Charles Schwab Europe

Advantages: Quick Internet access, ISA option, reasonable pricing
Disadvantages: One market only - ie. LSE or US; basic online features

* A well reputed transaction house with a 'big company' backing * I've found the online access quick, if a little basic - none of the more complex graphing or analysis type features. * If what you want is a transaction-only account with good internet access offering quick trades, and a simple 'bank account' statement of your holdings and transactions this is a good service. * Trading is on the more expensive side, but £12 for < £1000, £15 for ...
...up side there are minimal account charges, just a small quarterly charge, £5 I think. So your only costs really are the trades * You can bundle stocks into your own self-select ISA which is an attraction (£5 monthly charge applies - but tax free, obviously). * The free trades for 1st month is great - esp. if you've got a whole portfolio you would like to set up - probably what clinched it for me! * Access to International Exchanges are not available, ... Read review

Advantages: Good customer support, you actually own the shares
Disadvantages: Expensive, site is very unimpressive

...own at no charge. Despite Charles Schwab's lack of competetiveness in terms of charges, however, they are one of the more professional outfits around and I must admit that the two or three encounters I had with their customer service department were very well handled and gave an understanding and competent impression of the company. Charles Schwab, then, are a great bet if you don;t want a snazzy site and aren't worried about an extra fifty pounds ... Read review

Advantages: real time quote and free news feed
Disadvantages: slow, bad customer service

Charles Schwab Europe is the first online broker in UK and is affiliated to its Charles Schwab of USA. Although affiliated, their services fell far behind their American counterpart. Email to them is only replied after several days, and access to their website is slow. The quality of their customer service also varies and can be good at time and becomes impossible to get through during busy hour. So, in violent market condition, just sit there and ...
...up side, they provides low cost dealing, real time quotes and free news service provided by Reuter. I would say they are not the best online broker but is probably still as good as many other online broker who eager to gain market share without putting in much investment to develope the infrastructure. ... Read review

Advantages: Excellent web site
Disadvantages: Not the cheapest

I am new to share dealing. Having a PC on the web I decided to use an online stockbroker mainly because of the cheaper fees. The web site is easy to use and simple. There is an alternative telephone service also if the web site is down. Also every transaction is backed up by a paper record sent to your address. So if all the computer records are lost then you can prove what shares you hold by the paper record. Another nice incentive is that the first ... Read review

Advantages: Fast fill
Disadvantages: Unsure about the TouchTone

Schwab's service is very fast, especially real-time filling. However, there seems to be a problem with the TouchTone trader feature, for me at least, I last time I had an account with Schwab they never sent me the TouchTone trader features. The MarketMaster account is good, I have not however tried the Frequent Traders Club. The US$ accounts seems to be a much improved feature from the last time I had an account with Schwab. I like this broker, very ... Read review