Summary

AJ Bell is a UK-based investment company offering a diverse range of assets, from stocks to funds and bonds. Their shares listing comprises instruments from over 24 countries. Sadly, traders who buy and sell forex or other CFD assets cannot do so with this service. 

This AJ Bell review covers all you need to know before opening an account with the broker. We explain its available assets, regulations, safety protocols, account types, payment methods, trading fees, and much more. 

Available Assets

AJ Bell’s list of available assets includes 8,200+ Shares, 2,900+ ETFs, 450+ Investment Trusts, 2000+ Funds, and Bonds. They do not offer CFD instruments such as Forex pairs, Indices, Commodities, or Cryptocurrencies. In this segment of our AJ Bell review, we dive deeper into all the financial instruments you can invest-in on the broker’s trading platforms.

Shares

This broker has a very extensive list of 8,200+ shares for its clients. They offer UK and overseas stocks from 24 countries, including the United States, Canada, Austria, France, and Italy. These instruments are available to all account types displayed on the AJ Bell website.

Funds

AJ Bell offers its clients the opportunity to diversify their portfolio by investing in any of its 2,000+ funds available on its trading apps. They provide both active and passive funds and their listing covers a wide range of industries and geographical regions.

Investment Trusts

The broker offers more than 450 Investment Trusts. This list includes popular options such as Fidelity European, JP Morgan Emerging Markets, and Polar Capital Technologies.

ETFs

Customers of AJ Bell will be able to invest in any of the 2,900+ ETFs this broker provides. From property to UK Equity Income and UK Corporate Bonds, the ETF listing on the broker is exhaustive and includes instruments such as Vanguard FTSE 250, Trojan Income, and JP Morgan Equity Income Inc.

Bonds

This broker currently offers corporate and government bonds to interested investors with an open account. It only allows users to buy or sell bonds by contacting the dealing desk. This instrument is not available on the broker’s mobile or web application.

Stock Trading at AJ Bell

AJ Bell’s stock offering is made up of thousands of real stocks. They do not offer any CFD stocks on their website or trading apps. As part of our review, we examine all the essential information regarding trading stocks with this broker. We discuss the available stock exchanges they provide, trading fees and commissions, and leverage.

Available Stock Exchanges at AJ Bell

This broker has UK and overseas stocks from 24 countries. Unfortunately, clients looking to trade stock CFDs will not be able to do so with AJ Bell. In the table below, we list all the available stock exchanges at AJ Bell and their countries.

Stock Trading Fees & Commission at AJ Bell

AJ Bell fees for stock trading may vary depending on the individual account type and the size of a customer’s transactions. Clients who use this broker are required to pay an annual Shares Custody Fee, which is set at 0.25% for all account types. However, this fee does not exceed £3.50 monthly for ISA accounts, £2.50 monthly for junior accounts, and £10 for SIPP accounts . In addition to this, AJ Bell also charges a fee for each buy or sell investment involving shares. Customers of this broker are charged £9.95 per deal. But, where they have taken part in over 10 share transactions the previous month, this fee will be reduced to £4.95.

Stock Trading Leverage at AJ Bell

AJ Bell does not offer a margin trading facility to its customers. This means that clients will not be able to trade with leverage on any of the financial instruments listed by this broker.

Regulations

AJ Bell and some of its subsidiaries are regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA), a leading authority for the regulation of financial service firms and financial markets in the United Kingdom, giving credence to its reputation as a trustworthy broker. In this section of our review, we provide regulatory information about each of this broker’s licensed subsidiaries, their addresses, and company registration numbers.

AJ Bell Management Limited: This entity is located at Trafford House, Manchester, M32 9XY, United Kingdom. It is regulated by the FCA.

• FCA Registration Number: 211468
• Company Number: 03948391

AJ Bell Asset Management Limited: This company is an AJ Bell subsidiary and is located at 4 Exchange Quay Salford, M53EE, United Kingdom. It is also regulated by the FCA.

