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These two are the same kind of platform — established, full-service, funds and shares in ISAs and SIPPs — charging in structurally different ways. AJ Bell takes a percentage of what you hold; interactive investor takes a fixed sum each month regardless.
interactive investor (ii) becomes the cheaper platform at about £28,752. Below that balance AJ Bell’s percentage charge costs less; above it, interactive investor (ii)’s flat monthly fee does.
| AJ Bell | interactive investor (ii) | |
|---|---|---|
| Platform fee | 0.25% | £5.99/mo |
| UK dealing | £5 | £3.99 |
| US dealing | £5 | £3.99 |
| Lifetime ISA | Yes | No |
The whole decision is your balance, and the crossover figure above is the answer for your pot rather than in the abstract. Below it AJ Bell is cheaper; above it interactive investor is, and the gap widens the more you accumulate — which makes ii the better home for a pension you'll pay into for decades. Two things override the arithmetic: AJ Bell offers a LISA and ii doesn't, and if you deal often, ii's lower per-trade commission narrows the gap further in its favour.
AJ Bell review · interactive investor (ii) review · Compare every UK platform