AJ Bellvs
FBSStock Broker Comparison
Two brokers sit on different ends of the spectrum, trading long-term investing features against CFD-centric access. The tension centers on regulation, account wrappers, and global exchange reach.
Who should choose AJ Bell vs FBS?
Find out which stock broker best suits your investing profile.
Choose if…
Choose AJ Bell if you want ISA and SIPP wrappers for long-term investing. You also gain access to 15 exchanges and dividend reinvestment.
Choose if…
Choose FBS if you value a $1 minimum deposit and MT4/MT5 with EA support. You also get 24/7 multilingual support.
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
AJ Bell vs FBS: Side-by-Side Stock Broker Comparison
 |  | |
|---|---|---|
| Editorial score | 4.2/ 5 | 3.3/ 5 |
| Min deposit | $500 | $1▼ lower |
| Spreads from | N/A | 0 pips |
| Commission / lot | N/A | $20/lot |
AJ Bell vs FBS 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 FBS: Detailed Category Breakdown
A closer look at the specific criteria each broker meets or misses within each scoring category.
4
AJ Bell
criteria wins
3
FBS
criteria wins
Highlighted rows show where the two brokers differ
| Criteria | AJ Bell | FBS |
|---|---|---|
| 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 vs FBS: Frequently Asked Questions
AJ Bell rates 4.2/5 versus 3.3/5 for FBS. AJ Bell edges ahead on our composite score, though both brokers meet a reasonable standard for most traders.
FBS starts from 0. Current spread data is not available for AJ Bell. Check both brokers' websites for up-to-date spread and commission pricing.
FBS has $1, while AJ Bell requires at least $500. This makes FBS more accessible for traders with limited starting capital.
AJ Bell holds top-tier regulation (FCA), providing stronger investor protections. FBS 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, FBS requires a lower minimum deposit ($1), 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 FBS 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.
FBS charges $20 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 FBS supports MetaTrader 5, MetaTrader 4. AJ Bell has exclusive access to Proprietary Web/Mobile. FBS has exclusive access to MetaTrader 5 and MetaTrader 4.
Neither AJ Bell nor FBS 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.
