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.
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 Hargreaves Lansdown 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.
Comparing Hargreaves Lansdown vs AJ Bell for UK investors: both offer share dealing, ETFs and funds, plus access to corporate bonds, government bonds (gilts) and investment trusts. Neither platform supports crypto or CFD trading.
Both score 5/5 for Investment Choices on UK.StockBrokers.com, with AJ Bell ranked 4th of 21 brokers and Hargreaves Lansdown 5th. A key difference is advice: Hargreaves Lansdown offers adviser services if you want guidance, while AJ Bell does not. If you don’t need advice, their investment menus are broadly similar.
| Feature |
Hargreaves Lansdown
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AJ Bell
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|---|---|---|
| Share Trading | Yes | Yes |
| CFD Trading | No | No |
| ETFs | Yes | Yes |
| Mutual 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.
For charting, Hargreaves Lansdown offers more depth than AJ Bell. HL supports 11 drawing tools and 109 technical indicators, plus the option to add stock overlays, though it can’t show corporate events on charts and doesn’t allow notes or index overlays. AJ Bell shows corporate events on charts, but has fewer drawing tools (8), fewer indicators (31), and doesn’t support notes, index overlays or stock overlays.
Both brokers provide a browser-based trading platform and price alerts. If live pricing matters, note that Hargreaves Lansdown offers real-time market data, while AJ Bell does not. In short, HL suits investors who want richer charting and live data, whereas AJ Bell fits those who value seeing earnings, splits and dividends directly on charts.
| Feature |
Hargreaves Lansdown
|
AJ Bell
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|---|---|---|
| Web Platform | Yes | Yes |
| Stock Alerts | Yes | Yes |
| Charting - Indicators / Studies | 109 | 31 |
| Charting - Drawing Tools | 11 | 8 |
| Charting - Notes | No | No |
| Charting - Display Corporate Events | No | Yes |
| Charting - Stock Overlays | Yes | No |
| Charting - Index Overlays | No | No |
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.
Hargreaves Lansdown vs AJ Bell: both brokers offer iPhone and Android apps in the UK, and UK.StockBrokers.com rates each mobile app 4 out of 5 stars. In the site’s 21-broker comparison, Hargreaves Lansdown ranks slightly higher at #11, with AJ Bell at #12. If you’re choosing for iOS or Android, expect similar app quality, with Hargreaves Lansdown holding a small edge in the rankings.
Dive deeper: Best Stock Trading Apps UK.
For beginner investor education, Hargreaves Lansdown and AJ Bell both offer live client webinars with on-demand replays, plus straightforward content on share trading, funds, and retirement. UK.StockBrokers.com rates both at 5 stars for beginner education; out of 21 brokers it ranks Hargreaves Lansdown 5th and AJ Bell 6th. With similar strengths and only a small gap in ranking, either suits UK beginners seeking practical lessons and webinars they can revisit any time.
| Feature |
Hargreaves Lansdown
|
AJ Bell
|
|---|---|---|
| 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 UK online brokers Hargreaves Lansdown and AJ Bell, both platforms provide a comprehensive suite of resources for investors. They each offer research reports for funds and offer insights into portfolio allocation by asset class. Additionally, both Hargreaves Lansdown and AJ Bell provide extensive research support, covering areas such as shares, ETFs, funds, and bonds. This array of features ensures that investors on either platform have access to essential market insights for a well-rounded investment strategy.
| Feature |
Hargreaves Lansdown
|
AJ Bell
|
|---|---|---|
| Research - Shares | Yes | Yes |
| 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.
Hargreaves Lansdown is a leading U.K. investment platform best known for its extensive range of investments, wide selection of account types, and strong support for long-term investors.
| Feature |
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AJ Bell
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| Overall Rating |
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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 | |
| Mutual 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 | |||
| Advisor Services | Yes | No |
| Trading Fees | Hargreaves Lansdown | AJ Bell | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Minimum Deposit | £100 | £250 | |
| Share Trading: 0-9 Deals/ Month | £11.95 | £5 | |
| Share Trading: 10-19 Deals/ Month | £8.95 | £1.50 | |
| Share Trading: 20+ Deals/ Month | £5.95 | £1.50 | |
| 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 | Up to £1,125 | £0 - £625 | |
| Annual Platform Fee (Funds): £250K-£500K | £1125 - £1750 | £625 - £875 | |
| Annual Platform Fee (Funds): £500,000 - £1m | £1750 - £3000 | £875 | |
| Annual Platform Fee (Funds): £1m and over | £3,000 - £4,000 | £875 | |
| Bonds - Corporate - Fee | £20 - £50 | £5 | |
| Bonds - Government (Gilts) - Fee | £20 - £50 | £5 | |
| ETFs - Fee | £11.95 | £5 | |
| Investment Trusts - Fee | £11.95 | £5 | |
| Telephone Dealing Fee | £20 - £50 | £25 |
| Broker Screenshots | Hargreaves Lansdown | AJ Bell | |
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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 | 109 | 31 | |
| Charting - Drawing Tools | 11 | 8 | |
| Charting - Notes | No | No | |
| Charting - Display Corporate Events | No | Yes | |
| Charting - Stock Overlays | Yes | No | |
| Charting - Index Overlays | No | No |
| Research | Hargreaves Lansdown | AJ Bell | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Research - Shares | Yes | Yes | |
| Research - CFDs | |||
| 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) | Yes | 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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