Updated October 13, 2026 · BrokerCue Editorial Team
AJ Bell vs tradegate.direct
AJ Bell
Higher score in this comparison
tradegate.direct
What sets them apart
| Compare | AJ BellReviewSee alternativesSee alternatives | tradegate.directReviewSee alternativesSee alternatives |
|---|---|---|
| Stock trade fee | £5 | €0 |
| Account fee | £3.50 | €0 |
| Markets | Stocks, ETFs, Bonds, FundsCovers more | Stocks, ETFs |
| Platforms | Web platform, Mobile app | Trading App |
| Minimum deposit | £25 | Not confirmed |
| Regulators | Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) | Not confirmed |
| Investor protection | FSCS up to GBP 85,000 | 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
- Markets: only AJ Bell offers Bonds, Funds.
- Platforms: only AJ Bell offers Web platform, Mobile app.
- Platforms: only tradegate.direct offers Trading App.
- Pricing model: only AJ Bell offers Low fees.
- Pricing model: only tradegate.direct offers Commission free.
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.
tradegate.direct
tradegate.direct is a broker centred on its Trading-App for stocks and ETFs with mobile app access for everyday management and review of your account. For people who prefer handling broker activity by phone, it gives a focused way to follow holdings in those markets and shape regular review habits around the app.
Score breakdown
| Area | AJ Bell | tradegate.direct |
|---|---|---|
| Cost | 8.4A flat annual fee of £3.50 and £5 a dealing sit mid-table, while currency conversion costs 0.75%. | 9.3Higher |
| Offer | 9.2Higher | 8.4 |
| Trust | 8.6 | Not confirmed |
Where they rank in our lists
| Ranking | AJ Bell | tradegate.direct |
|---|---|---|
| Stock and ETF brokers | 196 of 474 | 458 of 474 |
Licences and countries
| Country | AJ Bell | tradegate.direct |
|---|---|---|
| United Kingdom | Not confirmed |
Feature by feature
| Markets | AJ Bell | tradegate.direct |
|---|---|---|
| Stocks | Yes | Yes |
| ETFs | Yes | Yes |
| Bonds | Yes | No |
| Funds | Yes | No |
Where these facts come from
AJ Bell
- ajbell.co.uk: 15 facts, checked September 26, 2026
tradegate.direct
- tradegate.direct: 8 facts, checked September 26, 2026
Every fact side by side
| Fact | AJ Bell | tradegate.direct |
|---|---|---|
| Features | Mobile app | Mobile app |
| Pricing model | Low fees | Commission free |
| Audience | Not confirmed | Experienced |
| Legal entity | AJ Bell | Tradegate AG |
| Headquarters | United Kingdom | Not confirmed |
| Support channels | Chat, Help centre | Not confirmed |
Where each stands against the rest
| Fact | AJ Bell | tradegate.direct | Median |
|---|---|---|---|
| Minimum deposit | £25above the median | Not confirmed | £20 |
| 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.
tradegate.direct
Pros
- Trading-App access for following stocks and ETFs from your phone
- Mobile app routine for keeping everyday broker tasks in one place
- Broker coverage centred on stocks and ETFs for clear focus
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.
tradegate.direct
Who it suits
- People who prefer managing investments by phone
- People interested in stocks and ETFs through an app
Country by country
| Country | AJ Bell | tradegate.direct |
|---|---|---|
| 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.
tradegate.direct
What is tradegate.direct?+
tradegate.direct is a broker that works through its Trading-App for everyday account activity. Its scope covers stocks and ETFs for people building a phone based routine. You can keep that market focus in mind when thinking about fit.
How do I use the Trading-App?+
You use the Trading-App as the place for following your broker activity on your phone. It supports a mobile app routine for checking stocks and ETFs in one view. You can consider how that single screen setup fits your daily habits.
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AJ Bell
tradegate.direct