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.
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.
When it comes to online brokers in the UK, both AJ Bell and Barclays provide a comprehensive array of investment choices to suit different needs. Both platforms offer opportunities for share trading, ETFs, funds, corporate bonds, government bonds (gilts), and investment trusts. However, neither offers options for crypto trading, spread betting, or CFD trading. While AJ Bell does not provide advisor services, Barclays steps up to fill this gap by offering professional guidance in investment decisions.
In terms of user ratings, both AJ Bell and Barclays receive a commendable 5-star rating from UK.StockBrokers.com for their investment options. Yet, AJ Bell takes a slight edge, securing the #5 spot among 18 brokers for investment choices, compared to Barclays' #9 ranking. This distinction might make AJ Bell a more appealing option for investors who value a high-ranking yet straightforward approach to building their investment portfolios, despite its lack of advisor services.
| Feature |
AJ Bell
|
Barclays
|
|---|---|---|
| Share Trading | Yes | Yes |
| CFD Trading | No | No |
| ETFs | Yes | Yes |
| Funds | Yes | Yes |
| Bonds - Government (Gilts) | Yes | Yes |
| Investment Trusts | Yes | Yes |
| Spread Betting | No | No |
| Crypto Trading | No | No |
| Advisor Services | No | Yes |
| Investment Choices |
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Low-cost US and UK shares.
Professional’s Gateway to the World’s Markets.
When evaluating the trading tools offered by AJ Bell and Barclays, AJ Bell appears to provide a more enriched experience for UK investors keen on detailed charting capabilities. AJ Bell allows users to display corporate events on charts, which Barclays does not. Additionally, AJ Bell supports 8 drawing tools and offers 31 technical indicators for chart analysis, whereas Barclays lacks both features. Furthermore, while both platforms enable you to create alerts for stock price updates and offer browser-based trading, only AJ Bell provides real-time market data, adding another layer of immediacy to its service.
For investors interested in overlay options, AJ Bell stands out with its ability to include both index and stock overlays on charts, a function not available with Barclays. Although neither platform allows adding notes to charts, AJ Bell's suite of charting and real-time data features makes it a robust choice for those seeking a more dynamic and engaging online trading experience. Barclays, while having some basic functionalities, may not meet the needs of investors seeking advanced charting options.
| Feature |
AJ Bell
|
Barclays
|
|---|---|---|
| Web Platform | Yes | Yes |
| Stock Alerts | Yes | Yes |
| Charting - Indicators / Studies | 31 | 0 |
| Charting - Drawing Tools | 8 | 0 |
| Charting - Notes | No | No |
| Charting - Display Corporate Events | Yes | No |
| Charting - Stock Overlays | Yes | No |
| Charting - Index Overlays | Yes | No |
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.
When comparing online brokers AJ Bell and Barclays by their mobile apps, UK investors will find that both offer apps on iPhone and Android platforms. However, AJ Bell receives a significantly higher user satisfaction score with a rating of 4.5 stars from UK.StockBrokers.com, while Barclays trails behind with a 2.5-star rating. In terms of overall rankings among 18 brokers, AJ Bell stands at 9th place for its mobile app, demonstrating a stronger offering compared to Barclays, which is positioned lower at 21st. For UK users seeking a more reliable mobile trading experience, AJ Bell appears to provide a more favourable option in the realm of mobile investing.
Dive deeper: Best Stock Trading Apps UK.
For UK investors starting their journey, AJ Bell outshines Barclays in educational resources. AJ Bell offers live and on-demand webinars, a feature not available at Barclays, providing users with flexible learning opportunities. Both platforms cover essential topics like share trading, funds, and retirement planning. However, AJ Bell's educational edge is reflected in its 5-star rating from UK.StockBrokers.com, compared to Barclays' 4.5 stars. Additionally, AJ Bell ranks 5th out of 18 brokers for beginner education, surpassing Barclays' 10th place, making AJ Bell a more comprehensive choice for novice investors seeking accessible learning tools.
| Feature |
AJ Bell
|
Barclays
|
|---|---|---|
| Client Webinars | Yes | No |
| Client Webinars (Archived) | Yes | No |
| Education (Share Trading) | Yes | Yes |
| Education (Funds) | Yes | Yes |
| Education (Retirement) | Yes | Yes |
| Education |
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|
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 extensive research options, making them strong contenders. Both AJ Bell and Barclays provide comprehensive research reports for funds, helping investors make informed decisions. Portfolio allocation by asset class is also available with both brokers, allowing for clear insights into one's investment distribution. For those interested in various types of investment research, AJ Bell and Barclays offer solid coverage across shares, ETFs, and funds. Moreover, they both extend their research services to bonds, catering to a wide range of investment interests. However, if you're interested in CFDs research, neither broker provides this feature. Overall, AJ Bell and Barclays present very similar research capabilities, making them both viable options for investors seeking detailed market analysis.
| Feature |
AJ Bell
|
Barclays
|
|---|---|---|
| Research - Shares | Yes | Yes |
| Research - CFDs | No | No |
| 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 |
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Barclays
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Neither AJ Bell nor Barclays offers crypto trading, making both online brokers similar in their exclusion of cryptocurrency options for investors.
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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 | No | No | |
| Funds | Yes | Yes | |
| ETFs | Yes | Yes | |
| Bonds - Corporate | Yes | Yes | |
| Bonds - Government (Gilts) | Yes | Yes | |
| Investment Trusts | Yes | Yes | |
| Spread Betting | No | No | |
| Crypto Trading | No | No | |
| Advisor Services | No | 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 | No | No | |
| Charting - Display Corporate Events | Yes | No | |
| Charting - Stock Overlays | Yes | No | |
| Charting - Index Overlays | Yes | No |
| Research | AJ Bell | Barclays | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Research - Shares | Yes | Yes | |
| Research - CFDs | No | No | |
| 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 | No | |
| Client Webinars (Archived) | Yes | No |
| Overall Summary | AJ Bell | Barclays | |
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| Review | AJ Bell Review | Barclays Review | |
| Winner | check_circle |
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