Admiralsvs
Hargreaves LansdownStock Broker Comparison
Admirals and Hargreaves Lansdown clash over cost models, investing features, and platform depth, forcing you to weigh regulation, access, and long term prospects.
Key Differences
- 1Admirals offers commission-free stock trades via Invest.MT5.
- 2HL provides ISA and SIPP wrappers with drawdown.
- 3HL has a proprietary platform with in-house research.
Who should choose Admirals vs Hargreaves Lansdown?
Find out which stock broker best suits your investing profile.
Choose if…
Choose Admirals if you want commission-free stock trades via Invest.MT5. You also get 24/5 live chat support and multilingual assistance.
Admirals vs Hargreaves Lansdown: Side-by-Side Stock Broker Comparison
 |  | |
|---|---|---|
| Editorial score | 4.0/ 5 | 4.3/ 5 |
| Min deposit | No minimum▼ lower | $1 |
| Spreads from | 0.5 pips | N/A |
| Commission / lot | $6/lot | N/A |
Admirals vs Hargreaves Lansdown Stock Broker Pros & Cons
Pros
- Real share ownership via Invest.MT5 at zero commission alongside leveraged share CFDs
- 4,500+ stocks and ETFs across MT4 and MT5 with MetaTrader Supreme Edition
- FCA, CySEC, and ASIC regulated, strong multi-jurisdictional profile
- No minimum deposit on standard accounts; FSCS protection for UK clients
Cons
- Invest.MT5 (real shares) and CFD account are separate products, no unified view
Admirals vs Hargreaves Lansdown: Detailed Category Breakdown
A closer look at the specific criteria each broker meets or misses within each scoring category.
5
Admirals
criteria wins
2
Hargreaves Lansdown
criteria wins
Highlighted rows show where the two brokers differ
| Criteria | Admirals | 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) | Pass | Pass |
| Costs | ||
| Commission-free trading | Pass | 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 | Pass | Fail |
| Phone support | Pass | Pass |
Admirals vs Hargreaves Lansdown: Frequently Asked Questions
The scores are close: Admirals rates 4/5 and Hargreaves Lansdown rates 4.3/5. Hargreaves Lansdown has a marginal edge in our scoring, but the difference is small enough that your specific priorities — fees, platforms, or regulatory jurisdiction — should guide the final choice.
Admirals starts from 0.5. Current spread data is not available for Hargreaves Lansdown. Check both brokers' websites for up-to-date spread and commission pricing.
Admirals has no minimum deposit, while Hargreaves Lansdown requires at least $1. This makes Admirals more accessible for traders with limited starting capital.
Both Admirals 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.
Admirals stands out for beginners: it has a lower entry point and provides negative balance protection, which caps losses at your deposited amount. Also compare demo account availability and educational resources before deciding.
Admirals lists maximum leverage of 20:1, 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.
Admirals charges $6 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.
Admirals supports MetaTrader 4, MetaTrader 5, while Hargreaves Lansdown supports Proprietary Web/Mobile. Admirals has exclusive access to MetaTrader 4 and MetaTrader 5. Hargreaves Lansdown has exclusive access to Proprietary Web/Mobile.
Admirals offers commission-free stock trading while Hargreaves Lansdown does not according to our data. Commission-free trading can reduce costs for frequent traders. Always confirm the current fee structure directly on each broker's website.
Both Admirals and Hargreaves Lansdown are covered by a compensation scheme according to our data, providing an additional safety net for your stock investments. Confirm the specific scheme and coverage limit that applies to your account before depositing.
