AJ Bell
FCA
Directa
CONSOB
AJ Bell vs Directa
Head-to-Head Comparison 2026
Our Verdict
AJ Bell has a higher rating of 4.2/5 compared to Directa (4/5). Directa offers 6 instrument types, while AJ Bell offers 5. Directa offers options trading, while the other does not.
Comparison Table
| Criteria | AJ Bell | Directa |
|---|---|---|
| Rating | 4.2/5 (1100 reviews)✓ | 4/5 (450 reviews) |
| Regulation | FCA | CONSOB |
| Fees | £5 per trade (11+ trades: £3.50), custody fee 0.25% | from €1.50 (Fixed), 0.19% (Variable) or Degressive |
| Min. Deposit | 0 £ | 0 € |
| Instruments | Stocks, ETFs, Funds, Bonds, Investment Trusts | Stocks, ETFs, Futures, Options, Bonds, CFDs |
| Platforms | AJ Bell App, AJ Bell Web | dLite, Darwin2, Directa Web |
| Options Trading | No | Yes, IDEM options |
| Founded | 1995 | 1995 |
| Headquarters | Manchester | Turin |
Detailed Comparison
Fee Comparison
AJ Bell: £5 per trade (11+ trades: £3.50), custody fee 0.25%. Minimum deposit: 0 £.
Directa: from €1.50 (Fixed), 0.19% (Variable) or Degressive. Minimum deposit: 0 €.
Product Range
AJ Bell (5 categories)
Directa (6 categories)
Trading Platforms
AJ Bell
- AJ Bell App
- AJ Bell Web
Directa
- dLite
- Darwin2
- Directa Web
Regulation & Security
AJ Bell is regulated by FCA (HQ: Manchester).
Directa is regulated by CONSOB (HQ: Turin).
Who Is It For?
AJ Bell
UK investment broker with low costs and broad fund offering
✓ Low trading fees for frequent trading
✓ Publicly traded company (FTSE 250)
✓ Wide selection of funds and ETFs
✗ Custody fee on fund holdings
✗ Platform less modern than neobrokers
Directa
Italian online broker with direct market access since 1995
✓ Instant tax settlement (Regime Amministrato)
✓ Three different fee models to choose from
✓ Direct market access to Italian exchanges
✗ Platform visually outdated
✗ Mainly focused on Italian market
Frequently Asked Questions
Is AJ Bell or Directa cheaper?
Which broker offers more products: AJ Bell or Directa?
Which broker is better regulated?
Is AJ Bell or Directa better for beginners?
AJ Bell vs Directa: Which broker is better overall?
AJ Bell
UK investment broker with low costs and broad fund offering
Open Account →From 0 £ min. deposit
Directa
Italian online broker with direct market access since 1995
Open Account →From 0 € min. deposit