Updated October 13, 2026 · SumCue Editorial Team
AJ Bell vs Bestinvest
AJ Bell
Higher score in this comparison
Bestinvest
Where AJ Bell and Bestinvest differ
| Compare | AJ BellReviewSee alternativesSee alternatives | BestinvestReviewSee alternativesSee alternatives |
|---|---|---|
| Stock trade fee | £5 | £4.95Lower |
| Markets | Stocks, ETFs, Bonds, FundsCovers more | Stocks, ETFs, Funds |
| Currency conversion fee | 0.75%Lower | 0.95% |
| Platforms | Web platform, Mobile appCovers more | Mobile app |
| Account types | ISA, SIPP, Lisa, JisaCovers more | ISA, SIPP, Jisa |
| Minimum deposit | £25 | Not confirmed |
| Account fee | £3.50 | Not confirmed |
| Regulators | Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) | Not confirmed |
| Investor protection | FSCS up to GBP 85,000 | Not confirmed |
| Deposit and withdrawal fees | Free withdrawals | Not confirmed |
We earn a commission when you sign up through links on this site. Partner status can affect where a brand appears in our rankings. Partners with a live offer in your country come first, then every other brand by score.
Key differences
- Stock trade fee is lower at Bestinvest: £4.95 vs £5.
- Currency conversion fee is lower at AJ Bell: 0.75% vs 0.95%.
- Markets: only AJ Bell offers Bonds.
- Platforms: only AJ Bell offers Web platform.
- Account types: only AJ Bell offers Lisa.
- Support channels: only AJ Bell offers Chat.
- Support channels: only Bestinvest offers Phone.
Our verdict on each
AJ Bell
AJ Bell suits UK savers who want a dealing platform, a pension and a tax wrapped account in the same place, with stated protection of FSCS up to GBP 85,000 for careful planners. The per-deal charge of £5 makes it a weaker fit for frequent traders.
Bestinvest
Bestinvest blends self directed investing with managed portfolios, while many platforms push one route alone. It gives households a guided path with coaching, planning tools and market insight across ISAs, pensions and junior accounts on an online platform with mobile access.
Score breakdown
| Area | AJ Bell | Bestinvest |
|---|---|---|
| Cost | 8.5Higher | 8.3 |
| Offer | 9.2Higher | 8.9 |
| Trust | 8.6 | 9.7Higher |
Where they rank in our lists
| Ranking | AJ Bell | Bestinvest |
|---|---|---|
| Investing | 293 of 654 | 377 of 654 |
| Stock and ETF brokers | 213 of 358 | 260 of 358 |
| Stocks and shares ISAs | 14 of 25 | 19 of 25 |
| Pensions and SIPPs | 10 of 23 | 15 of 23 |
Where each is licensed and available
| Country | AJ Bell | Bestinvest |
|---|---|---|
| United Kingdom | Not confirmed |
Available in 1 country for both.
What each covers
| Markets | AJ Bell | Bestinvest |
|---|---|---|
| Stocks | Yes | Yes |
| ETFs | Yes | Yes |
| Bonds | Yes | No |
| Funds | Yes | Yes |
| Account types | AJ Bell | Bestinvest |
|---|---|---|
| ISA | Yes | Yes |
| SIPP | Yes | Yes |
| Lisa | Yes | No |
| Jisa | Yes | Yes |
Every fact side by side
| Fact | AJ Bell | Bestinvest |
|---|---|---|
| Features | Mobile app | Mobile app |
| Pricing model | Low fees | Low fees |
| Audience | Not confirmed | Beginners |
| Legal entity | AJ Bell | Evelyn Partners Investment Management Services Limited |
| Headquarters | United Kingdom | United Kingdom |
| Founded | Not confirmed | 1986 |
| Support channels | Chat, Help centre | Phone, Help centre |
Robo-advisors
| Fact | AJ Bell | Bestinvest |
|---|---|---|
| Management fee | Not confirmed | 0% to 0.4% |
| Minimum investment | Not confirmed | £50 |
| Portfolio types | Not confirmed | ETF, ESG, Cash |
Where each stands against the rest
| Fact | AJ Bell | Bestinvest | Median |
|---|---|---|---|
| Minimum deposit | £25above the median | Not confirmed | £15 |
| Stock trade fee | £5highest quarter | £4.95highest quarter | £0 |
| Account fee | £3.50above the median | Not confirmed | £0 |
| Currency conversion fee | 0.75%above the median | 0.95%above the median | 0.4% |
Median across 77 listed providers.
