Written by StockBrokers.com
In this head to head comparison of AJ Bell vs XTB, 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, XTB 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 - AJ Bell would cost £100 per year, while XTB would cost £0 per year.
12 trades per year - AJ Bell would cost £135 per year, while XTB would cost £0 per year.
36 trades per year - AJ Bell would cost £255 per year, while XTB would cost £0 per year.
120 trades per year - AJ Bell would cost £495 per year, while XTB would cost £0 per year.
3 fund trades per year - AJ Bell would cost £0 per year, while XTB 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.
For UK investors seeking versatile online brokers, AJ Bell and XTB both offer share and ETF trading. However, AJ Bell emerges as a more diversified choice with options to trade funds, corporate bonds, government bonds, and investment trusts. Ranked 5th out of 21 brokers for investment choices by UK.StockBrokers.com, AJ Bell receives a flawless 5-star rating. This suggests a broad spectrum of investment opportunities catering to varied financial goals.
Conversely, XTB provides a specialised approach with share, ETF, and CFD trading, accompanied by a 4.5-star rating and a ranking of 13th for investment choice. While it lacks certain investment products offered by AJ Bell, XTB delivers a strong focus on areas like CFD trading, appealing to traders interested in leveraged products. Whether you prefer diversified investment portfolios or more focused trading options, both brokers present distinct advantages tailored to different investor preferences.
| Feature |
AJ Bell
|
XTB
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|---|---|---|
| Share Trading | Yes | Yes |
| CFD Trading | Yes | |
| ETFs | Yes | Yes |
| Funds | Yes | |
| Bonds - Government (Gilts) | Yes | |
| Investment Trusts | Yes | |
| Spread Betting | Yes | |
| Crypto Trading | ||
| Advisor Services | ||
| Investment Choices |
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Low-cost US and UK shares.
Professional’s Gateway to the World’s Markets.
When comparing AJ Bell and XTB as online brokers in the UK, both platforms offer the ability to display corporate events such as earnings, splits, and dividends on their charts, alongside providing real-time market data and browser-based trading platforms. AJ Bell allows users to add index and stock overlays to charts, whereas XTB's focus seems to lean more heavily on charting tools, offering 20 drawing tools compared to AJ Bell's 8, and 39 technical indicators, surpassing AJ Bell's 31. Additionally, XTB provides the option to add notes on charts, a feature not available with AJ Bell.
For traders keen on comprehensive chart analysis, XTB might appear attractive due to its broader array of drawing tools and technical indicators. However, AJ Bell appeals to those who value the ability to add both index and stock overlays. Despite these differences, both brokers ensure their users can set alerts for stock price updates, catering to traders who prioritize staying informed in dynamic markets. Each platform presents unique tools that can be advantageous, depending on a trader's needs.
| Feature |
AJ Bell
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XTB
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|---|---|---|
| Web Platform | Yes | Yes |
| Stock Alerts | Yes | Yes |
| Charting - Indicators / Studies | 31 | 39 |
| Charting - Drawing Tools | 8 | 20 |
| Charting - Notes | Yes | |
| Charting - Display Corporate Events | Yes | Yes |
| Charting - Stock Overlays | Yes | |
| Charting - Index Overlays | Yes |
When comparing retirement account options from online brokers AJ Bell and XTB, there are notable differences tailored for UK investors. AJ Bell offers both Individual Savings Accounts (ISAs) and Self-Invested Personal Pensions (SIPPs), making it a versatile choice for those seeking a comprehensive retirement strategy. While XTB does provide ISAs, it currently does not offer SIPPs, which may limit its appeal for those specifically looking to include a SIPP in their retirement planning. Both platforms feature options for those interested in tax-efficient savings, yet AJ Bell's inclusion of SIPPs offers broader choices for long-term retirement savings.
Dive deeper: Best SIPP Providers, Best Stocks and Shares ISA Providers.
When comparing the mobile app offerings of AJ Bell and XTB, both platforms provide apps for iPhone and Android users, catering to a wide range of mobile traders. According to UK.StockBrokers.com, each app scores an impressive 4.5 out of 5 stars, reflecting their user-friendly interfaces and functionality. However, in a ranking of 21 brokers, there is a slight difference in their overall standings, with XTB being ranked 6th and AJ Bell positioned at 9th place. This indicates that while both apps are highly rated, XTB has a marginal edge in the broader mobile trading landscape.
Dive deeper: Best Stock Trading Apps UK.
When comparing the educational resources for beginner investors, AJ Bell and XTB offer different strengths. AJ Bell excels with its comprehensive offerings, including client webinars that are available live and on-demand, covering essential topics like share trading, funds, and retirement planning. Conversely, XTB provides resources for share trading but lacks webinars and educational materials on funds and retirement. AJ Bell achieves a perfect 5-star rating from UK.StockBrokers.com for beginner education, ranking 5th out of 21 brokers, while XTB holds a respectable 4.5-star rating, positioned at 9th. Overall, AJ Bell highlights a wider range of educational options for novices compared to XTB.
| Feature |
AJ Bell
|
XTB
|
|---|---|---|
| Client Webinars | Yes | |
| Client Webinars (Archived) | Yes | |
| Education (Share Trading) | Yes | Yes |
| Education (Funds) | Yes | |
| Education (Retirement) | Yes | |
| Education |
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Dive deeper: Best UK Trading Platforms for Beginners.
