Written by StockBrokers.com
In this head to head comparison of AJ Bell vs Freetrade, 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 Freetrade 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 Freetrade would cost £0 (Basic plan), £59.88 (Standard), £119.88 (Plus) per year.
12 trades per year - AJ Bell would cost £135 per year, while Freetrade would cost £0 (Basic plan), £59.88 (Standard), £119.88 (Plus) per year.
36 trades per year - AJ Bell would cost £255 per year, while Freetrade would cost £0 (Basic plan), £59.88 (Standard), £119.88 (Plus) per year.
120 trades per year - AJ Bell would cost £495 per year, while Freetrade would cost £0 (Basic plan), £59.88 (Standard), £119.88 (Plus) per year.
3 fund trades per year - AJ Bell would cost £0 per year, while Freetrade would cost £1 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 choosing between AJ Bell and Freetrade, UK investors will find that both platforms offer a range of opportunities, including share trading and exchange-traded funds (ETFs). However, AJ Bell distinguishes itself by also providing access to a broader array of investments such as funds, corporate bonds, government bonds (gilts), and investment trusts. In contrast, Freetrade's offerings focus on shares, ETFs, and investment trusts but do not extend to funds or bonds.
According to UK.StockBrokers.com, AJ Bell shines in investment choices with a five-star rating and ranks fifth among 21 brokers, reflecting its comprehensive range of options. Meanwhile, Freetrade earns a respectable four-star rating, placing 17th, indicating a more focused but less varied selection for those who prefer a simpler investment approach. Both platforms do not offer crypto trading, spread betting, or contract for difference (CFD) trading, and they lack advisory services, ensuring investors self-direct their investment journeys.
| Feature |
AJ Bell
|
Freetrade
|
|---|---|---|
| Share Trading | Yes | Yes |
| CFD Trading | No | No |
| ETFs | Yes | Yes |
| Funds | Yes | No |
| Bonds - Government (Gilts) | Yes | No |
| Investment Trusts | Yes | Yes |
| Spread Betting | No | No |
| Crypto Trading | No | No |
| Advisor Services | No | No |
| Investment Choices |
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Low-cost US and UK shares.
Professional’s Gateway to the World’s Markets.
When it comes to comparing the trading tools of AJ Bell and Freetrade, key differences stand out that might influence your choice. AJ Bell shines with its ability to display corporate events such as earnings, splits, and dividends directly on charts, while Freetrade does not offer this feature. Chart enthusiasts may also appreciate AJ Bell's more advanced tools, including 8 drawing tools and 31 technical indicators, in contrast to Freetrade, which provides neither. Both platforms do not allow users to add notes to charts, but AJ Bell enhances its offering by enabling the addition of index and stock overlays, a feature Freetrade lacks.
While AJ Bell and Freetrade both provide the convenience of a browser-based trading platform and the ability to create alerts for stock price updates, AJ Bell's comprehensive charting capabilities make it a more compelling choice for those keen on in-depth analysis. Both platforms deliver real-time market data, ensuring that you stay updated with timely financial information. For UK investors who prioritize detailed chart functionalities, AJ Bell may offer a more enriched experience.
| Feature |
AJ Bell
|
Freetrade
|
|---|---|---|
| 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 comparing AJ Bell and Freetrade for UK investors looking at retirement accounts, both brokers offer Individual Savings Accounts (ISA) and Self-Invested Personal Pensions (SIPP), making them attractive choices for those planning their financial future. While AJ Bell provides a comprehensive suite of investment options and tools aimed at experienced investors, Freetrade appeals to beginners with its easy-to-use app and straightforward investing approach. Whether you value AJ Bell's extensive resources or Freetrade's simplicity will depend on your personal investing needs and experience level.
Dive deeper: Best SIPP Providers, Best Stocks and Shares ISA Providers.
When comparing online brokers AJ Bell and Freetrade for their mobile apps, both provide options for iPhone and Android users in the UK. AJ Bell receives a commendable rating of 4.5 stars from UK.StockBrokers.com, placing it in the 9th spot out of 21 brokers, indicating its strong mobile app performance. Meanwhile, Freetrade garners a solid 4-star rating, ranking 12th, offering a reliable choice for those prioritizing accessibility on the go. Both platforms cater well to mobile-savvy investors, making it easier to manage portfolios seamlessly from smartphones.
Dive deeper: Best Stock Trading Apps UK.