• FCA Registration Number: 774048
• Company Number: 09742568

AJ Bell Securities Limited: This company is a member of the London Stock Exchange and is regulated by the FCA. Its office address is Calverley House, 55 Calverley Road, Tunbridge Wells, TN1 2TU, United Kingdom.

• FCA Registration Number: 155593
• Company Number: 02723420

Fees and Commissions

The broker charges several trading and non-trading fees to individuals who use its platform for investments. In this section of our review, we go into more detail about the fees and commissions users are to expect after they set up an account.

Trading Fees

AJ Bell’s trading fees include a dealing fee. They do not make money off spreads or include any other trading-related charges. Below, we explain the dealing fee incurred by customers of this broker.

Dealing Fee

The dealing fee or transaction fee is an amount charged by AJ Bell for each buy and sell investment initiated by its clients. This charge depends on the financial asset that the customer opts to invest in. For funds, including unit trusts and OEICs, AJ Bell charges £1.5 per deal. However, shares, investment trusts, ETFs, and bonds will require a fee of £9.95. In an instance where the client has initiated over 10 online share investments the previous month, this fee will be reduced to £4.95 per deal. Furthermore, clients who deal via a telephone call will be charged £29.95 for each transaction.

Non-Trading Fees

Non-trading fees on AJ Bell are relatively low as the broker does not charge an inactivity, deposit, or withdrawal fee. However, customers will need to pay an annual custody charge and a foreign exchange fee, which we explain in more detail below.

Custody Charge

This is a one-time fee paid by customers of this broker every year. AJ Bell charges an annual shares custody fee of 0.25% with a maximum monthly fee of £3.50 for ISA accounts, while Junior ISA and SIPP accounts incur a £2.50 and £10 fee, respectively. They also have an annual funds custody charge which is set at 0.25% for the first £250,000. For amounts between £250,000 and £500,000, this fee is reduced to 0.10%, while larger sums will not attract any costs.

Foreign Exchange Fee

Since AJ Bell does not allow customers to hold currency in any denomination apart from GBP, they charge a foreign exchange fee to customers who wish to invest in international shares. This fee is set at 0.75% for the first £10,000, 0.50% for the next £10,000, and 0.25% for transactions over £20,000.

Account Types

AJ Bell offers account options for adults as well as children. Account types available with this broker include Self-Invested Pension Plan (SIPP), Stocks and Shares ISA, Lifetime ISA, Dealing Account, and Junior ISA. Unfortunately, they do not have a demo account option. Each of these account types has unique features and eligibility criteria. Here in our AJ Bell review, we examine the benefits of all the above-listed account types and any other essential information you need to know about them.

Self-Invested Pension Plan (SIPP)

This account is open to individuals of all ages. It has a maximum annual savings limit of £60,000 and receives a 25% bonus or 20% tax relief. For the Junior SIPP, the maximum investment amount per year is £2,800 net or £3,600 gross. Individuals that have a SIPP with AJ Bell will have access to all the available funds, shares, bonds, and trackers provided by the broker. However, account owners will not be able to access their investments until they reach the age of 55, except in a situation where they are facing a serious health challenge. During withdrawal, this account receives 25% tax-free and it is also subject to income tax.

Stocks and Shares ISA

The Stocks and Shares ISA is available to individuals aged 18 or older. The maximum savings limit per year across all ISAs with AJ Bell is £20,000. Unlike the SIPP account type, Stocks and Shares ISAs don’t receive tax reliefs or employee top-ups. However, they are completely tax-free. Owners of this account can access all investment products offered by the broker and are free to retrieve their investments anytime.

Lifetime ISA

Any individual can open this account type provided they are aged between 18 and 39. The maximum Lifetime ISA savings limit is £4,000 and the overall limit is set at £20,000. Lifetime ISAs are eligible for a 25% bonus government contribution (maximum £1,000 per year). Also, similar to the SIPP and Stocks and Shares ISA, Lifetime ISA owners will enjoy access to the entire range of financial assets provided by AJ Bell. This account has strict conditions that determine when a person can access their investments. These include when the account owner is aged 60 and above, for the purchase of a first home, or in the instance of a terminal illness. Although investments can be withdrawn outside these stipulated conditions, such actions will incur a charge of 25%.

