AJ Bellvs
XMStock Broker Comparison
This comparison pits AJ Bell against XM across long-term investing features and platform scope. The axis is how wrappers, access and regulation shape real-world decisions.
Who should choose AJ Bell vs XM?
Find out which stock broker best suits your investing profile.
Choose if…
Choose AJ Bell if you want ISA and SIPP wrappers for tax-efficient investing.
Choose if…
Choose XM if you need 24/7 multilingual support and a broad CFD stock list.
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 XM: Side-by-Side Stock Broker Comparison
 |  | |
|---|---|---|
| Editorial score | 4.2/ 5 | 3.7/ 5 |
| Min deposit | $500 | $5▼ lower |
| Spreads from | N/A | 0.6 pips |
| Commission / lot | N/A | N/A |
| Inactivity fee | None | $5/month (after 90 days) |
| Deposit fee |
AJ Bell vs XM 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 XM: 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
XM
criteria wins
Highlighted rows show where the two brokers differ
| Criteria | AJ Bell | XM |
|---|---|---|
| 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 XM: Frequently Asked Questions
AJ Bell rates 4.2/5 versus 3.7/5 for XM. AJ Bell edges ahead on our composite score, though both brokers meet a reasonable standard for most traders.
XM 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.
XM has $5, while AJ Bell requires at least $500. This makes XM more accessible for traders with limited starting capital.
Both AJ Bell and XM 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.
XM 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 XM lists up to 1000:1. 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 XM supports MetaTrader 4, MetaTrader 5. AJ Bell has exclusive access to Proprietary Web/Mobile. XM has exclusive access to MetaTrader 4 and MetaTrader 5.
Neither AJ Bell nor XM 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 XM 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.
