Updated October 13, 2026 · BrokerCue Editorial Team
AJ Bell vs Nottingham Building Society
Facts checked September 26, 2026.
What sets them apart
| Compare |  AJ Bell |  Nottingham Building Society |
|---|---|---|
| Minimum deposit | £25 | £1Lower |
| Regulators | Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) | Prudential Regulation Authority |
| Deposit and withdrawal fees | Free withdrawals | 25% government charge on non-qualifying withdrawals |
| Account types | ISA, SIPP, Lisa, JisaCovers more | Lisa |
| Stock trade fee | £5 | Not confirmed |
| Account fee | £3.50 | Not confirmed |
| Markets | Stocks, ETFs, Bonds, Funds | Not confirmed |
| Currency conversion fee | 0.75% | Not confirmed |
| Platforms | Web platform, Mobile app | Not confirmed |
| Interest on cash | Not confirmed | 2% |
Same on both: Investor protection (FSCS up to GBP 85,000).
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Key differences
- Regulators: only AJ Bell offers Financial Conduct Authority (FCA).
- Regulators: only Nottingham Building Society offers Prudential Regulation Authority.
- Minimum deposit is lower at Nottingham Building Society: £1 vs £25.
- Account types: only AJ Bell offers ISA, SIPP, Jisa.
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.
Nottingham Building Society
Nottingham Building Society concentrates its offer here on a single online Lifetime ISA instead of a wide shelf of accounts. The focus gives savers aged 18 to 39 a clear path toward a first home or retirement with online opening, online management and branch deposits.
Score breakdown
| Area | AJ Bell | Nottingham Building Society |
|---|---|---|
| Cost | 8.4A flat annual fee of £3.50 and £5 a dealing sit mid-table, while currency conversion costs 0.75%. | 9.2Higher |
| Offer | 9.2Higher | 8.4 |
| Trust | 8.6 | 9.3Higher |
What each covers
| Account types | AJ Bell | Nottingham Building Society |
|---|---|---|
| ISA | Yes | No |
| SIPP | Yes | No |
| Lisa | Yes | Yes |
| Jisa | Yes | No |
Sources behind this comparison
AJ Bell
- ajbell.co.uk: 15 facts, checked September 26, 2026
Nottingham Building Society
- thenottingham.com: 8 facts, checked September 26, 2026
- bankofengland.co.uk: 2 facts, checked September 26, 2026
How they place
| Ranking | AJ Bell | Nottingham Building Society |
|---|---|---|
| Investment platforms and apps | 41 of 86 | 72 of 86 |
| Lifetime ISA providers | 6 of 13 | 11 of 13 |
Every fact side by side
| Fact | AJ Bell | Nottingham Building Society |
|---|---|---|
| Features | Mobile app | Mobile app |
| Pricing model | Low fees | Not confirmed |
| Legal entity | AJ Bell | Nottingham Building Society |
| Headquarters | United Kingdom | United Kingdom |
| Founded | Not confirmed | 1849 |
| Support channels | Chat, Help centre | Not confirmed |
Where each stands against the rest
| Fact | AJ Bell | Nottingham Building Society | Median |
|---|---|---|---|
| Minimum deposit | £25above the median | £1below the median | £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% |
| Interest on cash | Not confirmed | 2%lowest quarter | 3% |
Median across 43 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.
Nottingham Building Society
Pros
- Online Lifetime ISA built around long term saving for qualifying goals
- Opening and ongoing control stay online for straightforward everyday use
- Accepts full transfers from a single existing Lifetime ISA provider
Cons
- Only one account type is covered, so product choice stays narrow
- Opening and management remain online only without branch based control
- Joint account seekers find no option within this single product
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.
Nottingham Building Society
Who it suits
- Savers aged 18 to 39 planning a first home
- People saving for retirement from an early age
- Customers comfortable handling accounts online
Who should look elsewhere
- People wanting branch based account control
- People planning a home move within the next year
Country by country
| Country | AJ Bell | Nottingham Building Society |
|---|---|---|
| United Kingdom | Yes | Yes |
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.
Nottingham Building Society
What does Nottingham Building Society offer here?+
Nottingham Building Society provides an Online Lifetime ISA for designated long term goals under a Government scheme. You open the account online and continue to manage it through the same online route. The structure defines eligibility, transfers and withdrawals around the purpose of the account.
Who is the Lifetime ISA for?+
The account serves UK residents aged 18 to 39 who save toward qualifying milestones. It fits customers who leave savings in place until later life unless using funds for a first home. It also fits people who prefer opening and directing accounts online.