This comparison pits easyMarkets' fixed share CFD spreads and risk tools against Hargreaves Lansdown's broad UK investment universe and strong regulation.
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Choose easyMarkets for 24/5 live chat, short selling, and advanced charting.
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| Editorial score | 3.4/ 5 | 4.3/ 5 |
|---|---|---|
| Min deposit | $25 | $1▼ lower |
| Spreads from | 0.7 pips | N/A |
| Commission / lot | N/A | N/A |
| Inactivity fee | None | None |
| Deposit fee |
A closer look at the specific criteria each broker meets or misses within each scoring category.
| Criteria | easyMarkets | 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 |
Hargreaves Lansdown rates 4.3/5 versus 3.4/5 for easyMarkets. Hargreaves Lansdown edges ahead on our composite score, though both brokers meet a reasonable standard for most traders.
easyMarkets 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.
Hargreaves Lansdown has $1, while easyMarkets requires at least $25. This makes Hargreaves Lansdown more accessible for traders with limited starting capital.
Both easyMarkets 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 easyMarkets provides negative balance protection, capping losses at your deposit amount. Also compare demo account availability and educational resources before deciding.
easyMarkets lists maximum leverage of 400:1, 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.
easyMarkets supports MetaTrader 4, MetaTrader 5, Proprietary Web/Mobile, while Hargreaves Lansdown supports Proprietary Web/Mobile. Both provide Proprietary Web/Mobile. easyMarkets has exclusive access to MetaTrader 4 and MetaTrader 5.
Neither easyMarkets 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 easyMarkets 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.
Choose Hargreaves Lansdown for ISA and SIPP wrappers plus integrated research tools and stock screening.
Which broker wins for each type of stock trader, based on costs, safety, features, and editorial scoring.
Hargreaves Lansdown wins safety & regulation with FCA oversight and FSCS protection.
Hargreaves Lansdown is best for long-term investors due to ISA/SIPP wrappers and dividend reinvestment.
easyMarkets is best for active traders due to high leverage and fixed spreads.
Hargreaves Lansdown is best for beginners with a low minimum deposit.
Hargreaves Lansdown offers broader global access with 20 exchanges.
easyMarkets is best for low-cost trading due to no per-trade commission indicated.
| Free |
| Free |
| Deposit methods | Bank transferCredit cardDebit cardSkrillNeteller | Bank TransferDebit Card |
|---|
| Withdrawal methods | Bank transferCardSkrillNeteller | 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 | HCMC CySEC MNB ASIC CNV | FCA |
|---|
| Platforms | MetaTrader 4 MetaTrader 5 Proprietary Web/Mobile | Proprietary Web/Mobile |
|---|
| Active bonuses | None | 2 offers |
|---|
Hargreaves Lansdown tops the editorial score due to stronger trust & regulation and better platforms, edging out easyMarkets.
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Dig deeper into each broker’s features, fees, and regulation.
Score 3.4 / 5
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