Updated September 29, 2026 · BrokerCue Editorial Team
ActivTrades vs AJ Bell
ActivTrades vs AJ Bell: the differences
| Compare |  ActivTrades |  AJ Bell |
|---|---|---|
| Minimum deposit | $0 | £25 |
| Stock trade fee | $0 | £5 |
| Account fee | $0 | £3.50 |
| Markets | Stocks, ETFs, Forex, CFDs, Crypto, Bonds | Stocks, ETFs, Bonds, Funds |
| Regulators | FCA, SCB, CMVM, FSC, BACENCovers more | Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) |
| Currency conversion fee | 0.5%Lower | 0.75% |
| Deposit and withdrawal fees | Free deposits and withdrawals | Free withdrawals |
| Platforms | ActivTrader, MetaTrader 4, MetaTrader 5, TradingView | Web platform, Mobile app |
| Retail accounts that lose money | 84% | Not confirmed |
| Account types | Not confirmed | ISA, SIPP, Lisa, Jisa |
| Interest on cash | 3.3% | Not confirmed |
Same on both: Investor protection (FSCS up to GBP 85,000).
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Key differences
- ActivTrades scores higher overall: 9.4 vs 8.7.
- Regulators: only ActivTrades offers SCB, CMVM, FSC.
- Currency conversion fee is lower at ActivTrades: 0.5% vs 0.75%.
- Markets: only ActivTrades offers Forex, CFDs, Crypto.
- Markets: only AJ Bell offers Funds.
- Platforms: only ActivTrades offers ActivTrader, MetaTrader 4, MetaTrader 5.
- Platforms: only AJ Bell offers Web platform, Mobile app.
- Features: only ActivTrades offers Crypto, Demo account, Fractional shares.
- Pricing model: only ActivTrades offers Commission free.
- Pricing model: only AJ Bell offers Low fees.
Our verdict on each
ActivTrades
ActivTrades suits active share and CFD traders who want broad market access with commission free dealing and flexible platform choice for everyday orders. Minimum deposit sits at $0, stock trade fee sits at $0 and retail accounts that lose money sit at 84%, so careful risk controls remain essential.
AJ Bell
AJ Bell pairs a flat £3.50 with FCA regulation and FSCS up to GBP 85,000 of cover, so it suits UK savers who want four wrapper types. Deals in shares cost £5 and currency conversion adds 0.75%, which leaves it short of the cheapest names on our data.
Score breakdown
| Area | ActivTrades | AJ Bell |
|---|---|---|
| Cost | 9.3HigherAccount fee sits at $0 so holding costs stay contained | 8.4A flat annual fee of £3.50 and £5 a dealing sit mid-table, while currency conversion costs 0.75%. |
| Offer | 9.6HigherCoverage spans stocks, ETFs and forex across shares and leveraged products | 9.2 |
| Trust | 9.5HigherOversight includes FCA, SCB and CMVM with FCA cover for reassurance | 8.6 |
Availability and regulation
| Country | ActivTrades | AJ Bell |
|---|---|---|
| United Kingdom | Not confirmed |
How they place
| Ranking | ActivTrades | AJ Bell |
|---|---|---|
| Stock and ETF brokers | 1 of 471 | 193 of 471 |
Every fact side by side
| Fact | ActivTrades | AJ Bell |
|---|---|---|
| Features | Crypto, Demo account, Fractional shares, Mobile appCovers more | Mobile app |
| Pricing model | Commission free | Low fees |
| Legal entity | Not confirmed | AJ Bell |
| Headquarters | Not confirmed | United Kingdom |
| Support channels | Not confirmed | Chat, Help centre |
Where each stands against the rest
| Fact | ActivTrades | AJ Bell | Median |
|---|---|---|---|
| Retail accounts that lose money | 84%highest quarter | Not confirmed | 72.05% |
| Currency conversion fee | 0.5%above the median | 0.75%highest quarter | 0.45% |
| Interest on cash | 3.3%above the median | Not confirmed | 3% |
Median across 47 listed brokers.
Pros and cons
ActivTrades
Pros
- Stock trade fee sits at $0 for share dealing under commission free
- Minimum deposit sits at $0, below eToro at $50
- Funding terms read Free deposits and withdrawals for deposits and withdrawals
Cons
- Retail accounts that lose money sit at 84%, above the CFD median at 72.05%
- Currency conversion on funding costs 0.5% for balances held in other currencies
- Cash interest sits at 3.3%, which limits appeal for cash heavy portfolios
AJ Bell
Pros
- Four account types in one place: isa, sipp and lisa.
- Regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA), with FSCS up to GBP 85,000 of cover on eligible money.
- A flat £3.50 annual charge against a market median of €0.
Cons
- Dealing shares costs £5, where eToro charges $0.
- The account fee places AJ Bell 111 of 138 brands on our data.
- Support runs on chat and help centre only, with no phone line listed.
Who each suits
ActivTrades
Who it suits
- New traders starting modestly with entry at $0 and practice via crypto, demo account and fractional shares
- Share traders wanting dealing at $0 across stocks, ETFs and forex with platform choice
- CFD traders wanting structured support via email, chat and phone where funding reads Free deposits and withdrawals
Who should look elsewhere
- Traders wanting crypto led dealing with very low cash entry may prefer Kraken at $1
- Traders wanting social and copy features may prefer eToro despite higher entry at $50
AJ Bell
Who it suits
- You want an FCA-regulated broker with FSCS up to GBP 85,000 behind the account and do not need the lowest dealing cost.
- Your saving changes shape over time and you want ISA, SIPP, LISA and Junior ISA under one roof, since isa, sipp and lisa all sit here.
- You are a regular UK investor who prefers a flat £3.50 to a percentage-based platform charge.
Who should look elsewhere
- You trade very often, because eToro charges $0 on stock deals against £5 here.
- You are starting with almost nothing, since Vantage takes $5 and CFI takes $0 against the £25 asked for here.
- You want phone support, as AJ Bell lists chat and help centre and nothing wider.
Country by country
| Country | ActivTrades | AJ Bell |
|---|---|---|
| United Kingdom | No | Yes |
Questions about each
ActivTrades
What does ActivTrades charge for stock trades?+
Stock trade fee sits at $0 for share dealing. The pricing model is described by commission free, which helps keep ticket costs predictable for equity orders. Spreads and conversion charges can still apply on leveraged trades, so review order previews and statements before dealing.
Is ActivTrades regulated and safe?+
Oversight comes via FCA, SCB and CMVM, including FCA cover alongside other regional entities. Eligible balances carry protection at FSCS up to GBP 85,000. Protection applies under scheme rules and by entity, so confirm which entity serves your account during signup and keep account records.
AJ Bell
What does AJ Bell charge to hold an account?+
The account fee is a flat £3.50 a year. That sits above the market median of €0 and well below the €219.24 at the expensive end of our data, so it is a mid-range holding cost rather than a free account.
How much does it cost to buy shares?+
A dealing in shares costs £5. The market median is €0 and the highest figure on our data is €17.54, so frequent dealing adds up quickly and investors who trade rarely feel it least.
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