interactive investor vs AJ Bell: which is better in 2026?
Point-by-point comparison
| Category | interactive investor | AJ Bell | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tax wrapper | ISA / SIPP tax wrapper | ISA / SIPP tax wrapper | Draw |
| Fees | £3.99/trade + monthly fee | £5.00/trade (shares) | AJ Bell |
| Regular investing | Free on eligible funds/ETFs | Free (since May 2026) | AJ Bell |
| Platform | 8/10 | 9/10 | AJ Bell |
| Market coverage | 8/10 | 9/10 | AJ Bell |
| Customer support | 8/10 | 8/10 | Draw |
The verdict
Overall, AJ Bell comes out slightly ahead in this comparison, but the difference depends heavily on what you're looking for: check the table above to see which criterion matters most for you.
Why choose interactive investor
- Flat monthly fee, ideal for medium-to-large portfolios where percentage fees would cost more
- £3.99 dealing fee, lower than Hargreaves Lansdown's £6.95
- ISA, SIPP and Trading Account can sit under one subscription
- Family plans allow multiple accounts under a single fee
Why choose AJ Bell
- SIPP share cap of £120/year, among the cheapest full-service SIPPs for share/ETF investors
- Regular investing now completely free, removing the last major pricing gap
- Offers Lifetime ISA and Junior SIPP, account types many rivals lack
- Eight consecutive years of Which? Recommended Provider status
Frequently asked questions
interactive investor or AJ Bell: which is cheaper?
AJ Bell is generally cheaper: £5.00/trade (shares), versus £3.99/trade + monthly fee for interactive investor.
interactive investor or AJ Bell: which has the simpler tax treatment?
Tax treatment is comparable between the two: interactive investor — ISA / SIPP tax wrapper; AJ Bell — ISA / SIPP tax wrapper.
interactive investor or AJ Bell: which is better for beginners?
AJ Bell tends to be more beginner-friendly, thanks to a stronger platform and customer support. interactive investor remains a solid choice if you're already familiar with the markets.
Can I set up regular investing on interactive investor and AJ Bell?
On interactive investor: Free on eligible funds/ETFs. On AJ Bell: Free (since May 2026).
interactive investor or AJ Bell: which is safer?
interactive investor: interactive investor is authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA). Client cash is protected under the Financial Services Compensation Scheme (FSCS) up to £85,000 per person, per authorised firm, and investments are ring-fenced separately from the company's own assets. AJ Bell: AJ Bell is authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA). Client cash is protected by the Financial Services Compensation Scheme (FSCS) up to £85,000 per person, per authorised firm, and investments are held separately from AJ Bell's own assets. With a market capitalisation exceeding £1.5 billion and eight consecutive years of Which? Recommended status, AJ Bell is considered one of the more institutionally stable platforms in the UK market.
Information on fees and features is accurate at the time of publication but may change: always check current terms on the broker's official website before opening an account. This is not financial advice.