AJ Bell and AMarkets confront a contrasting mix of long-term investing features and CFD-focused trading. The tension centers on safety, access, and cost.
Find out which stock broker best suits your investing profile.
Choose if…
Choose AJ Bell for ISA and SIPP integration with AIM shares.
Choose if…
Choose AMarkets if you want stock CFDs with ECN pricing and MT4/MT5 copy trading.
Which broker wins for each type of stock trader, based on costs, safety, features, and editorial scoring.
| Editorial score | 4.2/ 5 | 3.2/ 5 |
|---|---|---|
| Min deposit | $500 | $100▼ lower |
| Spreads from | N/A | 0 pips |
| Commission / lot | N/A | $6/lot |
A closer look at the specific criteria each broker meets or misses within each scoring category.
| Criteria | AJ Bell | AMarkets |
|---|---|---|
| Trust & Regulation | ||
| Top-tier regulator (FCA, ASIC, SEC, etc.) | Pass | Fail |
| Segregated client funds | Pass | Pass |
| Negative balance protection | Fail | Fail |
| Compensation scheme (e.g. FSCS, SIPC) | Pass | Fail |
| Costs | ||
| Commission-free trading | Fail | Fail |
| No deposit fee | Pass | — |
| Features | ||
| Fractional shares | Fail | Fail |
| Dividend reinvestment (DRIP) | Pass | Fail |
| Extended hours trading | Fail | Fail |
| IPO access | Fail | Fail |
| Short selling | Fail | Pass |
| Stock screener tool | Pass | Fail |
| Support | ||
| Mobile app | Pass | Pass |
| Advanced charting tools | Fail | Pass |
| 24/5 live chat | Fail | Pass |
| Phone support | Pass | Pass |
AJ Bell is the stronger choice: it rates 4.2/5 versus 3.2/5 for AMarkets, a gap that reflects clear differences across regulation, fees, and platform quality in our review.
AMarkets starts from 0. Current spread data is not available for AJ Bell. Check both brokers' websites for up-to-date spread and commission pricing.
AMarkets has $100, while AJ Bell requires at least $500. This makes AMarkets more accessible for traders with limited starting capital.
AJ Bell holds top-tier regulation (FCA), providing stronger investor protections. AMarkets may be regulated but does not hold top-tier status in our data. Verify regulatory status on each regulator's public register before depositing funds.
For beginners, AMarkets requires a lower minimum deposit ($100), lowering the barrier to entry. Both brokers otherwise share similar beginner-facing criteria in our data. Also compare demo account availability and educational resources on each brokers's site.
AJ Bell lists maximum leverage of 1:1, while AMarkets lists up to 3000:1. Available leverage depends on your jurisdiction. EU retail clients under ESMA rules are capped at 1:30 on major forex pairs.
AMarkets charges $6 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.
AJ Bell supports Proprietary Web/Mobile, while AMarkets supports cTrader, MetaTrader 4, MetaTrader 5. AJ Bell has exclusive access to Proprietary Web/Mobile. AMarkets has exclusive access to cTrader and MetaTrader 4 and MetaTrader 5.
Neither AJ Bell nor AMarkets 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 favored for safety & regulation due to FCA oversight and higher regulator status.
AJ Bell leads long-term investing with ISA and SIPP options.
AMarkets wins for active traders with MT4/MT5 and copy trading.
AJ Bell suits beginners with regulated accounts and accessible long-term options.
AJ Bell provides broader global access with 15 exchanges.
AMarkets is favored for low cost trading due to a better Fees & Spreads score.
| N/A |
| 0.6 pips |
| Inactivity fee | None | None |
|---|
| Deposit fee | Free | Free |
|---|
| Deposit methods | Bank transferDebit card | Bank transferCredit cardDebit cardSkrillNetellerWebMoneyCrypto |
|---|
| Withdrawal methods | Bank transfer | Bank transferCredit cardSkrillNetellerWebMoneyCrypto |
|---|
| Withdrawal fee | Free | Free |
|---|
| Commission-free | No | No |
|---|
| Fractional shares | No | No |
|---|
| Dividend reinvestment | Yes | No |
|---|
| Extended hours | No | No |
|---|
| IPO access | No | No |
|---|
| Short selling | No | Yes |
|---|
| Regulators | FCA | SVGFSA |
|---|
| Platforms | Proprietary Web/Mobile | cTrader MetaTrader 4 MetaTrader 5 |
|---|
| Active bonuses | 2 offers | None |
|---|
AJ Bell wins on the higher editorial score and stronger FCA-regulated status versus AMarkets.
Dig deeper into each broker’s features, fees, and regulation.
Score 3.2 / 5
Personalised recommendation
Answer 6 quick questions and we’ll match you with the brokers that best fit your trading style, experience level, and country.
Find my broker