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.
Smartbroker+
Which broker fits your needs?
Platforms, products and fees side by side.
Updated: October 2026
See comparisonAJ Bell
Smartbroker+VS
Summary
Your goal decides.
AJ Bell has a higher rating of 4.2/5 compared to Smartbroker+ (4.1/5). Smartbroker+ is BaFin-regulated, while AJ Bell is supervised by FCA. AJ Bell has been in the market since 1995, making it the more experienced provider.
AJ BellUK investment broker with low costs and broad fund offering
Smartbroker+Low-cost trading with access to all German exchanges
At a glance
The key differences
| Criterion | AJ Bell | Smartbroker+ |
|---|---|---|
| Platforms | AJ Bell App, AJ Bell Web | Smartbroker+ App, Smartbroker+ Web |
| Product types | Stocks, ETFs, Funds, Bonds, Investment Trusts | Stocks, ETFs, Funds, Bonds, Derivatives |
| Options trading | No | No, no options trading |
| Fee model | £5 per trade (11+ trades: £3.50), custody fee 0.25% | €0 at gettex (from €500) or from €4 at other exchanges |
| Minimum deposit | 0 £ | 0 € |
| Regulation | FCA | BaFin |
| More information | Details | Details |
Platforms
AJ Bell
AJ Bell App, AJ Bell Web
Smartbroker+
Smartbroker+ App, Smartbroker+ Web
Product types
AJ Bell
Stocks, ETFs, Funds, Bonds, Investment Trusts
Smartbroker+
Stocks, ETFs, Funds, Bonds, Derivatives
Options trading
AJ Bell
No
Smartbroker+
No, no options trading
Fee model
AJ Bell
£5 per trade (11+ trades: £3.50), custody fee 0.25%
Smartbroker+
€0 at gettex (from €500) or from €4 at other exchanges
Minimum deposit
AJ Bell
0 £
Smartbroker+
0 €
Regulation
AJ Bell
FCA
Smartbroker+
BaFin
Product access and costs depend on market, account and permissions.
Detailed comparison
Comparing fees
Compare total costs, not just the order fee.
AJ BellSmartbroker+€0 at gettex (from €500) or from €4 at other exchanges
- Published fee
- €0 at gettex (from €500) or from €4 at other exchanges
- 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 informationSmartbroker+Check the provider’s execution policy and available order types for your account.
Provider informationProduct range
AJ BellStocksETFsFundsBondsInvestment Trusts
Smartbroker+StocksETFsFundsBondsDerivatives
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 platformSmartbroker+Smartbroker+ App · Smartbroker+ Web
Smartbroker+ offers its customers the Smartbroker+ App and the Smartbroker+ Web platform. Both interfaces are designed for simple and fast order placement. The app enables mobile trading with real-time price data, watchlists, and portfolio overview. The web platform offers advanced chart analysis functions and detailed order masks. Various order types such as limit, stop, and market orders are supported. The platform is continuously being developed and enhanced with new features.
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
Smartbroker+Low-cost trading with access to all German exchanges
- €0 order fee at gettex from €500
- Access to all German exchanges
- Wide range of savings plans
- No options trading
- Platform still evolving
Find the broker that fits
AJ Bell oder Smartbroker+?
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 Smartbroker+?
AJ Bell: £5 per trade (11+ trades: £3.50), custody fee 0.25%. Smartbroker+: €0 at gettex (from €500) or from €4 at other exchanges. 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 Smartbroker+?
AJ Bell offers Stocks, ETFs, Funds, Bonds, Investment Trusts. Smartbroker+ offers Stocks, ETFs, Funds, Bonds, Derivatives.
How are AJ Bell and Smartbroker+ regulated?
The broker profiles list FCA for AJ Bell and BaFin for Smartbroker+. Your account's contracting entity determines the applicable oversight and protection rules; check its current disclosures.
Is AJ Bell or Smartbroker+ better for beginners?
AJ Bell lists a 0 £ minimum deposit and offers AJ Bell App, AJ Bell Web. Smartbroker+ lists 0 € and offers Smartbroker+ App, Smartbroker+ Web. Compare usability, available products and costs for your intended use.
AJ Bell vs Smartbroker+: Which broker is better overall?
The choice between AJ Bell (4.2/5, 1100 reviews) and Smartbroker+ (4.1/5, 890 reviews) depends on your needs. AJ Bell: UK investment broker with low costs and broad fund offering. Smartbroker+: Low-cost trading with access to all German exchanges.
Your next step
Your next step
AJ BellUK investment broker with low costs and broad fund offering
Open accountRead reviewSmartbroker+Low-cost trading with access to all German exchanges
Open accountRead reviewKeep learning
Before you pick a broker
The guides worth reading before your first trade, whichever of the two you choose.