Dealing Account

Dealing Accounts on AJ Bell are available to customers above 18 years old. A special feature of this account type is that there is no minimum annual savings limit and investments can be withdrawn anytime without any penalty. Also, Dealing Accounts will be able to invest in shares, funds, bonds, and trackers. However, it is also important to note that this account type is subject to capital gains tax.

Junior ISA

The Junior ISA is designed for children who do not qualify for a Child Trust Fund. This account is managed by a registered contact and has an annual investment limit of £9,000. Money cannot be withdrawn until the account owner is at least 18 years old. Furthermore, with a Junior ISA, interest tax and dividend income tax are free and there is no tax payment upon withdrawal.

Trading Platforms

AJ Bell has its proprietary trading platform that is available as a web and mobile application. The broker does not support MetaTrader 4 and 5 or cTrader. Here in our review, we discuss the features of the desktop and mobile platforms. We also provide a step-by-step guide for opening an account with this broker.

Desktop Trading Platforms

The AJ Bell web application is available to users who wish to place orders using their desktop or laptop. Below, we take a look at the features of this application, including its user interface, design, and many more.

User Interface

The web application presents a very intuitive user interface. Compared to several of its competitors, there are few tabs and a smaller number of tools for investors. Newbie clients can easily navigate their way around the AJ Bell app for desktop with ease.

Design

The design of the desktop app is also very simple. Users can view an account summary for all their accounts at a glance. The “My Account” dashboard on the web application displays a customer’s available balance and investment values. It also has a dropdown menu with all the essential tabs customers will require to engage in investment activities.

Search

In the Buy and Sell tab, clients of AJ Bell will have access to a search bar, making it easier for them to find their preferred investment option.

Transaction History

The transaction history feature enables investors to view all their orders within a predetermined time frame. Information displayed in this section includes the nature of the transaction, description of the financial asset, amount, quantity, and reference number.

How to Open an Account on AJ Bell Desktop Trading Platform

1. Visit the AJ Bell official website and select Open an Account.
2. Read the account properties and choose your preferred account type from the options available.
3. Fill out your personal account details. As part of this section, you will be required to enter your National Insurance Number.
4. Enter your account details, including your username and password.
5. Fill in your bank account number, sort code, and other requested bank details.
6. Read and agree with the declarations.

Mobile Apps

The AJ Bell mobile app offers a similar outlook and features to the web version. Below, we also mention some of the attributes and provide a detailed guide for getting started with this broker on mobile.

User Interface

The user interface of the mobile app is easy-to-understand. Furthermore, clients can monitor all their investments and place orders relatively easily wherever they are with the AJ Bell mobile platform.

Design

The design of the mobile app consists of five tabs – Portfolio, News, Markets, Search/deal, and More. Each of these navigation tabs provides unique features that are essential to the trading experience on this platform.

Search

With the search bar, clients can easily navigate to their preferred shares, ETFs, or investment trusts. This feature makes navigation much easier and helps clients place orders faster.

News

The news tab provides clients with the latest news, investment articles, and trading statements. Clients can use this feature to keep in touch with the latest happenings across several industries and for research and learning purposes.

How to Open an Account on AJ Bell Mobile App

1. Search for AJ Bell on your device’s app store and download the application.
2. Select View our accounts in the app’s homepage.
3. Choose an option from the list of accounts presented.
4. View the account opening criteria and account features and select Get Started.
5. Fill out your personal information, including your full names, date of birth, email address, national insurance number, and contact number.
6. Enter your preferred username and password in the next section.
7. Fill out your bank details and read and agree with the declarations.
8. Provide your funding details and add money to your account.

Payment Methods

The available methods for deposits and withdrawals at AJ Bell are relatively limited compared to some other financial investment companies. However, they still offer a number of options for clients to fund their accounts or withdraw their funds. In this review, we cover all the payment methods offered by this broker. We also discuss the presence of any deposit or withdrawal fees and the processing times for the listed methods.

