Written by StockBrokers.com
In this head to head comparison of IG 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, IG 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 - IG would cost £0 per year, while AJ Bell would cost £100 per year.
12 trades per year - IG would cost £0 per year, while AJ Bell would cost £135 per year.
36 trades per year - IG would cost £0 per year, while AJ Bell would cost £255 per year.
120 trades per year - IG would cost £0 per year, while AJ Bell would cost £495 per year.
3 fund trades per year - IG would cost £0 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.
In the UK, both IG and AJ Bell offer a variety of investment options to suit different preferences, but there are some key differences. Both brokers provide opportunities for share trading, ETFs, and investment trusts, offering a solid foundation for stock market enthusiasts. However, IG takes a step further by offering CFD trading, which might appeal to those interested in leveraged products. On the other hand, AJ Bell broadens its investment choices by enabling trading in funds, corporate bonds, and government bonds (gilts), making it a versatile choice for those interested in a mix of bonds and traditional funds.
When evaluated by UK.StockBrokers.com for investment options, AJ Bell holds a higher overall rating with 5 stars, ranking it 5th out of 21 brokers, due in part to its diverse selection, including bonds and funds. IG, while still highly rated with 4.5 stars, ranks 11th, focusing on areas like CFDs rather than bonds or funds. Ultimately, the choice between IG and AJ Bell will depend on whether an investor prioritizes a broader spectrum of traditional investments or prefers to explore leveraged products.
| Feature |
IG
|
AJ Bell
|
|---|---|---|
| Share Trading | Yes | Yes |
| CFD Trading | Yes | No |
| ETFs | Yes | Yes |
| Funds | No | Yes |
| Bonds - Government (Gilts) | No | Yes |
| Investment Trusts | Yes | Yes |
| Spread Betting | Yes | 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 comparing the trading tools offered by IG and AJ Bell, both platforms allow users to display corporate events like earnings, splits, and dividends on their charts, helping investors stay informed about essential changes. While IG offers 19 drawing tools for charting, AJ Bell falls behind with only 8 options. However, when it comes to technical indicators, both brokers are quite competitive, with IG providing 33 indicators compared to AJ Bell's 31. IG also stands out by allowing users to add notes directly to charts, a feature not available with AJ Bell.
AJ Bell, on the other hand, allows users to enhance their analysis with index and stock overlays on charts, a feature not supported by IG. Both platforms provide browser-based trading, enabling convenient access from any computer. Traders will appreciate real-time market data on both platforms, and the ability to set up alerts for stock price changes keeps users informed of crucial updates. Each broker offers unique advantages, allowing traders to choose tools that best fit their investment strategies.
| Feature |
IG
|
AJ Bell
|
|---|---|---|
| Web Platform | Yes | Yes |
| Stock Alerts | Yes | Yes |
| Charting - Indicators / Studies | 33 | 31 |
| Charting - Drawing Tools | 19 | 8 |
| Charting - Notes | Yes | No |
| Charting - Display Corporate Events | Yes | Yes |
| Charting - Stock Overlays | No | Yes |
| Charting - Index Overlays | No | Yes |
For UK investors exploring online brokers for retirement accounts, both IG and AJ Bell present appealing options. IG provides both ISA and SIPP accounts, catering to a range of saving and investment needs. Likewise, AJ Bell offers the same account types, making it simple for individuals planning for retirement to select between these two platforms. Whether prioritizing flexibility or comprehensive features, both IG and AJ Bell deliver accessible ISA and SIPP solutions, accommodating the diverse financial goals of UK investors.
Dive deeper: Best SIPP Providers, Best Stocks and Shares ISA Providers.
For UK traders seeking top-tier mobile trading experiences, both IG and AJ Bell provide comprehensive iPhone and Android apps. IG shines with a stellar 5-star rating from UK.StockBrokers.com, placing it at the impressive second position among 21 brokers for mobile apps. In contrast, AJ Bell is rated slightly lower at 4.5 stars, securing a respectable ninth place ranking. This makes IG particularly attractive for those prioritizing mobile functionality, although AJ Bell remains a strong contender with its own reliable app offerings.
Dive deeper: Best Stock Trading Apps UK.
When comparing IG and AJ Bell for beginner investor educational resources in the UK, both offer accessible webinars for clients and provide the convenience of on-demand viewing. They cover crucial topics like share trading and retirement, with AJ Bell also offering education on funds, which IG does not. Both brokers have achieved top marks—5 stars—from UK.StockBrokers.com for their beginner education, indicating excellent support for new investors. However, IG is ranked as the best among 21 brokers, while AJ Bell holds the fifth position, highlighting IG's superior standing in this area. Overall, both brokers offer strong resources, but IG takes the lead in overall rankings for beginner education.
| Feature |
IG
|
AJ Bell
|
|---|---|---|
| Client Webinars | Yes | Yes |
| Client Webinars (Archived) | Yes | Yes |
| Education (Share Trading) | Yes | Yes |
| Education (Funds) | No | Yes |
| Education (Retirement) | Yes | Yes |
| Education |
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Dive deeper: Best UK Trading Platforms for Beginners.
