AvaTradevs
Hargreaves LansdownStock Broker Comparison
Two distinct approaches meet in this matchup between AvaTrade and Hargreaves Lansdown. The tension centers on cost structures, product breadth, and safety nets for investors.
Key Differences
- 1AvaTrade enables short selling on stock CFDs.
- 2Hargreaves Lansdown offers ISA and SIPP wrappers with dividend reinvestment.
- 3HL provides research tools and stock screener.
Who should choose AvaTrade vs Hargreaves Lansdown?
Find out which stock broker best suits your investing profile.
Choose if…
Choose AvaTrade if you value short selling on share CFDs. You also get 24/5 live chat support and access to MT4/MT5.
AvaTrade vs Hargreaves Lansdown: Side-by-Side Stock Broker Comparison
 |  | |
|---|---|---|
| Editorial score | 3.8/ 5 | 4.3/ 5 |
| Min deposit | $100 | $1▼ lower |
| Spreads from | 0.9 pips | N/A |
| Commission / lot | N/A | N/A |
| Inactivity fee | $50/month (after 3 months) | None |
| Deposit fee |
AvaTrade vs Hargreaves Lansdown Stock Broker Pros & Cons
Pros
- Fixed spread pricing on 600+ stock CFDs, cost predictability for systematic traders
- Available on MT4, MT5, AvaTradeGO, and DupliTrade copy-trading platform
- Regulated by CBI, ASIC, FSA (Japan), and FSRA (Abu Dhabi)
- Short selling available on all share CFDs
Cons
- CFDs only, no real stock ownership, ISA, or dividend reinvestment programme
AvaTrade vs Hargreaves Lansdown: Detailed Category Breakdown
A closer look at the specific criteria each broker meets or misses within each scoring category.
4
AvaTrade
criteria wins
2
Hargreaves Lansdown
criteria wins
Highlighted rows show where the two brokers differ
| Criteria | AvaTrade | 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 | 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 |
AvaTrade vs Hargreaves Lansdown: Frequently Asked Questions
Hargreaves Lansdown rates 4.3/5 versus 3.8/5 for AvaTrade. Hargreaves Lansdown edges ahead on our composite score, though both brokers meet a reasonable standard for most traders.
AvaTrade starts from 0.9. 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 AvaTrade requires at least $100. This makes Hargreaves Lansdown more accessible for traders with limited starting capital.
Both AvaTrade 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 AvaTrade provides negative balance protection, capping losses at your deposit amount. Also compare demo account availability and educational resources before deciding.
AvaTrade 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.
AvaTrade supports MetaTrader 4, MetaTrader 5, ZuluTrade, Proprietary Web/Mobile, while Hargreaves Lansdown supports Proprietary Web/Mobile. Both provide Proprietary Web/Mobile. AvaTrade has exclusive access to MetaTrader 4 and MetaTrader 5 and ZuluTrade.
Neither AvaTrade 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.
Both AvaTrade 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.
