Hargreaves Lansdownvs
XMStock Broker Comparison
This comparison pits HL against XM on cost structure, investment universe, and platform features. It teases which broker better serves UK-centric investing versus global CFD access.
Key Differences
- 1ISA and SIPP wrappers are available with HL only.
- 2HL provides a proprietary platform exclusive to HL.
- 3XM offers 24/7 multilingual live chat.
Who should choose Hargreaves Lansdown vs XM?
Find out which stock broker best suits your investing profile.
Choose if…
Choose Hargreaves Lansdown if you want ISA and SIPP wrappers on a single proprietary platform.
Choose if…
Hargreaves Lansdown vs XM: Side-by-Side Stock Broker Comparison
 |  | |
|---|---|---|
| Editorial score | 4.3/ 5 | 3.7/ 5 |
| Min deposit | $1▼ lower | $5 |
| Spreads from | N/A | 0.6 pips |
| Commission / lot | N/A | N/A |
| Inactivity fee | None | $5/month (after 90 days) |
| Deposit fee |
Hargreaves Lansdown vs XM 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 XM: 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
XM
criteria wins
Highlighted rows show where the two brokers differ
| Criteria | Hargreaves Lansdown | XM |
|---|---|---|
| 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 XM: Frequently Asked Questions
Hargreaves Lansdown rates 4.3/5 versus 3.7/5 for XM. Hargreaves Lansdown edges ahead on our composite score, though both brokers meet a reasonable standard for most traders.
XM starts from 0.6. 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 XM requires at least $5. This makes Hargreaves Lansdown more accessible for traders with limited starting capital.
Both Hargreaves Lansdown and XM 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 XM 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 XM lists up to 1000:1. 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 XM supports MetaTrader 4, MetaTrader 5. Hargreaves Lansdown has exclusive access to Proprietary Web/Mobile. XM has exclusive access to MetaTrader 4 and MetaTrader 5.
Neither Hargreaves Lansdown nor XM 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 XM 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.
