ACY Securities and AJ Bell compete on regulation, market access, and investing features. The matchup highlights how each platform aligns with different investor needs.
Find out which stock broker best suits your investing profile.
Choose if…
You get short selling and advanced charting with ACY Securities. You get ISA and SIPP wrappers with FSCS protection on AJ Bell.
Choose if…
You get short selling and advanced charting with ACY Securities. You get ISA and SIPP wrappers with FSCS protection on AJ Bell.
Which broker wins for each type of stock trader, based on costs, safety, features, and editorial scoring.
| Editorial score | 3.6/ 5 | 4.2/ 5 |
|---|---|---|
| Min deposit | $50▼ lower | $500 |
| Spreads from | 0 pips | N/A |
| Commission / lot | $7/lot | N/A |
A closer look at the specific criteria each broker meets or misses within each scoring category.
| Criteria | ACY Securities | AJ Bell |
|---|---|---|
| Trust & Regulation | ||
| Top-tier regulator (FCA, ASIC, SEC, etc.) | Pass | Pass |
| Segregated client funds | Pass | Pass |
| Negative balance protection | Pass | Fail |
| Compensation scheme (e.g. FSCS, SIPC) | Fail | Pass |
| Costs | ||
| Commission-free trading | Fail | Fail |
| No deposit fee | — | Pass |
| Features | ||
| Fractional shares | Fail | Fail |
| Dividend reinvestment (DRIP) | Fail | Pass |
| Extended hours trading | Fail | Fail |
| IPO access | Fail | Fail |
| Short selling | Pass | Fail |
| Stock screener tool | Fail | Pass |
| Support | ||
| Mobile app | Pass | Pass |
| Advanced charting tools | Pass | Fail |
| 24/5 live chat | Fail | Fail |
| Phone support | Pass | Pass |
AJ Bell rates 4.2/5 versus 3.6/5 for ACY Securities. AJ Bell edges ahead on our composite score, though both brokers meet a reasonable standard for most traders.
ACY Securities starts from 0. Current spread data is not available for AJ Bell. Check both brokers' websites for up-to-date spread and commission pricing.
ACY Securities has $50, while AJ Bell requires at least $500. This makes ACY Securities more accessible for traders with limited starting capital.
Both ACY Securities and AJ Bell hold licences from top-tier regulators, indicating a high standard of regulatory oversight. Check each broker's specific regulatory bodies to confirm coverage in your jurisdiction.
ACY Securities stands out for beginners: it has a lower entry point and provides negative balance protection, which caps losses at your deposited amount. Also compare demo account availability and educational resources before deciding.
ACY Securities lists maximum leverage of 500:1, while AJ Bell lists up to 1:1. Available leverage depends on your jurisdiction. EU retail clients under ESMA rules are capped at 1:30 on major forex pairs.
ACY Securities charges $7 per trade on commission-based accounts. Commission details for AJ Bell are not currently available. Check their website for up-to-date pricing. Stock commissions may be charged as a flat rate per trade or per share; confirm the exact structure on each broker's website.
ACY Securities supports MetaTrader 5, TradingView, MetaTrader 4, while AJ Bell supports Proprietary Web/Mobile. ACY Securities has exclusive access to MetaTrader 5 and TradingView and MetaTrader 4. AJ Bell has exclusive access to Proprietary Web/Mobile.
Neither ACY Securities nor AJ Bell is listed as offering commission-free trading in our data. Compare each broker's commission schedule directly, as fees vary by account type and the markets you trade.
AJ Bell scores higher on investor protection criteria, with compensation scheme coverage and segregated client funds. For stock investors, confirming compensation scheme coverage ensures your assets are protected up to a defined limit if the broker becomes insolvent.
AJ Bell is FCA-regulated with FSCS protection.
AJ Bell offers ISA and SIPP wrappers for long-term investing.
ACY Securities suits active traders with ECN share CFDs and high leverage.
AJ Bell is best for beginners due to ISA/SIPP options and straightforward platform.
AJ Bell provides broader global market access with 15 exchanges.
AJ Bell wins for lower trading costs based on Fees & Spreads.
| 0.7 pips |
| N/A |
| Inactivity fee | None | None |
|---|
| Deposit fee | Free | Free |
|---|
| Deposit methods | Bank transferCredit cardDebit cardCrypto | Bank transferDebit card |
|---|
| Withdrawal methods | Bank transferCredit cardCrypto | Bank transfer |
|---|
| Withdrawal fee | Free | Free |
|---|
| Commission-free | No | No |
|---|
| Fractional shares | No | No |
|---|
| Dividend reinvestment | No | Yes |
|---|
| Extended hours | No | No |
|---|
| IPO access | No | No |
|---|
| Short selling | Yes | No |
|---|
| Regulators | ASIC FSA Seychelles | FCA |
|---|
| Platforms | MetaTrader 5 TradingView MetaTrader 4 | Proprietary Web/Mobile |
|---|
| Active bonuses | None | 2 offers |
|---|
AJ Bell is the higher-rated editorially overall, with ACY Securities trailing.
Dig deeper into each broker’s features, fees, and regulation.
Score 3.6 / 5
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