AJ Bell£5 per trade (11+ trades: £3.50), custody fee 0.25%
- Published fee
- £5 per trade (11+ trades: £3.50), custody fee 0.25%
- Minimum deposit
- 0 £
- Spread figure
- Stocks from £5.00 per trade, funds from £1.50 per regular savings, 0.25% p.a. custody fee
Broker comparison
AJ Bell vs.
Directa
Which broker fits your needs?
Platforms, products and fees side by side.
Updated: October 2026
See comparisonAJ Bell
DirectaVS
Summary
Your goal decides
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. Oversight: AJ Bell: FCA; Directa: CONSOB. AJ Bell: No. Directa: Yes, IDEM options.
AJ BellUK investment broker with low costs and broad fund offering
DirectaItalian online broker with direct market access since 1995
At a glance
The key differences
| Criterion | AJ Bell | Directa |
|---|---|---|
| Platforms | AJ Bell App, AJ Bell Web | dLite, Darwin2, Directa Web |
| Product types | Stocks, ETFs, Funds, Bonds, Investment Trusts | Stocks, ETFs, Futures, Options, Bonds, CFDs |
| Options trading | No | Yes, IDEM options |
| Fee model | £5 per trade (11+ trades: £3.50), custody fee 0.25% | from €1.50 (Fixed), 0.19% (Variable) or Degressive |
| Minimum deposit | 0 £ | 0 € |
| Regulation | FCA | CONSOB |
| More information | Details | Details |
Platforms
AJ Bell
AJ Bell App, AJ Bell Web
Directa
dLite, Darwin2, Directa Web
Product types
AJ Bell
Stocks, ETFs, Funds, Bonds, Investment Trusts
Directa
Stocks, ETFs, Futures, Options, Bonds, CFDs
Options trading
AJ Bell
No
Directa
Yes, IDEM options
Fee model
AJ Bell
£5 per trade (11+ trades: £3.50), custody fee 0.25%
Directa
from €1.50 (Fixed), 0.19% (Variable) or Degressive
Minimum deposit
AJ Bell
0 £
Directa
0 €
Regulation
AJ Bell
FCA
Directa
CONSOB
Product access and costs depend on market, account and permissions.
Detailed comparison
Comparing fees
Compare total costs, not just the order fee.
AJ BellDirectafrom €1.50 (Fixed), 0.19% (Variable) or Degressive
- Published fee
- from €1.50 (Fixed), 0.19% (Variable) or Degressive
- Minimum deposit
- 0 €
The relevant costs depend on market, currency, order size and trading style.
Execution quality
Order type, venue and liquidity affect execution.
AJ BellCheck the provider’s execution policy and available order types for your account.
Provider informationDirectaCheck the provider’s execution policy and available order types for your account.
Provider informationProduct range
AJ BellStocksETFsFundsBondsInvestment Trusts
DirectaStocksETFsFuturesOptionsBondsCFDs
Categories come from broker profiles. Check specific markets and permissions before deciding.
Trading platforms
AJ BellAJ Bell App · AJ Bell Web
AJ Bell offers a web platform and a mobile app for iOS and Android. The platform enables trading of stocks, funds, ETFs, and bonds. It provides portfolio overviews, charting features, fund search tools, and performance reports. The user interface is functional and clearly designed, though it appears somewhat more traditional compared to neobrokers.
Explore platformDirectadLite · Darwin2 · Directa Web
Directa offers three platforms: dLite (simple web interface for beginners), Darwin2 (professional desktop software with advanced charting tools and real-time data), and Directa Web (browser-based platform). The platforms offer direct market access, various order types, and detailed market data, though they appear somewhat visually outdated.
Explore platformRegulation does not prevent market losses. The relevant authority depends on the contracting entity.
Your investor profile
Who might it suit?
AJ BellUK 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
DirectaItalian 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
Find the broker that fits
AJ Bell oder Directa?
Side by side. Decided with knowledge.
See the differences that matter, and the Academy lessons that explain them.
VS
- Fees
- Platform
- Regulation
- Matching lessons
Two brokers. Many options. Your call.
AJ Bell and Directa do not earn the same way
The table shows what they cost. These lessons show how they earn, which is what the difference is made of.
Who is on the other side?
Whether your order leaves the building or stops at the desk
Open the lesson →The fill you actually get
Why the price on screen and the price you get are not the same
Open the lesson →Where the price comes from
How several bank quotes become one spread on your screen
Open the lesson →Your questions
Frequently asked questions
How do fees differ between AJ Bell and Directa?
AJ Bell: £5 per trade (11+ trades: £3.50), custody fee 0.25%. Directa: from €1.50 (Fixed), 0.19% (Variable) or Degressive. Compare total costs for the specific market, product, currency and order size in the current fee schedule.
Which broker offers more products: AJ Bell or Directa?
AJ Bell offers Stocks, ETFs, Funds, Bonds, Investment Trusts. Directa offers Stocks, ETFs, Futures, Options, Bonds, CFDs.
How are AJ Bell and Directa regulated?
The broker profiles list FCA for AJ Bell and CONSOB for Directa. Your account's contracting entity determines the applicable oversight and protection rules; check its current disclosures.
Is AJ Bell or Directa better for beginners?
AJ Bell lists a 0 £ minimum deposit and offers AJ Bell App, AJ Bell Web. Directa lists 0 € and offers dLite, Darwin2, Directa Web. Compare usability, available products and costs for your intended use.
AJ Bell vs Directa: Which broker is better overall?
The choice between AJ Bell (4.2/5, 1100 reviews) and Directa (4/5, 450 reviews) depends on your needs. AJ Bell: UK investment broker with low costs and broad fund offering. Directa: Italian online broker with direct market access since 1995.
Your next step
Your next step
AJ BellUK investment broker with low costs and broad fund offering
Open accountRead reviewDirectaItalian online broker with direct market access since 1995
Open accountRead reviewKeep learning
Before you pick a broker
The guides worth reading before your first trade, whichever of the two you choose.