Fee table at key portfolio sizes (ISA · Funds)
| Portfolio | AJ Bell | Barclays Smart Investor | Cheaper |
|---|
Monthly trading assumed. Verify fees at source before switching.
Features comparison
| Feature | AJ Bell | Barclays Smart Investor |
|---|---|---|
| Invests in | Funds, Etfs, Shares, Investment_trusts, Bonds, Gilts | Funds, Etfs, Shares, Investment_trusts, Bonds, Gilts |
| Stocks & Shares ISA | ✓ | ✓ |
| SIPP | ✓ | ✓ |
| GIA | ✓ | ✓ |
| Junior ISA | ✓ | ✓ |
| Flexible ISA | ✗ | ✗ |
| Fractional shares | ✗ | ✗ |
| Regular investing | ✓ | ✓ |
| Mobile app | ✓ | ✓ |
| FSCS protected | ✓ | ✓ |
| Founded | 1995 | 1690 |
Verdict
Investors who want full platform breadth at lower cost than Hargreaves Lansdown. The £42/yr ISA cap on ETFs and shares makes it especially competitive for portfolios above £17,000 investing in ETFs or stocks.
Fund investors who want zero annual cost with a full investment range — an unusual combination. Also suits investors who already bank with Barclays and want everything in one place. ETF and share investors pay £6/trade, making infrequent traders the best fit.
Use the calculator above to find the cheapest option for your specific portfolio size and investing style.
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Read our full reviews: AJ Bell review · Barclays Smart Investor review
Don't want to choose? You can hold ISAs with both AJ Bell and Barclays Smart Investor at the same time.