Key differences at a glance
Compare Freetrade and AJ Bell across account fees, dealing charges, and key features like fractional shares and flexible ISA.
Share account fee
Fund account fee
Trading fees
Regular investing fee
Fractional shares
Flexible ISA
Mobile app
Regulation & protection
£0
£0
£0 commission on trades
£0 dealing fee on recurring orders
Yes
Yes
Yes
FCA-regulated, FSCS protected
0.25% per year (capped at £3.50/month for dealing account & ISA, £10/month for SIPP)
0.25% on the first £250,000 of funds (0.10% on £250,000 to £500,000 and 0% above £500,000).
£5 per share trade (£3.50 for 10+ trades/mo and £1.50 per fund deal
£1.50 per regular investment trade
No
No
Yes
FCA-regulated, FSCS protected
Comparison Disclosure
Comparisons to AJ Bell are based on publicly available information on their website as of 25 February 2026. They are shown for illustrative purposes only. For the most up-to-date details, please visit their website .AJ Bell applies annual account charges based on the value and types of investments held.
• Share account charges: 0.25% per year, capped at £3.50 per month for a dealing account and ISA, and capped at £10 per month for a SIPP.
• Funds account charges: 0.25% on the first £0 to £250,000, 0.10% on the next £250,000 to £500,000, and £0 on any value above £500,000.
• Trading fees: £5 per share deal (including ETFs, investment trusts, gilts and bonds), reduced to £3.50 per share deal if you place 10 or more share deals in a month, and £1.50 per fund deal (including unit trusts, OEICs and structured products).
When you invest, your capital is at risk. ISA & SIPP rules apply. Other charges may apply.
Account and platform fee
Freetrade offers GIA, stocks and shares ISA, and personal pension (SIPP) with £0 account fees regardless of portfolio size or investment type, helping keep costs predictable as your portfolio grows. View our charges.
AJ Bell applies separate annual charges for shares and funds. It charges a 0.25% annual account fee based on the value of your investments, capped at £3.50 per month for a dealing account or ISA and £10 per month for a SIPP. For funds, a 0.25% annual fee applies to the first £250,000 of holdings.
See how fees can affect your long-term returns using our cost of fees calculator.
Trading commissions and dealing charges
Freetrade offers commission-free trading on UK, US and international investments, including shares, ETFs and funds. *Other charges, such as FX fees, may apply. View our charges.
AJ Bell charges £5 per share trade, reduced to £3.50 per trade if you place 10 or more share deals in a month, and £1.50 per fund trade.
Fund investing, without layered fees
Freetrade keeps fund investing simple, with £0 commission on fund trades and no platform fee on fund holdings, meaning costs don’t rise as your portfolio increases.
AJ Bell takes a different approach, charging £1.50 per fund trade and applying a 0.25% annual fee on fund holdings up to £250,000.
Why investors choose Freetrade for funds
Fee-free growth
Grow your funds, not your fees. Choose from 500+ funds from providers like Vanguard, Blackrock, Royal London, and more to diversify your portfolio.
Instant diversification
Buying into a fund is like buying a basket of investments. In one unit, you’ll be holding a range of stocks, bonds, and other assets, giving your portfolio a boost of diversification.
Expert management
Invest in actively managed funds and benefit from a professional fund manager. They oversee the fund and choose the investments within it, with the aim of beating the chosen benchmark.
Convenience
Save yourself time and effort. Funds rebalance and adjust their positions constantly, meaning you don’t have to constantly follow the markets or buy and sell individual stocks to meet your goals.
Flexible stocks and shares ISA
Freetrade offers a flexible stocks and shares ISA, giving you more control over how and when you move money in and out of your ISA without affecting your annual allowance, up to £20,000 per tax year.
AJ Bell does not currently offer a flexible stocks and shares ISA. This means withdrawals permanently reduce your ISA allowance for that tax year.
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Regular investing
Freetrade offers regular investing through recurring orders with £0 dealing fees and direct debit from £25 per month, allowing you to automate your monthly investments with ease.
AJ Bell also offers regular investing with a minimum direct debit from £25 per month, but charges a £1.50 dealing fee per regular investment trade.
Fractional shares
Freetrade lets you invest in US stocks from as little as £1 with fractional shares. Choose how much you want to invest and build your portfolio gradually without needing to buy a whole share.
