Two brokers contrast on long-term investing features, platform breadth, and regulation. AJ Bell and GO Markets face off over cost, access, and safety, with the verdict yet to be revealed.
Find out which stock broker best suits your investing profile.
Choose if…
Choose AJ Bell if you want ISA and SIPP wrappers along with research tools.
Choose if…
Choose GO Markets if you want MT4/MT5 and cTrader with platform variety.
Which broker wins for each type of stock trader, based on costs, safety, features, and editorial scoring.
| Editorial score | 4.2/ 5 | 3.5/ 5 |
|---|---|---|
| Min deposit | $500 | $200▼ lower |
| Spreads from | N/A | 0 pips |
| Commission / lot | N/A | $5/lot |
A closer look at the specific criteria each broker meets or misses within each scoring category.
| Criteria | AJ Bell | GO Markets |
|---|---|---|
| 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 | Pass |
AJ Bell rates 4.2/5 versus 3.5/5 for GO Markets. AJ Bell edges ahead on our composite score, though both brokers meet a reasonable standard for most traders.
GO Markets starts from 0. Current spread data is not available for AJ Bell. Check both brokers' websites for up-to-date spread and commission pricing.
GO Markets has $200, while AJ Bell requires at least $500. This makes GO Markets more accessible for traders with limited starting capital.
Both AJ Bell and GO Markets 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.
GO Markets 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 GO Markets lists up to 500:1. Available leverage depends on your jurisdiction. EU retail clients under ESMA rules are capped at 1:30 on major forex pairs.
GO Markets charges $5 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 GO Markets supports cTrader, MetaTrader 4, MetaTrader 5. AJ Bell has exclusive access to Proprietary Web/Mobile. GO Markets has exclusive access to cTrader and MetaTrader 4 and MetaTrader 5.
Neither AJ Bell nor GO Markets 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 GO Markets 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.
GO Markets wins for dual regulation by ASIC and CySEC, offering broader regulatory coverage.
AJ Bell wins with ISA and SIPP wrappers for long-term investing.
GO Markets wins for advanced platforms MT4/MT5 and cTrader.
AJ Bell wins for straightforward long-term investing and regulated ISA/SIPP options.
AJ Bell wins with 15 exchanges covered versus 6 for GO Markets.
AJ Bell wins for lower per-order costs with a £1.50 regular investment option.
| N/A |
| 0.5 pips |
| Inactivity fee | None | None |
|---|
| Deposit fee | Free | Free |
|---|
| Deposit methods | Bank transferDebit card | Bank transferCredit cardDebit cardSkrillNetellerPayPal |
|---|
| Withdrawal methods | Bank transfer | Bank transferCredit cardSkrillNeteller |
|---|
| 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 | ASIC CySEC FSC |
|---|
| Platforms | Proprietary Web/Mobile | cTrader MetaTrader 4 MetaTrader 5 |
|---|
| Active bonuses | 2 offers | None |
|---|
AJ Bell tops GO Markets on the overall editorial score, underpinned by stronger trust/regulation and long-term investing features.
Dig deeper into each broker’s features, fees, and regulation.
Score 3.5 / 5
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