Written by StockBrokers.com
In this head to head comparison of Trading 212 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, Trading 212 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 - Trading 212 would cost £0 per year, while AJ Bell would cost £100 per year.
12 trades per year - Trading 212 would cost £0 per year, while AJ Bell would cost £135 per year.
36 trades per year - Trading 212 would cost £0 per year, while AJ Bell would cost £255 per year.
120 trades per year - Trading 212 would cost £0 per year, while AJ Bell would cost £495 per year.
3 fund trades per year - Trading 212 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.
When it comes to online trading options, both Trading 212 and AJ Bell present diverse offerings to UK investors. Trading 212 allows for share trading, trading of ETFs, CFDs, and investment trusts, making it a versatile choice for those interested in these areas. However, it does not cater to funds, corporate or government bonds, or cryptocurrency enthusiasts. AJ Bell, on the other hand, provides access to share trading, ETFs, funds, corporate and government bonds, as well as investment trusts. Like Trading 212, AJ Bell does not offer crypto trading, spread betting, or advisory services.
For UK investors prioritizing investment variety, AJ Bell has been rated higher, with a 5-star rating compared to Trading 212's 4.5 stars according to UK.StockBrokers.com. Additionally, AJ Bell ranks higher in investment choices, coming in 5th out of 21 brokers, whereas Trading 212 is positioned at 16th. This makes AJ Bell a potentially better option for those seeking extensive investment diversification. However, the decision between the two may depend on an individual investor’s specific needs.
| Feature |
Trading 212
|
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 | No | 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 Trading 212 and AJ Bell, UK investors will notice differences in their trading tools. Trading 212 excels in providing comprehensive charting features, offering 27 drawing tools and a remarkable 106 technical indicators. This makes it an excellent choice for chart enthusiasts who like to dive deep into data analysis. Additionally, Trading 212 allows users to add notes to charts, enhancing their ability to keep track of personal insights. In terms of accessibility, both platforms offer browser-based trading, ensuring ease of use without the need for additional software installation.
On the flip side, AJ Bell provides useful features by allowing the display of corporate events like earnings, splits, and dividends directly on charts. This can be particularly valuable for those who focus on fundamental analysis. Moreover, AJ Bell enables traders to add both index and stock overlays to charts, providing a broader perspective of market relationships. Despite offering fewer drawing tools (8) and technical indicators (31), AJ Bell suits investors looking for integrated fundamental data and multifaceted chart views. Both platforms support real-time market data and stock price alerts, ensuring traders stay informed of market moves.
| Feature |
Trading 212
|
AJ Bell
|
|---|---|---|
| Web Platform | Yes | Yes |
| Stock Alerts | Yes | Yes |
| Charting - Indicators / Studies | 106 | 31 |
| Charting - Drawing Tools | 27 | 8 |
| Charting - Notes | Yes | No |
| Charting - Display Corporate Events | No | Yes |
| Charting - Stock Overlays | No | Yes |
| Charting - Index Overlays | No | Yes |
When choosing between Trading 212 and AJ Bell for retirement investment accounts, UK residents will notice a key difference in the types of accounts each broker offers. Both Trading 212 and AJ Bell provide Individual Savings Accounts (ISAs), allowing for tax-efficient investing. However, when it comes to Self-Invested Personal Pensions (SIPPs), only AJ Bell offers this option, providing a clear advantage for those specifically looking to invest in a SIPP for their retirement planning. Choosing between the two largely depends on whether your focus is solely on ISAs or if you also need access to a SIPP. While Trading 212 accommodates ISA investors, AJ Bell caters to both ISA and SIPP account holders, making it a broader option for comprehensive retirement investment needs.
Dive deeper: Best SIPP Providers, Best Stocks and Shares ISA Providers.
For UK investors seeking user-friendly mobile trading platforms, both Trading 212 and AJ Bell offer apps compatible with iPhone and Android devices. According to UK.StockBrokers.com, Trading 212's app receives a commendable 5-star rating, securing the third spot among 21 brokers, while AJ Bell's app garners a respectable 4.5 stars, ranking ninth. These ratings highlight Trading 212's superior mobile experience, though AJ Bell remains a strong contender in the market. Both options ensure convenient access to trading on the go, tailored for a variety of investor needs.
Dive deeper: Best Stock Trading Apps UK.
