FBS and Hargreaves Lansdown are pitted against each other as offshore CFDs and MT4/MT5 meet UK regulated stock investing with ISA/SIPP options.
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…
| Editorial score | 3.3/ 5 | 4.3/ 5 |
|---|---|---|
| Min deposit | $1 | $1 |
| Spreads from | 0 pips | N/A |
| Commission / lot | $20/lot | N/A |
A closer look at the specific criteria each broker meets or misses within each scoring category.
| 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 |
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.
Choose Hargreaves Lansdown if you want FCA regulation with FSCS protection and ISA/SIPP access.
Which broker wins for each type of stock trader, based on costs, safety, features, and editorial scoring.
Hargreaves Lansdown wins for safety and regulation, with FCA oversight and FSCS protection.
Hargreaves Lansdown wins for long-term investing with ISA and SIPP options.
FBS wins for active trading with MT4/MT5 and EA support.
Equally matched; both offer a $1 minimum and straightforward onboarding.
HL wins for global market access with 20 exchanges.
FBS wins for low cost trading due to its higher Fees & Spreads rating.
| 2 pips |
| N/A |
| Inactivity fee | None | None |
|---|
| Deposit fee | Free | Free |
|---|
| Deposit methods | Bank transferCredit cardDebit cardSkrillNetellerFasaPayPerfect Money | Bank TransferDebit Card |
|---|
| Withdrawal methods | Bank transferCardSkrillNetellerFasaPayPerfectMoney | 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 | IFSC CySEC FSCA | FCA |
|---|
| Platforms | MetaTrader 4 MetaTrader 5 | Proprietary Web/Mobile |
|---|
| Active bonuses | None | 2 offers |
|---|
Hargreaves Lansdown outpaces FBS on editorial score due to stronger trust/regulation and broader UK market access. FBS offers lower entry costs and MT4/MT5 support for automated strategies.
Dig deeper into each broker’s features, fees, and regulation.
Score 3.3 / 5
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