Written by StockBrokers.com
In this head to head comparison of AJ Bell vs Barclays, we will compare the trading platforms, mobile apps, investment options, costs, market research, and more. Let's dive in.
Your capital is at risk.
Alongside the cost per trade, most UK online brokers also charge a monthly, quarterly, or annual management fee, which varies based on the account type and balance. Based on our thorough review, Barclays offers better pricing than AJ Bell for share dealing.
Assuming a £30,000 portfolio size, here are the total annual costs for share dealing with both brokers, given different monthly activity scenarios.
5 trades per year - AJ Bell would cost £100 per year, while Barclays would cost £105 per year.
12 trades per year - AJ Bell would cost £135 per year, while Barclays would cost £75 or £147 per year.
36 trades per year - AJ Bell would cost £255 per year, while Barclays would cost £75 or £291 per year.
120 trades per year - AJ Bell would cost £495 per year, while Barclays would cost £75 or £795 per year.
3 fund trades per year - AJ Bell would cost £0 per year, while Barclays would cost £0 per year.
What type of trader are you?
New to the world of investing? See our picks for the Best UK Trading Platforms for Beginners. More experienced traders should read our guide to the Best UK Trading Platforms for Active Traders.
Both AJ Bell and Barclays provide a broad range of investment options to suit various investor preferences in the UK. AJ Bell and Barclays each offer share trading, which can benefit those interested in stock market investments. Additionally, both platforms cater to ETF enthusiasts and provide options for funds trading, corporate bonds, government bonds (gilts), and investment trusts, making them versatile choices for diversifying portfolios.
However, advisor services set these two apart, with Barclays offering this feature to support investors needing professional guidance. Although both platforms have received a five-star rating for investment choices from UK.StockBrokers.com, AJ Bell edges ahead by ranking fifth among 21 brokers in the area of investment choices, compared to Barclays' ranking of ninth. This suggests that AJ Bell might offer a slightly broader or more appealing selection of investment options for some investors. Despite the differences, both platforms remain strong contenders in the world of online brokerage, providing UK investors with a wide array of tools to reach their financial goals.
| Feature |
AJ Bell
|
Barclays
|
|---|---|---|
| Share Trading | Yes | Yes |
| CFD Trading | ||
| ETFs | Yes | Yes |
| Funds | Yes | Yes |
| Bonds - Government (Gilts) | Yes | Yes |
| Investment Trusts | Yes | Yes |
| Spread Betting | ||
| Crypto Trading | ||
| Advisor Services | Yes | |
| Investment Choices |
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Low-cost US and UK shares.
Professional’s Gateway to the World’s Markets.
For UK investors seeking comprehensive trading tools, AJ Bell stands out by offering the ability to display corporate events like earnings, splits, and dividends directly on charts, a feature not present with Barclays. AJ Bell enhances charting capabilities with eight drawing tools and 31 technical indicators, compared to none available through Barclays. Additionally, AJ Bell users can benefit from index and stock overlays on charts, expanding their analytical reach.
Both AJ Bell and Barclays provide browser-based trading platforms, allowing for convenient online trading. However, AJ Bell further distinguishes itself with real-time market data access, while delivering features like stock price alerts and chart customization by adding notes, which are areas where Barclays falls short in comparison. For those focusing on detailed technical analysis and timely updates, AJ Bell emerges as a more feature-rich choice.
| Feature |
AJ Bell
|
Barclays
|
|---|---|---|
| Web Platform | Yes | Yes |
| Stock Alerts | Yes | Yes |
| Charting - Indicators / Studies | 31 | 0 |
| Charting - Drawing Tools | 8 | 0 |
| Charting - Notes | ||
| Charting - Display Corporate Events | Yes | |
| Charting - Stock Overlays | Yes | |
| Charting - Index Overlays | Yes |
When it comes to selecting an online broker for retirement accounts in the UK, both AJ Bell and Barclays offer impressive options for investors. AJ Bell provides a straightforward way to manage your investments with both Individual Savings Accounts (ISAs) and Self-Invested Personal Pensions (SIPPs) available. Similarly, Barclays also caters to those planning for the future with its own offerings of ISAs and SIPPs. Each platform enables you to save for retirement while benefiting from tax advantages, though your choice might depend on specific platform features or service preferences. Whether you're leaning towards AJ Bell or Barclays, both ensure you have access to essential investment tools for a secure future.
Dive deeper: Best SIPP Providers, Best Stocks and Shares ISA Providers.
For UK investors seeking user-friendly mobile trading platforms, both AJ Bell and Barclays offer apps for iPhone and Android devices. However, when it comes to user satisfaction, AJ Bell takes the edge with a commendable 4.5-star rating from UK.StockBrokers.com, placing it 9th out of 21 brokers in the mobile app category. On the other hand, Barclays struggles with a lower 2.5-star rating, ranking 21st among its peers. This stark contrast suggests AJ Bell's app may offer a more favorable trading experience compared to Barclays for UK users.
Dive deeper: Best Stock Trading Apps UK.
When comparing beginner investor educational resources offered by AJ Bell and Barclays, AJ Bell stands out with a 5-star rating from UK.StockBrokers.com, positioning it 5th among 21 brokers for beginner education, whereas Barclays holds a 4.5-star rating and ranks 10th. AJ Bell provides educational client webinars that can be accessed on demand, a feature not mentioned for Barclays. Both platforms cover essential topics like share trading, funds, and retirement education, offering a wide array of information to help new investors gain confidence in their investment journeys.
| Feature |
AJ Bell
|
Barclays
|
|---|---|---|
| Client Webinars | Yes | |
| Client Webinars (Archived) | Yes | |
| Education (Share Trading) | Yes | Yes |
| Education (Funds) | Yes | Yes |
| Education (Retirement) | Yes | Yes |
| Education |
|
|
Dive deeper: Best UK Trading Platforms for Beginners.
