Two seasoned brokers square off on cost, access, and long-term features. The matchup pits AJ Bell's lower fee structure against Fidelity's expansive zero-expense funds and strong trading toolkit.
Find out which stock broker best suits your investing profile.
Choose if…
Choose AJ Bell if you want ISA wrappers and SIPP wrappers.
Choose if…
| Editorial score | 4.2/ 5 | 4.6/ 5 |
|---|---|---|
| Min deposit | $500 | N/A |
| Spreads from | N/A | N/A |
| Commission / lot | N/A | N/A |
| Inactivity fee | None | None |
| Deposit fee | Free |
A closer look at the specific criteria each broker meets or misses within each scoring category.
| Criteria | AJ Bell | Fidelity |
|---|---|---|
| Trust & Regulation | ||
| Top-tier regulator (FCA, ASIC, SEC, etc.) | Pass | Pass |
| Segregated client funds | Pass | Pass |
| Negative balance protection | Fail | Fail |
| Compensation scheme (e.g. FSCS, SIPC) | Pass | Fail |
| Costs | ||
| Commission-free trading | Fail | Pass |
| No deposit fee | Pass | Pass |
| Features | ||
| Fractional shares | Fail | Pass |
| Dividend reinvestment (DRIP) | Pass | Pass |
| Extended hours trading | Fail | Pass |
| IPO access | Fail | Fail |
| Short selling | Fail | Pass |
| Stock screener tool | Pass | Pass |
| Support | ||
| Mobile app | Pass | Pass |
| Advanced charting tools | Fail | Pass |
| 24/5 live chat | Fail | Pass |
| Phone support | Pass | Pass |
The scores are close: AJ Bell rates 4.2/5 and Fidelity rates 4.6/5. Fidelity has a marginal edge in our scoring, but the difference is small enough that your specific priorities — fees, platforms, or regulatory jurisdiction — should guide the final choice.
AJ Bell requires $500. Minimum deposit information is not currently available for Fidelity.
Both AJ Bell and Fidelity 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.
Minimum deposit and negative balance protection data are not confirmed for this pair. Both hold top-tier regulatory status, meaning client fund protections apply to both. Also compare demo account availability and educational resources on each broker's site.
AJ Bell lists maximum leverage of 1:1, while Fidelity lists up to 1:4. Available leverage depends on your jurisdiction. EU retail clients under ESMA rules are capped at 1:30 on major forex pairs.
AJ Bell supports Proprietary Web/Mobile, while Fidelity supports Proprietary Web/Mobile, Active Trader Pro. Both provide Proprietary Web/Mobile. Fidelity has exclusive access to Active Trader Pro.
Fidelity offers commission-free stock trading while AJ Bell does not according to our data. Commission-free trading can reduce costs for frequent traders. Always confirm the current fee structure directly on each broker's website.
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.
Choose Fidelity if you want commission-free US stock trading and zero-expense funds with no minimum.
Which broker wins for each type of stock trader, based on costs, safety, features, and editorial scoring.
Fidelity wins for low cost trading due to commission-free US trading and zero-expense funds.
AJ Bell edges safety & regulation with FSCS protection and a compensation scheme under FCA oversight.
Fidelity wins for long-term investing with zero-expense funds and no investment minimum.
Fidelity wins for active traders due to Active Trader Pro and extensive research.
AJ Bell wins for beginners with simpler pricing and ISA/SIPP wrappers.
AJ Bell wins for global market access with 15 exchanges.
| Free |
| Deposit methods | Bank TransferDebit Card | Bank TransferACHWire TransferCheque |
|---|
| Withdrawal methods | Bank Transfer | Bank TransferACHWire TransferCheque |
|---|
| Withdrawal fee | Free | Free EFT; $10 wire transfer |
|---|
| Commission-free | No | Yes |
|---|
| Fractional shares | No | Yes |
|---|
| Dividend reinvestment | Yes | Yes |
|---|
| Extended hours | No | Yes |
|---|
| IPO access | No | No |
|---|
| Short selling | No | Yes |
|---|
| Regulators | FCA | SEC FINRA |
|---|
| Platforms | Proprietary Web/Mobile | Proprietary Web/Mobile Active Trader Pro |
|---|
| Active bonuses | 2 offers | 2 offers |
|---|
Fidelity is the overall winner on editorial score, 4.6 to 4.2, over AJ Bell. This edge reflects Fidelity's stronger Fees & Spreads and Platforms & Tools ratings.
Dig deeper into each broker’s features, fees, and regulation.
Score 4.2 / 5
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