When comparing beginner investor educational resources from AJ Bell and Freetrade, AJ Bell stands out with its extensive offerings. AJ Bell provides educational client webinars that not only cover essential topics like share trading, funds, and retirement but are also available for on-demand viewing. In contrast, Freetrade covers these topics but lacks webinar offerings. AJ Bell's commitment to educating new investors is reflected in its impressive 5-star beginner education rating and a top 5 ranking among 21 brokers by UK.StockBrokers.com. Freetrade, while offering educational content, scores 3.5 stars and is ranked 16th, showing there's room for growth in its beginner education services.
| Feature |
AJ Bell
|
Freetrade
|
|---|---|---|
| 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 online brokers AJ Bell and Freetrade, UK investors will find distinct differences. AJ Bell provides a comprehensive array of research tools, offering reports on funds, shares, ETFs, and bonds—something Freetrade lacks for funds and bonds research. Both platforms allow users to see portfolio allocation by asset class and provide research on shares and ETFs. However, neither broker offers research on CFDs. AJ Bell stands out for investors who require detailed fund and bond analyses, while Freetrade may suit those with simpler research needs.
| Feature |
AJ Bell
|
Freetrade
|
|---|---|---|
| Research - Shares | Yes | Yes |
| Research - CFDs | No | No |
| Research - ETFs | Yes | Yes |
| Research - Bonds | Yes | No |
| Research - Funds | Yes | No |
| Fund Research - Research Reports | Yes | No |
| Portfolio Allocation Breakdown | Yes | Yes |
Which broker is better overall, AJ Bell or Freetrade? 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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Freetrade
|
|---|---|---|
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Neither AJ Bell nor Freetrade currently offer crypto trading, making both online brokers similar in this aspect, allowing potential investors to focus on their other unique features for stock and investment opportunities.
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0 of 5| Overall Rating | AJ Bell | Freetrade | |
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| Review | AJ Bell Review | Freetrade Review | |
| Winner | check_circle |
| Investments | AJ Bell | Freetrade | |
|---|---|---|---|
| ISA | Yes | Yes | |
| SIPP | Yes | Yes | |
| Share Trading | Yes | Yes | |
| CFD Trading | No | No | |
| Funds | Yes | No | |
| 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 | No |
| Trading Fees | AJ Bell | Freetrade | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Minimum Deposit | £0 | £1 | |
| Share Trading: 0-9 Deals/ Month | £5 | £0 | |
| Share Trading: 10-19 Deals/ Month | £3.50 | £0 | |
| Share Trading: 20+ Deals/ Month | £3.50 | £0 | |
| 5 trades per year (£30k portfolio) | £100 | £0 (Basic plan), £59.88 (Standard), £119.88 (Plus) | |
| 12 trades per year (£30k portfolio) | £135 | £0 (Basic plan), £59.88 (Standard), £119.88 (Plus) | |
| 36 trades per year (£30k portfolio) | £255 | £0 (Basic plan), £59.88 (Standard), £119.88 (Plus) | |
| 120 trades per year (£30k portfolio) | £495 | £0 (Basic plan), £59.88 (Standard), £119.88 (Plus) | |
| 3 fund trades per year (£30k portfolio) | £79.50 | N/A | |
| Annual Custody Fee: £0 - £250,000 | £0 - £625 | £0 (Basic plan), £59.88 (Standard), £119.88 (Plus) | |
| Annual Custody Fee: £250K-£500K | £625 - £875 | £0 (Basic plan), £59.88 (Standard), £119.88 (Plus) | |
| Annual Custody Fee: £500,000 - £1m | £875 | £0 (Basic plan), £59.88 (Standard), £119.88 (Plus) | |
| Annual Custody Fee: £1m and over | £875 | £0 (Basic plan), £59.88 (Standard), £119.88 (Plus) | |
| Bonds - Corporate - Fee | £5 | N/A | |
| Bonds - Government (Gilts) - Fee | £5 | N/A | |
| ETFs - Fee | £5 | £0 | |
| Investment Trusts - Fee | £5 | £0 | |
| Telephone Dealing Fee | £25 | N/A |
| Broker Screenshots | AJ Bell | Freetrade | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Website Gallery (click to expand) |
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| Education Gallery (click to expand) |
| Platforms & Tools | AJ Bell | Freetrade | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 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 | Freetrade | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Research - Shares | Yes | Yes | |
| Research - CFDs | No | No | |
| Research - Funds | Yes | No | |
| Fund Research - Research Reports | Yes | No | |
| Research - ETFs | Yes | Yes | |
| Research - Bonds | Yes | No | |
| Portfolio Allocation Breakdown | Yes | Yes |
| Education | AJ Bell | Freetrade | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 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 | Freetrade | |
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| Review | AJ Bell Review | Freetrade Review | |
| Winner | check_circle |
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