Dodl Review

Dodl is an app-only investment platform designed for novice investors making their first steps into the stock market. Their commission-free trading and low pricing undercut most of their competitors, giving the likes of Freetrade a run for their money.

Dodl only opened its virtual doors in the first half of 2022. Of course, coming under the umbrella of AJ Bell means that Dodl will feature AJ Bell funds as well as access to a limited number of stocks and ETFs.

The branding, investment range, and commission-free trading, certainly seems to be aimed at young investors or people just entering the investment space for the first time.

Who is Dodl?

Dodl is solely owned by AJ Bell, a publicly listed company on the London Stock Exchange. AJ Bell is already established as one of the UK’s leading investment platforms for retail investors, with 469,000 users holding over £73 billion in assets.

Who owns Dodl?

AJ Bell was originally founded in 1995 by Andy Bell and Nicholas Littlefair. During the time that AJ Bell floated on the London Stock Exchange, a significant stake in the company was awarded to Fergus Lyons, who today still retains 3.8 percent of the company.

Dodl product range overview

AJ Bell Fund range

These are ready-made investment portfolios that have been expertly put together by AJ Bell. There are just seven to choose from, with the aim of making investing as easy as possible. Investors are simply required to select their risk level and they are away and running. These ready-made portfolios come with six different risk levels and include the popular Responsible Growth Fund from AJ Bell.

Themed Investments

For those that prefer to invest in line with their values, Dodl is offering a selection of funds that invest in specific sectors and regions, all provided by some of the most established names in the investment world. These are ideal for investors looking to build their own portfolio using funds focused on responsible investing; however, it would still be your responsibility to ensure you were building a diversified investment portfolio.

Shares

There are only 50 shares to choose from here, narrowing down the choice significantly in an attempt to make investing in individual companies less daunting for novice investors. At this time, Dodl offers shares in UK and US companies, which can be browsed by country and category.

Dodl investment ISA

The major thing of note with the Dodl investment ISA is that it is a really cost-effective solution to investing. The flat fee of 0.15% of the value of your investments will be hard to beat elsewhere. The minimum deposit into the Dodl investment ISA is £100 or you can set up a monthly direct debit of £25.

Dodl Lifetime ISA

The lifetime ISA is one of the most efficient ways to save for a first home. It can only be used to purchase a home or for retirement once you meet the minimum retirement age of 60, so you will need to be comfortable locking your money away until such a time. Any withdrawals before this time will incur an early withdrawal charge of 25%.

You have to be aged between 18 and 39 to open an account and anything over the limit of £4,000 per annum can be paid into the investment ISA up to the value of £20,000 total.

Again, the annual charge of 0.15% makes the Dodl LISA excellent value.

Dodl General Investment Account

Whilst there is no tax wrapper with the GIA, it is a useful vehicle for anyone exceeding the ISA limit and still provides access to all of Dodl’s investment opportunities at the low annual cost of 0.15%.

Dodl Pension

The Dodl pension certainly represents excellent value and novice investors will be grateful for the pared-back investment options that put them in control of how their pension pot is invested. At the same excellent price, this also represents good value for money.

Dodl uninvested Cash

Dodl pays a 5.09% AER variable interest rate for uninvested cash on Lifetime ISA and Investment ISA accounts. The idea is that while investors learn and decide on where to invest their funds, they do not need to worry about losing out on interest rates. The interest is paid quarterly. 

Dodl customer service review

Dodl offers customer service via chat and email. When I tested the service, I found it to be extremely effective and inquiries are generally dealt with immediately. If there is a wait, Dodl will inform you by email when your query is answered, so you can get on with your day.

Dodl opening an account

Opening an account can be done easily by downloading the app and following the prompts. What I liked about Dodl is that they accept Apple and Google Pay, which is an extra convenience.

Dodl safety

AJ Bell is authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority as well as a member of the London Stock Exchange. All client funds are held in segregated FCA-approved banks, providing an additional layer of protection.

In addition, client funds are protected by the Financial Services Compensation Scheme, meaning you could claim up to £85,000 in the unlikely event that AJ Bell goes bust.

Dodl fees

The annual charge of 0.15% of the value of your investments is about as low a cost as you can hope to find anywhere. There is a minimum charge of £1 per month; however, not many low-cost platforms of this nature will provide access to a LISA.

There are no trading fees for buying and selling UK stocks; however, when you invest in funds, there will be an annual fee for the underlying fund, depending on the fund you select.

To give you an indication of how Dodl stacks up against other platforms, I have included the following table:

There are no withdrawal or deposit fees to contend with at Dodl making the Dodl platform a very competitive provider.

Who is Dodl suitable for?

Anyone who likes to buy and sell stocks regularly will definitely benefit from commission-free trading, however, you would need to be comfortable with the limited range of investments on offer. That being said, this really is a very low-cost proposition, even beating AJ Bell’s main investment platform in cost.

As one of the more established platforms, it’s easy to see where AJ Bell’s target audience lies with Dodl. They have successfully bridged the gap, providing a cheaper option for young investors.

Useful Information

This section contains useful information to make your experience at Dodl as seamless as possible.

How do I contact Dodl?

The best way to contact Dodl is by clicking on the live chat button on their website or from within the app. Alternatively, you can email them at [email protected]

How do I withdraw money from my Dodl savings account?

Before you attempt to withdraw your money, you should take a moment to consider that investing is recommended for a minimum term of 5 years. Should your investments suffer a loss, this is only a permanent loss once you sell. It is always best to ride out any volatility in the marketplace before you attempt a withdrawal. However, if you would still like to withdraw, then you simply need to log in and head to the section that reads ‘Withdraw Cash’.

How do I close my account at Dodl?

Simply email the support team at [email protected] and explain that you would like to withdraw your money.

Does Dodl provide access to overseas shares?

Yes, in addition to UK shares, Dodl offers US shares and a range of overseas funds.

Dodl FAQs