AJ Bellvs
AxiStock Broker Comparison
This head-to-head pits AJ Bell and Axi against each other on fees, investing tools, and regulatory reach, testing how platform choices shape long-term plans versus CFD exposure.
Our Verdict
AJ Bell winsby 0.5 pts
AJ Bell edges Axi on the overall editorial score. It also offers broader exchange access and stronger long-term investing features.
No commercial relationship. The verdict and scores are entirely editorial. No payment influences this comparison.
Key Differences
- 1ISA and SIPP wrappers available with AJ Bell, not with Axi.
- 2Axi offers short selling and stock CFDs, while AJ Bell does not.
- 3Axi provides advanced charting and multilingual support; AJ Bell lacks these.
Who should choose AJ Bell vs Axi?
Find out which stock broker best suits your investing profile.
Verdict by Trader Profile
Which broker wins for each type of stock trader, based on costs, safety, features, and editorial scoring.
Best for safety & regulation
Recommended
Axi has broader regulatory coverage with ASIC, FCA and DFSA.
Best for long-term investors
Recommended
AJ Bell vs Axi: Side-by-Side Stock Broker Comparison
 |  | |
|---|---|---|
| Editorial score | 4.2/ 5 | 3.7/ 5 |
| Min deposit | $500 | No minimum▼ lower |
| Spreads from | N/A | 0 pips |
| Commission / lot | N/A | $7/lot |
AJ Bell vs Axi Stock Broker Pros & Cons
Pros
- Lower fund platform fees than Hargreaves Lansdown at scale
- Stocks & Shares ISA and full-featured SIPP with drawdown
- AIM shares available inside ISA for inheritance tax planning
- Regular investment option at £1.50 per order
- LSE-listed, FCA-regulated with FSCS protection
Cons
- No fractional shares
AJ Bell vs Axi: Detailed Category Breakdown
A closer look at the specific criteria each broker meets or misses within each scoring category.
3
AJ Bell
criteria wins
3
Axi
criteria wins
Highlighted rows show where the two brokers differ
| Criteria | AJ Bell | Axi |
|---|---|---|
| Trust & Regulation | ||
| Top-tier regulator (FCA, ASIC, SEC, etc.) | Pass | Pass |
| Segregated client funds | Pass | Pass |
| Negative balance protection | Fail | Pass |
| Compensation scheme (e.g. FSCS, SIPC) | Pass | Pass |
| 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 | Fail |
| Phone support | Pass | Fail |
AJ Bell vs Axi: Frequently Asked Questions
AJ Bell rates 4.2/5 versus 3.7/5 for Axi. AJ Bell edges ahead on our composite score, though both brokers meet a reasonable standard for most traders.
Axi starts from 0. Current spread data is not available for AJ Bell. Check both brokers' websites for up-to-date spread and commission pricing.
Axi has no minimum deposit, while AJ Bell requires at least $500. This makes Axi more accessible for traders with limited starting capital.
Both AJ Bell and Axi 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.
Axi 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.
AJ Bell lists maximum leverage of 1:1, while Axi lists up to 20:1. Available leverage depends on your jurisdiction. EU retail clients under ESMA rules are capped at 1:30 on major forex pairs.
Axi 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.
AJ Bell supports Proprietary Web/Mobile, while Axi supports DXtrade, MetaTrader 4. AJ Bell has exclusive access to Proprietary Web/Mobile. Axi has exclusive access to DXtrade and MetaTrader 4.
Neither AJ Bell nor Axi 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.
Both AJ Bell and Axi are covered by a compensation scheme according to our data, providing an additional safety net for your stock investments. Confirm the specific scheme and coverage limit that applies to your account before depositing.
