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.
Freetrade
Which broker fits your needs?
Platforms, products and fees side by side.
Updated: October 2026
See comparisonAJ Bell
FreetradeVS
Summary
Your goal decides.
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).
AJ BellUK investment broker with low costs and broad fund offering
FreetradeUK neobroker with commission-free stock trading
At a glance
The key differences
| Criterion | AJ Bell | Freetrade |
|---|---|---|
| Platforms | AJ Bell App, AJ Bell Web | Freetrade App |
| Product types | Stocks, ETFs, Funds, Bonds, Investment Trusts | Stocks, ETFs, REITs, SPACs |
| Options trading | No | No |
| Fee model | £5 per trade (11+ trades: £3.50), custody fee 0.25% | £0 commission, 0.45% FX fee for non-GBP stocks |
| Minimum deposit | 0 £ | 0 £ |
| Regulation | FCA | FCA |
| More information | Details | Details |
Platforms
AJ Bell
AJ Bell App, AJ Bell Web
Freetrade
Freetrade App
Product types
AJ Bell
Stocks, ETFs, Funds, Bonds, Investment Trusts
Freetrade
Stocks, ETFs, REITs, SPACs
Options trading
AJ Bell
No
Freetrade
No
Fee model
AJ Bell
£5 per trade (11+ trades: £3.50), custody fee 0.25%
Freetrade
£0 commission, 0.45% FX fee for non-GBP stocks
Minimum deposit
AJ Bell
0 £
Freetrade
0 £
Regulation
AJ Bell
FCA
Freetrade
FCA
Product access and costs depend on market, account and permissions.
Detailed comparison
Comparing fees
Compare total costs, not just the order fee.
AJ BellFreetrade£0 commission, 0.45% FX fee for non-GBP stocks
- Published fee
- £0 commission, 0.45% FX fee for non-GBP stocks
- Minimum deposit
- 0 £
- Spread figure
- £0 commission (Basic), FX conversion 0.99% (Basic), 0.59% (Standard), 0.39% (Plus)
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 informationFreetradeCheck the provider’s execution policy and available order types for your account.
Provider informationProduct range
AJ BellStocksETFsFundsBondsInvestment Trusts
FreetradeStocksETFsREITsSPACs
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 platformFreetradeFreetrade App
Freetrade offers a mobile app for iOS and Android as its primary trading platform. The app features a minimalist design with emphasis on ease of use. Users can buy stocks and ETFs, manage watchlists, and track their portfolio. Basic charting features are available, but professional analysis tools are absent. A web version is not a priority.
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
FreetradeUK 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
Find the broker that fits
AJ Bell oder Freetrade?
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.
Your questions
Frequently asked questions
How do fees differ between AJ Bell and Freetrade?
AJ Bell: £5 per trade (11+ trades: £3.50), custody fee 0.25%. Freetrade: £0 commission, 0.45% FX fee for non-GBP stocks. 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 Freetrade?
AJ Bell offers Stocks, ETFs, Funds, Bonds, Investment Trusts. Freetrade offers Stocks, ETFs, REITs, SPACs.
How are AJ Bell and Freetrade regulated?
The broker profiles list FCA for AJ Bell and FCA for Freetrade. Your account's contracting entity determines the applicable oversight and protection rules; check its current disclosures.
Is AJ Bell or Freetrade better for beginners?
AJ Bell lists a 0 £ minimum deposit and offers AJ Bell App, AJ Bell Web. Freetrade lists 0 £ and offers Freetrade App. Compare usability, available products and costs for your intended use.
AJ Bell vs Freetrade: Which broker is better overall?
The choice between AJ Bell (4.2/5, 1100 reviews) and Freetrade (3.9/5, 550 reviews) depends on your needs. AJ Bell: UK investment broker with low costs and broad fund offering. Freetrade: UK neobroker with commission-free stock trading.
How do spreads compare between AJ Bell and Freetrade?
AJ Bell offers typical spreads of Stocks from £5.00 per trade, funds from £1.50 per regular savings, 0.25% p.a. custody fee. Freetrade offers £0 commission (Basic), FX conversion 0.99% (Basic), 0.59% (Standard), 0.39% (Plus). Tighter spreads reduce trading costs especially for active trading.
Your next step
Your next step
AJ BellUK investment broker with low costs and broad fund offering
Open accountRead reviewFreetradeUK neobroker with commission-free stock trading
Open accountRead reviewKeep learning
Before you pick a broker
The guides worth reading before your first trade, whichever of the two you choose.