CMC Marketsvs
Hargreaves LansdownStock Broker Comparison
Two established brokers face off on regulation, platform quality, and access to international equities. The debate centers on cost versus long‑term investing features.
Who should choose CMC Markets vs Hargreaves Lansdown?
Find out which stock broker best suits your investing profile.
Choose if…
Choose CMC Markets if you want access to 10,000+ stock CFDs and the Next Generation platform.
Choose if…
Choose Hargreaves Lansdown if you want ISA/SIPP wrappers and a broad UK stock universe with reliable platform performance.
Verdict by Trader Profile
Which broker wins for each type of stock trader, based on costs, safety, features, and editorial scoring.
Best for safety & regulation
Recommended
CMC Markets 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 | 0.7 pips | N/A |
| Commission / lot | N/A | N/A |
| Inactivity fee | £10/month (after 12 months) | None |
| Deposit fee |
CMC Markets vs Hargreaves Lansdown Stock Broker Pros & Cons
Pros
- 10,000+ share CFDs across UK, US, European, Asian, and Australian exchanges
- Next Generation platform with stock screener, pattern recognition, and Reuters news
- LSE-listed company, strong financial transparency and FCA/ASIC regulation
- Short selling on shares available, go long or short on 10,000+ equities
Cons
- CFDs only, no real share ownership, ISA wrapper, or dividend reinvestment
CMC Markets vs Hargreaves Lansdown: Detailed Category Breakdown
A closer look at the specific criteria each broker meets or misses within each scoring category.
4
CMC Markets
criteria wins
1
Hargreaves Lansdown
criteria win
Highlighted rows show where the two brokers differ
| Criteria | CMC 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) | 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 | Pass | Pass |
| Support | ||
| Mobile app | Pass | Pass |
| Advanced charting tools | Pass | Fail |
| 24/5 live chat | Pass | Fail |
| Phone support | Pass | Pass |
CMC Markets vs Hargreaves Lansdown: Frequently Asked Questions
The scores are close: CMC Markets 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.
CMC Markets starts from 0.7. Current spread data is not available for Hargreaves Lansdown. Check both brokers' websites for up-to-date spread and commission pricing.
CMC Markets has no minimum deposit, while Hargreaves Lansdown requires at least $1. This makes CMC Markets more accessible for traders with limited starting capital.
Both CMC 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.
CMC 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.
CMC 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.
CMC Markets supports Proprietary Web/Mobile, ProRealTime, MetaTrader 4, while Hargreaves Lansdown supports Proprietary Web/Mobile. Both provide Proprietary Web/Mobile. CMC Markets has exclusive access to ProRealTime and MetaTrader 4.
Neither CMC 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.
Both CMC Markets 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.
