Provider comparison
AJ Bell vs HL pension fees
Side-by-side fee comparison based on published fee schedules
Direct answer: at a £100,000 pension pot, AJ Bell costs £250/year and HL costs £350/year in platform fees. AJ Bell is £100/year lower at £100,000 before fund charges.
AJ Bell
0.25% on first £250k, 0.1% on £250k–£500k, 0% above £500,000
Tiered percentage · 2,000+ funds, shares, ETFs, investment trusts
HL
0.35% on first £250k, 0.25% on £250k–£1M, 0.1% on £1M–£2M, 0% above £2M
Tiered percentage · 3,000+ funds, shares, ETFs, investment trusts, bonds
Annual platform fee comparison
POT SIZE
AJ Bell
HL
LOWER FEE BY
£25,000
£63
£88
AJ Bell by £25/yr
£50,000
£125
£175
AJ Bell by £50/yr
£100,000
£250
£350
AJ Bell by £100/yr
£250,000
£625
£875
AJ Bell by £250/yr
£500,000
£875
£1,500
AJ Bell by £625/yr
£1,000,000
£875
£2,750
AJ Bell by £1,875/yr
Platform fees only. Fund charges are additional. Both providers shown on equal terms, sorted by cost at each pot size.
Key differences
AJ Bell
HL
Fee model
Tiered percentage
Tiered percentage
Fund range
2,000+ funds, shares, ETFs, investment trusts
3,000+ funds, shares, ETFs, investment trusts, bonds
SIPP
Yes
No
Workplace
Yes
Yes
Min investment
£500 lump sum or £25/month
£1
Things to consider
- •Fees shown are platform fees only. Fund-level charges (OCF) are additional and vary by fund choice.
- •Fee structures change without notice. Always verify current fees on the provider's website.
- •The lowest platform fee is only one comparison point. Fund range, service, platform features, investment choice, and product restrictions also matter.
- •Before transferring any pension, check for exit fees, guaranteed annuity rates, employer contributions, and protected tax-free cash.
- •This comparison is factual information based on published fee schedules, not a recommendation to choose either provider.
- •If you're unsure which provider is right for you, speak to an FCA-regulated financial adviser.
This calculator provides estimates based on 2026/27 tax rates and is not financial advice. Scottish taxpayers are subject to different income tax rates and bands. The calculations assume your salary is your only source of income and do not account for benefits in kind or other taxable income.
For personalised guidance on your pension contributions, speak to an FCA-regulated financial adviser. You can find one via Unbiased or VouchedFor.