AJ Bellvs
Plus500Stock Broker Comparison
Two brokers compete for investors seeking cost efficiency and access to different asset types. The tension hinges on long-term investing features, ownership, and platform depth.
Key Differences
- 1AJ Bell offers ISA wrappers; Plus500 does not.
- 2Plus500 provides 24/5 live chat support; AJ Bell does not.
- 3Plus500 enables short selling; AJ Bell does not.
Who should choose AJ Bell vs Plus500?
Find out which stock broker best suits your investing profile.
Choose if…
Choose AJ Bell if you want ISA and SIPP wrappers. The platform offers a regular investment option at £1.50 per order.
Choose if…
AJ Bell vs Plus500: Side-by-Side Stock Broker Comparison
 |  | |
|---|---|---|
| Editorial score | 4.2/ 5 | 3.6/ 5 |
| Min deposit | $500 | $100▼ lower |
| Spreads from | N/A | 0.6 pips |
| Commission / lot | N/A | N/A |
| Inactivity fee | None | $10/month (after 3 months) |
| Deposit fee |
AJ Bell vs Plus500 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 Plus500: 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
Plus500
criteria wins
Highlighted rows show where the two brokers differ
| Criteria | AJ Bell | Plus500 |
|---|---|---|
| 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 | Fail |
| 24/5 live chat | Fail | Pass |
| Phone support | Pass | Fail |
AJ Bell vs Plus500: Frequently Asked Questions
AJ Bell rates 4.2/5 versus 3.6/5 for Plus500. AJ Bell edges ahead on our composite score, though both brokers meet a reasonable standard for most traders.
Plus500 starts from 0.6. Current spread data is not available for AJ Bell. Check both brokers' websites for up-to-date spread and commission pricing.
Plus500 has $100, while AJ Bell requires at least $500. This makes Plus500 more accessible for traders with limited starting capital.
Both AJ Bell and Plus500 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.
Plus500 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 Plus500 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.
AJ Bell supports Proprietary Web/Mobile, while Plus500 supports Proprietary Web/Mobile. Both provide Proprietary Web/Mobile.
Neither AJ Bell nor Plus500 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 Plus500 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.
