Both are FCA-regulated and FSCS-protected. The real difference is fees, account types and how each platform feels to use. Verified against each provider’s published charges.
Fees verified July 2026. Capital at risk. Information, not financial advice.
Investors who want funds and shares on one platform without paying Hargreaves Lansdown prices.
Active investors who want professional tools alongside long-term holdings.
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Account availability verified July 2026. Capital at risk. Information, not financial advice.
Reviewers repeatedly mention that the platform is easy to use and communication is clear. AJ Bell has been Which? Recommended for eight years running.
Occasional gripes about transfer times and the dealing charge compared with app-only rivals.
Read AJ Bell reviews on TrustpilotExperienced traders rate the platform quality, charting and market access.
Lower scores than rivals, with complaints about account queries and the complexity of the product range.
Read IG reviews on Trustpilot| Fee | AJ Bell | IG |
|---|---|---|
| Platform fee | 0.25% on funds up to £250k (tiered lower above); shares capped at £3.50/month in an ISA and £10/month in a SIPP | £0 (custody fee removed January 2026) |
| Share dealing | £5.00 per trade | £0 commission with instant currency conversion |
| Fund dealing | £1.50 per trade | Not available (shares and ETFs only) |
| FX fee | 0.75% on the first £10k, tiered lower above | 0.7% |
| Stocks & Shares ISA | Platform fee applies, no separate ISA charge | Free |
| SIPP | Platform fee applies, capped at £120/year for shares | Available, third-party administration fees apply |
| Withdrawals | Free | Free |
| Minimum to start | £25/month or £500 lump sum | No minimum |
AJ Bell sits in the sweet spot between cheap app-only brokers and expensive full-service platforms. You get funds, shares, ETFs, a well-regarded SIPP and a Lifetime ISA, with caps that keep costs sensible for share investors.
It suits people who want one account for everything, particularly ETF investors who benefit from the £3.50 monthly cap in an ISA. Fund-heavy portfolios above six figures should compare the 0.25% fee against a flat-fee platform like Interactive Investor.
IG is best known for trading, but its share dealing account and ISA became far more competitive in 2026 when it removed custody fees and commissions. You get institutional-quality tools with no platform charge.
The 0.7% currency conversion fee is the main cost to watch on US shares, and there are no traditional funds. It suits confident investors; beginners will find simpler homes elsewhere.
It depends on what you hold and how often you trade. AJ Bell's platform fee is 0.25% on funds up to £250k (tiered lower above); shares capped at £3.50/month in an ISA and £10/month in a SIPP, against £0 (custody fee removed January 2026) at IG. On dealing, AJ Bell charges £5.00 per trade for shares and £1.50 per trade for funds, while IG charges £0 commission with instant currency conversion for shares and not available (shares and ETFs only) for funds. Fees verified July 2026.
AJ Bell is best for investors who want funds and shares on one platform without paying Hargreaves Lansdown prices. IG is best for active investors who want professional tools alongside long-term holdings. Both are FCA regulated and covered by the FSCS.
On AJ Bell's ISA: Platform fee applies, no separate ISA charge. On IG's ISA: Free. IG offers a flexible ISA and AJ Bell does not. Minimums are £25/month or £500 lump sum at AJ Bell and No minimum at IG.
AJ Bell offers a SIPP (platform fee applies, capped at £120/year for shares). IG offers a SIPP (available, third-party administration fees apply).
AJ Bell scores 4.8 out of 5 on Trustpilot (Excellent) from around 14,000 reviews. IG scores 3.8 out of 5 (Great) from around 8,500 reviews. Occasional gripes about transfer times and the dealing charge compared with app-only rivals. Lower scores than rivals, with complaints about account queries and the complexity of the product range.
Yes. UK platforms accept ISA and SIPP transfers in, and you start the transfer with the receiving provider rather than the one you are leaving. AJ Bell charges free on withdrawals and IG charges free. Transfer as cash and you are out of the market while it settles; transfer in specie and you keep your holdings but it takes longer.
AJ Bell or IG, the account is the easy part. What decides when you can retire is how much goes in and for how long. Delphina works that out from what you already hold and what you pay in each month.
Free to check. No card required. Takes about two minutes.