Updated October 17, 2026 · SumCue Editorial Team
Charles Stanley Direct vs Revolut UK
Revolut UK
Higher score in this comparison
Charles Stanley Direct
What sets them apart
| Compare | Charles Stanley DirectReviewSee alternativesSee alternatives | Revolut UKReviewVisitVisit |
|---|---|---|
| Minimum deposit | £1 | £0Lower |
| Regulators | Financial Conduct Authority | Cyprus Securities and Exchange Commission (CySEC), LT BL, SIPC |
| Investor protection | FSCS up to GBP 85,000 | EU ICS up to EUR 20,000 |
| Account types | ISA, SIPP | ISA, Joint |
| Stock trade fee | £10 | Not confirmed |
| Account fee | £60 to £600 | Not confirmed |
| Markets | Stocks, ETFs, Funds | Not confirmed |
| Currency conversion fee | Not confirmed | 0% to 2% |
| Platforms | Charles Stanley Direct Trading | Not confirmed |
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
- Revolut UK scores higher overall: 9.4 vs 8.9.
- Regulators: only Charles Stanley Direct offers Financial Conduct Authority.
- Regulators: only Revolut UK offers Cyprus Securities and Exchange Commission (CySEC), LT BL, SIPC.
- Founded is lower at Charles Stanley Direct: 1792 vs 2015.
- Revolut UK is licensed in 2 more countries.
- Minimum deposit is lower at Revolut UK: £0 vs £1.
- Account types: only Charles Stanley Direct offers SIPP.
- Account types: only Revolut UK offers Joint.
- Support channels: only Revolut UK offers Chat, 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.
Revolut UK
For readers in the UK managing everyday money and investing in one place, Revolut UK works as a broker linked to app based accounts and cards. It suits people who want easy access savings alongside joint and ISA options with multi currency and investing choices.
Score breakdown
| Area | Charles Stanley Direct | Revolut UK |
|---|---|---|
| Cost | 8.5Account fees of £60 to £600 and stock trades at £10 sit in the dearer part of the group. | 9.7Higher |
| Offer | 8.7 | 9.5Higher |
| Trust | 9.3Higher | 9.1 |
Licences and countries
| Country | Charles Stanley Direct | Revolut UK |
|---|---|---|
| Cyprus | Not confirmed | Cyprus Securities and Exchange Commission (CySEC) MiCA CASP 549300ET4IUR6RCZOL84 |
| Lithuania | Not confirmed | LT_BL PSD_EMI LT_LT_BL_304940980 |
| United Kingdom | Financial Conduct Authority 124412 | Not confirmed |
| United States | Not confirmed | SIPC SIPC member 70365 |
Side by side, item by item
| Account types | Charles Stanley Direct | Revolut UK |
|---|---|---|
| ISA | Yes | Yes |
| SIPP | Yes | No |
| Joint | No | Yes |
Positions in our rankings
| Ranking | Charles Stanley Direct | Revolut UK |
|---|---|---|
| Investing | 228 of 654 | 50 of 654 |
| Stocks and shares ISAs | 8 of 25 | 3 of 25 |
Where these facts come from
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
Revolut UK
- revolut.com: 5 facts, checked September 26, 2026
- esma.europa.eu: 4 facts, checked September 26, 2026
- moneytothemasses.com: 2 facts, checked September 26, 2026
Every fact side by side
| Fact | Charles Stanley Direct | Revolut UK |
|---|---|---|
| Features | Not confirmed | Multi currency, Virtual card, Travel |
| Pricing model | Not confirmed | No annual fee |
| Legal entity | Raymond James Wealth Management Limited | Revolut Digital Assets (Europe) Ltd |
| Headquarters | United Kingdom | Cyprus |
| Founded | 1792Lower | 2015 |
| Support channels | Email, Phone | Email, Chat, Phone, Help centreCovers more |
Credit cards
| Fact | Charles Stanley Direct | Revolut UK |
|---|---|---|
| Annual fee | Not confirmed | €0 |
| APR | Not confirmed | 13.34% to 17.99% |
| Rewards type | Not confirmed | Points |
| Rewards rate | Not confirmed | 1.5 points per EUR1 |
| Card kind | Not confirmed | Credit |
Savings
| Fact | Charles Stanley Direct | Revolut UK |
|---|---|---|
| Headline rate | Not confirmed | 4% |
| Rate type | Not confirmed | Variable |
| Deposit protection | Not confirmed | FSCS up to GBP 85,000 |
| Access terms | Not confirmed | Instant access via the Revolut app, fee-free withdrawals, no withdrawal limits |
| Monthly fee | Not confirmed | £0 |
| Account kind | Not confirmed | Easy access |
Debit cards
| Fact | Charles Stanley Direct | Revolut UK |
|---|---|---|
| Free ATM withdrawals | Not confirmed | £200 |
| Card type | Not confirmed | Debit |
| Card network | Not confirmed | Visa |
| Currencies | Not confirmed | 160 |
Robo-advisors
| Fact | Charles Stanley Direct | Revolut UK |
|---|---|---|
| Management fee | Not confirmed | 0% |
| Portfolio types | Not confirmed | ETF, Cash, Crypto |
Where each stands against the rest
| Fact | Charles Stanley Direct | Revolut UK | Median |
|---|---|---|---|
| Minimum deposit | £1below the median | £0lowest quarter | £15 |
| Stock trade fee | £10highest quarter | Not confirmed | £0 |
| Account fee | £60 to £600highest quarter | Not confirmed | £0 |
| Currency conversion fee | Not confirmed | 0% to 2%below the median | 0.4 |
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.
Revolut UK
Pros
- Easy access account opened and managed through the Revolut app
- Joint and ISA account choices alongside ETF, cash and crypto portfolios
- Multi currency handling with virtual card support for travel spending
Cons
- Investments carry risk, and the value of holdings can fall as well as rise.
- Investing happens on an execution only basis, so every decision rests with the investor.
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
Revolut UK
Who it suits
- People combining savings, cards and investing in one app
- Travellers handling more than one currency day to day
Who should look elsewhere
- Investors who want a firm to recommend which shares to buy.
- People who want only a traditional bank with local branches.
Country by country
| Country | Charles Stanley Direct | Revolut UK |
|---|---|---|
| United Kingdom | Yes | No |
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.
Revolut UK
Which products does Revolut UK cover as a broker?+
Revolut UK covers brokerage with easy access savings alongside joint and ISA account types. Portfolios include ETF, cash and crypto holdings. Card use includes debit and credit options with virtual card support.
Who is Revolut UK suited to?+
It suits people who prefer managing savings and investing through an app. Multi currency features and travel support help everyday use abroad. Joint account choices also support shared household money.
Other options to compare
Other matchups
Revolut UK
Charles Stanley Direct