GO Markets and Hargreaves Lansdown present two distinct stock investing paths. The tension centers on platform breadth and regulation versus long-term investing wrappers and UK exposure.
Find out which stock broker best suits your investing profile.
Choose if…
Choose GO Markets if you want multi-platform trading with MT4/MT5 and cTrader.
Choose if…
| Editorial score | 3.5/ 5 | 4.3/ 5 |
|---|---|---|
| Min deposit | $200 | $1▼ lower |
| Spreads from | 0 pips | N/A |
| Commission / lot | $5/lot | N/A |
A closer look at the specific criteria each broker meets or misses within each scoring category.
| Criteria | GO Markets | 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 | Fail | Fail |
| Phone support | Pass | Pass |
Hargreaves Lansdown rates 4.3/5 versus 3.5/5 for GO Markets. Hargreaves Lansdown edges ahead on our composite score, though both brokers meet a reasonable standard for most traders.
GO Markets starts from 0. Current spread data is not available for Hargreaves Lansdown. Check both brokers' websites for up-to-date spread and commission pricing.
Hargreaves Lansdown has $1, while GO Markets requires at least $200. This makes Hargreaves Lansdown more accessible for traders with limited starting capital.
Both GO Markets 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, two factors stand out: Hargreaves Lansdown requires a lower minimum deposit ($1), lowering the barrier to entry, and GO Markets provides negative balance protection, capping losses at your deposit amount. Also compare demo account availability and educational resources before deciding.
GO Markets lists maximum leverage of 500:1, 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.
GO Markets charges $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.
GO Markets supports MetaTrader 4, MetaTrader 5, cTrader, while Hargreaves Lansdown supports Proprietary Web/Mobile. GO Markets has exclusive access to MetaTrader 4 and MetaTrader 5 and cTrader. Hargreaves Lansdown has exclusive access to Proprietary Web/Mobile.
Neither GO Markets 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 GO Markets 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.
Choose Hargreaves Lansdown if you want ISA and SIPP wrappers and a wide UK investment universe.
Which broker wins for each type of stock trader, based on costs, safety, features, and editorial scoring.
Hargreaves Lansdown has FCA regulation and FSCS protection, reflecting stronger trust metrics.
Hargreaves Lansdown offers ISA and SIPP wrappers, enabling long-term UK investing.
GO Markets provides MT4/MT5 and cTrader, supporting active trading.
Hargreaves Lansdown offers a widely used UK platform with ISA/SIPP access.
HL provides access to 20 exchanges versus GO Markets 6.
GO Markets offers competitive ECN spreads with transparent commission.
| 0.5 pips |
| N/A |
| Inactivity fee | None | None |
|---|
| Deposit fee | Free | Free |
|---|
| Deposit methods | Bank transferCredit cardDebit cardSkrillNetellerPayPal | Bank TransferDebit Card |
|---|
| Withdrawal methods | Bank transferCardSkrillNeteller | 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 ASIC FSC | FCA |
|---|
| Platforms | MetaTrader 4 MetaTrader 5 cTrader | Proprietary Web/Mobile |
|---|
| Active bonuses | None | 2 offers |
|---|
Hargreaves Lansdown edges GO Markets on editorial score due to stronger trust/regulation.
Dig deeper into each broker’s features, fees, and regulation.
Score 3.5 / 5
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