UK.StockBrokers.com is committed to the highest ethical standards and reviews services independently. Learn How We Make Money

AJ Bell vs Vanguard UK Investor 2025

StockBrokers.com

Written by StockBrokers.com

April 17, 2025

In this head to head comparison of AJ Bell vs Vanguard UK Investor, we will compare the trading platforms, mobile apps, investment options, costs, market research, and more. Let's dive in.

AJ Bell
4.5/5 Stars Overall
  • Minimum Deposit: £0
  • ISA: Yes
  • SIPP: Yes
Vanguard UK Investor
4/5 Stars Overall
  • Minimum Deposit: £500
  • ISA: Yes
  • SIPP: Yes

Fees

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 Vanguard UK Investor 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 - AJ Bell would cost £100 per year, while Vanguard UK Investor would cost N/A per year.

12 trades per year - AJ Bell would cost £135 per year, while Vanguard UK Investor would cost N/A per year.

36 trades per year - AJ Bell would cost £255 per year, while Vanguard UK Investor would cost N/A per year.

120 trades per year - AJ Bell would cost £495 per year, while Vanguard UK Investor would cost N/A per year.

3 fund trades per year - AJ Bell would cost £0 per year, while Vanguard UK Investor would cost £500 per year.

query_stats 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.

Investment Choices

When considering your investment options in the UK, both AJ Bell and Vanguard UK Investor offer distinct choices that cater to different investor needs. AJ Bell stands out with its availability of share trading and the ability to trade corporate bonds, government bonds, and investment trusts, appealing to individuals looking for a comprehensive investment platform. Additionally, AJ Bell supports trading of ETFs and funds but not in the realm of crypto trading, spread betting, or CFDs. Rated 5 stars by UK.StockBrokers.com for investment choices, AJ Bell ranks 5th out of 21 brokers, showcasing its versatility and range.

In contrast, Vanguard UK Investor simplifies the experience for users by focusing on fundamental investment offerings. The platform allows trading in ETFs and funds but does not extend to share trading or the trading of bonds and investment trusts. With no options for crypto trading, spread betting, or CFD trading, Vanguard UK Investor is tailored to investors who prefer a straightforward approach. Rated 3.5 stars and ranked 18th out of 21 by UK.StockBrokers.com, Vanguard UK Investor may appeal to those who value consistency in traditional investment routes without unnecessary complexities.

Feature AJ Bell logoAJ Bell
Vanguard UK Investor logoVanguard UK Investor
Share Trading info Yes No
CFD Trading info No No
ETFs info Yes Yes
Funds info Yes Yes
Bonds - Government (Gilts) info Yes No
Investment Trusts info Yes No
Spread Betting info No No
Crypto Trading info No No
Advisor Services info No No
Investment Choices 5/5 Stars 3.5/5 Stars

Featured Offers


4.5/5 Stars

Low-cost US and UK shares.

4.5/5 Stars

Professional’s Gateway to the World’s Markets.

Trading Tools

When comparing AJ Bell to Vanguard UK Investor for their trading tools, AJ Bell clearly offers a more comprehensive set of features. AJ Bell allows users to display corporate events like earnings, splits, and dividends directly on the charts, a feature absent from Vanguard's platform. With AJ Bell, traders can use eight different drawing tools and 31 technical indicators to conduct in-depth analysis; these tools are not available with Vanguard UK Investor. Both platforms support browser-based trading, but AJ Bell stands out by enabling added functionalities such as index and stock overlays on charts, which Vanguard does not offer.

Moreover, AJ Bell provides the ability to create custom alerts for stock price updates and access real-time market data, enhancing the user experience significantly. While AJ Bell brings a host of advanced charting and trading features to the table, Vanguard UK Investor falls short in comparison, lacking the basic tools and real-time updates that active traders often seek. Overall, for UK investors prioritizing full-featured charting and up-to-date market information, AJ Bell presents a more attractive option than Vanguard UK Investor.

Feature AJ Bell logoAJ Bell
Vanguard UK Investor logoVanguard UK Investor
Web Platform info Yes Yes
Stock Alerts info Yes No
Charting - Indicators / Studies info 31 0
Charting - Drawing Tools info 8 0
Charting - Notes info No No
Charting - Display Corporate Events info Yes No
Charting - Stock Overlays info Yes No
Charting - Index Overlays info Yes No

ISAs and SIPPs

When comparing online brokers AJ Bell and Vanguard UK Investor for their retirement account offerings in the UK, both platforms provide Individual Savings Accounts (ISAs) and Self-Invested Personal Pensions (SIPPs). AJ Bell and Vanguard UK Investor each give users the flexibility to manage ISAs and SIPPs to build their retirement savings, ensuring both beginner and experienced investors have the necessary tools for investment growth within these tax-efficient accounts. This makes either option a solid choice for UK investors looking to secure their financial future through well-managed retirement accounts.

