Two brokers face off on regulation, platform breadth and long-term investing features. One leans toward UK-focused investing, the other toward global stock CFDs and DMA access.
Find out which stock broker best suits your investing profile.
Choose if…
Choose BlackBull Markets if you want broad platform coverage across MT4, MT5, cTrader, TradingView, and IRESS. You gain access to 23,000+ share CFDs and genuine DMA via IRESS. This contrasts with HL's UK-focused universe and higher costs.
Choose if…
Choose BlackBull Markets if you want broad platform coverage across MT4, MT5, cTrader, TradingView, and IRESS. You gain access to 23,000+ share CFDs and genuine DMA via IRESS. This contrasts with HL's UK-focused universe and higher costs.
Which broker wins for each type of stock trader, based on costs, safety, features, and editorial scoring.
| Editorial score | 3.7/ 5 | 4.3/ 5 |
|---|---|---|
| Min deposit | No minimum▼ lower | $1 |
| 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 | BlackBull Markets | 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 | Pass | Fail |
| Phone support | Fail | Pass |
Hargreaves Lansdown rates 4.3/5 versus 3.7/5 for BlackBull Markets. Hargreaves Lansdown edges ahead on our composite score, though both brokers meet a reasonable standard for most traders.
BlackBull Markets starts from 0. Current spread data is not available for Hargreaves Lansdown. Check both brokers' websites for up-to-date spread and commission pricing.
BlackBull Markets has no minimum deposit, while Hargreaves Lansdown requires at least $1. This makes BlackBull Markets more accessible for traders with limited starting capital.
Both BlackBull Markets 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.
BlackBull Markets 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.
BlackBull Markets 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.
BlackBull Markets 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.
BlackBull Markets supports cTrader, MetaTrader 5, TradingView, DXtrade, MetaTrader 4, while Hargreaves Lansdown supports Proprietary Web/Mobile. BlackBull Markets has exclusive access to cTrader and MetaTrader 5 and TradingView and DXtrade and MetaTrader 4. Hargreaves Lansdown has exclusive access to Proprietary Web/Mobile.
Neither BlackBull Markets 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 provides compensation protection and FCA oversight.
Hargreaves Lansdown offers ISA and SIPP wrappers with drawdown capabilities.
BlackBull Markets provides five platforms including MT4/MT5, cTrader, TradingView, and IRESS.
Hargreaves Lansdown offers ISA and SIPP wrappers with drawdown and UK research.
BlackBull Markets offers broad global stock CFD access via 23,000+ share CFDs.
BlackBull Markets has no listed per-trade commission.
| 0.6 pips |
| N/A |
| Inactivity fee | None | None |
|---|
| Deposit fee | Free | Free |
|---|
| Deposit methods | Bank transferCredit cardDebit cardSkrillNeteller | Bank transferDebit card |
|---|
| Withdrawal methods | Bank transferCredit cardSkrillNeteller | 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 | FSC FMA | FCA |
|---|
| Platforms | cTrader MetaTrader 5 TradingView DXtrade MetaTrader 4 | Proprietary Web/Mobile |
|---|
| Active bonuses | None | 2 offers |
|---|
Hargreaves Lansdown edges BlackBull Markets in the editorial score. The higher score reflects stronger trust and regulation via HL's compensation scheme, while BlackBull offers broader platform breadth and global stock CFD access.
Dig deeper into each broker’s features, fees, and regulation.
Score 3.7 / 5
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