FBSvs
Hargreaves LansdownStock Broker Comparison
FBS and Hargreaves Lansdown are pitted against each other as offshore CFDs and MT4/MT5 meet UK regulated stock investing with ISA/SIPP options.
Key Differences
- 1HL is FCA-regulated with FSCS protection; FBS operates offshore.
- 2HL provides access to 20 exchanges; FBS offers only 3.
- 3HL offers ISA and SIPP wrappers; FBS does not.
Who should choose FBS vs Hargreaves Lansdown?
Find out which stock broker best suits your investing profile.
Choose if…
Choose FBS if you want a $1 minimum deposit and MT4/MT5 with EA support.
Choose if…
FBS vs Hargreaves Lansdown: Side-by-Side Stock Broker Comparison
 |  | |
|---|---|---|
| Editorial score | 3.3/ 5 | 4.3/ 5 |
| Min deposit | $1 | $1 |
| Spreads from | 0 pips | N/A |
| Commission / lot | $20/lot | N/A |
FBS vs Hargreaves Lansdown Stock Broker Pros & Cons
Pros
- $1 minimum deposit, widest accessibility for equity CFD markets
- MT4/MT5 with full EA support for automated stock strategies
- 24/7 multilingual support across Asian and CIS markets
Cons
- Offshore regulation (IFSC Belize), minimal investor protection
- Limited stock selection vs dedicated equity brokers
FBS vs Hargreaves Lansdown: Detailed Category Breakdown
A closer look at the specific criteria each broker meets or misses within each scoring category.
3
FBS
criteria wins
4
Hargreaves Lansdown
criteria wins
Highlighted rows show where the two brokers differ
| Criteria | FBS | Hargreaves Lansdown |
|---|---|---|
| Trust & Regulation | ||
| Top-tier regulator (FCA, ASIC, SEC, etc.) | Fail | Pass |
| Segregated client funds | Pass | Pass |
| Negative balance protection | Fail | 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 | Pass | Pass |
FBS vs Hargreaves Lansdown: Frequently Asked Questions
Hargreaves Lansdown is the stronger choice: it rates 4.3/5 versus 3.3/5 for FBS, a gap that reflects clear differences across regulation, fees, and platform quality in our review.
FBS starts from 0. Current spread data is not available for Hargreaves Lansdown. Check both brokers' websites for up-to-date spread and commission pricing.
Both FBS and Hargreaves Lansdown require a minimum deposit of $1 to open a live trading account.
Hargreaves Lansdown holds top-tier regulation (FCA), providing stronger investor protections. FBS may be regulated but does not hold top-tier status in our data. Verify regulatory status on each regulator's public register before depositing funds.
Minimum deposit and negative balance protection data are not confirmed for this pair. Hargreaves Lansdown holds top-tier regulatory status, which provides a stronger safety baseline for newer traders. Also compare demo account availability and educational resources on each broker's site.
FBS lists maximum leverage of 3000:1, 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.
FBS charges $20 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.
FBS supports MetaTrader 4, MetaTrader 5, while Hargreaves Lansdown supports Proprietary Web/Mobile. FBS has exclusive access to MetaTrader 4 and MetaTrader 5. Hargreaves Lansdown has exclusive access to Proprietary Web/Mobile.
Neither FBS 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.
