AJ Bell vs Saxo UK 2026
In this head to head comparison of AJ Bell vs Saxo UK, we will compare the trading platforms, mobile apps, investment options, costs, market research, and more. Let's dive in.
In this head to head comparison of AJ Bell vs Saxo UK, 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 Saxo UK 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.
AJ Bell and Saxo UK both let you buy and sell shares, ETFs and funds, plus fixed income like corporate bonds and UK government bonds (gilts), and they each offer investment trusts. Neither firm provides adviser services. Key differences: AJ Bell does not offer crypto or CFD trading, while Saxo UK offers both crypto and CFDs.
For investment choice, UK.StockBrokers.com rates both AJ Bell and Saxo UK 5 stars, with Saxo UK ranked #2 of 21 brokers and AJ Bell #4. In simple terms, AJ Bell suits investors focused on straightforward share dealing, ETFs, funds, bonds and trusts, while Saxo UK may appeal if you also want to trade crypto or use CFDs alongside a wide range of listed investments.
| Feature |
|
|
|---|---|---|
| Share Trading | Yes | Yes |
| CFD Trading | No | Yes |
| ETFs | Yes | Yes |
| Mutual Funds | Yes | Yes |
| Bonds - Government (Gilts) | Yes | Yes |
| Investment Trusts | Yes | Yes |
| Spread Betting | No | No |
| Crypto Trading | No | Yes |
| Advisor Services | No | No |
| Investment Choices |
|
|
AJ Bell and Saxo UK both offer a browser-based trading platform and price alerts, but their charting tools differ. AJ Bell lets you display corporate events like earnings, splits and dividends on charts, which Saxo UK does not. Saxo UK offers more chart features overall, with 20 drawing tools and 64 technical indicators, compared with AJ Bell’s 8 drawing tools and 31 indicators. Neither supports adding notes to charts or index overlays, and only Saxo UK provides stock overlays.
For UK investors, Saxo UK suits those who want a wider range of indicators and drawing tools, while AJ Bell is useful if viewing corporate events on price charts is important. Neither provider includes real-time market data.
| Feature |
|
|
|---|---|---|
| Web Platform | Yes | Yes |
| Stock Alerts | Yes | Yes |
| Charting - Indicators / Studies | 31 | 64 |
| Charting - Drawing Tools | 8 | 20 |
| Charting - Notes | No | No |
| Charting - Display Corporate Events | Yes | No |
| Charting - Stock Overlays | No | Yes |
| Charting - Index Overlays | No | No |
AJ Bell vs Saxo UK: both offer key UK tax-efficient and retirement accounts, including an ISA (Individual Savings Account) and a SIPP (Self-Invested Personal Pension). If you want to invest tax-efficiently now, you can open an ISA with either provider; if you’re building a pension, each also provides a SIPP. Since both platforms support these account types, compare fees, investment options, and platform usability to decide which suits your goals.
Dive deeper: Best SIPP Providers, Best Stocks and Shares ISA Providers.
AJ Bell and Saxo UK both offer iPhone and Android apps for UK investors, but ratings differ: UK.StockBrokers.com gives AJ Bell 4/5 stars and ranks it 12th of 21 for Mobile Apps, while Saxo UK earns 5/5 stars and the top spot (1st of 21). If you simply need iOS and Android access, either works; if app quality and user experience are your priority based on independent reviews, Saxo UK comes out ahead, with AJ Bell still a dependable, well-rated choice.
Dive deeper: Best Stock Trading Apps UK.
AJ Bell vs Saxo UK: For UK beginner investors, both brokers provide live educational webinars with on-demand replays and cover key topics like share trading, funds and retirement. UK.StockBrokers.com rates both 5/5 for beginner education, but Saxo UK ranks higher overall (#2 of 21) than AJ Bell (#6 of 21). If league-table position matters, Saxo UK edges ahead, while AJ Bell matches on content types and top rating.
| Feature |
|
|
|---|---|---|
| Client Webinars | Yes | Yes |
| Client Webinars (Archived) | Yes | Yes |
| Education (Share Trading) | Yes | Yes |
| Education (Funds) | Yes | Yes |
| Education (Retirement) | Yes | Yes |
| Education |
|
|
Dive deeper: Best UK Trading Platforms for Beginners.
