Written by StockBrokers.com
In this head to head comparison of Hargreaves Lansdown vs AJ Bell, 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, Hargreaves Lansdown 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 - Hargreaves Lansdown would cost £59.75 / £104.75 if in ISA. per year, while AJ Bell would cost £100 per year.
12 trades per year - Hargreaves Lansdown would cost £143.40 / £188.40 if in ISA. per year, while AJ Bell would cost £135 per year.
36 trades per year - Hargreaves Lansdown would cost £430.20 / £475.20 if in ISA. per year, while AJ Bell would cost £255 per year.
120 trades per year - Hargreaves Lansdown would cost £1,074 / £1,119 if in ISA. per year, while AJ Bell would cost £495 per year.
3 fund trades per year - Hargreaves Lansdown would cost £1 per year, while AJ Bell 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.
Hargreaves Lansdown and AJ Bell are two prominent online brokers in the UK, both offering a wide range of investment choices to cater to different investor needs. Both platforms provide access to share trading, exchange-traded funds (ETFs), funds, corporate bonds, government bonds (gilts), and investment trusts, making them appealing to individuals looking for diversified investment options. However, neither platform supports crypto trading, spread betting, or contract for difference (CFD) trading, which could limit the options for investors interested in these areas. While Hargreaves Lansdown offers advisor services to guide investors in their decisions, AJ Bell does not include this service in their offerings.
According to UK.StockBrokers.com, both Hargreaves Lansdown and AJ Bell have been awarded an impressive 5-star rating for their investment choices. Hargreaves Lansdown slightly edges out AJ Bell in the rankings, placing fourth out of 18 brokers, whereas AJ Bell holds the fifth position. This minor difference in rankings and the availability of advisor services might sway investors who prefer slightly more guidance in their investment journey towards Hargreaves Lansdown. On the other hand, those who feel confident in self-guided investment may find AJ Bell equally compelling.
| Feature |
Hargreaves Lansdown
|
AJ Bell
|
|---|---|---|
| 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 | Yes | 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 trading tools, both Hargreaves Lansdown and AJ Bell allow users to show corporate events like earnings, splits, and dividends on charts. Hargreaves Lansdown provides 11 drawing tools for charting, while AJ Bell offers slightly fewer with 8 tools. However, AJ Bell excels in the number of technical indicators available with a total of 31, compared to Hargreaves Lansdown's 15. Neither platform supports adding notes to charts, but both offer the capability to overlay stock and index data for enhanced analysis. Additionally, browser-based trading platforms and stock price alerts are standard features for these brokers, ensuring you stay informed in real time.
In addition to detailed overlay and charting options, both Hargreaves Lansdown and AJ Bell offer real-time market data, crucial for making timely investment decisions. This up-to-the-minute information combined with their respective strengths in technical indicators and drawing tools means users can tailor their trading experience to their strategies and needs. Hargreaves Lansdown and AJ Bell provide competitive and comprehensive tools that suit both beginner investors and seasoned traders looking to manage and monitor their portfolios effectively. Whether your focus is on drawing tool selection or advanced technical analysis, each platform gives investors a solid foundation for navigating the trading landscape.
| Feature |
Hargreaves Lansdown
|
AJ Bell
|
|---|---|---|
| Web Platform | Yes | Yes |
| Stock Alerts | Yes | Yes |
| Charting - Indicators / Studies | 15 | 31 |
| Charting - Drawing Tools | 11 | 8 |
| Charting - Notes | No | No |
| Charting - Display Corporate Events | Yes | Yes |
| Charting - Stock Overlays | Yes | Yes |
| Charting - Index Overlays | Yes | Yes |
When considering online brokers in the UK for retirement planning, Hargreaves Lansdown and AJ Bell both stand out as solid choices, offering a range of account options designed to suit various needs. Both brokers provide Individual Savings Accounts (ISAs) and Self-Invested Personal Pensions (SIPPs), allowing you to invest for your future with potential tax advantages. Hargreaves Lansdown is well-known for its strengths in customer service and a user-friendly platform, making it an attractive option for those who value simplicity and support. AJ Bell, on the other hand, often appeals to cost-conscious investors with competitive fees. By comparing the features, fees, and customer support each broker offers, you can better determine which might be the right fit for your retirement savings journey.
Dive deeper: Best SIPP Providers, Best Stocks and Shares ISA Providers.
Both Hargreaves Lansdown and AJ Bell offer mobile apps compatible with iPhone and Android devices, providing users the flexibility to trade and manage their investments on the go. According to UK.StockBrokers.com, both apps receive a commendable rating of 4.5 out of 5 stars, indicating high user satisfaction and reliable performance. However, when compared among 18 brokers, AJ Bell slightly edges out Hargreaves Lansdown, securing the 9th spot in mobile app rankings, while Hargreaves Lansdown follows closely at 10th. This suggests AJ Bell's app possibly offers a marginally better user experience or features that resonate more with its users.
Dive deeper: Best Stock Trading Apps UK.
