a low entry point and covered money.
ii
ii suits investors who want tax efficient and family accounts with ISA, SIPP and jisa alongside stocks, ETFs and funds through Mobile app. Stock trades cost £3.99 and the account fee is £71.88, so active traders should balance dealing charges against portfolio growth.
Score breakdown
| Area | Charles Stanley Direct | ii |
|---|---|---|
| Cost | 8.5Account fees of £60 to £600 and stock trades at £10 sit in the dearer part of the group. | 8.6HigherLow entry hurdle with minimum deposit of £0 balanced by dealing charges |
| Offer | 8.7 | 8.9HigherChoice across stocks, ETFs and funds held within ISA, SIPP and jisa via Mobile app |
| Trust | 9.3Higher | 8.5Oversight from Financial Conduct Authority with cover of FSCS up to GBP 85,000 |
How they place
| Ranking | Charles Stanley Direct | ii |
|---|---|---|
| Investing | 228 of 654 | 322 of 654 |
| Stock and ETF brokers | 164 of 358 | 234 of 358 |
| Stocks and shares ISAs | 8 of 25 | 17 of 25 |
| Pensions and SIPPs | 5 of 23 | 13 of 23 |
What each covers
| Markets | Charles Stanley Direct | ii |
|---|---|---|
| Stocks | Yes | Yes |
| ETFs | Yes | Yes |
| Bonds | No | Yes |
| Funds | Yes | Yes |
| Account types | Charles Stanley Direct | ii |
|---|---|---|
| ISA | Yes | Yes |
| SIPP | Yes | Yes |
| Joint | No | Yes |
| Jisa | No | Yes |
Where each is licensed and available
| Country | Charles Stanley Direct | ii |
|---|---|---|
| United Kingdom | Financial Conduct Authority 124412 |
Available in 1 country for both.
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
ii
- ii.co.uk: 16 facts, checked September 28, 2026
Every fact side by side
| Fact | Charles Stanley Direct | ii |
|---|---|---|
| Features | Not confirmed | Mobile app |
| Pricing model | Not confirmed | Low fees |
| Legal entity | Raymond James Wealth Management Limited | Interactive Investor Services Limited |
| Headquarters | United Kingdom | United Kingdom |
| Founded | 1792 | Not confirmed |
| Support channels | Email, Phone | Phone, Help centre |
Where each stands against the rest
| Fact | Charles Stanley Direct | ii | Median |
|---|---|---|---|
| Minimum deposit | £1below the median | £0lowest quarter | £15 |
| Stock trade fee | £10highest quarter | £3.99highest quarter | £0 |
| Account fee | £60 to £600highest quarter | £71.88highest quarter | £0 |
| Currency conversion fee | Not confirmed | 0.75%above the median | 0.4% |
| Interest on cash | Not confirmed | 0.8%lowest quarter | 2.875% |
Median across 77 listed providers.
Pros and cons
Charles Stanley Direct
Pros
- Regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority, with holdings covered by FSCS up to GBP 85,000.
- Minimum deposit of £1 keeps the entry point small for regular investors.
- Available account types are isa and sipp, so tax-sheltered saving and pension investing sit with the same broker.
Cons
- Account fees of £60 to £600 a year apply regardless of balance, so a small pot pays the same as a large holding.
- Stock trades cost £10, against a typical €0 across the brands compared, so frequent dealing costs more.
- Support runs on email and phone only, so there is no listed chat channel or branch counter for anything else.
ii
Pros
- Begin with £0 and invest across stocks, ETFs and funds without funding pressure
- Hold ISA, SIPP and family accounts through ISA, SIPP and jisa in a single provider
- Cover of FSCS up to GBP 85,000 under Financial Conduct Authority for added assurance
Cons
- Account fee of £71.88 applies whether you trade or leave holdings untouched
- Stock trades cost £3.99 versus $0 at ActivTrades
- Foreign trades carry conversion costs of 0.75% on top of dealing charges
Who each suits
Charles Stanley Direct
Who it suits
- UK savers feeding regular amounts into an ISA and a SIPP, with a minimum deposit of £1 to start
- Investors who pick their own funds and shares rather than handing money to a managed portfolio
- Long-term holders who put regulation and FSCS up to GBP 85,000 ahead of the lowest dealing cost
Who should look elsewhere
- Active traders, who will find the free dealing at CFI cheaper than stock trades at £10
- Readers who want live chat, since help here runs on email and phone only
- Anyone chasing a wider asset list than stocks, etfs and funds
ii
Who it suits
- Investors building ISA and SIPP holdings with junior and joint accounts included
- Buy and hold investors focused on shares, funds and bonds with mobile access
Who should look elsewhere
- Traders sensitive to per order costs may prefer ActivTrades where stock trade fee is $0 rather than £3.99
- Investors comparing entry levels may consider XTB with minimum deposit of €0 or eToro with minimum deposit of $50
Country by country
| Country | Charles Stanley Direct | ii |
|---|---|---|
| United Kingdom | Yes | Yes |
Questions about each
Charles Stanley Direct
What does it cost to run an account at Charles Stanley Direct?+
The account fee runs £60 to £600 a year, and that charge applies whichever wrapper the account uses. Dealing costs sit on top, with stock trades priced at £10. Readers who trade rarely will feel the annual charge more than the dealing cost, so the wrapper choice and the balance size matter most here.
How much do I need to open an account?+
The minimum deposit is £1, so you can start with a small amount or a regular monthly payment. On minimum deposit the brand ranks 83 of 218 brands in the comparison, which places the entry point in the lower-cost part of the field.
ii
What does ii charge for share dealing and account holding?+
Stock trades cost £3.99 and the account fee is £71.88. The account fee covers holding of investments across wrappers and applies on top of dealing charges. Check how often you expect to trade before judging value against infrequent use.
Is ii regulated and is money protected?+
ii is provided by Interactive Investor Services Limited and regulated by Financial Conduct Authority. Client cover is FSCS up to GBP 85,000. Protection applies within scheme limits and does not remove market risk, so holdings can still fall in value.
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Charles Stanley Direct