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.
When comparing investment choices between AJ Bell and Bestinvest, both brokers provide solid options for UK investors. AJ Bell stands out with a wider array of available investment types. It offers share trading, ETFs, fund trading, corporate bonds, government bonds, and investment trusts. On the other hand, Bestinvest matches AJ Bell in several areas, including share trading, ETFs, funds trading, and investment trusts, but does not provide access to corporate or government bonds. Notably, Bestinvest complements its offerings with specialized advisor services, which AJ Bell does not explicitly mention.
Regarding performance ratings, AJ Bell secures a strong 5-star rating from UK.StockBrokers.com for its investment choices, earning it the #5 spot among 21 brokers. Bestinvest holds a competitive 4.5-star rating, ranking #10. This indicates that while both brokers are highly regarded, AJ Bell slightly edges out Bestinvest in terms of investment variety and ratings, making it a potentially more comprehensive choice for those seeking diverse investment opportunities without the need for advisory support.
| Feature |
AJ Bell
|
Bestinvest
|
|---|---|---|
| Share Trading | Yes | Yes |
| CFD Trading | ||
| ETFs | Yes | Yes |
| Funds | Yes | Yes |
| Bonds - Government (Gilts) | 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.
When it comes to trading tools, AJ Bell and Bestinvest each offer unique features that cater to different investor needs. AJ Bell allows users to display corporate events such as earnings, splits, and dividends on charts, while Bestinvest does not offer this feature. Both platforms provide browser-based trading and the ability to create stock price alerts. AJ Bell offers eight drawing tools and 31 technical indicators, slightly less than Bestinvest, which offers nine drawing tools and 36 technical indicators. Importantly, AJ Bell provides real-time market data, whereas Bestinvest does not.
While both AJ Bell and Bestinvest allow stock overlays on charts, AJ Bell stands out with its capability to display index overlays. On the other hand, Bestinvest allows users to add notes to charts, a feature not found in AJ Bell. These differences can be crucial for traders focusing on technical analysis and real-time data, making it essential for potential investors to consider what features are most critical for their trading strategy.
| Feature |
AJ Bell
|
Bestinvest
|
|---|---|---|
| Web Platform | Yes | Yes |
| Stock Alerts | Yes | Yes |
| Charting - Indicators / Studies | 31 | 36 |
| Charting - Drawing Tools | 8 | 9 |
| Charting - Notes | Yes | |
| Charting - Display Corporate Events | Yes | |
| Charting - Stock Overlays | Yes | Yes |
| Charting - Index Overlays | Yes |
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 AJ Bell and Bestinvest for market research features, both platforms provide research reports for funds and insights on portfolio allocations by asset class. They also offer research on shares and ETFs, catering well to the needs of UK investors seeking detailed market analysis. However, while AJ Bell extends its research offerings to bonds, Bestinvest does not provide this feature, which could be a consideration depending on your investment focus. It's important to note that neither AJ Bell nor Bestinvest currently offer research on CFDs. Overall, both platforms deliver comprehensive market insights, making them valuable resources for informed investment decisions.
| Feature |
AJ Bell
|
Bestinvest
|
|---|---|---|
| Research - Shares | Yes | Yes |
| Research - CFDs | ||
| Research - ETFs | Yes | Yes |
| Research - Bonds | Yes | |
| 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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When comparing online brokers, it's important to note that neither AJ Bell nor Bestinvest currently offer cryptocurrency trading, making them less suitable for investors seeking exposure to digital assets.
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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 | |||
| Funds | Yes | Yes | |
| ETFs | Yes | Yes | |
| Bonds - Corporate | Yes | ||
| Bonds - Government (Gilts) | Yes | ||
| Investment Trusts | Yes | Yes | |
| Spread Betting | |||
| Crypto Trading | |||
| Advisor Services | 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 | Yes | ||
| Charting - Display Corporate Events | Yes | ||
| Charting - Stock Overlays | Yes | Yes | |
| Charting - Index Overlays | Yes |
| Research | AJ Bell | Bestinvest | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Research - Shares | Yes | Yes | |
| Research - CFDs | |||
| Research - Funds | Yes | Yes | |
| Fund Research - Research Reports | Yes | Yes | |
| Research - ETFs | Yes | Yes | |
| Research - Bonds | Yes | ||
| 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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