Written by StockBrokers.com
In this head to head comparison of AJ Bell vs Bestinvest, 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, AJ Bell offers better pricing than Bestinvest 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 Bestinvest would cost £144.75 per year.
12 trades per year - AJ Bell would cost £135 per year, while Bestinvest would cost £119.40 - £179.40 per year.
36 trades per year - AJ Bell would cost £255 per year, while Bestinvest would cost £238.20 - £357.60 per year.
120 trades per year - AJ Bell would cost £495 per year, while Bestinvest would cost £654 - £714 per year.
3 fund trades per year - AJ Bell would cost £0 per year, while Bestinvest would cost £50 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.
For UK investors seeking a diverse array of investment choices, AJ Bell and Bestinvest both offer strong options with their online brokerage services. AJ Bell is highly rated by UK.StockBrokers.com, receiving 5 stars and ranking 5th out of 21 brokers for investment choices. It provides a broad selection, including share trading, trading of ETFs, funds, corporate bonds, government bonds, and investment trusts. In contrast, Bestinvest holds a solid 4.5-star rating and ranks 10th, offering share trading, ETFs, funds, and investment trusts. The absence of corporate and government bond trading, however, limits Bestinvest's variety compared to AJ Bell.
Neither platform delves into crypto or spread betting, and both avoid CFD trading. A significant distinction lies in advisor services, where Bestinvest shines by offering these to clients, whereas AJ Bell does not. This difference could sway those investors looking for added guidance. In essence, AJ Bell excels in bond investment options, while Bestinvest provides the added perk of advisory support, catering well to different investor preferences within the UK market.
| Feature |
AJ Bell
|
Bestinvest
|
|---|---|---|
| Share Trading | Yes | Yes |
| CFD Trading | No | No |
| ETFs | Yes | Yes |
| Funds | Yes | Yes |
| Bonds - Government (Gilts) | Yes | No |
| 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 examining the online trading tools offered by AJ Bell and Bestinvest, a few differences become apparent. AJ Bell provides a comprehensive view by allowing users to display corporate events such as earnings, splits, and dividends directly on charts, a feature not available on Bestinvest. For chart customisation, Bestinvest slightly edges out AJ Bell with 9 drawing tools compared to AJ Bell's 8. However, when it comes to technical indicators, Bestinvest offers 36, surpassing AJ Bell's 31. Notably, Bestinvest provides the ability to add notes to charts, a lacking feature for AJ Bell users.
Both AJ Bell and Bestinvest offer browser-based trading platforms and enable users to add stock overlays to charts. AJ Bell, however, stands out for those requiring index overlays, a feature not supported by Bestinvest. While both platforms allow the creation of alerts for stock price updates, AJ Bell users benefit from real-time market data, a feature absent from Bestinvest. This offering could be crucial for traders who rely on immediate data to make informed investment decisions.
| Feature |
AJ Bell
|
Bestinvest
|
|---|---|---|
| Web Platform | Yes | Yes |
| Stock Alerts | Yes | Yes |
| Charting - Indicators / Studies | 31 | 36 |
| Charting - Drawing Tools | 8 | 9 |
| Charting - Notes | No | Yes |
| Charting - Display Corporate Events | Yes | No |
| Charting - Stock Overlays | Yes | Yes |
| Charting - Index Overlays | Yes | No |
When comparing online brokers AJ Bell and Bestinvest for UK retirement accounts, both companies provide Individual Savings Accounts (ISAs) and Self-Invested Personal Pensions (SIPPs), catering to diverse investment strategies and retirement planning. AJ Bell is recognized for its user-friendly platform and competitive costs, making it a solid choice for individuals seeking a straightforward investment journey. Meanwhile, Bestinvest, known for its educational resources and tailored advice, welcomes investors looking for guided financial decisions. With both platforms offering ISAs and SIPPs, UK investors have flexible options for tax-efficient savings and retirement planning, ensuring their financial needs and goals are well met.
Dive deeper: Best SIPP Providers, Best Stocks and Shares ISA Providers.
For UK investors looking to trade on the go, both AJ Bell and Bestinvest offer mobile apps compatible with iPhone and Android devices. According to UK.StockBrokers.com, AJ Bell's mobile app is highly praised, earning a commendable 4.5-star rating and securing a strong 9th place among 21 brokers. In contrast, Bestinvest's app scores a more modest 3.5 stars, placing it at the 16th spot. This makes AJ Bell a more highly regarded choice for users seeking a smoother mobile experience compared to Bestinvest.
Dive deeper: Best Stock Trading Apps UK.
