AJ Bell — Key Facts 2026
| Feature | Detail |
|---|---|
| Founded | 1995 |
| Listed on | FTSE 250 |
| FCA Regulated | ✅ Yes |
| FSCS Protected | ✅ Yes — up to £85,000 |
| Which? Recommended | ✅ 8 consecutive years 2019–2026 |
| Platform charge (funds) | 0.25% per year |
| Shares dealing charge | £5.00 per trade |
| Shares platform charge cap | Capped at £3.50 a month (£42/year) |
| Interest on uninvested cash | ✅ Yes — ISA 2.00%, SIPP 2.30–2.65% |
AJ Bell Platform Charges — Full 2026 Breakdown
AJ Bell's platform charge on funds is 0.25% per year. For shares and ETFs in ISAs and general investment accounts, the platform charge is capped at £3.50 a month — meaning the maximum you pay per account is £42 per year regardless of portfolio size. This makes AJ Bell particularly cost-effective for share-heavy portfolios.
| Fee Type | AJ Bell | HL | Vanguard |
|---|---|---|---|
| Platform charge (funds, under £250k) | 0.25% | 0.35% | 0.15% |
| Shares/ETFs cap — ISA | £3.50/month (£42/yr) | £45/year | N/A |
| Shares dealing fee | £5.00/trade | £6.95/trade | N/A |
| Fund dealing fee | £1.50/trade | £1.95/trade | Free |
| Regular investing | Free (from May 2026) | Free | Free |
| FX fee | 0.75% | 1.00% | N/A |
| Pension transfer exit fee cover | ✅ Up to £500 on £20k+ transfers | ❌ No | ❌ No |
Account Range
| Account | Available? | Platform Charge | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Stocks and Shares ISAs | ✅ Yes | 0.25% (shares capped £3.50/mo) | Full investment range |
| Lifetime ISAs | ✅ Yes | 0.25% | Ages 18–39, 25% government bonus |
| Junior ISAs | ✅ Yes | 0.25% | Up to £9,000/year |
| SIPP | ✅ Yes | 0.25% | Which? Recommended SIPP |
| Junior SIPP | ✅ Yes | 0.25% | Pension for children |
| General Investment Accounts | ✅ Yes | 0.25% (shares capped £3.50/mo) | No annual limit |
| Cash ISA | ❌ No | N/A | Use HL or Trading 212 instead |
AJ Bell Funds and Favourite Funds List
AJ Bell investment options span shares, ETFs, funds, investment trusts, bonds and gilts across 24 international markets. AJ Bell curates a Favourite Funds List — a selection of recommended funds across different asset classes and risk levels — useful for investors who want guidance on fund selection without paying for full financial advice.
AJ Bell also pays interest on uninvested cash — 2.00% AER on ISA cash, 2.30%–2.65% on SIPP cash depending on balance. Interest is paid quarterly and calculated daily.
AJ Bell Dodl — Simplified Investing App
For investors who want a simpler, lower-cost experience, AJ Bell offers Dodl — a stripped-back app with a 0.15% platform charge and zero commission trading. Dodl offers a curated fund selection rather than the full AJ Bell range, making it ideal for beginners who want low-cost investing without complexity.
Pros and Cons
✅ Pros
- Which? Recommended 8 consecutive years 2019–2026
- Platform charge capped at £3.50 a month for shares
- Lower fees than Hargreaves Lansdown across all accounts
- Covers exit fees up to £500 on pension transfers in
- Regular investing free from May 2026
- Pays interest on uninvested cash
- Full range — ISAs, Lifetime ISAs, Junior ISAs, SIPP
- FCA regulated, FSCS protected, FTSE 250 listed
❌ Cons
- No Cash ISA wrapper
- No fractional shares
- More expensive than Vanguard for index fund investors
- £5 per trade more expensive than commission-free platforms
AJ Bell hits the sweet spot between cost, range and reliability for most UK investors. The platform charge capped at £3.50 a month for shares, combined with Which? Recommended status for eight consecutive years, makes it a compelling choice. The free pension transfer exit fee cover is a genuine differentiator. For most investors with £10,000–£250,000 portfolios, AJ Bell is our top recommendation.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is AJ Bell regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority?
Yes. AJ Bell is FCA regulated, listed on the FTSE 250 and FSCS protected up to £85,000.
What is the platform charge for shares?
Capped at £3.50 a month — a maximum of £42 per year per account regardless of how much you hold in shares.
Does AJ Bell pay interest on uninvested cash?
Yes — 2.00% AER on ISA cash, 2.30%–2.65% on SIPP cash. Interest paid quarterly.
What is AJ Bell Dodl?
A simplified app-only version at 0.15% with zero commission — better for beginners who don't need the full AJ Bell range.
This article is for information purposes only and does not constitute financial advice. The value of investments can go down as well as up. Capital at risk. Always seek regulated financial advice before making financial decisions.