When comparing the market research features of AJ Bell and Barclays for UK investors, both online brokers offer comprehensive research reports for funds and the ability to view portfolio allocation by asset class. Investors can also access detailed shares, ETFs, and funds research through both platforms. Additionally, both AJ Bell and Barclays provide insights into bonds, but neither offers research on CFDs. This makes them equally matched for individuals seeking rich research resources to inform their investment decisions.
| Feature |
AJ Bell
|
Barclays
|
|---|---|---|
| Research - Shares | Yes | Yes |
| Research - CFDs | ||
| Research - ETFs | Yes | Yes |
| Research - Bonds | Yes | Yes |
| Research - Funds | Yes | Yes |
| Fund Research - Research Reports | Yes | Yes |
| Portfolio Allocation Breakdown | Yes | Yes |
Which broker is better overall, AJ Bell or Barclays? After collecting more than 900 data points over a 10-week period, we found AJ Bell to be a better trading platform overall.
You can invest in an extensive range of investments through AJ Bell. Charges are on the high side for those with large portfolios in mutual funds and those looking to execute one-off share deals; but its new app, called Dodl, offers much lower fees and also offers a more slim-lined and user-friendly service. Educational and research materials are strong, too.
| Feature |
AJ Bell
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Barclays
|
|---|---|---|
| Overall Rating |
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| Charges & Fees |
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| Investment Choices |
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| Mobile App |
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| Website |
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| Ease of Use |
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| Education |
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Both online brokers provide robust financial services, but when it comes to cryptocurrency trading, AJ Bell does not offer this option, whereas Barclays also does not support crypto trading.
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0 of 5| Overall Rating | AJ Bell | Barclays | |
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| Review | AJ Bell Review | Barclays Review | |
| Winner | check_circle |
| Investments | AJ Bell | Barclays | |
|---|---|---|---|
| ISA | Yes | Yes | |
| SIPP | Yes | Yes | |
| Share Trading | Yes | Yes | |
| CFD Trading | |||
| Funds | Yes | Yes | |
| ETFs | Yes | Yes | |
| Bonds - Corporate | Yes | Yes | |
| Bonds - Government (Gilts) | Yes | Yes | |
| Investment Trusts | Yes | Yes | |
| Spread Betting | |||
| Crypto Trading | |||
| Advisor Services | Yes |
| Trading Fees | AJ Bell | Barclays | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Minimum Deposit | £0 | £0 | |
| Share Trading: 0-9 Deals/ Month | £5 | £6 | |
| Share Trading: 10-19 Deals/ Month | £3.50 | £6 | |
| Share Trading: 20+ Deals/ Month | £3.50 | £6 | |
| 5 trades per year (£30k portfolio) | £100 | £105 | |
| 12 trades per year (£30k portfolio) | £135 | £75 or £147 | |
| 36 trades per year (£30k portfolio) | £255 | £75 or £291 | |
| 120 trades per year (£30k portfolio) | £495 | £75 or £795 | |
| 3 fund trades per year (£30k portfolio) | £79.50 | £75 | |
| Annual Custody Fee: £0 - £250,000 | £0 - £625 | £0 - £525 | |
| Annual Custody Fee: £250K-£500K | £625 - £875 | £525 - £650 | |
| Annual Custody Fee: £500,000 - £1m | £875 | £650 - £850 | |
| Annual Custody Fee: £1m and over | £875 | £850 and up | |
| Bonds - Corporate - Fee | £5 | £6 | |
| Bonds - Government (Gilts) - Fee | £5 | £6 | |
| ETFs - Fee | £5 | £6 | |
| Investment Trusts - Fee | £5 | £6 | |
| Telephone Dealing Fee | £25 | £25 |
| Broker Screenshots | AJ Bell | Barclays | |
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| Education Gallery (click to expand) |
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| Platforms & Tools | AJ Bell | Barclays | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Web Platform | Yes | Yes | |
| iPhone App | Yes | Yes | |
| Android App | Yes | Yes | |
| Stock Alerts | Yes | Yes | |
| Charting - Indicators / Studies | 31 | 0 | |
| Charting - Drawing Tools | 8 | 0 | |
| Charting - Notes | |||
| Charting - Display Corporate Events | Yes | ||
| Charting - Stock Overlays | Yes | ||
| Charting - Index Overlays | Yes |
| Research | AJ Bell | Barclays | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Research - Shares | Yes | Yes | |
| Research - CFDs | |||
| Research - Funds | Yes | Yes | |
| Fund Research - Research Reports | Yes | Yes | |
| Research - ETFs | Yes | Yes | |
| Research - Bonds | Yes | Yes | |
| Portfolio Allocation Breakdown | Yes | Yes |
| Education | AJ Bell | Barclays | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Education (Share Trading) | Yes | Yes | |
| Education (Funds) | Yes | Yes | |
| Education (Retirement) | Yes | Yes | |
| Client Webinars | Yes | ||
| Client Webinars (Archived) | Yes |
| Overall Summary | AJ Bell | Barclays | |
|---|---|---|---|
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| Review | AJ Bell Review | Barclays Review | |
| Winner | check_circle |
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