For beginner investors in the UK seeking educational resources from online brokers, both AJ Bell and Bestinvest stand out with comprehensive offerings. Each platform provides educational client webinars, which are conveniently archived for on-demand viewing. Both brokers also cover essential investment topics such as share trading, funds, and retirement, catering to the needs of newcomers in the world of investing. According to UK.StockBrokers.com, AJ Bell and Bestinvest both receive a stellar rating of 5 stars for beginner education. However, AJ Bell holds a slight edge, ranking 5th out of 21 brokers, just ahead of Bestinvest, which ranks 6th. Whether you choose AJ Bell or Bestinvest, rest assured that you have access to quality educational resources to kickstart your investment journey.
| Feature |
AJ Bell
|
Bestinvest
|
|---|---|---|
| Client Webinars | Yes | Yes |
| Client Webinars (Archived) | Yes | Yes |
| 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 online brokers AJ Bell and Bestinvest, both platforms offer comprehensive research reports for funds, enabling informed decision-making through detailed insights. Investors can also examine their portfolio allocation by asset class with either broker, helping them ensure balanced investments. In addition, both AJ Bell and Bestinvest provide research for shares, ETFs, and funds, though only AJ Bell extends its research to bonds. Notably, neither platform offers research on CFDs, which might be a consideration for those interested in this financial instrument. Overall, each broker provides valuable tools to support investors, with AJ Bell having a slight edge in bond research.
| Feature |
AJ Bell
|
Bestinvest
|
|---|---|---|
| Research - Shares | Yes | Yes |
| Research - CFDs | No | No |
| Research - ETFs | Yes | Yes |
| Research - Bonds | Yes | No |
| Research - Funds | Yes | Yes |
| Fund Research - Research Reports | Yes | Yes |
| Portfolio Allocation Breakdown | Yes | Yes |
Which broker is better overall, AJ Bell or Bestinvest? 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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Bestinvest
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|---|---|---|
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When comparing online brokers AJ Bell and Bestinvest, neither platform currently offers cryptocurrency trading options, making them suitable choices for investors who prioritize traditional investment avenues.
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0 of 5| Overall Rating | AJ Bell | Bestinvest | |
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| Review | AJ Bell Review | Bestinvest Review | |
| Winner | check_circle |
| Investments | AJ Bell | Bestinvest | |
|---|---|---|---|
| ISA | Yes | Yes | |
| SIPP | Yes | Yes | |
| Share Trading | Yes | Yes | |
| CFD Trading | No | No | |
| Funds | Yes | Yes | |
| ETFs | Yes | Yes | |
| Bonds - Corporate | Yes | No | |
| Bonds - Government (Gilts) | Yes | No | |
| Investment Trusts | Yes | Yes | |
| Spread Betting | No | No | |
| Crypto Trading | No | No | |
| Advisor Services | No | Yes |
| Trading Fees | AJ Bell | Bestinvest | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Minimum Deposit | £0 | £50 | |
| Share Trading: 0-9 Deals/ Month | £5 | £0 - £4.95 | |
| Share Trading: 10-19 Deals/ Month | £3.50 | £0 - £4.95 | |
| Share Trading: 20+ Deals/ Month | £3.50 | £0 - £4.95 | |
| 5 trades per year (£30k portfolio) | £100 | £144.75 | |
| 12 trades per year (£30k portfolio) | £135 | £119.40 - £179.40 | |
| 36 trades per year (£30k portfolio) | £255 | £238.20 - £357.60 | |
| 120 trades per year (£30k portfolio) | £495 | £654 - £714 | |
| 3 fund trades per year (£30k portfolio) | £79.50 | £60 or £120 | |
| Annual Custody Fee: £0 - £250,000 | £0 - £625 | Up to £500 or £1,000 | |
| Annual Custody Fee: £250K-£500K | £625 - £875 | £500 - £1,000 | |
| Annual Custody Fee: £500,000 - £1m | £875 | £100 - £1,000 | |
| Annual Custody Fee: £1m and over | £875 | £0 | |
| Bonds - Corporate - Fee | £5 | £4.95 | |
| Bonds - Government (Gilts) - Fee | £5 | £4.95 | |
| ETFs - Fee | £5 | £4.95 | |
| Investment Trusts - Fee | £5 | £4.95 | |
| Telephone Dealing Fee | £25 | £30 |
| Broker Screenshots | AJ Bell | Bestinvest | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Website Gallery (click to expand) |
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| Mobile Trading Apps Gallery (click to expand) |
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| Education Gallery (click to expand) |
| Platforms & Tools | AJ Bell | Bestinvest | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Web Platform | Yes | Yes | |
| iPhone App | Yes | Yes | |
| Android App | Yes | Yes | |
| Stock Alerts | Yes | Yes | |
| Charting - Indicators / Studies | 31 | 36 | |
| Charting - Drawing Tools | 8 | 9 | |
| Charting - Notes | No | Yes | |
| Charting - Display Corporate Events | Yes | No | |
| Charting - Stock Overlays | Yes | Yes | |
| Charting - Index Overlays | Yes | No |
| Research | AJ Bell | Bestinvest | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 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 | No | |
| Portfolio Allocation Breakdown | Yes | Yes |
| Education | AJ Bell | Bestinvest | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Education (Share Trading) | Yes | Yes | |
| Education (Funds) | Yes | Yes | |
| Education (Retirement) | Yes | Yes | |
| Client Webinars | Yes | Yes | |
| Client Webinars (Archived) | Yes | Yes |
| Overall Summary | AJ Bell | Bestinvest | |
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| Review | AJ Bell Review | Bestinvest Review | |
| Winner | check_circle |
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