Independent broker review
AJ Bell
Stocks & Shares ISA (execution-only / DIY)
The trade-offs
Strengths and drawbacks
What stands out
Strengths
- RSP quotes ensure best in class order execution in large size with only a very modest commission charge
- Comprehensive investment universe offering UK shares, ETFs, bonds and gilts as well as 14 international exchanges
- Flat-fee account pricing rather than percentage custody fee mean that the platform can be relatively cheap if you are willing to invest in shares and ETFs only and not funds.
Worth knowing
Drawbacks
- Percentage custody fee applies to ISA assets that are invested in funds. (Only the fees applied to assets invested in ETFs and shares are capped)
- Standard commission rates are quite expensive and FX charges are high for international dealing
- Very basic user interface compared to competitors
The AJ Bell platform is similar to Interactive Investor, in that the investment universe is one of the widest and the order execution is always one of the best. The latter is the result of RSP access for UK shares and ETFs, which provides you with a 15-second fixed-price quote. This is a huge advantage over some competitors, especially the “free” platforms, that do not offer this execution certainty. The RSP quote is typically within the spread quoted on the exchange, so the saving made (RSP price vs exchange price) more often than not pays for the commission cost. When trading in large sizes, this advantage means that AJ Bell and other RSP-enabled platforms are far better for order execution than their “free” competitors.
Customer service is excellent and ISA transfers are particularly efficient. Transfers in are quick and the transfers team are happy to chase the other ISA providers. Transfers out are equally responsive and assets are moved quickly with minimal fuss.
If the investor is willing to avoid investing in funds, and focus solely on shares and ETFs, then the platform fee is capped and the overall cost is very modest for what is a market-leading, established platform with one of the widest investment universes and unmatched order execution. The standard commission is a little high, but the frequent-trader rate is good value. Unfortunately, the high FX charges mean that other platforms may be more suited to international dealing.
What it costs
Costs
The headline charges that affect the cost of holding and trading investments.
| Platform fee | Shares, ETFs, investment trusts, gilts and bonds — 0.25%, capped at £3.50/month Funds — 0.25% on the first £250,000; 0.10% on the next £250,000; no charge above £500,000 |
|---|---|
| Share dealing | £5 online per deal £3.50 frequent-dealer rate after 10+ share deals across all AJ Bell accounts in the previous month |
| Other international shares | £5 online per deal; £25 by phone |
| Fund dealing | £1.50 per deal |
| FX fee | 0.75% on the first £10,000; 0.50% on the next £10,000; 0.25% above £20,000 A 0.50% FX charge applies to converted dividends and corporate-action payments |
| Exit fee | No charge to transfer in or out |
| Inactivity fee | No separate inactivity fee |
| Regular investment fee | Free |
| Dividend reinvestment | £1.50 |
| Telephone dealing | £25 |
How it works
Platform features
The tools, access options and order types available to investors.
- Mobile app
- Yes
- Web platform
- Yes
- Advanced charting
- No
- Order types
- market, limit, stop
- Research provided
- Yes
- Customer service
- phone, secure_message
What you can invest in
Investment range
Sources
- ISA charges — accessed 2026-09-07
- investment universe — accessed 2026-05-01
- company information — accessed 2026-05-01
- independent fee cross-check — accessed 2026-05-01