In this head to head, two UK and global stock platforms clash over breadth and cost. One emphasizes scale and research, the other focuses on commission-free access.
Find out which stock broker best suits your investing profile.
Choose if…
Choose Hargreaves Lansdown if you want ISA and SIPP wrappers plus in-house research tools.
Choose if…
| Editorial score | 4.3/ 5 | 3.9/ 5 |
|---|---|---|
| Min deposit | $1 | N/A |
| Spreads from | N/A | N/A |
| Commission / lot | N/A | N/A |
| Inactivity fee | None | None |
| Deposit fee | Free |
A closer look at the specific criteria each broker meets or misses within each scoring category.
| Criteria | Hargreaves Lansdown | Stake |
|---|---|---|
| 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 | Pass |
| Costs | ||
| Commission-free trading | Fail | Pass |
| No deposit fee | Pass | Pass |
| Features | ||
| Fractional shares | Fail | Fail |
| Dividend reinvestment (DRIP) | Pass | Fail |
| Extended hours trading | Fail | Fail |
| IPO access | Fail | Fail |
| Short selling | Fail | Fail |
| 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 |
The scores are close: Hargreaves Lansdown rates 4.3/5 and Stake rates 3.9/5. Hargreaves Lansdown 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.
Hargreaves Lansdown requires $1. Minimum deposit information is not currently available for Stake.
Both Hargreaves Lansdown and Stake 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. 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 Stake supports Proprietary Web/Mobile. Both provide Proprietary Web/Mobile.
Stake 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.
Both Hargreaves Lansdown and Stake 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 Stake if you want commission-free trades, no UK ISA, and access to only 3 exchanges.
Which broker wins for each type of stock trader, based on costs, safety, features, and editorial scoring.
Stake wins for low cost trading due to commission-free stock trades.
Equally matched.
HL wins for long-term investors with ISA and SIPP wrappers.
HL wins for active traders with proprietary research and broad UK access.
Stake wins for beginners with no account minimum.
HL wins for global access with 20 exchanges.
| Free |
| Deposit methods | Bank TransferDebit Card | Bank TransferCredit CardDebit Card |
|---|
| Withdrawal methods | Bank Transfer | Bank Transfer |
|---|
| Withdrawal fee | Free | Free |
|---|
| Commission-free | No | Yes |
|---|
| Fractional shares | No | No |
|---|
| Dividend reinvestment | Yes | No |
|---|
| Extended hours | No | No |
|---|
| IPO access | No | No |
|---|
| Short selling | No | No |
|---|
| Regulators | FCA | FCA ASIC |
|---|
| Platforms | Proprietary Web/Mobile | Proprietary Web/Mobile |
|---|
| Active bonuses | 2 offers | 2 offers |
|---|
Hargreaves Lansdown out-scores Stake overall, thanks to its broader UK investment universe, in-house research, and platform resilience.
Dig deeper into each broker’s features, fees, and regulation.
Score 3.9 / 5
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