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.
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, IG offers better pricing than AJ Bell 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.
For UK investors exploring online brokers, both IG and AJ Bell offer diverse investment choices but cater to slightly different needs. IG provides a range of options including share trading, ETFs, CFD trading, and investment trusts, making it a suitable choice for those interested in varied trading possibilities. However, it's worth noting that IG does not support crypto trading, funds, or bonds, which could be a consideration depending on your investment preferences. With a commendable rating of 4.5 stars by UK.StockBrokers.com, IG ranks 11th out of 21 brokers for investment choices.
In contrast, AJ Bell delivers a broader suite of investment options, including share trading, ETFs, funds, corporate and government bonds, and investment trusts. The absence of CFD and crypto trading might be a limitation for some, but the platform's comprehensive range of other assets and services provides a well-rounded offering for traditional investors. Rated 5 stars for investment choices by UK.StockBrokers.com, AJ Bell stands out with a ranking of 5th among 21 brokers, highlighting its popularity and commitment to meeting investor needs.
| Feature |
IG
|
AJ Bell
|
|---|---|---|
| Share Trading | Yes | Yes |
| CFD Trading | Yes | No |
| ETFs | Yes | Yes |
| Mutual 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 in terms of market research features, both platforms provide research reports for funds, as well as research on shares and ETFs, making them solid choices for investors seeking insights in these areas. However, AJ Bell takes a lead with additional offerings, providing research on funds and bonds, as well as the ability to view portfolio allocation by asset class—features absent in IG’s offerings. This makes AJ Bell a potentially more comprehensive option for investors looking for a wider array of research tools and investment insights in the UK market.
| Feature |
IG
|
AJ Bell
|
|---|---|---|
| Research - Shares | Yes | Yes |
| 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.
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AJ Bell
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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 | |
| Mutual 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 | |||
| 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) | |||
| 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 / £96 | £0 - £625 | |
| Annual Platform Fee (Funds): £250K-£500K | £0 / £96 | £625 - £875 | |
| Annual Platform Fee (Funds): £500,000 - £1m | £0 / £96 | £875 | |
| Annual Platform Fee (Funds): £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 | |||
| 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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