AJ Bell does not offer fractional shares, meaning you must buy full shares when investing in US stocks.
Why Freetrade?
Invest for less
Commission-free investing and £0 ISA and SIPP account fees. Other charges may apply. See our full pricing table.
Over 7,500 investments
Choose from thousands of UK, US, and European stocks, ETFs and investment trusts and more. See our full list.
Automate your investments
Set up recurring orders, limit orders, and stop losses to control what you invest in and when.
Award-winning provider
Recognised by Boring Money as a 2026 Value for Money winner and Best for Low-Cost ISA and SIPP provider.
Advanced tools
Access free tools such as calculators, analyst ratings and estimates to help inform your investment decisions.
Easy to use
Manage your portfolio with ease on iOS, Android, or your web browser.
5 star reviews
Join over 1.6 million users
Ready to start investing with Freetrade?
Open a SIPP
Build your future today. Open a Freetrade SIPP in minutes with no account fee.
Open an ISA
Invest tax-free from day one with a Stocks and Shares ISA on Freetrade. £0 account fees.
Have a SIPP or ISA already?
Transfer a SIPP
Take control of your pension. Transfer your SIPP to Freetrade and simplify investing.
Transfer an ISA
Bring your ISA together in one place. Transfer to Freetrade for simple, tax-free control.
Tax treatment depends on personal circumstances and current rules may change. Before transferring, check for any exit fees or loss of benefits from your current provider.
Freetrade vs AJ Bell FAQs
Here you'll find answers to the most frequently asked questions. If you have a question that's not listed, please contact support.
Is it free to open an account with Freetrade?
Freetrade offers a GIA, Stocks and Shares ISA and SIPP on its Basic plan with £0 account fees.
Does Freetrade charge trading fees?
Freetrade charges £0 commission on trades. Other costs, such as FX fees, may apply depending on the investment.
Does AJ Bell charge account and dealing fees?
Yes. AJ Bell applies a platform fee of up to 0.25% per year, capped depending on account type, and charges dealing fees such as £5 per share trade and £1.50 per fund trade.
How can fees affect long-term returns?
Fees can reduce investment returns over time. Percentage-based charges may increase as a portfolio grows, while flat or £0 fee structures can make costs more predictable. You can explore how different fee structures may affect returns using our cost calculator.
Does Freetrade offer a flexible ISA?
Yes. Freetrade offers a flexible Stocks and Shares ISA, allowing withdrawals and redeposits within the same tax year without affecting your annual allowance.
Does AJ Bell offer fractional shares?
No. AJ Bell does not currently support fractional share investing, so investors must purchase whole shares.
Do both Freetrade and AJ Bell support regular investing?
Yes. Both platforms offer regular investing. Freetrade provides recurring investments with £0 dealing fees, while AJ Bell applies a reduced dealing fee per regular investment trade.
Is Freetrade or AJ Bell better for beginners investors?
This depends on individual preferences. Some investors prioritise low dealing costs and simple pricing, while others may prefer percentage-based fee structures or different platform tools. Comparing fees, features and investment options can help determine which platform suits your needs.
Can I transfer an ISA from AJ Bell to Freetrade?
Yes. You can request a Stocks and Shares ISA transfer through Freetrade. Full or partial transfers may be possible depending on your investments.
How long does an ISA transfer usually take?
ISA transfers typically take 2 to 6 weeks, although timing depends on the transfer type and how quickly the existing provider processes the request.
Can I transfer a SIPP from AJ Bell to Freetrade?
Yes. Existing SIPPs can usually be transferred, either fully or partially, subject to asset type and provider requirements.
How long does a SIPP transfer take?
SIPP transfers generally take around 4 to 8 weeks, though timescales can vary depending on investments and provider processing.
Are there any charges when transferring an ISA or SIPP from AJ Bell?
Freetrade does not charge to receive ISA or SIPP transfers. AJ Bell states it does not charge transfer-in or transfer-out fees, but it’s worth checking the latest terms for both providers before you start.
Can I track a transfer to Freetrade?
Yes. Progress updates are available in the Freetrade app, although detail may vary depending on the provider and transfer type.
Regulation and protection
Freetrade is authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) and your deposits are covered up to £120,000 by the Financial Services Compensation Scheme (FSCS) if the firm fails