For beginner investors in the UK, both Hargreaves Lansdown and AJ Bell offer solid educational resources, each providing client webinars, guidance on share trading, fund management, and retirement planning. However, while Hargreaves Lansdown delivers live educational webinars, these are not available for on-demand access like AJ Bell’s, which allows users to revisit sessions at their convenience. Both platforms have been highly rated with 5 stars by UK.StockBrokers.com for their beginner education offerings. Moreover, among 18 brokers, Hargreaves Lansdown is ranked slightly higher at fourth, compared to AJ Bell's fifth place, reflecting their commitment to supporting new investors.
| Feature |
Hargreaves Lansdown
|
AJ Bell
|
|---|---|---|
| Client Webinars | Yes | Yes |
| Client Webinars (Archived) | No | 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 UK online brokers Hargreaves Lansdown and AJ Bell, both platforms provide investors with comprehensive research reports for funds, shares, ETFs, and bonds, ensuring users have access to a wealth of information across various investment types. Both brokers also offer the ability to view portfolio allocation by asset class, which aids investors in effectively managing and balancing their investments. However, neither platform offers research on CFDs, possibly appealing more to traditional investors keen on a wide range of asset classes without including complex derivatives.
| Feature |
Hargreaves Lansdown
|
AJ Bell
|
|---|---|---|
| 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, Hargreaves Lansdown or AJ Bell? After collecting more than 900 data points over a 10-week period, we found Hargreaves Lansdown to be a better trading platform overall.
As the U.K.’s biggest investment platform for individual investors, Hargreaves Lansdown offers a wide range of investment choices for either beginners or seasoned investors. However, its fees are generally more expensive than rival brokers, which can become an issue for large investment pots.
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Hargreaves Lansdown
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AJ Bell
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Both Hargreaves Lansdown and AJ Bell do not offer cryptocurrency trading, making them more traditional platforms focused on established investment options rather than emerging digital assets.
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0 of 5| Overall Rating | Hargreaves Lansdown | AJ Bell | |
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| Review | Hargreaves Lansdown Review | AJ Bell Review | |
| Winner | check_circle |
| Investments | Hargreaves Lansdown | AJ Bell | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 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 | Yes | No |
| Trading Fees | Hargreaves Lansdown | AJ Bell | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Minimum Deposit | £1 | £0 | |
| Share Trading: 0-9 Deals/ Month | £11.95 | £5 | |
| Share Trading: 10-19 Deals/ Month | £8.95 | £3.50 | |
| Share Trading: 20+ Deals/ Month | £5.95 | £3.50 | |
| 5 trades per year (£30k portfolio) | £59.75 / £104.75 if in ISA. | £100 | |
| 12 trades per year (£30k portfolio) | £143.40 / £188.40 if in ISA. | £135 | |
| 36 trades per year (£30k portfolio) | £430.20 / £475.20 if in ISA. | £255 | |
| 120 trades per year (£30k portfolio) | £1,074 / £1,119 if in ISA. | £495 | |
| 3 fund trades per year (£30k portfolio) | £135 | £79.50 | |
| Annual Custody Fee: £0 - £250,000 | Up to £1,125 | £0 - £625 | |
| Annual Custody Fee: £250K-£500K | Up to £625 | £625 - £875 | |
| Annual Custody Fee: £500,000 - £1m | Up to £1,250 | £875 | |
| Annual Custody Fee: £1m and over | Up to £1,000 | £875 | |
| Bonds - Corporate - Fee | £20 - £50 | £5 | |
| Bonds - Government (Gilts) - Fee | £20 - £50 | £5 | |
| ETFs - Fee | £5.95 - £11.95 | £5 | |
| Investment Trusts - Fee | £5.95 - £11.95 | £5 | |
| Telephone Dealing Fee | £20 - £50 | £25 |
| Broker Screenshots | Hargreaves Lansdown | AJ Bell | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Website Gallery (click to expand) |
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| Education Gallery (click to expand) |
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| Platforms & Tools | Hargreaves Lansdown | AJ Bell | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Web Platform | Yes | Yes | |
| iPhone App | Yes | Yes | |
| Android App | Yes | Yes | |
| Stock Alerts | Yes | Yes | |
| Charting - Indicators / Studies | 15 | 31 | |
| Charting - Drawing Tools | 11 | 8 | |
| Charting - Notes | No | No | |
| Charting - Display Corporate Events | Yes | Yes | |
| Charting - Stock Overlays | Yes | Yes | |
| Charting - Index Overlays | Yes | Yes |
| Research | Hargreaves Lansdown | AJ Bell | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 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 | Hargreaves Lansdown | AJ Bell | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Education (Share Trading) | Yes | Yes | |
| Education (Funds) | Yes | Yes | |
| Education (Retirement) | Yes | Yes | |
| Client Webinars | Yes | Yes | |
| Client Webinars (Archived) | No | Yes |
| Overall Summary | Hargreaves Lansdown | AJ Bell | |
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| Review | Hargreaves Lansdown Review | AJ Bell Review | |
| Winner | check_circle |
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