Two established brokers clash over breadth and approach: HL emphasizes UK investing, research and reliability, while Skilling centers on CFDs and algorithmic options.
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.
| 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 |
A closer look at the specific criteria each broker meets or misses within each scoring category.
| 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 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.
Choose Skilling if…
Choose Skilling if you want 800+ share CFDs with algorithmic options, CySEC regulation with investor compensation, no inactivity fee on active accounts, and access to Skilling Trader and cTrader for advanced trading and competitive spreads.
Which broker wins for each type of stock trader, based on costs, safety, features, and editorial scoring.
Hargreaves Lansdown excels in safety and regulation with FCA oversight and FSCS protection.
Hargreaves Lansdown is best for long-term investors thanks to ISA and SIPP support.
Skilling suits active traders with CFD access and algorithmic options.
Hargreaves Lansdown is better for beginners, with a $1 minimum deposit and broad UK investments.
Hargreaves Lansdown offers broader global market access with 20 exchanges.
Skilling offers a $50 minimum and competitive variable 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 FSCA FCA |
|---|
| Platforms | Proprietary Web/Mobile | Skilling Trader MetaTrader 4 cTrader |
|---|
| Active bonuses | 2 offers | None |
|---|
Hargreaves Lansdown edges Skilling on editorial score (4.3 vs 3.7) and offers a broader UK investment universe and in house research.
Dig deeper into each broker’s features, fees, and regulation.
Score 3.7 / 5
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