Hargreaves Lansdownvs
Trading 212Stock Broker Comparison
Hargreaves Lansdown and Trading 212 face off on cost, access, and platform features. The debate centers on breadth of investment universe versus commission-free trading.
Key Differences
- 1Trading 212 offers commission-free stock and ETF trades.
- 2Trading 212 enables fractional shares from €1.
- 3Hargreaves Lansdown offers SIPP integration while Trading 212 does not.
Who should choose Hargreaves Lansdown vs Trading 212?
Find out which stock broker best suits your investing profile.
Choose if…
Choose Hargreaves Lansdown if you value SIPP and ISA depth with a broad UK universe.
Choose if…
Hargreaves Lansdown vs Trading 212: Side-by-Side Stock Broker Comparison
 |  | |
|---|---|---|
| Editorial score | 4.3/ 5 | 4.2/ 5 |
| Min deposit | $1 | $1 |
| Spreads from | N/A | N/A |
| Commission / lot | N/A | N/A |
| Inactivity fee | None | None |
| Deposit fee | Free |
Hargreaves Lansdown vs Trading 212 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 Trading 212: Detailed Category Breakdown
A closer look at the specific criteria each broker meets or misses within each scoring category.
2
Hargreaves Lansdown
criteria wins
3
Trading 212
criteria wins
Highlighted rows show where the two brokers differ
| Criteria | Hargreaves Lansdown | Trading 212 |
|---|---|---|
| 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 | Pass |
| No deposit fee | Pass | Pass |
| Features | ||
| Fractional shares | Fail | Pass |
| Dividend reinvestment (DRIP) | Pass | Pass |
| 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 |
Hargreaves Lansdown vs Trading 212: Frequently Asked Questions
The scores are close: Hargreaves Lansdown rates 4.3/5 and Trading 212 rates 4.2/5. 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.
Both Hargreaves Lansdown and Trading 212 require a minimum deposit of $1 to open a live trading account.
Both Hargreaves Lansdown and Trading 212 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, Trading 212 provides negative balance protection, capping losses at your deposit amount. Also compare demo account availability and educational resources on each broker's site before deciding.
Hargreaves Lansdown lists maximum leverage of 1:1, while Trading 212 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 Trading 212 supports Trading 212 App. Hargreaves Lansdown has exclusive access to Proprietary Web/Mobile. Trading 212 has exclusive access to Trading 212 App.
Trading 212 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 Trading 212 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.
