AJ Bell vs Freetrade: which is better? Comparison 2026
By our public methodology AJ Bell and Freetrade score the same — 80 out of 100. Below: where they differ by factor and by fact.
Score breakdown
| AJ Bell | Freetrade | |
|---|---|---|
| Safety | 95 | 79 |
| Cost | 38 | 100 |
| Products | 87 | 87 |
| Service | 100 | 42 |
Pros and cons
AJ Bell
- Long track record as a licensed firm
- Member of the national investor compensation scheme
- Wide choice of asset classes
- States officially that client assets are held separately from its own
- Charges a periodic account or custody fee
Freetrade
- Low commission on the reference order
- Member of the national investor compensation scheme
- Wide choice of asset classes
- States officially that client assets are held separately from its own
Facts side by side
| Fact | AJ Bell | Freetrade |
|---|---|---|
| Licensed since | 2001 register.fca.org.uk | 2017 register.fca.org.uk |
| Investor compensation scheme | Yes ajbell.co.uk | Yes freetrade.io |
| Commission on the reference order | 0.5% ajbell.co.uk | 0% freetrade.io |
| Client assets held separately | Yes ajbell.co.uk | Yes freetrade.io |
| Financial reports online | Yes ajbell.co.uk | Yes freetrade.io |
| No account or custody fee | No ajbell.co.uk | Yes freetrade.io |
| Asset classes (of 5) | 4 ajbell.co.uk | 4 freetrade.io |
| Tax-advantaged account | Yes ajbell.co.uk | Yes freetrade.io |
| Mobile app | Yes ajbell.co.uk | Yes freetrade.io |
| Open an account online | Yes ajbell.co.uk | Not verified |
| Support channels (of 3) | 3 ajbell.co.uk | 2 freetrade.io |
| Annual tax statement | Yes ajbell.co.uk | Not verified |