AJ Bell and Saxo UK both deliver comprehensive market research for UK investors: each offers research reports for funds, dedicated research on shares, ETFs, funds and bonds, and tools to view portfolio allocation by asset class. With near-identical research coverage, your choice may come down to pricing, platform experience or customer service rather than research features.
| Feature |
|
|
|---|---|---|
| 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, AJ Bell or Saxo UK? 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 the Dodl app offers much lower fees and also offers a more slim-lined and user-friendly service. Educational and research materials are strong, too.
| Feature |
|
|
|---|---|---|
| Overall Rating |
|
|
| Charges & Fees |
|
|
| Investment Choices |
|
|
| Mobile App |
|
|
| Website |
|
|
| Ease of Use |
|
|
| Education |
|
|
In the AJ Bell vs Saxo UK online broker comparison, Saxo UK offers cryptocurrency trading, while AJ Bell does not.
The best UK mobile trading apps appeal to all levels of trading skill — beginner, active trader, and longer-term investor. Check out our top picks here.
Elizabeth Anderson Oct 4, 2022
We reviewed and compared over 20 of the top U.K. brokerage firms to create our list of the best U.K. investment platforms for beginner investors.
Elizabeth Anderson Dec 5, 2023
Choosing the best broker can be crucial to your success as a day trader in the U.K., as the needs of active traders can be drastically different from those of passive investors. See our top picks, based on hands-on testing and analysis.
Steven Hatzakis Aug 26, 2020
Compare eToro’s ISA fees, trading costs, social trading tools, and investment options. Read our review to decide if eToro is right for you.
Elizabeth Anderson Oct 4, 2022
Charles Stanley Direct is an online investment platform where you can invest in a wide range of products, including stocks and ETFs, using various accounts like tax-advantaged ISAs and SIPPs.
Elizabeth Anderson Aug 20, 2024
Saxo review: Compare ISAs, fees, and trading tools. Discover if Saxo’s global platform is right for your investing goals today.
Elizabeth Anderson Oct 4, 2022
Trade U.K. and U.S. shares commission-free with CMC Invest. Backed by CMC Markets. Explore if it’s the right app for your portfolio today.
Elizabeth Anderson Apr 19, 2023
Capital.com is a U.K. broker primarily known for CFDs (contracts for difference) and spread betting. While it previously offered the chance to buy and sell shares commission-free, you can no longer buy shares directly through Capital.com. Trading is limited to an unleveraged CFD account.
Elizabeth Anderson Oct 4, 2022
XTB’s low fees and solid education make it ideal for new investors. Learn more about its features and drawbacks in our full XTB review.
Elizabeth Anderson Sep 26, 2023
Review Vanguard’s low fees, ISA and SIPP options, and simple long-term investing funds. See if Vanguard is the right low-cost platform for your portfolio.
Elizabeth Anderson Dec 5, 2023
Robinhood is great for trading US stocks and for beginners who want to learn the basics without worrying about small trades being swallowed up by hefty fees.
Elizabeth Anderson Jul 22, 2024
IG is a trading platform for experienced investors, offering shares, ETFs, spread betting, and CFDs on an easy-to-use interface.
Elizabeth Anderson Oct 4, 2022
Bestinvest appeals to a wide range of investors. Fees are competitive, particularly if you invest in funds or US shares, and investment options are extensive.
Elizabeth Anderson Jul 22, 2024
Interactive Investor offers flat fees, wide investment choice, and strong research tools. See who ii is best for and whether it’s the right platform for you.
Elizabeth Anderson Oct 4, 2022
Fidelity offers thousands of investments and also offers financial advice for those wanting direction. My view is that Fidelity is most suited to traditional investors who hold a range of accounts through the platform.
Elizabeth Anderson Dec 5, 2023
Hargreaves Lansdown offers top research and a quality app but higher fees. Learn more about its features and if it’s right for your portfolio.
Elizabeth Anderson Oct 5, 2022
Review Lloyds’ investing platform, ISA fees, SIPP costs, and investment options. See if Lloyds is the right low-cost choice for your portfolio.
Elizabeth Anderson Dec 5, 2023
Webull has a good app, desktop platform, and low fees, but is limited in the UK by offering only US stocks with no products offered from other markets.
Elizabeth Anderson Jul 20, 2024
Trading 212 offers commission-free trading, but lacks mutual funds. See if it’s the right low-cost platform for your investing goals.
