Fidelityvs
Hargreaves LansdownStock Broker Comparison
Fidelity and Hargreaves Lansdown clash on cost, access, and platforms, pitting US-focused, commission-free trading against a broad UK investment universe.
Key Differences
- 1Fidelity offers commission-free US stocks and ETFs; HL charges per trade.
- 2HL offers ISA and SIPP wrappers; Fidelity does not.
- 3Fidelity provides excess SIPC coverage up to $1B; HL relies on FSCS.
Who should choose Fidelity vs Hargreaves Lansdown?
Find out which stock broker best suits your investing profile.
Choose if…
Choose Fidelity if you want commission-free US stock trading and zero-expense index funds.
Fidelity vs Hargreaves Lansdown: Side-by-Side Stock Broker Comparison
 |  | |
|---|---|---|
| Editorial score | 4.6/ 5 | 4.3/ 5 |
| Min deposit | N/A | $1 |
| Spreads from | N/A | N/A |
| Commission / lot | N/A | N/A |
| Inactivity fee | None | None |
| Deposit fee |
Fidelity vs Hargreaves Lansdown Stock Broker Pros & Cons
Pros
- Proprietary ZERO expense ratio index funds with no investment minimum
- Commission-free US stock and ETF trading
- Active Trader Pro platform with advanced equity and options tools
- Research from 20+ third-party providers including Morningstar and Zacks
- Best-in-class fixed income desk with competitive bond markups
- Excess SIPC coverage up to $1 billion per customer
Cons
Fidelity vs Hargreaves Lansdown: Detailed Category Breakdown
A closer look at the specific criteria each broker meets or misses within each scoring category.
6
Fidelity
criteria wins
1
Hargreaves Lansdown
criteria win
Highlighted rows show where the two brokers differ
| Criteria | Fidelity | Hargreaves Lansdown |
|---|---|---|
| Trust & Regulation | ||
| Top-tier regulator (FCA, ASIC, SEC, etc.) | Pass | Pass |
| Segregated client funds | Pass | Pass |
| Negative balance protection | Fail | Fail |
| Compensation scheme (e.g. FSCS, SIPC) | Fail | Pass |
| Costs | ||
| Commission-free trading | Pass | Fail |
| No deposit fee | Pass | Pass |
| Features | ||
| Fractional shares | Pass | Fail |
| Dividend reinvestment (DRIP) | Pass | Pass |
| Extended hours trading | Pass | 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 |
Fidelity vs Hargreaves Lansdown: Frequently Asked Questions
The scores are close: Fidelity rates 4.6/5 and Hargreaves Lansdown rates 4.3/5. Fidelity 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.
Hargreaves Lansdown requires $1. Minimum deposit information is not currently available for Fidelity.
Both Fidelity 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.
Minimum deposit and negative balance protection data are not confirmed for this pair. Both hold top-tier regulatory status, meaning client fund protections apply to both. Also compare demo account availability and educational resources on each broker's site.
Fidelity lists maximum leverage of 1:4, 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.
Fidelity supports Proprietary Web/Mobile, Active Trader Pro, while Hargreaves Lansdown supports Proprietary Web/Mobile. Both provide Proprietary Web/Mobile. Fidelity has exclusive access to Active Trader Pro.
Fidelity offers commission-free stock trading while Hargreaves Lansdown does not according to our data. Commission-free trading can reduce costs for frequent traders. Always confirm the current fee structure directly on each broker's website.
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.