For UK investors new to the world of investing, AJ Bell and Trading 212 offer distinct educational resources. AJ Bell stands out by providing educational client webinars that are both live and archived for on-demand viewing, while Trading 212 doesn't feature webinars. Both platforms offer learning resources on share trading and funds, though AJ Bell also covers retirement, a topic missing from Trading 212's offerings. When evaluated by UK.StockBrokers.com, AJ Bell shines with a 5-star rating, ranking 5th out of 21 brokers for beginner education, whereas Trading 212 receives 4 stars, positioned at 13th. For those prioritizing comprehensive beginner education, AJ Bell offers a broader range of resources.
| Feature |
Trading 212
|
AJ Bell
|
|---|---|---|
| Client Webinars | No | Yes |
| Client Webinars (Archived) | No | Yes |
| Education (Share Trading) | Yes | Yes |
| Education (Funds) | Yes | Yes |
| Education (Retirement) | No | Yes |
| Education |
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Dive deeper: Best UK Trading Platforms for Beginners.
For UK investors seeking comprehensive market research tools, both Trading 212 and AJ Bell offer a range of features, but they cater to slightly different needs. Trading 212 provides portfolio allocation insights by asset class, along with research on shares, ETFs, and CFDs, making it a good fit for those interested in these areas. However, it lacks research reports for funds and bonds, which might be essential for some investors. In contrast, AJ Bell offers extensive research support, including reports on funds and bonds, alongside capabilities for shares and ETFs. While it doesn't provide CFDs research, AJ Bell supports investors looking for a broader spectrum of market insights, particularly those who prioritize funds and bonds analysis.
| Feature |
Trading 212
|
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 | No | Yes |
| Portfolio Allocation Breakdown | Yes | Yes |
Which broker is better overall, Trading 212 or AJ Bell? After collecting more than 900 data points over a 10-week period, we found Trading 212 to be a better trading platform overall.
Trading 212 offers commission-free share dealing and is a great option for those looking to simply execute share or ETF trades. Novice investors or those looking for more diversification through mutual funds may find better options elsewhere.
| Feature |
Trading 212
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AJ Bell
|
|---|---|---|
| Overall Rating |
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| Charges & Fees |
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| Mobile App |
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| Ease of Use |
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Both Trading 212 and AJ Bell do not offer crypto trading, making them similar choices for investors who are not focused on cryptocurrency investments.
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0 of 5| Overall Rating | Trading 212 | AJ Bell | |
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| Review | Trading 212 Review | AJ Bell Review | |
| Winner | check_circle |
| Investments | Trading 212 | AJ Bell | |
|---|---|---|---|
| ISA | Yes | Yes | |
| SIPP | No | 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 | No | No | |
| Crypto Trading | No | No | |
| Advisor Services | No | No |
| Trading Fees | Trading 212 | AJ Bell | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Minimum Deposit | £1 | £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) | £0 | £79.50 | |
| Annual Custody Fee: £0 - £250,000 | £0 | £0 - £625 | |
| Annual Custody Fee: £250K-£500K | £0 | £625 - £875 | |
| Annual Custody Fee: £500,000 - £1m | £0 | £875 | |
| Annual Custody Fee: £1m and over | £0 | £875 | |
| Bonds - Corporate - Fee | N/A | £5 | |
| Bonds - Government (Gilts) - Fee | N/A | £5 | |
| ETFs - Fee | 0 | £5 | |
| Investment Trusts - Fee | 0 | £5 | |
| Telephone Dealing Fee | N/A | £25 |
| Broker Screenshots | Trading 212 | AJ Bell | |
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| Platforms & Tools | Trading 212 | AJ Bell | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Web Platform | Yes | Yes | |
| iPhone App | Yes | Yes | |
| Android App | Yes | Yes | |
| Stock Alerts | Yes | Yes | |
| Charting - Indicators / Studies | 106 | 31 | |
| Charting - Drawing Tools | 27 | 8 | |
| Charting - Notes | Yes | No | |
| Charting - Display Corporate Events | No | Yes | |
| Charting - Stock Overlays | No | Yes | |
| Charting - Index Overlays | No | Yes |
| Research | Trading 212 | AJ Bell | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Research - Shares | Yes | Yes | |
| Research - CFDs | Yes | No | |
| Research - Funds | No | Yes | |
| Fund Research - Research Reports | No | Yes | |
| Research - ETFs | Yes | Yes | |
| Research - Bonds | No | Yes | |
| Portfolio Allocation Breakdown | Yes | Yes |
| Education | Trading 212 | AJ Bell | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Education (Share Trading) | Yes | Yes | |
| Education (Funds) | Yes | Yes | |
| Education (Retirement) | No | Yes | |
| Client Webinars | No | Yes | |
| Client Webinars (Archived) | No | Yes |
| Overall Summary | Trading 212 | AJ Bell | |
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| Review | Trading 212 Review | AJ Bell Review | |
| Winner | check_circle |
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