Dive deeper: Best SIPP Providers, Best Stocks and Shares ISA Providers.

Mobile App

In the competitive landscape of online trading platforms, both AJ Bell and Vanguard UK Investor offer convenient mobile apps for iPhone and Android users. AJ Bell leads with a highly-rated mobile app, earning 4.5 stars out of five from UK.StockBrokers.com, showcasing a commendable blend of functionality and user experience. It stands strong at 9th place out of 21 brokers for mobile app rankings. Conversely, Vanguard UK Investor's app receives a 3.5-star rating and ranks 19th, highlighting a difference in user satisfaction and app effectiveness. Whether you're looking for a top-tier mobile trading experience or a straightforward app, understanding these differences can guide your choice.

Dive deeper: Best Stock Trading Apps UK.

Beginners and Education

When comparing the beginner investor educational resources of AJ Bell and Vanguard UK Investor, AJ Bell stands out with a comprehensive suite of offerings. AJ Bell provides live and archived on-demand educational webinars, covering essential topics like share trading, funds, and retirement. In contrast, Vanguard UK Investor does not offer live webinars and lacks education on share trading, though it does cover funds and retirement. With a stellar 5-star rating and a ranking of #5 out of 21 brokers by UK.StockBrokers.com for beginner education, AJ Bell clearly excels. In comparison, Vanguard UK Investor holds a 3.5-star rating and a lower ranking of #17, highlighting a gap in its educational outreach to novice investors in the UK.

Feature AJ Bell logoAJ Bell
Vanguard UK Investor logoVanguard UK Investor
Client Webinars info Yes No
Client Webinars (Archived) info Yes Yes
Education (Share Trading) info Yes No
Education (Funds) info Yes Yes
Education (Retirement) info Yes Yes
Education 5/5 Stars 3.5/5 Stars

Dive deeper: Best UK Trading Platforms for Beginners.

Market Research

When comparing AJ Bell and Vanguard UK Investor for market research features, both brokers provide research reports for funds, along with insights into portfolio allocation by asset class. AJ Bell stands out by offering research on shares and bonds, which Vanguard UK Investor does not provide. Both platforms support research on ETFs and funds, while neither offers research on CFDs. UK investors looking for a comprehensive range of research tools might find AJ Bell's offerings more appealing due to its additional focus on shares and bonds.

Feature AJ Bell logoAJ Bell
Vanguard UK Investor logoVanguard UK Investor
Research - Shares info Yes No
Research - CFDs info No No
Research - ETFs info Yes Yes
Research - Bonds info Yes No
Research - Funds info Yes Yes
Fund Research - Research Reports info Yes Yes
Portfolio Allocation Breakdown info Yes Yes

AJ Bell vs Vanguard UK Investor Winner

Which broker is better overall, AJ Bell or Vanguard UK Investor? 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 its new app, called Dodl, offers much lower fees and also offers a more slim-lined and user-friendly service. Educational and research materials are strong, too.

Feature AJ Bell logoAJ Bell
Vanguard UK Investor logoVanguard UK Investor
Overall Rating 4.5/5 Stars 4/5 Stars
Charges & Fees 4.5/5 Stars 4.5/5 Stars
Investment Choices 5/5 Stars 3.5/5 Stars
Mobile App 4.5/5 Stars 3.5/5 Stars
Website 5/5 Stars 3.5/5 Stars
Ease of Use 5/5 Stars 4.5/5 Stars
Education 5/5 Stars 3.5/5 Stars

FAQs

Can you trade cryptocurrency with AJ Bell or Vanguard UK Investor?

Both AJ Bell and Vanguard UK Investor do not offer crypto trading, providing investors with robust platforms focused on traditional investment options instead.

