Two brokers are compared on trust, platforms, and costs in a global equities context. The tension centers on regulation, breadth of offering, and long term investing capabilities.
Find out which stock broker best suits your investing profile.
Choose if…
Choose Alpari International if you want a $5 minimum deposit and CFD access to major equities. You operate under offshore regulation with minimal investor protection.
Choose if…
Choose Hargreaves Lansdown if you want ISA and SIPP wrappers for long-term investing. You access FCA regulation with FSCS protection and a proprietary platform with built-in research tools.
Which broker wins for each type of stock trader, based on costs, safety, features, and editorial scoring.
| Editorial score | 3.3/ 5 | 4.3/ 5 |
|---|---|---|
| Min deposit | $5 | $1▼ lower |
| Spreads from | 0 pips | N/A |
| Commission / lot | $6/lot | N/A |
A closer look at the specific criteria each broker meets or misses within each scoring category.
| Criteria | Alpari International | Hargreaves Lansdown |
|---|---|---|
| Trust & Regulation | ||
| Top-tier regulator (FCA, ASIC, SEC, etc.) | Fail | Pass |
| Segregated client funds | Pass | Pass |
| Negative balance protection | Fail | 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 | Pass | Fail |
| Phone support | Pass | Pass |
Hargreaves Lansdown is the stronger choice: it rates 4.3/5 versus 3.3/5 for Alpari International, a gap that reflects clear differences across regulation, fees, and platform quality in our review.
Alpari International 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 Alpari International requires at least $5. This makes Hargreaves Lansdown more accessible for traders with limited starting capital.
Hargreaves Lansdown holds top-tier regulation (FCA), providing stronger investor protections. Alpari International may be regulated but does not hold top-tier status in our data. Verify regulatory status on each regulator's public register before depositing funds.
For beginners, Hargreaves Lansdown requires a lower minimum deposit ($1), lowering the barrier to entry. Both brokers otherwise share similar beginner-facing criteria in our data. Also compare demo account availability and educational resources on each brokers's site.
Alpari International lists maximum leverage of 1000:1, 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.
Alpari International 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.
Alpari International supports MetaTrader 4, MetaTrader 5, while Hargreaves Lansdown supports Proprietary Web/Mobile. Alpari International has exclusive access to MetaTrader 4 and MetaTrader 5. Hargreaves Lansdown has exclusive access to Proprietary Web/Mobile.
Neither Alpari International 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.
Hargreaves Lansdown is FCA-regulated with FSCS protection.
Hargreaves Lansdown offers ISA and SIPP wrappers for long-term investing.
Alpari International provides MT4/MT5 and EA support for automation.
Alpari International has a $5 minimum deposit for quick entry.
Hargreaves Lansdown covers broader global access with 20 exchanges.
Hargreaves Lansdown offers a lower entry barrier with a $1 minimum deposit.
| 0.6 pips |
| N/A |
| Inactivity fee | None | None |
|---|
| Deposit fee | Free | Free |
|---|
| Deposit methods | Bank transferCredit cardDebit cardSkrillNetellerWebMoneyCrypto | Bank transferDebit card |
|---|
| Withdrawal methods | Bank transferCredit cardSkrillNetellerWebMoneyCrypto | Bank transfer |
|---|
| Withdrawal fee | Free | Free |
|---|
| Commission-free | No | No |
|---|
| Fractional shares | No | No |
|---|
| Dividend reinvestment | No | Yes |
|---|
| Extended hours | No | No |
|---|
| IPO access | No | No |
|---|
| Short selling | Yes | No |
|---|
| Regulators | FSCA FSC | FCA |
|---|
| Platforms | MetaTrader 4 MetaTrader 5 | Proprietary Web/Mobile |
|---|
| Active bonuses | None | 2 offers |
|---|
Hargreaves Lansdown wins on editorial score and stronger regulatory oversight compared with Alpari International.
Dig deeper into each broker’s features, fees, and regulation.
Score 3.3 / 5
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