Hargreaves Lansdownvs
ThinkMarketsStock Broker Comparison
This comparison pits a UK-focused, regulated retail platform against a global CFD broker with cross-market access. The tension centers on long-term investing features, regulatory certainty, and product scope.
Key Differences
- 1HL provides ISA and SIPP wrappers with full drawdown capability.
- 2ThinkMarkets offers 24/5 live chat and multilingual support.
- 3HL gives access to 20 exchanges compared with 12 for ThinkMarkets.
Who should choose Hargreaves Lansdown vs ThinkMarkets?
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.
Hargreaves Lansdown vs ThinkMarkets: Side-by-Side Stock Broker Comparison
 |  | |
|---|---|---|
| Editorial score | 4.3/ 5 | 3.8/ 5 |
| Min deposit | $1 | No minimum▼ lower |
| Spreads from | N/A | 0.4 pips |
| Commission / lot | N/A | $7/lot |
Hargreaves Lansdown vs ThinkMarkets 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 ThinkMarkets: Detailed Category Breakdown
A closer look at the specific criteria each broker meets or misses within each scoring category.
2
Hargreaves Lansdown
criteria wins
4
ThinkMarkets
criteria wins
Highlighted rows show where the two brokers differ
| Criteria | Hargreaves Lansdown | ThinkMarkets |
|---|---|---|
| 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 | Pass |
| Phone support | Pass | Pass |
Hargreaves Lansdown vs ThinkMarkets: Frequently Asked Questions
Hargreaves Lansdown rates 4.3/5 versus 3.8/5 for ThinkMarkets. Hargreaves Lansdown edges ahead on our composite score, though both brokers meet a reasonable standard for most traders.
ThinkMarkets starts from 0.4. Current spread data is not available for Hargreaves Lansdown. Check both brokers' websites for up-to-date spread and commission pricing.
ThinkMarkets has no minimum deposit, while Hargreaves Lansdown requires at least $1. This makes ThinkMarkets more accessible for traders with limited starting capital.
Both Hargreaves Lansdown and ThinkMarkets 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.
ThinkMarkets stands out for beginners: it has a lower entry point and provides negative balance protection, which caps losses at your deposited amount. Also compare demo account availability and educational resources before deciding.
Hargreaves Lansdown lists maximum leverage of 1:1, while ThinkMarkets 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.
ThinkMarkets charges $7 per trade on commission-based accounts. Commission details for Hargreaves Lansdown are not currently available. Check their website for up-to-date pricing. Stock commissions may be charged as a flat rate per trade or per share; confirm the exact structure on each broker's website.
Hargreaves Lansdown supports Proprietary Web/Mobile, while ThinkMarkets supports MetaTrader 4, MetaTrader 5, TradingView, Proprietary Web/Mobile. Both provide Proprietary Web/Mobile. ThinkMarkets has exclusive access to MetaTrader 4 and MetaTrader 5 and TradingView.
Neither Hargreaves Lansdown nor ThinkMarkets 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 ThinkMarkets 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.