Elizabeth Anderson Oct 4, 2022
Revolut offers easy app-based investing with commission-free trades and a new stocks & shares ISA. See whether Revolut is the right platform for your portfolio.
Elizabeth Anderson Jul 22, 2024
AJ Bell review 2025: Explore ISAs, SIPPs, fees, app features, and ratings. Find out if AJ Bell is the best UK investing platform today.
Elizabeth Anderson Dec 5, 2023
Explore Halifax Share Dealing’s flat fees, ISA options, and ready-made portfolios. Find out whether Halifax offers good value for your investing style.
Elizabeth Anderson Dec 5, 2023
Barclays Smart Investor is an investment platform offered by Barclays Bank that offers a wide range of investments and accounts. Non-Barclays customers may find it complicated to open an account. Barclays is good value whether you are a beginner investor or have a large portfolio as its fees are, overall, very low.
Elizabeth Anderson Dec 5, 2023
Review Freetrade’s fees, ISA costs, and investment options. Learn whether Freetrade’s commission-free trading is the right choice for your portfolio.
Elizabeth Anderson Oct 4, 2022Select Brokers
↓×Compare
0 of 5| Overall Rating | AJ Bell | Saxo UK | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Overall Rating |
|
| |
| Charges & Fees |
|
| |
| Investment Choices |
|
| |
| Mobile App |
|
| |
| Website |
|
| |
| Ease of Use |
|
| |
| Education |
|
| |
| Review | AJ Bell Review | Saxo UK Review | |
| Winner | check_circle |
| Investments | AJ Bell | Saxo UK | |
|---|---|---|---|
| ISA | Yes | Yes | |
| SIPP | Yes | Yes | |
| Share Trading | Yes | Yes | |
| CFD Trading | No | Yes | |
| 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 | No | No |
| Trading Fees | AJ Bell | Saxo UK | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Minimum Deposit | £250 | £0 | |
| Share Trading: 0-9 Deals/ Month | £5 | $1 / £3 / €3 | |
| Share Trading: 10-19 Deals/ Month | £1.50 | $1 / £3 / €3 | |
| Share Trading: 20+ Deals/ Month | £1.50 | $1 / £3 / €3 | |
| 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 - £625 | 0.4%, 0.2%, 0.1% | |
| Annual Platform Fee (Funds): £250K-£500K | £625 - £875 | 0.4%, 0.2%, 0.1% | |
| Annual Platform Fee (Funds): £500,000 - £1m | £875 | 0.4%, 0.2%, 0.1% | |
| Annual Platform Fee (Funds): £1m and over | £875 | 0.4%, 0.2%, 0.1% | |
| Bonds - Corporate - Fee | £5 | €20 minimum | |
| Bonds - Government (Gilts) - Fee | £5 | €20 minimum | |
| ETFs - Fee | £5 | From $1 | |
| Investment Trusts - Fee | £5 | 0.03/0.06/0.08% | |
| Telephone Dealing Fee | £25 | £50 |
| Broker Screenshots | AJ Bell | Saxo UK | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Website Gallery (click to expand) | |||
| Mobile Trading Apps Gallery (click to expand) | |||
| Education Gallery (click to expand) |
| Platforms & Tools | AJ Bell | Saxo UK | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Web Platform | Yes | Yes | |
| iPhone App | Yes | Yes | |
| Android App | Yes | Yes | |
| Stock Alerts | Yes | Yes | |
| Charting - Indicators / Studies | 31 | 64 | |
| Charting - Drawing Tools | 8 | 20 | |
| Charting - Notes | No | No | |
| Charting - Display Corporate Events | Yes | No | |
| Charting - Stock Overlays | No | Yes | |
| Charting - Index Overlays | No | No |
| Research | AJ Bell | Saxo UK | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 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 | AJ Bell | Saxo UK | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Education (Share Trading) | Yes | Yes | |
| Education (Funds) | Yes | Yes | |
| Education (Retirement) | Yes | Yes | |
| Client Webinars | Yes | Yes | |
| Client Webinars (Archived) | Yes | Yes |
| Overall Summary | AJ Bell | Saxo UK | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Overall Rating |
|
| |
| Charges & Fees |
|
| |
| Investment Choices |
|
| |
| Mobile App |
|
| |
| Website |
|
| |
| Ease of Use |
|
| |
| Education |
|
| |
| Review | AJ Bell Review | Saxo UK Review | |
| Winner | check_circle |