When comparing IG and AJ Bell for market research features, both brokers provide research reports for funds and shares. AJ Bell excels in offering research for a broader range of investment products, including ETFs, funds, and bonds, which IG lacks in funds and bonds research. For investors interested in seeing their portfolio allocation by asset class, AJ Bell is the better choice as IG does not offer this feature. Additionally, IG stands out in providing research on Contracts for Difference (CFDs), which AJ Bell does not cover. Overall, AJ Bell caters to investors seeking comprehensive market research and diversified asset insights, while IG is more suited for those interested in share and CFD-related research.
| Feature |
IG
|
AJ Bell
|
|---|---|---|
| Research - Shares | Yes | Yes |
| Research - CFDs | Yes | No |
| Research - ETFs | Yes | Yes |
| Research - Bonds | No | Yes |
| Research - Funds | No | Yes |
| Fund Research - Research Reports | Yes | Yes |
| Portfolio Allocation Breakdown | No | Yes |
Which broker is better overall, IG or AJ Bell? After collecting more than 900 data points over a 10-week period, we found IG to be a better trading platform overall.
IG is an investment platform aimed at experienced investors looking to make frequent trades on the stock market, with thousands of shares, trusts and ETFs to trade. It offers a comprehensive and easy-to-use trading platform that is used by both private and professional investors.
| Feature |
IG
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AJ Bell
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|---|---|---|
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Both IG and AJ Bell do not offer crypto trading, highlighting a similarity for investors seeking online brokers without cryptocurrency options.
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0 of 5| Overall Rating | IG | AJ Bell | |
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| Review | IG Review | AJ Bell Review | |
| Winner | check_circle |
| Investments | IG | AJ Bell | |
|---|---|---|---|
| ISA | Yes | Yes | |
| SIPP | Yes | Yes | |
| Share Trading | Yes | Yes | |
| CFD Trading | Yes | No | |
| Funds | No | Yes | |
| ETFs | Yes | Yes | |
| Bonds - Corporate | No | Yes | |
| Bonds - Government (Gilts) | No | Yes | |
| Investment Trusts | Yes | Yes | |
| Spread Betting | Yes | No | |
| Crypto Trading | No | No | |
| Advisor Services | No | No |
| Trading Fees | IG | AJ Bell | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Minimum Deposit | £0 | £0 | |
| Share Trading: 0-9 Deals/ Month | £0 | £5 | |
| Share Trading: 10-19 Deals/ Month | £0 | £3.50 | |
| Share Trading: 20+ Deals/ Month | £0 | £3.50 | |
| 5 trades per year (£30k portfolio) | £0 | £100 | |
| 12 trades per year (£30k portfolio) | £0 | £135 | |
| 36 trades per year (£30k portfolio) | £0 | £255 | |
| 120 trades per year (£30k portfolio) | £0 | £495 | |
| 3 fund trades per year (£30k portfolio) | N/A | £79.50 | |
| Annual Custody Fee: £0 - £250,000 | £0 / £96 | £0 - £625 | |
| Annual Custody Fee: £250K-£500K | £0 / £96 | £625 - £875 | |
| Annual Custody Fee: £500,000 - £1m | £0 / £96 | £875 | |
| Annual Custody Fee: £1m and over | £0 / £96 | £875 | |
| Bonds - Corporate - Fee | N/A | £5 | |
| Bonds - Government (Gilts) - Fee | N/A | £5 | |
| ETFs - Fee | £0 - £8 | £5 | |
| Investment Trusts - Fee | £0 - £8 | £5 | |
| Telephone Dealing Fee | £50 | £25 |
| Broker Screenshots | IG | AJ Bell | |
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| Platforms & Tools | IG | AJ Bell | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Web Platform | Yes | Yes | |
| iPhone App | Yes | Yes | |
| Android App | Yes | Yes | |
| Stock Alerts | Yes | Yes | |
| Charting - Indicators / Studies | 33 | 31 | |
| Charting - Drawing Tools | 19 | 8 | |
| Charting - Notes | Yes | No | |
| Charting - Display Corporate Events | Yes | Yes | |
| Charting - Stock Overlays | No | Yes | |
| Charting - Index Overlays | No | Yes |
| Research | IG | AJ Bell | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Research - Shares | Yes | Yes | |
| Research - CFDs | Yes | No | |
| Research - Funds | No | Yes | |
| Fund Research - Research Reports | Yes | Yes | |
| Research - ETFs | Yes | Yes | |
| Research - Bonds | No | Yes | |
| Portfolio Allocation Breakdown | No | Yes |
| Education | IG | AJ Bell | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Education (Share Trading) | Yes | Yes | |
| Education (Funds) | No | Yes | |
| Education (Retirement) | Yes | Yes | |
| Client Webinars | Yes | Yes | |
| Client Webinars (Archived) | Yes | Yes |
| Overall Summary | IG | AJ Bell | |
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| Review | IG Review | AJ Bell Review | |
| Winner | check_circle |
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