Hargreaves Lansdownvs
IGStock Broker Comparison
Two established brokers clash on scope, regulation, and tools. The tension centers on cost, global access, and platform breadth.
Who should choose Hargreaves Lansdown vs IG?
Find out which stock broker best suits your investing profile.
Choose if…
Choose Hargreaves Lansdown if you want a SIPP wrapper and dividend reinvestment.
Choose if…
Choose IG if you need short selling, extended hours trading, and multilingual support.
Verdict by Trader Profile
Which broker wins for each type of stock trader, based on costs, safety, features, and editorial scoring.
Best for safety & regulation
Recommended
Hargreaves Lansdown vs IG: Side-by-Side Stock Broker Comparison
 |  | |
|---|---|---|
| Editorial score | 4.3/ 5 | 4.5/ 5 |
| Min deposit | $1 | No minimum▼ lower |
| Spreads from | N/A | 0.6 pips |
| Commission / lot | N/A | N/A |
| Inactivity fee | None | £12/month (after 24 months) |
| Deposit fee |
Hargreaves Lansdown vs IG Stock Broker Pros & Cons
Pros
- UK's largest retail investment platform with over £150bn AUA
- Broadest UK investment universe including AIM shares inside ISA
- Stocks & Shares ISA and SIPP with full drawdown capability
- Proprietary research team covering UK equities and funds
- FTSE 100-listed, FCA-regulated with FSCS protection
- Proven platform reliability during market stress events
Cons
Hargreaves Lansdown vs IG: Detailed Category Breakdown
A closer look at the specific criteria each broker meets or misses within each scoring category.
1
Hargreaves Lansdown
criteria win
4
IG
criteria wins
Highlighted rows show where the two brokers differ
| Criteria | Hargreaves Lansdown | IG |
|---|---|---|
| Trust & Regulation | ||
| Top-tier regulator (FCA, ASIC, SEC, etc.) | Pass | Pass |
| Segregated client funds | Pass | Pass |
| Negative balance protection | Fail | Pass |
| 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) | Pass | Fail |
| Extended hours trading | Fail | Pass |
| IPO access | Fail | Fail |
| Short selling | Fail | Pass |
| Stock screener tool | Pass | Pass |
| Support | ||
| Mobile app | Pass | Pass |
| Advanced charting tools | Fail | Pass |
| 24/5 live chat | Fail | Fail |
| Phone support | Pass | Pass |
Hargreaves Lansdown vs IG: Frequently Asked Questions
The scores are close: Hargreaves Lansdown rates 4.3/5 and IG rates 4.5/5. IG 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.
IG starts from 0.6. Current spread data is not available for Hargreaves Lansdown. Check both brokers' websites for up-to-date spread and commission pricing.
IG has no minimum deposit, while Hargreaves Lansdown requires at least $1. This makes IG more accessible for traders with limited starting capital.
Both Hargreaves Lansdown and IG 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.
IG stands out for beginners: it has a lower entry point and provides negative balance protection, which caps losses at your deposited amount. Also compare demo account availability and educational resources before deciding.
Hargreaves Lansdown lists maximum leverage of 1:1, while IG 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.
Hargreaves Lansdown supports Proprietary Web/Mobile, while IG supports ProRealTime, Proprietary Web/Mobile, TradingView, MetaTrader 4. Both provide Proprietary Web/Mobile. IG has exclusive access to ProRealTime and TradingView and MetaTrader 4.
Neither Hargreaves Lansdown nor IG 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 Hargreaves Lansdown and IG 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.
