# Charles Stanley Direct — user reviews > 72 indexed App Store user reviews of Charles Stanley Direct by Charles Stanley & Co. Limited, rated 5.00/5 from 6 ratings. - Source: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/charles-stanley-direct/id1297304657/reviews - App overview in markdown: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/charles-stanley-direct/id1297304657.md - Rating breakdown: 5★ 6 · 4★ 0 · 3★ 0 · 2★ 0 · 1★ 0 ## Newest reviews (16 of 72) ### 2/5 — Not great *2025-02-22, version 8.65.1* Stupid app wipes login credential every time it updates and login credentials are not saved in passwords. Had to do password recovery multiple times as a result. Will be moving away from them as a result. ### 2/5 — Now will not load my account *2025-02-19, version 8.65.1* For some years this app gave me the basic information I wanted. Now it just hangs on loading my data so is of no use at all. The two stars are for the past. ### 3/5 — Improved but still issues *2025-02-03, version 8.65.1* While the previous instability of the app appears to have been largely remedied, a new issue has recently appeared. Since upgrading my iOS software, the rotation option in the app to show expanded details of the portfolio no longer works. Rotation lock is off on my phone so seems to be an app/iOS compatibility problem. Expanded view was useful so hoping this gets sorted soon. UPDATE: Jan 2025: finally had enough. High fees and poor app not good enough. In the process of transferring my ISA elsewhere. ### 2/5 — Inconsistent reporting *2024-11-15, version 7.60.1* Regularly shows incorrect changes on the app. Classic case yesterday Aviva rises by 4.55% in value, app says 0.9%, since closing and still reports such at 7.30am the next day. As usual you raise the issue months ago and message back saying IT and provide aware but still no resolution. ### 2/5 — Limited functionality *2024-07-16, version 7.52.1* I’ve become increasingly frustrated by the lack of features in this app, and have started switching my holdings to competitors. Key issues are: ➡️ There is no way to pay in or withdraw money in the app - you have to do it on the website. ➡️ The buy/sell functionality for individual funds exists in the app, but is very very hard to discover (mysterious purple floating icon). ➡️ Getting clear analytics on fund and portfolio performance in the app is effectively impossible if you hold more than a couple of funds - you can look at them individually, but not comparatively, and you can’t get a quick view of portfolio composition. For all this, you need to use the website. ➡️ Searching and comparing funds on the website is also often an exercise in frustration. Know the SEDOL? Who cares! The search function won’t find it. Want to see compare fund charges? You have to manually click through to the information page on each fund. ### 2/5 — Can't see price changes *2024-05-02, version 7.46.0* The information is all there but when I look at my portfolio the first thing I want to see is the day's change. Like it used to be in newspapers! Unlucky - you have to drill into each holding and swipe. Charles Stanley are considering this feature, have been for a while. ### 3/5 — Poor upgrade *2024-03-15, version 7.45.0* I have used the predecessor to this app for some time. OK this iPad update is prettier but it ends there. It has very limited functionality. The most irritating aspect for me is the poor visibility of the associated cash accounts. I cannot tell what dividends have been received and are due to be transferred to my bank account as there is only a single figure for cash on the account and no ability to drill down. Regular investments and corporate actions are not visible. Individual investments can be analysed but there are no tools for analysing an entire portfolio. Searching for new investments is abismal unless you know the formal stock codes. For instance, a search for ftse100 ETF returned hundreds of results with the top 2 being Chinese and the first UK equity fund coming in at number 41. CS really should have waited rolling the update out until it was somewhere near complete. ### 4/5 — Nice App *2024-03-03, version 7.38.7* Returned to CS after a long break and the updated App is very nice. Works well for me and UI is good. Nice and easy which is great for retail investors like me. ### 1/5 — Poor new version now totally unusable *2024-02-09, version 7.38.7* The new iOS beta was far worse than the previous version as it no longer gives me easy access to the cash balance information I want. Feb 24 version is supposed to make login easier, but it does not actually send the authorisation code to my mobile, so is impossible to log into. Customers pay a RollsRoyce price for Charles Stanley, so I really expect better than this. ### 1/5 — Used to be great *2024-01-26, version 7* The new version of the app is a poor relation to the original. Custom reporting has been removed in favour of what Charles Stanley think you might want to see, there’s no way to see account activity (despite what the screenshot shows) and all documents render as blank PDFs. Such a shame as the old app was great. The change is such a retrograde step that it’s made me consider moving to a different broker ### 1/5 — Poor functionality *2023-12-21, version 7* Lots of error messages. New release clearly hasn’t been properly tested. Back to the website for me ### 4/5 — Useless *2023-12-19, version 7* The old app worked well. This new one doesn’t and I am having to use the website instead, ! Two days on and it has started working . ### 1/5 — Poor update & no communication *2023-12-15, version 7* The latest update is incredibly buggy. Biometrics don’t work despite enabling everytime I log in. Two factor authentication is triggered on every sign in with no option to recognise a secure device. It also asks you to set up a new PIN on every sign in. Very frustrating and no response from the help desk when emailing to report the issues. Considering things the first significant update to the app in years, it’s pretty poor. ### 2/5 — No dividend info *2023-12-15, version 7* Terrible update this time. All dividend info gone. I can no longer see what my dividends are worth. I can only see this now via the website which now renders this app useless to me. 2 steps backwards here!!! ### 3/5 — App does not work *2023-12-13, version 7* Not only does this App not have facial recognition it does not accept my password which is valid on the web site. Very disappointing and totally useless. ### 3/5 — Payments not well thought out. *2023-12-12, version 6.1.0* Navigating away from the app