Deposit

Customers of AJ Bell who wish to deposit funds can do so with Pay by Bank or with a debit card. However, the Pay by Bank option is not available to SIPP accounts. Typically, with both of these methods, barring any extenuating circumstances, your funds should be available in your account straight away. This broker does not have a minimum deposit amount nor do they charge their clients a deposit fee. However, clients must transfer funds from an account bearing their name.

Withdrawals

Individuals who have investment accounts with AJ Bell can withdraw their funds to their registered bank account. This process usually takes about 3 business days to get completed. Also, like with deposits, there is no minimum amount or withdrawal charge for customers.

Account Base Currency

Unfortunately, AJ Bell accounts can only be denominated in GBP.

Research and Education

AJ Bell’s repository of research and educational materials is very large. This broker provides several investment articles covering topics such as Money, Investment Trusts, and Investment Management. They also provide detailed daily market updates and a chart of the week. In addition to written articles, AJ Bell also has several videos on its website. These videos cut across many areas, including Investment Basics, Shares and the Stock Market, Funds and Trackers, and Pensions. Furthermore, they offer a How-To video category with step-by-step guidelines for important activities such as building a portfolio, logging into a user account, and buying and selling shares. Finally, the broker organizes webinars which can be rewatched in the Investment Videos section on the website.

Aside from educational resources, AJ Bell also has essential research tools to aid its investors. One of these tools is the Financial Diary, which contains a structured list of upcoming market events. The broker also provides a list of the top buys and sells categorized according to days, weeks, and months for ETFs, shares, and investment funds. In addition, they have a share screener that allows customers to find their preferred shares using specific filter criteria. Clients who need an aggregated forecast from top analysts will also be able to access such a feature from the dividend dashboard on this broker’s page.

Customer Services

The broker offers several methods for customers to resolve issues. Our review shows that it has a web chat feature where clients can receive responses from a customer service agent in less than a minute. They also have many email addresses for client complaints, depending on the specific challenge that requires attention. However, customers seeking solutions to more general issues can send an email to help@ajbell.co.uk. In addition to the web chat and email option, traders will also be able to place a call to an agent by dialing 0345-54-32-600. This broker’s customer service lines are available from Mondays to Fridays between 8 am and 7 pm. They are also active on Saturdays from 10 am to 2 pm. Furthermore, they have a very detailed FAQ section on their website where investors can find answers to common questions asked by other customers.

AJ Bell has social media pages on Facebook, Linkedin, Instagram and Twitter. Customers can also reach out to them via these mediums and receive helpful insights and valuable feedback that will enable them to enjoy a seamless investing experience.

Online Reviews

Examining a broker’s reputation online provides enough useful feedback to determine the effectiveness of their services. Here in our AJ Bell review, we examine what people have to say about them on popular sites such as Reddit, Quora, TrustPilot, and ForexPeaceArmy. We have combed through these pages to provide you with adequate information regarding frequently mentioned positives as well as negatives cited by previous and current users of this broker.

What Reddit Users Say About AJ Bell

Although there aren’t too many comments on Reddit that directly address AJ Bell’s services, we identified comments that praised this broker for offering a wide range of financial instruments, including shares and ETFs. A user commented that they were able to find almost all the assets they were looking for on their trading platform. Another aspect of this broker that was singled out for positive remarks was the effectiveness of its dealing desk. In addition to this, another user claimed that AJ Bell is among the most affordable broker choices for clients who do not engage in trades very frequently.

However, some individuals had complaints about AJ Bell’s trading app. In particular, a Reddit account mentioned that the broker’s trading platform performed poorly when they attempted to trade less-known financial instruments.

What Quora Users Say About AJ Bell

Unfortunately, we could not find any feedback relating to this broker on quora. Although there have been a number of queries regarding AJ Bell on Quora, none of them have received any responses so far.

