AJ Bellvs
IC MarketsStock Broker Comparison
Two brokers vie for different strengths: long-term wrappers and UK regulation versus global equity access and advanced platforms. The matchup weighs cost against access, inviting closer inspection.
Who should choose AJ Bell vs IC Markets?
Find out which stock broker best suits your investing profile.
Choose if…
Choose AJ Bell if you want ISA and SIPP wrappers and a proprietary UK platform.
Choose if…
Choose IC Markets if you want 24/5 live chat support and access to Shares CFDs with DMA.
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 IC Markets: Side-by-Side Stock Broker Comparison
 |  | |
|---|---|---|
| Editorial score | 4.2/ 5 | 4.1/ 5 |
| Min deposit | $500 | $200▼ lower |
| Spreads from | N/A | 0 pips |
| Commission / lot | N/A | $7/lot |
AJ Bell vs IC Markets 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 IC Markets: Detailed Category Breakdown
A closer look at the specific criteria each broker meets or misses within each scoring category.
2
AJ Bell
criteria wins
4
IC Markets
criteria wins
Highlighted rows show where the two brokers differ
| Criteria | AJ Bell | IC 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 | Pass |
| Phone support | Pass | Pass |
AJ Bell vs IC Markets: Frequently Asked Questions
The scores are close: AJ Bell rates 4.2/5 and IC Markets rates 4.1/5. AJ Bell 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.
IC 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.
IC Markets has $200, while AJ Bell requires at least $500. This makes IC Markets more accessible for traders with limited starting capital.
Both AJ Bell and IC 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.
IC 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 IC Markets lists up to 5:1. Available leverage depends on your jurisdiction. EU retail clients under ESMA rules are capped at 1:30 on major forex pairs.
IC Markets 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 IC Markets supports cTrader, MetaTrader 5, TradingView, MetaTrader 4. AJ Bell has exclusive access to Proprietary Web/Mobile. IC Markets has exclusive access to cTrader and MetaTrader 5 and TradingView and MetaTrader 4.
Neither AJ Bell nor IC 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 IC 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.
