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.
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, AJ Bell offers better pricing than Bestinvest for share dealing.
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.
AJ Bell vs Bestinvest: both UK platforms let you trade shares, ETFs, funds and investment trusts in your account. Neither supports crypto or CFD trading, and spread betting isn’t stated in the information provided. The key difference is fixed income: AJ Bell offers trading in corporate bonds and UK government bonds (gilts), while Bestinvest does not.
For investment choice, AJ Bell is rated 5/5 and ranks 4th out of 21 brokers on UK.StockBrokers.com. Bestinvest is rated 4.5/5, with no ranking given. If you want access to advice, Bestinvest provides advisor services, whereas AJ Bell does not.
| Feature |
AJ Bell
|
Bestinvest
|
|---|---|---|
| Share Trading | Yes | Yes |
| CFD Trading | No | No |
| ETFs | Yes | Yes |
| Mutual 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.
AJ Bell and Bestinvest both offer browser-based platforms with price alerts, but their charting tools differ. AJ Bell lets you display corporate events like earnings, splits, and dividends directly on charts, which Bestinvest does not. Bestinvest counters with slightly more drawing tools (9 vs 8) and a wider set of technical indicators (36 vs 31). It also lets you add notes to charts and apply stock overlays, while AJ Bell does not. Neither broker supports index overlays.
Neither AJ Bell nor Bestinvest provides real-time market data, so quotes are delayed. Choose AJ Bell if seeing corporate events on the price chart is important; choose Bestinvest if you prefer extra indicators, an additional drawing tool, chart notes, and stock-to-stock overlays.
| 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 | No | Yes |
| Charting - Index Overlays | No | 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 comparing mobile apps, AJ Bell and Bestinvest both provide iPhone and Android apps. According to UK.StockBrokers.com, AJ Bell’s app is rated 4 out of 5 stars and ranks 12th out of 21 brokers for mobile apps, while Bestinvest’s app is rated 3.5 out of 5 stars with no ranking published. If ratings and rankings matter, AJ Bell has a slight edge, though both offer access on iOS and Android.
Dive deeper: Best Stock Trading Apps UK.
AJ Bell and Bestinvest both cater well to UK beginner investors with live educational webinars that are archived for on-demand viewing, plus easy-to-follow content on share trading, funds and retirement. UK.StockBrokers.com rates both at 5 stars for beginner education; AJ Bell also holds a #6 ranking out of 21 brokers, while Bestinvest’s ranking is not available. If you want regular webinars and catch-up resources, either works, though AJ Bell’s published rank may sway those who prefer clear third-party standings.
| 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 AJ Bell and Bestinvest, both online brokers provide comprehensive resources for UK investors. AJ Bell and Bestinvest each offer valuable research reports for funds, enabling informed investment decisions. They both allow users to view portfolio allocation by asset class, which aids in understanding investment diversification. In terms of shares and ETFs research, both platforms are equally equipped, catering to a wide range of investor needs. However, a key difference arises with bonds research; AJ Bell extends its offerings to include bonds research, while Bestinvest does not, potentially giving AJ Bell an edge for investors interested in fixed-income securities.
| Feature |
AJ Bell
|
Bestinvest
|
|---|---|---|
| Research - Shares | Yes | Yes |
| 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 the Dodl app offers much lower fees and also offers a more slim-lined and user-friendly service. Educational and research materials are strong, too.
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Bestinvest
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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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↓×Compare
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 | |
| Mutual 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 | |||
| Advisor Services | No | Yes |
| Trading Fees | AJ Bell | Bestinvest | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Minimum Deposit | £250 | £50 | |
| Share Trading: 0-9 Deals/ Month | £5 | £0 - £4.95 | |
| Share Trading: 10-19 Deals/ Month | £1.50 | £0 - £4.95 | |
| Share Trading: 20+ Deals/ Month | £1.50 | £0 - £4.95 | |
| 5 trades per year (£30k portfolio) | |||
| 12 trades per year (£30k portfolio) | |||
| 36 trades per year (£30k portfolio) | |||
| 120 trades per year (£30k portfolio) | |||
| 3 fund trades per year (£30k portfolio) | |||
| Annual Platform Fee (Funds): £0 - £250,000 | £0 - £625 | Up to £500 or £1,000 | |
| Annual Platform Fee (Funds): £250K-£500K | £625 - £875 | £500 - £1,000 | |
| Annual Platform Fee (Funds): £500,000 - £1m | £875 | £100 - £1,000 | |
| Annual Platform Fee (Funds): £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 | No | Yes | |
| Charting - Index Overlays | No | No |
| 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 | 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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