Updated October 13, 2026 · BrokerCue Editorial Team
AJ Bell vs Wombat Invest
Facts checked September 26, 2026.
Where AJ Bell and Wombat Invest differ
| Compare |  AJ Bell |  Wombat Invest |
|---|---|---|
| Minimum deposit | £25 | £10Lower |
| Stock trade fee | £5 | £0Lower |
| Markets | Stocks, ETFs, Bonds, FundsCovers more | Stocks, ETFs |
| Currency conversion fee | 0.75% | 0.4% to 0.75%Lower |
| Platforms | Web platform, Mobile app | Quilter Invest app |
| Account types | ISA, SIPP, Lisa, JisaCovers more | ISA, Jisa, SIPP |
| Account fee | £3.50 | Not confirmed |
| Regulators | Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) | Not confirmed |
| Investor protection | FSCS up to GBP 85,000 | Not confirmed |
| Deposit and withdrawal fees | Free withdrawals | Not confirmed |
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Key differences
- Minimum deposit is lower at Wombat Invest: £10 vs £25.
- Stock trade fee is lower at Wombat Invest: £0 vs £5.
- Currency conversion fee is lower at Wombat Invest: 0.4% to 0.75% vs 0.75%.
- Markets: only AJ Bell offers Bonds, Funds.
- Platforms: only AJ Bell offers Web platform, Mobile app.
- Platforms: only Wombat Invest offers Quilter Invest app.
- Account types: only AJ Bell offers Lisa.
- Support channels: only Wombat Invest offers Email.
- Features: only Wombat Invest offers Fractional shares.
- Pricing model: only AJ Bell offers Low fees.
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.
Wombat Invest
Wombat Invest is a broker covering stocks and ETFs through a mobile app with fractional share access. It suits newcomers who want ISA, Junior ISA and SIPP account types and are comfortable managing a focused market range themselves for long term investing.
Score breakdown
| Area | AJ Bell | Wombat Invest |
|---|---|---|
| Cost | 8.4A flat annual fee of £3.50 and £5 a dealing sit mid-table, while currency conversion costs 0.75%. | 9.1Higher |
| Offer | 9.2Higher | 9.0 |
| Trust | 8.6Higher | 8.3 |
Licences and countries
| Country | AJ Bell | Wombat Invest |
|---|---|---|
| United Kingdom | Not confirmed |
How they place
| Ranking | AJ Bell | Wombat Invest |
|---|---|---|
| Stock and ETF brokers | 193 of 491 | 487 of 491 |
| Investment platforms and apps | 41 of 86 | 85 of 86 |
| Stocks and shares ISA providers | 12 of 21 | 21 of 21 |
| SIPP providers | 11 of 22 | 22 of 22 |
| Junior ISA providers | 8 of 14 | 14 of 14 |
Every fact side by side
| Fact | AJ Bell | Wombat Invest |
|---|---|---|
| Features | Mobile app | Fractional shares, Mobile appCovers more |
| Pricing model | Low fees | Commission free |
| Audience | Not confirmed | Beginners |
| Legal entity | AJ Bell | NuWealth Ltd |
| Headquarters | United Kingdom | Not confirmed |
| Founded | Not confirmed | 2017 |
| Support channels | Chat, Help centre | Email, Chat, Help centreCovers more |
Where each stands against the rest
| Fact | AJ Bell | Wombat Invest | Median |
|---|---|---|---|
| Minimum deposit | £25above the median | £10below the median | £20 |
| Stock trade fee | £5highest quarter | £0at the median | £0 |
| Account fee | £3.50above the median | Not confirmed | £0 |
| Currency conversion fee | 0.75%highest quarter | 0.4% to 0.75%below the median | 0.45% |
Median across 34 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.
Wombat Invest
Pros
- Offers stocks and ETFs with fractional share access inside a mobile app
- Includes ISA, Junior ISA and SIPP account types for long term goals
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.
Wombat Invest
Who it suits
- Beginners focused on stocks and ETFs by mobile
- Savers planning around ISA, Junior ISA or SIPP wrappers
Country by country
| Country | AJ Bell | Wombat Invest |
|---|---|---|
| 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.
Wombat Invest
What markets does Wombat Invest cover?+
Wombat Invest covers stocks and ETFs for retail investors. Access runs through a mobile app and includes fractional share positions. The range stays focused, so checking the available securities matters before choosing.
Which account types does Wombat Invest include?+
Wombat Invest includes ISA, Junior ISA and SIPP account types alongside its investment access. Each wrapper serves different long term aims and eligibility rules apply in practice. Reviewing the current account terms helps decide which structure matches household needs.