Capital.comvs
Hargreaves LansdownStock Broker Comparison
This comparison weighs cost models, product breadth, and platform depth between Capital.com and Hargreaves Lansdown. Expect tensions between commission-free trading and long‑standing UK investment coverage.
Key Differences
- 1Capital.com offers commission-free trading while HL charges per trade.
- 2HL provides ISA and SIPP wrappers; Capital.com does not.
- 3Capital.com provides 24/7 live chat; HL has no live chat.
Who should choose Capital.com vs Hargreaves Lansdown?
Find out which stock broker best suits your investing profile.
Choose if…
Choose Capital.com if you want commission-free trading, active short selling, and advanced charting.
Capital.com vs Hargreaves Lansdown: Side-by-Side Stock Broker Comparison
 |  | |
|---|---|---|
| Editorial score | 3.9/ 5 | 4.3/ 5 |
| Min deposit | $20 | $1▼ lower |
| Spreads from | 0.6 pips | N/A |
| Commission / lot | N/A | N/A |
| Inactivity fee | $10/month (after 3 months) | None |
| Deposit fee |
Capital.com vs Hargreaves Lansdown Stock Broker Pros & Cons
Pros
- 4,000+ share CFDs across major global exchanges, wider than most regulated multi-asset brokers
- AI trading insights identify behavioural biases in equity trading decisions
- FCA, ASIC, and CySEC regulated with no commission and no minimum deposit
- No inactivity fee; 24/7 customer support
Cons
- Share CFDs only, no real ownership, ISA wrapper, dividends, or voting rights
Capital.com vs Hargreaves Lansdown: Detailed Category Breakdown
A closer look at the specific criteria each broker meets or misses within each scoring category.
5
Capital.com
criteria wins
2
Hargreaves Lansdown
criteria wins
Highlighted rows show where the two brokers differ
| Criteria | Capital.com | 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 | Pass | Pass |
| Support | ||
| Mobile app | Pass | Pass |
| Advanced charting tools | Pass | Fail |
| 24/5 live chat | Pass | Fail |
| Phone support | Fail | Pass |
Capital.com vs Hargreaves Lansdown: Frequently Asked Questions
The scores are close: Capital.com rates 3.9/5 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.
Capital.com starts from 0.6. 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 Capital.com requires at least $20. This makes Hargreaves Lansdown more accessible for traders with limited starting capital.
Both Capital.com 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 Capital.com provides negative balance protection, capping losses at your deposit amount. Also compare demo account availability and educational resources before deciding.
Capital.com 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.
Capital.com supports Proprietary Web/Mobile, while Hargreaves Lansdown supports Proprietary Web/Mobile. Both provide Proprietary Web/Mobile.
Capital.com 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 Capital.com 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.
