Two brokers target different strengths: HL offers scale and UK breadth, while Libertex pushes pricing transparency and global tools. The tension hinges on cost, access, and long-term features.
Find out which stock broker best suits your investing profile.
Choose if…
Choose Hargreaves Lansdown if you want ISA and SIPP wrappers with full drawdown and broad UK access.
Choose if…
| Editorial score | 4.3/ 5 | 3.5/ 5 |
|---|---|---|
| Min deposit | $1▼ lower | $10 |
| Spreads from | N/A | 0 pips |
| Commission / lot | N/A | N/A |
| Inactivity fee | None | $5/month (after 180 days) |
| Deposit fee |
A closer look at the specific criteria each broker meets or misses within each scoring category.
| Criteria | Hargreaves Lansdown | Libertex |
|---|---|---|
| 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 | Fail |
| IPO access | Fail | Fail |
| Short selling | Fail | Pass |
| Stock screener tool | Pass | Fail |
| Support | ||
| Mobile app | Pass | Pass |
| Advanced charting tools | Fail | Pass |
| 24/5 live chat | Fail | Fail |
| Phone support | Pass | Pass |
Hargreaves Lansdown rates 4.3/5 versus 3.5/5 for Libertex. Hargreaves Lansdown edges ahead on our composite score, though both brokers meet a reasonable standard for most traders.
Libertex 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 Libertex requires at least $10. This makes Hargreaves Lansdown more accessible for traders with limited starting capital.
Both Hargreaves Lansdown and Libertex 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 Libertex provides negative balance protection, capping losses at your deposit amount. Also compare demo account availability and educational resources before deciding.
Hargreaves Lansdown lists maximum leverage of 1:1, while Libertex lists up to 999:1. 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 Libertex supports MetaTrader 4, MetaTrader 5, Proprietary Web/Mobile. Both provide Proprietary Web/Mobile. Libertex has exclusive access to MetaTrader 4 and MetaTrader 5.
Neither Hargreaves Lansdown nor Libertex 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 Libertex 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 Libertex if you want zero spreads with MT4/MT5 and multilingual support.
Which broker wins for each type of stock trader, based on costs, safety, features, and editorial scoring.
Hargreaves Lansdown wins safety & regulation with FCA oversight and FSCS protection.
Hargreaves Lansdown wins long-term investing with ISAs and SIPPs.
Libertex wins for active traders with MT4/MT5 and short selling.
Libertex wins for beginners thanks to multilingual support and a clean interface.
Hargreaves Lansdown wins global market access with broad exchange coverage.
Libertex wins for low-cost trading due to zero spreads.
| Free |
| Free |
| Deposit methods | Bank TransferDebit Card | Bank transferCredit cardDebit cardSkrillNeteller |
|---|
| Withdrawal methods | Bank Transfer | Bank transferCardSkrillNeteller |
|---|
| Withdrawal fee | Free | Free |
|---|
| Commission-free | No | No |
|---|
| Fractional shares | No | No |
|---|
| Dividend reinvestment | Yes | No |
|---|
| Extended hours | No | No |
|---|
| IPO access | No | No |
|---|
| Short selling | No | Yes |
|---|
| Regulators | FCA | CySEC |
|---|
| Platforms | Proprietary Web/Mobile | MetaTrader 4 MetaTrader 5 Proprietary Web/Mobile |
|---|
| Active bonuses | 2 offers | None |
|---|
Hargreaves Lansdown edges Libertex on the editorial score due to broader UK investment universe, research, and platform reliability.
Dig deeper into each broker’s features, fees, and regulation.
Score 3.5 / 5
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