When comparing AJ Bell and XTB in terms of market research features, both platforms offer valuable insights, but with some differences. AJ Bell provides comprehensive research reports for funds, with the added ability to view portfolio allocation by asset class. It also supports in-depth research on shares, ETFs, and bonds, offering a well-rounded resource for UK investors seeking detailed financial information. On the other hand, XTB matches AJ Bell in providing shares and ETFs research, along with the ability to see portfolio allocation by asset class. However, it stands out by offering research on CFDs, a feature not available with AJ Bell. Overall, AJ Bell is the preferred choice for those interested in funds and bonds research, while XTB caters to investors looking for CFD insights.
| Feature |
AJ Bell
|
XTB
|
|---|---|---|
| Research - Shares | Yes | Yes |
| Research - CFDs | Yes | |
| Research - ETFs | Yes | Yes |
| Research - Bonds | Yes | |
| Research - Funds | Yes | |
| Fund Research - Research Reports | Yes | |
| Portfolio Allocation Breakdown | Yes | Yes |
Which broker is better overall, AJ Bell or XTB? 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 |
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XTB
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While AJ Bell does not offer crypto trading, XTB provides the option to trade cryptocurrencies, making it a more suitable choice for investors interested in digital assets.
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0 of 5| Overall Rating | AJ Bell | XTB | |
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| Review | AJ Bell Review | XTB Review | |
| Winner | check_circle |
| Investments | AJ Bell | XTB | |
|---|---|---|---|
| ISA | Yes | Yes | |
| SIPP | Yes | ||
| Share Trading | Yes | Yes | |
| CFD Trading | Yes | ||
| Funds | Yes | ||
| ETFs | Yes | Yes | |
| Bonds - Corporate | Yes | ||
| Bonds - Government (Gilts) | Yes | ||
| Investment Trusts | Yes | ||
| Spread Betting | Yes | ||
| Crypto Trading | |||
| Advisor Services |
| Trading Fees | AJ Bell | XTB | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Minimum Deposit | £0 | £0 | |
| Share Trading: 0-9 Deals/ Month | £5 | £0 | |
| Share Trading: 10-19 Deals/ Month | £3.50 | £0 | |
| Share Trading: 20+ Deals/ Month | £3.50 | £0 | |
| 5 trades per year (£30k portfolio) | £100 | £0 | |
| 12 trades per year (£30k portfolio) | £135 | £0 | |
| 36 trades per year (£30k portfolio) | £255 | £0 | |
| 120 trades per year (£30k portfolio) | £495 | £0 | |
| 3 fund trades per year (£30k portfolio) | £79.50 | N/A | |
| Annual Custody Fee: £0 - £250,000 | £0 - £625 | 0 | |
| Annual Custody Fee: £250K-£500K | £625 - £875 | 0 | |
| Annual Custody Fee: £500,000 - £1m | £875 | 0 | |
| Annual Custody Fee: £1m and over | £875 | 0 | |
| Bonds - Corporate - Fee | £5 | N/A | |
| Bonds - Government (Gilts) - Fee | £5 | N/A | |
| ETFs - Fee | £5 | £0 | |
| Investment Trusts - Fee | £5 | N/A | |
| Telephone Dealing Fee | £25 | N/A |
| Broker Screenshots | AJ Bell | XTB | |
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| Platforms & Tools | AJ Bell | XTB | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Web Platform | Yes | Yes | |
| iPhone App | Yes | Yes | |
| Android App | Yes | Yes | |
| Stock Alerts | Yes | Yes | |
| Charting - Indicators / Studies | 31 | 39 | |
| Charting - Drawing Tools | 8 | 20 | |
| Charting - Notes | Yes | ||
| Charting - Display Corporate Events | Yes | Yes | |
| Charting - Stock Overlays | Yes | ||
| Charting - Index Overlays | Yes |
| Research | AJ Bell | XTB | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Research - Shares | Yes | Yes | |
| Research - CFDs | Yes | ||
| Research - Funds | Yes | ||
| Fund Research - Research Reports | Yes | ||
| Research - ETFs | Yes | Yes | |
| Research - Bonds | Yes | ||
| Portfolio Allocation Breakdown | Yes | Yes |
| Education | AJ Bell | XTB | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Education (Share Trading) | Yes | Yes | |
| Education (Funds) | Yes | ||
| Education (Retirement) | Yes | ||
| Client Webinars | Yes | ||
| Client Webinars (Archived) | Yes |
| Overall Summary | AJ Bell | XTB | |
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| Review | AJ Bell Review | XTB Review | |
| Winner | check_circle |
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