TrustPilot Users’ Review About AJ Bell

On TrustPilot, AJ Bell has an average rating of 4.7 from 3,615 total reviews. A large number of positive comments about this broker on the TrustPilot website were regarding the effectiveness of their customer support and dealing desk. According to most users, the broker’s customer service agents are responsive and provide timely interventions to problems that clients encounter while setting up their accounts or placing trades. Despite these lavish praises, there were still some complaints about fund transfer delays and the seamlessness of the broker’s trading app.

ForexPeaceArmy Users’ Review About AJ Bell

Just like with Quora, we could not obtain any user reviews for AJ Bell on ForexPeaceArmy.

Other Products and Services

Aside from providing financial instruments to customers, this broker also has an expansive list of products and services designed to cater to the specific needs of a broad range of individuals and companies, including investors, financial advisers, and portfolio management companies. In this section of our AJ Bell review, we provide an outline of all its additional offerings.

AJ Bell Investments

AJ Bell Investments is an investment company that is focused on long-term wealth creation and transparent, cost-effective and value-driven investments. They offer a diverse set of portfolio solutions, including income, growth, active, and passive. Investors who use this service can select from any of these portfolio options at a fee of 0.15%.

AJ Bell Media

AJ Bell Media is a company that provides routine stock market commentary, equity analysis, and educational material to an ever-growing investment community. They have been in operation for over 18 years and have an established product line that includes a digital magazine, Shares Magazine, that covers a vast range of investment topics. In addition, they also have online financial data and information websites that provide real-time statistics, analysis, and data for a diverse audience. Finally, AJ Bell Media organizes events and award shows, which have gained wide acceptance across various industries.

AJ Bell Securities

Designed for wealth managers, AJ Bell Securities offer dealing, custody administration, and investment management solutions to ease the entire operations process. They analyze a wealth manager’s specific administration needs and create custom solutions that enable them to devote more time to investment activities and customer relations. In addition to administrative solutions, AJ Bell Securities also provides portfolio management solutions such as asset allocation and bulk dealing functionality.

AJ Bell Platinum

AJ Bell Platinum is split into AJ Bell Platinum SIPP and AJ Bell Platinum SSAS. Both of these products offer consultancy services to individuals seeking pension administration services. However, the company does not offer financial advice.

Is AJ Bell Safe?

AJ Bell is a trustworthy broker as it is regulated by the FCA. This means that all their operations are in compliance with the financial regulatory body’s rules and principles. They consistently undergo document reviews, frequent visits, and individual interviews to establish their credibility. AJ Bell’s safety procedures require that they only keep client funds in FCA-approved banks. Furthermore, all their customer’s monies are protected by the Financial Services Compensation Scheme (FSCS) up to £85,000. Their website is also secured with 256-bit SSL encryption to guarantee the security of investors’ personal and financial data. Finally, the company maintains a detailed and up-to-date record of customer transactions on their platforms.

Bottom Line

The broker is a popular UK financial investment company. One of its greatest positives highlighted in this AJ Bell review is its FCA regulation, which establishes them as a reputable option for investors. They also have a wide range of account options for several demographics, including children of all ages.

Furthermore, AJ Bell provides a lot of educational and research materials that are valuable to both newbies and more advanced investors. However, there are some challenges with this broker as they do not offer CFD instruments nor permit margin trading. Another major complaint about this broker is that, although they do not charge inactivity, deposit, or withdrawal fees, their trading fees are still relatively high compared to many of their competitors. Finally, customers of AJ Bell can only use its proprietary trading platform as the broker does not support other well-known options such as MetaTrader and cTrader.

This broker’s assets include Shares, Investment trusts, ETFs, and bonds. They do not provide Cryptocurrencies, Forex pairs, Commodities, or Indices. Real stocks are available from 24 countries and attract a fee of £9.95 per deal. Other fees include Custody Charges and a Foreign Exchange Fee. There are five account types available on AJ Bell, which cut across various ages and they can only be denominated in GBP. Overall, user comments about this broker are largely positive as our review of comments on Reddit and TrustPilot have established.