Two brokers sit at ends of the investing spectrum: one emphasizes UK regulation and depth, the other ultra-low deposits and multi-platform CFDs. This comparison teases where each approach gains traction.
Find out which stock broker best suits your investing profile.
Choose if…
Choose Exness if you want ultra-low minimum deposits and MT4/MT5 access.
Choose if…
Choose Hargreaves Lansdown if you want ISA and SIPP wrappers with UK share access and FSCS protection.
Which broker wins for each type of stock trader, based on costs, safety, features, and editorial scoring.
| Editorial score | 3.6/ 5 | 4.3/ 5 |
|---|---|---|
| Min deposit | $1 | $1 |
| Spreads from | 0.3 pips | N/A |
| Commission / lot | $3.5/lot | N/A |
A closer look at the specific criteria each broker meets or misses within each scoring category.
| Criteria | Exness | 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 3.6/5 for Exness. Hargreaves Lansdown edges ahead on our composite score, though both brokers meet a reasonable standard for most traders.
Exness starts from 0.3. Current spread data is not available for Hargreaves Lansdown. Check both brokers' websites for up-to-date spread and commission pricing.
Both Exness and Hargreaves Lansdown require a minimum deposit of $1 to open a live trading account.
Both Exness 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, Exness provides negative balance protection, capping losses at your deposit amount. Also compare demo account availability and educational resources on each broker's site before deciding.
Exness 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.
Exness charges $3.5 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.
Exness supports MetaTrader 5, MetaTrader 4, while Hargreaves Lansdown supports Proprietary Web/Mobile. Exness has exclusive access to MetaTrader 5 and MetaTrader 4. Hargreaves Lansdown has exclusive access to Proprietary Web/Mobile.
Neither Exness 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 Exness 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.
Hargreaves Lansdown is best for safety & regulation thanks to FCA oversight and FSCS protection.
Hargreaves Lansdown suits long-term investors with ISA/SIPP wrappers and dividend reinvestment.
Exness serves active traders with MT4/MT5 access and advanced charting.
Hargreaves Lansdown offers broader global access with 20 exchanges.
Exness is best for low cost trading due to the ultra-low $1 minimum deposit.
| 0.65 pips |
| N/A |
| Inactivity fee | None | None |
|---|
| Deposit fee | Free | Free |
|---|
| Deposit methods | Bank transferCredit cardDebit cardSkrillNetellerPerfect MoneyCryptoP2P | Bank transferDebit card |
|---|
| Withdrawal methods | Bank transferCredit cardSkrillNetellerPerfect MoneyCrypto | 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 | CySEC FCA FSCA OJK | FCA |
|---|
| Platforms | MetaTrader 5 MetaTrader 4 | Proprietary Web/Mobile |
|---|
| Active bonuses | None | 2 offers |
|---|
Hargreaves Lansdown wins on editorial score for stronger trust and regulation and a broader UK investment universe. Exness remains appealing for ultra-low deposits and multi-platform access.
Dig deeper into each broker’s features, fees, and regulation.
Score 3.6 / 5
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