Hargreaves Lansdownvs
Interactive BrokersStock Broker Comparison
In this clash of UK-focused reliability versus global market access, Hargreaves Lansdown and Interactive Brokers vie on cost, breadth of markets, and long-term features.
Key Differences
- 1IBKR IPO platform provides IPO access.
- 2HL offers ISA wrapper; IBKR does not.
- 3IBKR provides advanced charting capabilities.
Who should choose Hargreaves Lansdown vs Interactive Brokers?
Find out which stock broker best suits your investing profile.
Choose if…
Choose Hargreaves Lansdown if you want the UK investment universe, ISA and SIPP wrappers, and strong platform reliability.
Choose if…
Hargreaves Lansdown vs Interactive Brokers: Side-by-Side Stock Broker Comparison
 |  | |
|---|---|---|
| Editorial score | 4.3/ 5 | 4.8/ 5 |
| Min deposit | $1 | No minimum▼ lower |
| Spreads from | N/A | 0.2 pips |
| Commission / lot | N/A | $2/lot |
Hargreaves Lansdown vs Interactive Brokers 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 Interactive Brokers: Detailed Category Breakdown
A closer look at the specific criteria each broker meets or misses within each scoring category.
1
Hargreaves Lansdown
criteria win
7
Interactive Brokers
criteria wins
Highlighted rows show where the two brokers differ
| Criteria | Hargreaves Lansdown | Interactive Brokers |
|---|---|---|
| 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 | Fail |
| Costs | ||
| Commission-free trading | Fail | Pass |
| No deposit fee | Pass | — |
| Features | ||
| Fractional shares | Fail | Pass |
| Dividend reinvestment (DRIP) | Pass | Pass |
| Extended hours trading | Fail | Pass |
| IPO access | Fail | Pass |
| Short selling | Fail | Pass |
| Stock screener tool | Pass | Pass |
| Support | ||
| Mobile app | Pass | Pass |
| Advanced charting tools | Fail | Pass |
| 24/5 live chat | Fail | Pass |
| Phone support | Pass | Pass |
Hargreaves Lansdown vs Interactive Brokers: Frequently Asked Questions
Interactive Brokers rates 4.8/5 versus 4.3/5 for Hargreaves Lansdown. Interactive Brokers edges ahead on our composite score, though both brokers meet a reasonable standard for most traders.
Interactive Brokers starts from 0.2. Current spread data is not available for Hargreaves Lansdown. Check both brokers' websites for up-to-date spread and commission pricing.
Interactive Brokers has no minimum deposit, while Hargreaves Lansdown requires at least $1. This makes Interactive Brokers more accessible for traders with limited starting capital.
Both Hargreaves Lansdown and Interactive Brokers 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, Interactive Brokers has no minimum deposit, removing the capital barrier entirely. Both brokers otherwise share similar beginner-facing criteria in our data. Also compare demo account availability and educational resources on each brokers's site.
Hargreaves Lansdown lists maximum leverage of 1:1, while Interactive Brokers lists up to 1:4. Available leverage depends on your jurisdiction. EU retail clients under ESMA rules are capped at 1:30 on major forex pairs.
Interactive Brokers charges $2 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.
Hargreaves Lansdown supports Proprietary Web/Mobile, while Interactive Brokers supports Trader Workstation (TWS), Proprietary Web/Mobile. Both provide Proprietary Web/Mobile. Interactive Brokers has exclusive access to Trader Workstation (TWS).
Interactive Brokers 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.
