AJ Bell
FCA
Freetrade
FCA
AJ Bell vs Freetrade
Head-to-Head Comparison 2026
Our Verdict
AJ Bell has a higher rating of 4.2/5 compared to Freetrade (3.9/5). AJ Bell offers 5 instrument types, while Freetrade offers 4. AJ Bell has been in the market since 1995, making it the more experienced provider. On spreads, AJ Bell offers Stocks from £5.00 per trade, funds from £1.50 per regular savings, 0.25% p.a. custody fee, while Freetrade offers £0 commission (Basic), FX conversion 0.99% (Basic), 0.59% (Standard), 0.39% (Plus).
Comparison Table
| Criteria | AJ Bell | Freetrade |
|---|---|---|
| Rating | 4.2/5 (1100 reviews)✓ | 3.9/5 (550 reviews) |
| Regulation | FCA | FCA |
| Fees | £5 per trade (11+ trades: £3.50), custody fee 0.25% | £0 commission, 0.45% FX fee for non-GBP stocks |
| Min. Deposit | 0 £ | 0 £ |
| Instruments | Stocks, ETFs, Funds, Bonds, Investment Trusts | Stocks, ETFs, REITs, SPACs |
| Platforms | AJ Bell App, AJ Bell Web | Freetrade App |
| Options Trading | No | No |
| Spread (typical) | Stocks from £5.00 per trade, funds from £1.50 per regular savings, 0.25% p.a. custody fee | £0 commission (Basic), FX conversion 0.99% (Basic), 0.59% (Standard), 0.39% (Plus) |
| Execution Speed | ~30 ms (LSE Direct) | — |
| Founded | 1995 | 2016 |
| Headquarters | Manchester | London |
Detailed Comparison
Fee Comparison
AJ Bell: £5 per trade (11+ trades: £3.50), custody fee 0.25%. Minimum deposit: 0 £. Spread: Stocks from £5.00 per trade, funds from £1.50 per regular savings, 0.25% p.a. custody fee.
Freetrade: £0 commission, 0.45% FX fee for non-GBP stocks. Minimum deposit: 0 £. Spread: £0 commission (Basic), FX conversion 0.99% (Basic), 0.59% (Standard), 0.39% (Plus).
Execution Quality
AJ Bell
Execution: ~30 ms (LSE Direct)
Freetrade
No data available
Product Range
AJ Bell (5 categories)
Freetrade (4 categories)
Trading Platforms
AJ Bell
- AJ Bell App
- AJ Bell Web
Freetrade
- Freetrade App
Regulation & Security
AJ Bell is regulated by FCA (HQ: Manchester).
Freetrade is regulated by FCA (HQ: London).
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
Freetrade
UK neobroker with commission-free stock trading
✓ No commissions on UK stocks
✓ ISA account available (tax-free in UK)
✓ User-friendly app
✗ Mainly focused on UK market
✗ FX fees for international stocks
Frequently Asked Questions
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AJ Bell
UK investment broker with low costs and broad fund offering
Open Account →From 0 £ min. deposit