AJ Bellvs
TradeStationStock Broker Comparison
AJ Bell and TradeStation clash over trust, long-term investing features, and platform depth. The matchup tests whether cost or capability matters more for investors.
Key Differences
- 1AJ Bell provides ISA and SIPP wrappers; TradeStation does not.
- 2TradeStation enables fractional shares and short selling; AJ Bell does not.
- 3TradeStation offers extended hours and advanced charting; AJ Bell lacks both.
Who should choose AJ Bell vs TradeStation?
Find out which stock broker best suits your investing profile.
Choose if…
Choose AJ Bell if you want ISA and SIPP wrappers with dividend reinvestment.
AJ Bell vs TradeStation: Side-by-Side Stock Broker Comparison
 |  | |
|---|---|---|
| Editorial score | 4.2/ 5 | 4.0/ 5 |
| Min deposit | $500 | No minimum▼ lower |
| Spreads from | N/A | 1 pips |
| Commission / lot | N/A | N/A |
| Inactivity fee | None | $25/month (after 12 months) |
| Deposit fee |
AJ Bell vs TradeStation 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 TradeStation: Detailed Category Breakdown
A closer look at the specific criteria each broker meets or misses within each scoring category.
1
AJ Bell
criteria win
5
TradeStation
criteria wins
Highlighted rows show where the two brokers differ
| Criteria | AJ Bell | TradeStation |
|---|---|---|
| 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 | Pass |
| Costs | ||
| Commission-free trading | Fail | Pass |
| No deposit fee | Pass | — |
| Features | ||
| Fractional shares | Fail | Pass |
| Dividend reinvestment (DRIP) | Pass | Fail |
| 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 | Fail |
| Phone support | Pass | Pass |
AJ Bell vs TradeStation: Frequently Asked Questions
The scores are close: AJ Bell rates 4.2/5 and TradeStation rates 4/5. 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.
TradeStation starts from 1. Current spread data is not available for AJ Bell. Check both brokers' websites for up-to-date spread and commission pricing.
TradeStation has no minimum deposit, while AJ Bell requires at least $500. This makes TradeStation more accessible for traders with limited starting capital.
Both AJ Bell and TradeStation 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.
For beginners, TradeStation has no minimum deposit, removing the capital barrier entirely. 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 TradeStation lists up to 50:1. 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 TradeStation supports Proprietary Web/Mobile. Both provide Proprietary Web/Mobile.
TradeStation 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.
Both AJ Bell and TradeStation 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.
