Updated October 13, 2026 · BrokerCue Editorial Team
AJ Bell vs GO Markets
Facts checked September 26, 2026.
Where AJ Bell and GO Markets differ
| Compare |  AJ Bell |  GO Markets |
|---|---|---|
| Markets | Stocks, ETFs, Bonds, Funds | Forex, CFDs, Crypto |
| Regulators | Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) | SIPC |
| Investor protection | FSCS up to GBP 85,000 | SIPC up to USD 500,000 |
| Platforms | Web platform, Mobile app | MT4, MT5, CTrader, TradingView, GO TradeX |
| Minimum deposit | £25 | Not confirmed |
| Stock trade fee | £5 | Not confirmed |
| Account fee | £3.50 | Not confirmed |
| Currency conversion fee | 0.75% | Not confirmed |
| Deposit and withdrawal fees | Free withdrawals | Not confirmed |
| Account types | ISA, SIPP, Lisa, Jisa | Not confirmed |
We earn a commission when you sign up through links on this site. Partner status can affect where a brand appears in our rankings.
Key differences
- Regulators: only AJ Bell offers Financial Conduct Authority (FCA).
- Regulators: only GO Markets offers SIPC.
- Markets: only AJ Bell offers Stocks, ETFs, Bonds.
- Markets: only GO Markets offers Forex, CFDs, Crypto.
- Platforms: only AJ Bell offers Web platform, Mobile app.
- Platforms: only GO Markets offers MT4, MT5, CTrader.
- Features: only GO Markets offers Crypto, Copy trading.
Our verdict on each
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.
GO Markets
For self-directed CFD traders wanting broad market choice, GO Markets offers access to forex, indices, shares, commodities, bonds and crypto CFDs through several trading platforms. It combines long running operation since 2006 with education, analysis tools and support for traders worldwide.
Score breakdown
| Area | AJ Bell | GO Markets |
|---|---|---|
| Cost | 8.4A flat annual fee of £3.50 and £5 a dealing sit mid-table, while currency conversion costs 0.75%. | Not confirmed |
| Offer | 9.2 | 9.4Higher |
| Trust | 8.6 | 8.6 |
Side by side, item by item
| Markets | AJ Bell | GO Markets |
|---|---|---|
| Stocks | Yes | No |
| ETFs | Yes | No |
| Forex | No | Yes |
| CFDs | No | Yes |
| Crypto | No | Yes |
| Bonds | Yes | No |
| Funds | Yes | No |
Where each is licensed and available
| Country | AJ Bell | GO Markets |
|---|---|---|
| United Kingdom | Not confirmed | |
| United States | Not confirmed | SIPC SIPC member 71021 |
Every fact side by side
| Fact | AJ Bell | GO Markets |
|---|---|---|
| Features | Mobile app | Crypto, Copy trading, Mobile appCovers more |
| Pricing model | Low fees | Not confirmed |
| Legal entity | AJ Bell | RB INTERNATIONAL MARKETS (USA) LLC |
| Headquarters | United Kingdom | Not confirmed |
| Support channels | Chat, Help centre | Not confirmed |
Where each stands against the rest
| Fact | AJ Bell | GO Markets | Median |
|---|---|---|---|
| Minimum deposit | £25above the median | Not confirmed | £20 |
| Stock trade fee | £5highest quarter | Not confirmed | £0 |
| Account fee | £3.50above the median | Not confirmed | £0 |
| Currency conversion fee | 0.75%highest quarter | Not confirmed | 0.45% |
Median across 38 listed brokers.
Pros and cons
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.
GO Markets
Pros
- Broad CFD range across forex, indices, shares, commodities and crypto
- Multiple platforms with charting, analysis and strategy automation
- Education academy plus market analysis and technical insights
Cons
- CFD focus means traders do not own the underlying assets directly
- Advanced analysis and automation tools may overwhelm absolute beginners
- Professional offering is aimed at experienced investors rather than casual users
Who each suits
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.
GO Markets
Who it suits
- Self-directed traders interested in CFDs across global markets
- Traders wanting platform choice with analysis and automation
- Learners wanting structured education and market insights
Who should look elsewhere
- Investors wanting direct ownership of shares or crypto
- People seeking long term investing rather than CFD trading
Country by country
| Country | AJ Bell | GO Markets |
|---|---|---|
| United Kingdom | Yes | No |
Questions about each
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.
GO Markets
Which products can I trade with GO Markets?+
GO Markets provides CFDs on forex, indices, shares, commodities, bonds, index tracking ETFs and crypto. You trade price movements without owning the underlying asset. The range supports diversification across global markets.
How does platform access work at GO Markets?+
GO Markets offers a choice of platforms designed for different trading styles. The selection includes multi asset trading, charting, algorithmic capabilities and strategy automation. A mobile platform supports trading away from a desktop.
Other options to compare
Other matchups
- AJ Bell vs Vanguard
- AJ Bell vs Trading 212
- AJ Bell vs Interactive Brokers
- AJ Bell vs InvestEngine
- AJ Bell vs Charles Schwab
- AJ Bell vs Freetrade
- AJ Bell vs Fidelity
- AJ Bell vs M1
- AJ Bell vs Nutmeg
- AJ Bell vs Exness
- AJ Bell vs Titan
- AJ Bell vs Public
- AJ Bell vs Saxo
- AJ Bell vs ActivTrades
- AJ Bell vs XTB
- AJ Bell vs NAGA
- AJ Bell vs eToro
- GO Markets vs Mintos
- AJ Bell vs Bitpanda
- AJ Bell vs Empower Personal Dashboard
- GO Markets vs Kraken
- AJ Bell vs CapTrader
- AJ Bell vs Lightyear