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.
Hargreaves Lansdown
Which broker fits your needs?
Platforms, products and fees side by side.
Updated: October 2026
See comparisonAJ Bell
Hargreaves LansdownVS
Summary
Your goal decides.
Hargreaves Lansdown has a higher rating of 4.4/5 compared to AJ Bell (4.2/5). The minimum deposit is lower at AJ Bell with 0 £. Hargreaves Lansdown has been in the market since 1981, 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 Hargreaves Lansdown offers Stocks from £11.95 per trade (volume-tiered: from £5.95 above 20 trades/month), 0.45% p.a. platform fee for funds.
AJ BellUK investment broker with low costs and broad fund offering
Hargreaves LansdownUK premium broker with comprehensive investment advice since 1981
At a glance
The key differences
| Criterion | AJ Bell | Hargreaves Lansdown |
|---|---|---|
| Platforms | AJ Bell App, AJ Bell Web | HL App, HL Web Platform |
| Product types | Stocks, ETFs, Funds, Bonds, Investment Trusts | Stocks, ETFs, Funds, Bonds, REITs |
| Options trading | No | No |
| Fee model | £5 per trade (11+ trades: £3.50), custody fee 0.25% | £11.95 per stock trade, ETFs from £0 (savings plan) |
| Minimum deposit | 0 £ | 1 £ |
| Regulation | FCA | FCA |
| More information | Details | Details |
Platforms
AJ Bell
AJ Bell App, AJ Bell Web
Hargreaves Lansdown
HL App, HL Web Platform
Product types
AJ Bell
Stocks, ETFs, Funds, Bonds, Investment Trusts
Hargreaves Lansdown
Stocks, ETFs, Funds, Bonds, REITs
Options trading
AJ Bell
No
Hargreaves Lansdown
No
Fee model
AJ Bell
£5 per trade (11+ trades: £3.50), custody fee 0.25%
Hargreaves Lansdown
£11.95 per stock trade, ETFs from £0 (savings plan)
Minimum deposit
AJ Bell
0 £
Hargreaves Lansdown
1 £
Regulation
AJ Bell
FCA
Hargreaves Lansdown
FCA
Product access and costs depend on market, account and permissions.
Detailed comparison
Comparing fees
Compare total costs, not just the order fee.
AJ BellHargreaves Lansdown£11.95 per stock trade, ETFs from £0 (savings plan)
- Published fee
- £11.95 per stock trade, ETFs from £0 (savings plan)
- Minimum deposit
- 1 £
- Spread figure
- Stocks from £11.95 per trade (volume-tiered: from £5.95 above 20 trades/month), 0.45% p.a. platform fee for funds
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 informationHargreaves LansdownCheck the provider’s execution policy and available order types for your account.
Provider informationProduct range
AJ BellStocksETFsFundsBondsInvestment Trusts
Hargreaves LansdownStocksETFsFundsBondsREITs
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 platformHargreaves LansdownHL App · HL Web Platform
Hargreaves Lansdown offers a web platform and mobile app for iOS and Android. The platform excels through comprehensive research tools, detailed fund analyses, the Wealth Shortlist, and portfolio management features. Users can trade stocks, funds, and ETFs, set up savings plans, and track their portfolio with detailed performance reports. The user interface is professional but not as modern as neobrokers.
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
Hargreaves LansdownUK premium broker with comprehensive investment advice since 1981
- One of the most established brokers in UK since 1981
- Excellent research and analysis tools
- ISA, SIPP and junior accounts available
- Comparatively high trading fees
- Mainly focused on UK market
Find the broker that fits
AJ Bell oder Hargreaves Lansdown?
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 Hargreaves Lansdown?
AJ Bell: £5 per trade (11+ trades: £3.50), custody fee 0.25%. Hargreaves Lansdown: £11.95 per stock trade, ETFs from £0 (savings plan). 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 Hargreaves Lansdown?
AJ Bell offers Stocks, ETFs, Funds, Bonds, Investment Trusts. Hargreaves Lansdown offers Stocks, ETFs, Funds, Bonds, REITs.
How are AJ Bell and Hargreaves Lansdown regulated?
The broker profiles list FCA for AJ Bell and FCA for Hargreaves Lansdown. Your account's contracting entity determines the applicable oversight and protection rules; check its current disclosures.
Is AJ Bell or Hargreaves Lansdown better for beginners?
AJ Bell lists a 0 £ minimum deposit and offers AJ Bell App, AJ Bell Web. Hargreaves Lansdown lists 1 £ and offers HL App, HL Web Platform. Compare usability, available products and costs for your intended use.
AJ Bell vs Hargreaves Lansdown: Which broker is better overall?
The choice between AJ Bell (4.2/5, 1100 reviews) and Hargreaves Lansdown (4.4/5, 2200 reviews) depends on your needs. AJ Bell: UK investment broker with low costs and broad fund offering. Hargreaves Lansdown: UK premium broker with comprehensive investment advice since 1981.
How do spreads compare between AJ Bell and Hargreaves Lansdown?
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. Hargreaves Lansdown offers Stocks from £11.95 per trade (volume-tiered: from £5.95 above 20 trades/month), 0.45% p.a. platform fee for funds. 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 reviewHargreaves LansdownUK premium broker with comprehensive investment advice since 1981
Open accountRead reviewKeep learning
Before you pick a broker
The guides worth reading before your first trade, whichever of the two you choose.