Updated October 13, 2026 · BrokerCue Editorial Team
AJ Bell vs Tembo Money
Facts checked September 26, 2026.
What sets them apart
| Compare |  AJ Bell |  Tembo Money |
|---|---|---|
| Account fee | £3.50 | £0Lower |
| Regulators | Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) | Financial Conduct Authority |
| Deposit and withdrawal fees | Free withdrawals | No fees to open Cash Lifetime ISA |
| Platforms | Web platform, Mobile app | Tembo app |
| Account types | ISA, SIPP, Lisa, JisaCovers more | Lisa |
| Minimum deposit | £25 | Not confirmed |
| Stock trade fee | £5 | Not confirmed |
| Markets | Stocks, ETFs, Bonds, Funds | Not confirmed |
| Currency conversion fee | 0.75% | Not confirmed |
| Interest on cash | Not confirmed | 4.46% |
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 Tembo Money offers Financial Conduct Authority.
- Account fee is lower at Tembo Money: £0 vs £3.50.
- Platforms: only AJ Bell offers Web platform, Mobile app.
- Platforms: only Tembo Money offers Tembo app.
- Account types: only AJ Bell offers ISA, SIPP, Jisa.
- Support channels: only Tembo Money offers Email.
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.
Tembo Money
For first time savers planning a future home purchase, Tembo Money pairs Lifetime ISA savings with mortgage guidance and a clear homebuying plan. It operates an app centred service for customers who want deposit saving and property planning kept together in one place.
Score breakdown
| Area | AJ Bell | Tembo Money |
|---|---|---|
| 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 | 9.0 |
| Trust | 8.6 | 8.6 |
Where each is licensed and available
| Country | AJ Bell | Tembo Money |
|---|---|---|
| United Kingdom | Financial Conduct Authority 952652 |
Available in 1 country for both.
Pick AJ Bell if, pick Tembo Money if
Pick AJ Bell if account types matter most.
Pick Tembo Money if cost and account fee matter most.
Positions in our rankings
| Ranking | AJ Bell | Tembo Money |
|---|---|---|
| Investment platforms and apps | 41 of 86 | 82 of 86 |
| Lifetime ISA providers | 6 of 13 | 13 of 13 |
Every fact side by side
| Fact | AJ Bell | Tembo Money |
|---|---|---|
| Features | Mobile app | Mobile app |
| Pricing model | Low fees | Not confirmed |
| Audience | Not confirmed | Beginners |
| Legal entity | AJ Bell | Tembo Savings Limited |
| Headquarters | United Kingdom | Not confirmed |
| Support channels | Chat, Help centre | Email, Chat, Help centreCovers more |
Where each stands against the rest
| Fact | AJ Bell | Tembo Money | Median |
|---|---|---|---|
| Minimum deposit | £25above the median | Not confirmed | £20 |
| Stock trade fee | £5highest quarter | Not confirmed | £0 |
| Account fee | £3.50above the median | £0at the median | £0 |
| Currency conversion fee | 0.75%highest quarter | Not confirmed | 0.45% |
| Interest on cash | Not confirmed | 4.46%highest 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.
Tembo Money
Pros
- Covers Cash and Stocks and Shares Lifetime ISA options alongside other savings choices
- Combines deposit saving with mortgage guidance and a structured homebuying plan
- Provides an app centred service that keeps savings goals and planning together
Cons
- Concentrates almost entirely on homeownership saving rather than wider investing needs
- Offers a focused ISA lineup instead of broad everyday banking products
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.
Tembo Money
Who it suits
- First time savers working toward a deposit
- Customers who want savings plus mortgage planning together
Who should look elsewhere
- General investors seeking broad market trading
- Customers seeking everyday banking beyond savings
Current offers
Tembo Money
Current offer
Bonus
Market-leading 4.46% AER Cash Lifetime ISA: 4.46% AER + 25% government bonus
New customer; underlying 3.55% AER variable + 0.91% AER fixed for first 12 months; 25% government bonus up to GBP 1,000 per tax year
Source, checked September 26, 2026
Country by country
| Country | AJ Bell | Tembo Money |
|---|---|---|
| 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.
Tembo Money
What products does Tembo Money provide?+
Tembo Money provides Cash Lifetime ISA and Stocks and Shares Lifetime ISA options alongside HomeSaver and other ISA choices. The range keeps deposit saving for homeownership and later life within one provider. Mortgage guidance sits alongside the savings options.
How does the homebuying plan work?+
The plan breaks the journey toward buying a first home into clear stages and milestones. Savers see where to focus next and how savings connect with mortgage preparation. The approach builds confidence through structured preparation rather than separate decisions.