Hargreaves Lansdownvs
SkillingStock Broker Comparison
Two established brokers clash over breadth and approach: HL emphasizes UK investing, research and reliability, while Skilling centers on CFDs and algorithmic options.
Key Differences
- 1ISA and SIPP drawdown capability is available with HL only.
- 2Skilling offers 800+ share CFDs; HL focuses on direct ownership.
- 3Skilling provides advanced charting; HL lacks it.
Who should choose Hargreaves Lansdown vs Skilling?
Find out which stock broker best suits your investing profile.
Choose if…
Choose Hargreaves Lansdown if you want ISA and SIPP drawdown capabilities, in house UK research across a broad investment universe, FSCS protection, FCA regulation, and a platform noted for reliability during market stress, plus access to AIM shares inside ISA.
Hargreaves Lansdown vs Skilling: Side-by-Side Stock Broker Comparison
 |  | |
|---|---|---|
| Editorial score | 4.3/ 5 | 3.7/ 5 |
| Min deposit | $1▼ lower | $50 |
| Spreads from | N/A | 0.7 pips |
| Commission / lot | N/A | N/A |
| Inactivity fee | None | $10/month (after 90 days) |
| Deposit fee |
Hargreaves Lansdown vs Skilling 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 Skilling: 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
Skilling
criteria wins
Highlighted rows show where the two brokers differ
| Criteria | Hargreaves Lansdown | Skilling |
|---|---|---|
| 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 | Fail |
Hargreaves Lansdown vs Skilling: Frequently Asked Questions
Hargreaves Lansdown rates 4.3/5 versus 3.7/5 for Skilling. Hargreaves Lansdown edges ahead on our composite score, though both brokers meet a reasonable standard for most traders.
Skilling starts from 0.7. 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 Skilling requires at least $50. This makes Hargreaves Lansdown more accessible for traders with limited starting capital.
Both Hargreaves Lansdown and Skilling 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 Skilling 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 Skilling 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 Skilling supports Skilling Trader, MetaTrader 4, cTrader. Hargreaves Lansdown has exclusive access to Proprietary Web/Mobile. Skilling has exclusive access to Skilling Trader and MetaTrader 4 and cTrader.
Neither Hargreaves Lansdown nor Skilling 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 Skilling 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.