Popular Guides

Popular Stock Broker Reviews

More Guides


Select Brokers

×
  • check_box_outline_blankcheck_boxAJ Bell
  • check_box_outline_blankcheck_boxBarclays
  • check_box_outline_blankcheck_boxBestinvest
  • check_box_outline_blankcheck_boxCharles Stanley Direct
  • check_box_outline_blankcheck_boxCMC Invest
  • check_box_outline_blankcheck_boxeToro
  • check_box_outline_blankcheck_boxFidelity International
  • check_box_outline_blankcheck_boxFreetrade
  • check_box_outline_blankcheck_boxHalifax
  • check_box_outline_blankcheck_boxHargreaves Lansdown
  • check_box_outline_blankcheck_boxIG
  • check_box_outline_blankcheck_boxInteractive Brokers
  • check_box_outline_blankcheck_boxInteractive Investor
  • check_box_outline_blankcheck_boxLloyds Bank
  • check_box_outline_blankcheck_boxRevolut
  • check_box_outline_blankcheck_boxRobinhood UK
  • check_box_outline_blankcheck_boxSaxo
  • check_box_outline_blankcheck_boxTrading 212
  • check_box_outline_blankcheck_boxVanguard UK Investor
  • check_box_outline_blankcheck_boxWebull
  • check_box_outline_blankcheck_boxXTB

Compare

0 of 5
Overall Rating AJ Bell Vanguard UK Investor
Overall Rating 4.5/5 Stars 4/5 Stars
Charges & Fees 4.5/5 Stars 4.5/5 Stars
Investment Choices 5/5 Stars 3.5/5 Stars
Mobile App 4.5/5 Stars 3.5/5 Stars
Website 5/5 Stars 3.5/5 Stars
Ease of Use 5/5 Stars 4.5/5 Stars
Education 5/5 Stars 3.5/5 Stars
Review AJ Bell Review Vanguard UK Investor Review
Winner check_circle
Investments AJ Bell Vanguard UK Investor
ISA info Yes Yes
SIPP info Yes Yes
Share Trading info Yes No
CFD Trading info No No
Funds info Yes Yes
ETFs info Yes Yes
Bonds - Corporate info Yes No
Bonds - Government (Gilts) info Yes No
Investment Trusts info Yes No
Spread Betting info No No
Crypto Trading info No No
Advisor Services info No No
Trading Fees AJ Bell Vanguard UK Investor
Minimum Deposit info £0 £500
Share Trading: 0-9 Deals/ Month info £5 N/A
Share Trading: 10-19 Deals/ Month info £3.50 N/A
Share Trading: 20+ Deals/ Month info £3.50 N/A
5 trades per year (£30k portfolio) info £100 N/A
12 trades per year (£30k portfolio) info £135 N/A
36 trades per year (£30k portfolio) info £255 N/A
120 trades per year (£30k portfolio) info £495 N/A
3 fund trades per year (£30k portfolio) info £79.50 £108
Annual Custody Fee: £0 - £250,000 info £0 - £625 Under £32,000: £48 / Over £32,000: 0.15%
Annual Custody Fee: £250K-£500K info £625 - £875 £375
Annual Custody Fee: £500,000 - £1m info £875 £375
Annual Custody Fee: £1m and over info £875 £375
Bonds - Corporate - Fee info £5 N/A
Bonds - Government (Gilts) - Fee info £5 N/A
ETFs - Fee info £5 0.02% to 0.14%
Investment Trusts - Fee info £5 N/A
Telephone Dealing Fee info £25 N/A
Broker Screenshots AJ Bell Vanguard UK Investor
Website Gallery (click to expand)
Mobile Trading Apps Gallery (click to expand)
Education Gallery (click to expand)
Platforms & Tools AJ Bell Vanguard UK Investor
Web Platform info Yes Yes
iPhone App info Yes Yes
Android App info Yes Yes
Stock Alerts info Yes No
Charting - Indicators / Studies info 31 0
Charting - Drawing Tools info 8 0
Charting - Notes info No No
Charting - Display Corporate Events info Yes No
Charting - Stock Overlays info Yes No
Charting - Index Overlays info Yes No
Research AJ Bell Vanguard UK Investor
Research - Shares info Yes No
Research - CFDs info No No
Research - Funds info Yes Yes
Fund Research - Research Reports info Yes Yes
Research - ETFs info Yes Yes
Research - Bonds info Yes No
Portfolio Allocation Breakdown info Yes Yes
Education AJ Bell Vanguard UK Investor
Education (Share Trading) info Yes No
Education (Funds) info Yes Yes
Education (Retirement) info Yes Yes
Client Webinars info Yes No
Client Webinars (Archived) info Yes Yes
Overall Summary AJ Bell Vanguard UK Investor
Overall Rating 4.5/5 Stars 4/5 Stars
Charges & Fees 4.5/5 Stars 4.5/5 Stars
Investment Choices 5/5 Stars 3.5/5 Stars
Mobile App 4.5/5 Stars 3.5/5 Stars
Website 5/5 Stars 3.5/5 Stars
Ease of Use 5/5 Stars 4.5/5 Stars
Education 5/5 Stars 3.5/5 Stars
Review AJ Bell Review Vanguard UK Investor Review
Winner check_circle
arrow_upward

close