Freetradevs
Hargreaves LansdownStock Broker Comparison
This comparison pits two UK investment platforms with different approaches to cost, breadth, and usability. One emphasizes fee-free trading on mobile, the other combines broad universe with strong regulation.
Who should choose Freetrade vs Hargreaves Lansdown?
Find out which stock broker best suits your investing profile.
Choose if…
Choose Freetrade if you want commission-free trading and no minimum deposit. The mobile experience is beginner-friendly and ISA/SIPP are supported.
Choose if…
Choose Hargreaves Lansdown if you need the broadest UK investment universe and strong research. ISA/SIPP with drawdown and FSCS protection come with a trusted platform.
Verdict by Trader Profile
Which broker wins for each type of stock trader, based on costs, safety, features, and editorial scoring.
Best for low cost trading
Recommended
Freetrade vs Hargreaves Lansdown: Side-by-Side Stock Broker Comparison
 |  | |
|---|---|---|
| Editorial score | 4.0/ 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 |
Freetrade vs Hargreaves Lansdown Stock Broker Pros & Cons
Pros
- Commission-free stocks and ETF trading
- Both Stocks & Shares ISA and SIPP available
- Clean, beginner-friendly mobile interface
- FCA regulated with FSCS protection
- No minimum deposit requirement
Cons
- Narrower stock universe than full-service brokers
Freetrade vs Hargreaves Lansdown: Detailed Category Breakdown
A closer look at the specific criteria each broker meets or misses within each scoring category.
2
Freetrade
criteria wins
3
Hargreaves Lansdown
criteria wins
Highlighted rows show where the two brokers differ
| Criteria | Freetrade | 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) | Pass | Pass |
| Costs | ||
| Commission-free trading | Pass | Fail |
| No deposit fee | Pass | Pass |
| Features | ||
| Fractional shares | Pass | Fail |
| Dividend reinvestment (DRIP) | Fail | Pass |
| Extended hours trading | Fail | Fail |
| IPO access | Fail | Fail |
| Short selling | Fail | Fail |
| Stock screener tool | Fail | Pass |
| Support | ||
| Mobile app | Pass | Pass |
| Advanced charting tools | Fail | Fail |
| 24/5 live chat | Fail | Fail |
| Phone support | Fail | Pass |
Freetrade vs Hargreaves Lansdown: Frequently Asked Questions
The scores are close: Freetrade rates 4/5 and Hargreaves Lansdown rates 4.3/5. Hargreaves Lansdown 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 Freetrade.
Both Freetrade 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.
Freetrade lists maximum leverage of 1:1, 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.
Freetrade supports Freetrade App, while Hargreaves Lansdown supports Proprietary Web/Mobile. Freetrade has exclusive access to Freetrade App. Hargreaves Lansdown has exclusive access to Proprietary Web/Mobile.
Freetrade 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.
Both Freetrade 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.
