Hargreaves Lansdownvs
Plus500Stock Broker Comparison
This matchup pairs Hargreaves Lansdown, a broad UK investment platform, against Plus500, a regulated CFD broker. The tension centers on cost models, access, and long-term features.
Key Differences
- 1ISA and SIPP wrappers are available with HL, not Plus500.
- 2HL provides proprietary research tools; Plus500 does not.
- 3HL offers 20 exchanges versus Plus500's 18.
Who should choose Hargreaves Lansdown vs Plus500?
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 capability. You also receive proprietary research on UK equities, stock screening, dividend reinvestment, access to 20 exchanges, and ongoing drawdown capability within ISA and SIPP wrappers.
Hargreaves Lansdown vs Plus500: Side-by-Side Stock Broker Comparison
 |  | |
|---|---|---|
| Editorial score | 4.3/ 5 | 3.6/ 5 |
| Min deposit | $1▼ lower | $100 |
| Spreads from | N/A | 0.6 pips |
| Commission / lot | N/A | N/A |
| Inactivity fee | None | $10/month (after 3 months) |
| Deposit fee |
Hargreaves Lansdown vs Plus500 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 Plus500: Detailed Category Breakdown
A closer look at the specific criteria each broker meets or misses within each scoring category.
3
Hargreaves Lansdown
criteria wins
3
Plus500
criteria wins
Highlighted rows show where the two brokers differ
| Criteria | Hargreaves Lansdown | Plus500 |
|---|---|---|
| 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 | Fail |
| 24/5 live chat | Fail | Pass |
| Phone support | Pass | Fail |
Hargreaves Lansdown vs Plus500: Frequently Asked Questions
Hargreaves Lansdown rates 4.3/5 versus 3.6/5 for Plus500. Hargreaves Lansdown edges ahead on our composite score, though both brokers meet a reasonable standard for most traders.
Plus500 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.
Hargreaves Lansdown has $1, while Plus500 requires at least $100. This makes Hargreaves Lansdown more accessible for traders with limited starting capital.
Both Hargreaves Lansdown and Plus500 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 Plus500 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 Plus500 lists up to 20:1. 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 Plus500 supports Proprietary Web/Mobile. Both provide Proprietary Web/Mobile.
Neither Hargreaves Lansdown nor Plus500 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 Plus500 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.
