This comparison pits two full-service brokers against each other on scope, cost, and platform sophistication. HL leans UK-focused and reliable, while Saxo Bank emphasizes global access and advanced tools.
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.
Choose if…
Choose Saxo Bank if you want short selling, extended hours, and global access.
Which broker wins for each type of stock trader, based on costs, safety, features, and editorial scoring.
| Editorial score | 4.3/ 5 | 4.5/ 5 |
|---|---|---|
| Min deposit | $1▼ lower | $2,000 |
| Spreads from | N/A | 0.6 pips |
| Commission / lot | N/A | N/A |
| Inactivity fee | None | $100/quarter (low-balance accounts) |
| Deposit fee |
A closer look at the specific criteria each broker meets or misses within each scoring category.
| Criteria | Hargreaves Lansdown | Saxo Bank |
|---|---|---|
| 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 | Pass |
| 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 |
The scores are close: Hargreaves Lansdown rates 4.3/5 and Saxo Bank rates 4.5/5. Saxo Bank 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.
Saxo Bank 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 Saxo Bank requires at least $2000. This makes Hargreaves Lansdown more accessible for traders with limited starting capital.
Both Hargreaves Lansdown and Saxo Bank 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 Saxo Bank 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 Saxo Bank lists up to 1:5. 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 Saxo Bank supports SaxoTraderGO, Proprietary Web/Mobile. Both provide Proprietary Web/Mobile. Saxo Bank has exclusive access to SaxoTraderGO.
Neither Hargreaves Lansdown nor Saxo Bank 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 Saxo Bank 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.
Hargreaves Lansdown wins for safety & regulation with top Trust & Regulation score.
Hargreaves Lansdown wins for long-term investing with ISA and SIPP wrappers.
Saxo Bank wins for active traders with advanced tools and extended hours.
Hargreaves Lansdown wins for beginners with UK-focused platform and ISA compatibility.
Saxo Bank wins for global access with 50 exchanges and 60k instruments.
| Free |
| Free |
| Deposit methods | Bank transferDebit card | Bank transferCredit cardDebit card |
|---|
| Withdrawal methods | Bank transfer | Bank transfer |
|---|
| Withdrawal fee | Free | Free |
|---|
| Commission-free | No | No |
|---|
| Fractional shares | No | No |
|---|
| Dividend reinvestment | Yes | Yes |
|---|
| Extended hours | No | Yes |
|---|
| IPO access | No | No |
|---|
| Short selling | No | Yes |
|---|
| Regulators | FCA | JFSA CNMV MAS DFSA Finansinspektionen MFSA KNF SFC CBI ACPR CMA FCA ASIC Finanstilsynet FINMA Finanstilsynet FSC |
|---|
| Platforms | Proprietary Web/Mobile | SaxoTraderGO Proprietary Web/Mobile |
|---|
| Active bonuses | 2 offers | 2 offers |
|---|
Saxo Bank edges Hargreaves Lansdown on the editorial score, supported by stronger platforms and broader global access.
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Dig deeper into each broker’s features, fees, and regulation.
Score 4.3 / 5
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