This comparison pits Hargreaves Lansdown against Robinhood, testing cost, long-term features, and global access. The tension lies in who best balances broad investment options with user-friendly platforms.
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 gain a broad UK investment universe and phone support.
| Editorial score | 4.3/ 5 | 3.8/ 5 |
|---|---|---|
| Min deposit | $1 | N/A |
| Spreads from | N/A | N/A |
| Commission / lot | N/A | N/A |
| Inactivity fee | None | None |
| Deposit fee |
A closer look at the specific criteria each broker meets or misses within each scoring category.
| Criteria | Hargreaves Lansdown | Robinhood |
|---|---|---|
| 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 | Pass |
| Features | ||
| Fractional shares | Fail | Pass |
| Dividend reinvestment (DRIP) | Pass | Pass |
| Extended hours trading | Fail | Pass |
| 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 | Fail |
| Phone support | Pass | Fail |
Hargreaves Lansdown rates 4.3/5 versus 3.8/5 for Robinhood. Hargreaves Lansdown edges ahead on our composite score, though both brokers meet a reasonable standard for most traders.
Hargreaves Lansdown requires $1. Minimum deposit information is not currently available for Robinhood.
Both Hargreaves Lansdown and Robinhood 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.
Minimum deposit and negative balance protection data are not confirmed for this pair. Both hold top-tier regulatory status, meaning client fund protections apply to both. Also compare demo account availability and educational resources on each broker's site.
Hargreaves Lansdown lists maximum leverage of 1:1, while Robinhood 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.
Hargreaves Lansdown supports Proprietary Web/Mobile, while Robinhood supports Proprietary Web/Mobile. Both provide Proprietary Web/Mobile.
Robinhood 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.
Choose Robinhood if…
Choose Robinhood if you want commission-free trading and 24-hour access to US stocks. Fractional shares are available and the app is beginner-friendly.
Which broker wins for each type of stock trader, based on costs, safety, features, and editorial scoring.
Robinhood wins for low-cost trading with commission-free trades.
Hargreaves Lansdown is best for safety & regulation due to FCA oversight and FSCS protection.
Hargreaves Lansdown wins for long-term investors with ISA, SIPP wrappers and drawdown capability.
Robinhood wins for active traders with 24-hour US stock access and extended hours.
Robinhood wins for beginners due to a clean, beginner-friendly mobile interface.
Hargreaves Lansdown wins for global market access with broad exchange coverage.
| Free |
| Deposit methods | Bank TransferDebit Card | Bank TransferACHDebit Card |
|---|
| Withdrawal methods | Bank Transfer | Bank TransferACH |
|---|
| Withdrawal fee | Free | Free |
|---|
| Commission-free | No | Yes |
|---|
| Fractional shares | No | Yes |
|---|
| Dividend reinvestment | Yes | Yes |
|---|
| Extended hours | No | Yes |
|---|
| IPO access | No | No |
|---|
| Short selling | No | Yes |
|---|
| Regulators | FCA | SEC FINRA |
|---|
| Platforms | Proprietary Web/Mobile | Proprietary Web/Mobile |
|---|
| Active bonuses | 2 offers | 2 offers |
|---|
Hargreaves Lansdown is the editorial winner, scoring 4.3 to 3.8 for Robinhood. Hargreaves Lansdown also offers broader UK investment access and stronger reliability during market stress.
Dig deeper into each broker’s features, fees, and regulation.
Score 3.8 / 5
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