Pros and cons
AJ Bell
Pros
- The account fee of £3.50 is a set figure on the dealing account, which makes the holding cost easy to budget.
- You can open an account from a minimum deposit of £25, a small opening balance for a dealing platform.
- The accounts listed as isa, sipp and lisa mean an individual savings account, a pension, a lifetime account and a junior account all sit with the same provider.
Cons
- Each deal costs £5, so the platform punishes anyone who trades often rather than holds.
- Support runs on chat and help centre only, so anyone who wants a phone line will not find one here.
- Currency conversion adds 0.75% on top of the dealing charge, so a global portfolio carries a further, quieter cost.
Bestinvest
Pros
- Online platform plus mobile app with thousands of shares and funds
- Ready made Portfolios built and managed by parent company teams
- Expert coaching plus planning tools and sector insights
Cons
- Online opening and management offers no branch based service
- Self directed selection requires confidence across thousands of assets
- Ready made routes follow parent company investment decisions
Who each suits
AJ Bell
Who it suits
- Savers who want a dealing account and a pension under the same regulated firm, since the accounts listed as isa, sipp and lisa cover the main UK wrappers.
- People who plan to hold rather than trade often, because the per-deal charge of £5 works against frequent dealing.
- Investors who put weight on UK oversight and a stated protection limit, given Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) and FSCS up to GBP 85,000.
Who should look elsewhere
- Anyone starting with a smaller sum than £25, where CFI lists a minimum deposit of $0.
- People who want a phone conversation with support, since help here runs on chat and help centre only; bunq suits those after a bank relationship rather than a dealing platform.
- Anyone whose need is borrowing rather than investing, where Fiesta Credito MX sits under CONDUSEF in a different market.
Bestinvest
Who it suits
- New investors wanting coaching alongside self directed choice
- Parents planning junior investments and pensions for children
- Households seeking ISAs, pensions and general accounts together
Who should look elsewhere
- Traders wanting branch meetings and in person dealing
- Investors seeking fully independent portfolio control
Country by country
| Country | AJ Bell | Bestinvest |
|---|---|---|
| United Kingdom | Yes | Yes |
Questions about each
AJ Bell
What does it cost to open and run an account?+
You need a minimum deposit of £25 to get going, which is a small opening balance for a dealing account. After that the account itself costs £3.50, and each deal you place costs £5. Add 0.75% if you convert pounds into another currency, and keep in mind that frequent trading is where a per-deal charge adds up fastest.
Is my money protected at AJ Bell?+
Your money sits with a firm regulated by Financial Conduct Authority (FCA), the UK regulator, and the stated investor protection is FSCS up to GBP 85,000. That figure is the ceiling on what the protection scheme pays if the firm fails, not a return on your investments, so a fall in the value of your holdings is not covered by it. Account opening and dealing happen under the same firm.
Bestinvest
What can investors choose on the platform?+
The platform covers shares, funds, exchange traded funds and investment trusts. Clients can build portfolios themselves or follow expert ideas and monthly lists showing popular assets among investors.
What are Ready-made Portfolios?+
Ready made Portfolios are managed investment selections designed for simpler decision making. They are built and managed by teams at Evelyn Partners, which is identified as the parent company.
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AJ Bell
Bestinvest