immediately logs you out completely. So if your payment requires approval through a banking app on your phone you won’t be able to complete it through the CS app and will have to do it through the web site. ## Most critical reviews (10 lowest-rated) ### 1/5 — Not ideal *2025-10-02, version 8.81.2* Wonky pricing info…. Creaky trading platform…. I don’t want to have to call when the app and website are not functioning - too often. Not ideal. ### 1/5 — Avoid *2025-09-10, version 8.71.1* The app throws error messages constantly, and is missing basic functionality such as reading messages. Avoid ### 1/5 — Stock issues *2025-06-18, version 8.71.0* There have been some detailed issues with the share displays (complaint rejected, ts&cs say they don't guarantee it will work!) but the main problem is that Charles Stanley Direct does not get itself on the subscriptions list for new stock issues by smallcaps, eg Gelion @15p, now 21p to buy. ### 1/5 — Disappointing app *2025-02-10, version 8.65.1* Since the latest app update was installed it no longer allows me to sign into my account, just presented with a spinning wheel. Disappointing that the app was lacking so many features that competitors have and won’t even allow me to access my accounts now. ### 1/5 — No longer functioning *2025-02-09, version 8.65.1* Since 30/1/25 this app no longer functions. Avoid. Every attempt to open it comes up with “Something went wrong. Please try again later” ### 1/5 — 👎 *2024-05-02, version 7.46.0* Doesn’t allow me to log in just says details are incorrect even though they aren’t ### 1/5 — Low functionality but visually appealing *2024-04-21* The older app was far better for live changes and you had more options to illustrate your portfolio and in what order the information was presented. Now constantly the information is limited, standardised and often delayed. Now need to log into the website for the same functionality. A retrograde step sadly. **Developer response:** Hi, thanks for getting in touch. We appreciate your feedback on the new app and we will share this with the wider team. If you need any further assistance, please contact the helpdesk with the reference code #437 on info@cs-d.co.uk or visit www.charles-stanley-direct.co.uk/FAQ for more ways to get in touch. ### 1/5 — Phone app log on not working again *2024-03-22, version 7.45.0* Since the last few updates I’m having real issues logging into the phone app. It’s so glitchy. Some days it works others it doesn't. My details keep been rejected although they haven’t been changed and I can log on using my laptop just fine. So frustrating… what’s going on? ### 1/5 — Almost useless *2024-02-13, version 7.38.7* Any attempt to trade throws an error. Trying to add funds throws an error. I can see my portfolio value - that bit works but I can’t do anything else with it which makes it pretty much useless. Support tell me to use the website - thanks, that’s really helpful. ### 1/5 — Unable to log-in *2024-02-10, version 7.38.7* The app was updated yesterday (9Jan) but still sends an error message when I attempt to log-in It is now two and a half months since the app was re-launched and I still cannot access it Clicking on the reviews I see hundreds of complaints about this bug-ridden app over a number of years. This is not at all helpful to Charles Stanley’s reputation ## Most praised reviews (10 highest-rated) ### 5/5 — Just stopped working? *2025-02-10, version 8.65.1* Keep getting “error occurred: something went wrong try again later” message. Been happening for few days now ### 5/5 — A much improved experience *2024-03-05, version 7.38.7* I had the old app and it was really not very user friendly. This new version of the app is much clearer, easier to use and better all round. Like all new apps, it will take a little while to get used to fully, but it’s a much better app now than it was before. ### 5/5 — Nice and Simple and it works *2022-07-22, version 6.0.15* These type of apps are a Godsend. I am a buy and hold investor who appreciates the clear, simple layout particularly for someone who doesn’t like being deluged with irrelevant information. I do hope one day Charles Stanley will be able to have international dealing on their platform and of course the app. ### 5/5 — mobile data connection issues solved .. *2022-03-13, version 6.0.13* Having used this app for years without issues, on upgrading to iPhone 13 I suddenly found I couldn’t log in when not connected to Wi-Fi, it kept saying I had no internet connection. I have read several other reviews with the same problem. I couldn’t resolve this within the app settings itself, but have now resolved it by going to the phone settings-app settings- CS app- switch on to use mobile data. Now it works fine! Maybe that helps others. ### 5/5 — Great app, does what you need. *2021-02-19, version 6.0.7* Does just what you need it to do. Easy to add cash and invest. Like the configurable valuation options and track my account with Charles Stanley Direct. ### 5/5 — Terrible Update *2020-07-01, version 6.0.1* This is a terrible update not befitting the company that owns it. Repeatedly lists ‘Sorry you are not connected to the internet’, which doesn’t go away until the app is deleted and reinstalled. Previous issues also with correct PIN numbers being rejected, likewise preventing access. Sort it out! ### 5/5 — Not connected to internet *2020-06-27, version 6.0.1* It worked for a few days. I was just getting used to the non-intuitive interface when it stopped working. Now when I launch it it says it is not connected to the internet all the time, whether on WIFI or 4G. ### 5/5 — A big improvement *2017-11-02, version 1.0* This is a huge step forward compared with the previous app. Easier to use and looks better too. I do wish it would stop asking me if I want to use Touch ID when I open the app. If I’ve said ‘no’ previously, it shouldn’t ask again and just have the option available in the app settings. ### 4/5 — No longer works. *2025-02-08, version 8.65.1* Used to work fine but now doesn’t work with iOS 18.3 on iPhone or iPad. Won’t get beyond face recognition Update Deleted the app and reloaded and now works fine again ### 4/5 — Charles Stanley app *2024-07-20, version 7.52.1* This app does not work for the benefit of the customer very limited functionality so might as well use the web site until I transfer to another provider --- *Data collected daily from the US App Store and indexed by [AppsHunter](https://appshunter.io/). User reviews are verbatim App Store reviews. Ratings, prices and chart positions refresh continuously; this snapshot is from 2026-08-28.*