ACY Securitiesvs
Hargreaves LansdownStock Broker Comparison
Two brokers stand at a crossroads of regulation, platform depth, and market reach. ACY Securities emphasizes regulated CFD execution; Hargreaves Lansdown offers a broad UK equities universe.
Key Differences
- 1ISA/SIPP wrappers available on HL but not on ACY.
- 2Short selling available on ACY but not on HL.
- 3HL offers access to 20 exchanges, ACY to 5.
Who should choose ACY Securities vs Hargreaves Lansdown?
Find out which stock broker best suits your investing profile.
Choose if…
Choose ACY Securities if you want ASIC regulation with negative balance protection and access to ECN execution for equity CFDs. You also gain MT4/MT5 with a full professional charting toolkit and segregated funds, though the share CFD universe is more limited than dedicated stock brokers.
ACY Securities vs Hargreaves Lansdown: Side-by-Side Stock Broker Comparison
 |  | |
|---|---|---|
| Editorial score | 3.6/ 5 | 4.3/ 5 |
| Min deposit | $50 | $1▼ lower |
| Spreads from | 0 pips | N/A |
| Commission / lot | $7/lot | N/A |
ACY Securities vs Hargreaves Lansdown Stock Broker Pros & Cons
Pros
- ASIC regulated with negative balance protection and segregated funds
- ECN execution on share CFDs with competitive pricing
- MT4/MT5 with full professional charting toolkit
Cons
- Limited share CFD selection vs dedicated stock brokers
- No real share ownership, CFDs only
ACY Securities vs Hargreaves Lansdown: Detailed Category Breakdown
A closer look at the specific criteria each broker meets or misses within each scoring category.
3
ACY Securities
criteria wins
3
Hargreaves Lansdown
criteria wins
Highlighted rows show where the two brokers differ
| Criteria | ACY Securities | Hargreaves Lansdown |
|---|---|---|
| Trust & Regulation | ||
| Top-tier regulator (FCA, ASIC, SEC, etc.) | Pass | Pass |
| Segregated client funds | Pass | Pass |
| Negative balance protection | Pass | Fail |
| Compensation scheme (e.g. FSCS, SIPC) | Fail | Pass |
| Costs | ||
| Commission-free trading | Fail | Fail |
| No deposit fee | — | Pass |
| Features | ||
| Fractional shares | Fail | Fail |
| Dividend reinvestment (DRIP) | Fail | Pass |
| Extended hours trading | Fail | Fail |
| IPO access | Fail | Fail |
| Short selling | Pass | Fail |
| Stock screener tool | Fail | Pass |
| Support | ||
| Mobile app | Pass | Pass |
| Advanced charting tools | Pass | Fail |
| 24/5 live chat | Fail | Fail |
| Phone support | Pass | Pass |
ACY Securities vs Hargreaves Lansdown: Frequently Asked Questions
Hargreaves Lansdown rates 4.3/5 versus 3.6/5 for ACY Securities. Hargreaves Lansdown edges ahead on our composite score, though both brokers meet a reasonable standard for most traders.
ACY Securities starts from 0. Current spread data is not available for Hargreaves Lansdown. Check both brokers' websites for up-to-date spread and commission pricing.
Hargreaves Lansdown has $1, while ACY Securities requires at least $50. This makes Hargreaves Lansdown more accessible for traders with limited starting capital.
Both ACY Securities and Hargreaves Lansdown hold licences from top-tier regulators, indicating a high standard of regulatory oversight. Check each broker's specific regulatory bodies to confirm coverage in your jurisdiction.
For beginners, two factors stand out: Hargreaves Lansdown requires a lower minimum deposit ($1), lowering the barrier to entry, and ACY Securities provides negative balance protection, capping losses at your deposit amount. Also compare demo account availability and educational resources before deciding.
ACY Securities lists maximum leverage of 500:1, while Hargreaves Lansdown lists up to 1:1. Available leverage depends on your jurisdiction. EU retail clients under ESMA rules are capped at 1:30 on major forex pairs.
ACY Securities charges $7 per trade on commission-based accounts. Commission details for Hargreaves Lansdown are not currently available. Check their website for up-to-date pricing. Stock commissions may be charged as a flat rate per trade or per share; confirm the exact structure on each broker's website.
ACY Securities supports TradingView, MetaTrader 4, MetaTrader 5, while Hargreaves Lansdown supports Proprietary Web/Mobile. ACY Securities has exclusive access to TradingView and MetaTrader 4 and MetaTrader 5. Hargreaves Lansdown has exclusive access to Proprietary Web/Mobile.
Neither ACY Securities nor Hargreaves Lansdown is listed as offering commission-free trading in our data. Compare each broker's commission schedule directly, as fees vary by account type and the markets you trade.
Hargreaves Lansdown scores higher on investor protection criteria, with compensation scheme coverage and segregated client funds. For stock investors, confirming compensation scheme coverage ensures your assets are protected up to a defined limit if the broker becomes insolvent.
