Written by StockBrokers.com
In this head to head comparison of Hargreaves Lansdown vs Barclays, we will compare the trading platforms, mobile apps, investment options, costs, market research, and more. Let's dive in.
Alongside the cost per trade, most UK online brokers also charge a monthly, quarterly, or annual management fee, which varies based on the account type and balance. Based on our thorough review, Barclays offers better pricing than Hargreaves Lansdown for share dealing.
Assuming a £30,000 portfolio size, here are the total annual costs for share dealing with both brokers, given different monthly activity scenarios.
5 trades per year - Hargreaves Lansdown would cost £59.75 / £104.75 if in ISA. per year, while Barclays would cost £105 per year.
12 trades per year - Hargreaves Lansdown would cost £143.40 / £188.40 if in ISA. per year, while Barclays would cost £75 or £147 per year.
36 trades per year - Hargreaves Lansdown would cost £430.20 / £475.20 if in ISA. per year, while Barclays would cost £75 or £291 per year.
120 trades per year - Hargreaves Lansdown would cost £1,074 / £1,119 if in ISA. per year, while Barclays would cost £75 or £795 per year.
3 fund trades per year - Hargreaves Lansdown would cost £1 per year, while Barclays would cost £0 per year.
What type of trader are you?
New to the world of investing? See our picks for the Best UK Trading Platforms for Beginners. More experienced traders should read our guide to the Best UK Trading Platforms for Active Traders.
When comparing Hargreaves Lansdown and Barclays for online trading options, both brokers offer a robust selection for investors. They both provide access to share trading, ETFs, funds, corporate and government bonds, investment trusts, and advisory services. However, neither broker supports crypto trading, spread betting, or CFD trading, making them similar in their limited support for more speculative investments. This common range of options caters well to a diverse range of investors looking for traditional investment choices.
In terms of investment choice ratings, both Hargreaves Lansdown and Barclays earn a strong 5-star rating from UK.StockBrokers.com. However, Hargreaves Lansdown holds a slight edge in overall ranking, positioned at 4th out of 18 brokers, while Barclays is ranked 6th. This distinction might lead some investors to favor Hargreaves Lansdown for its broad appeal and slightly superior ranking, despite the similar offerings and ratings shared by both platforms.
| Feature |
Hargreaves Lansdown
|
Barclays
|
|---|---|---|
| Share Trading | Yes | Yes |
| CFD Trading | No | No |
| ETFs | Yes | Yes |
| Funds | Yes | Yes |
| Bonds - Government (Gilts) | Yes | Yes |
| Investment Trusts | Yes | Yes |
| Spread Betting | No | No |
| Crypto Trading | No | No |
| Advisor Services | Yes | Yes |
| Investment Choices |
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Professional’s Gateway to the World’s Markets.
Low-cost US and UK shares.
When comparing the trading tools available at Hargreaves Lansdown and Barclays, it's clear that Hargreaves Lansdown provides a more comprehensive suite for investors. Hargreaves Lansdown offers the ability to display corporate events like earnings, splits, and dividends directly on charts, while Barclays lacks this feature. For those who value in-depth chart analysis, Hargreaves Lansdown offers 11 drawing tools and 15 technical indicators, compared to none from Barclays. Moreover, Hargreaves Lansdown supports adding index and stock overlays to charts, giving users a richer experience when evaluating potential investments.
Both Hargreaves Lansdown and Barclays provide browser-based trading platforms capable of sending stock price alerts to clients. However, a key distinction lies in the provision of real-time market data. Hargreaves Lansdown offers real-time market data, empowering traders with up-to-the-minute information, whereas Barclays does not. Despite neither platform allowing note addition to charts, Hargreaves Lansdown distinctly leads in tool variety and market responsiveness, making it a preferred choice for those seeking robust trading capabilities.
| Feature |
Hargreaves Lansdown
|
Barclays
|
|---|---|---|
| Web Platform | Yes | Yes |
| Stock Alerts | Yes | Yes |
| Charting - Indicators / Studies | 15 | 0 |
| Charting - Drawing Tools | 11 | 0 |
| Charting - Notes | No | No |
| Charting - Display Corporate Events | Yes | No |
| Charting - Stock Overlays | Yes | No |
| Charting - Index Overlays | Yes | No |
When comparing online brokers Hargreaves Lansdown and Barclays, both offer robust retirement account options ideal for savvy investors. Both brokers provide Individual Savings Accounts (ISAs) and Self-Invested Personal Pensions (SIPPs), making it easier for you to save for the future while enjoying potential tax benefits. Whether you choose Hargreaves Lansdown or Barclays, you can invest confidently, knowing that both platforms offer essential retirement account types to help you secure your financial future.
Dive deeper: Best SIPP Providers, Best Stocks and Shares ISA Providers.
When comparing the mobile apps of online brokers Hargreaves Lansdown and Barclays, both offer applications for iPhone and Android devices, ensuring ease of access for their users. However, Hargreaves Lansdown's app is rated 4.5 stars by UK.StockBrokers.com, securing the 4th position out of 18 brokers, reflecting its strong performance and user satisfaction. In contrast, Barclays' app is rated at 2.5 stars and is ranked 16th, indicating room for improvement in its mobile offering. These rankings suggest that users looking for a seamless mobile trading experience might prefer Hargreaves Lansdown over Barclays.
Dive deeper: Best Stock Trading Apps UK.
For beginner investors looking for educational resources, Hargreaves Lansdown and Barclays offer solid options; however, Hargreaves Lansdown takes a slight lead. Both brokers provide education on key topics such as share trading, funds, and retirement. Hargreaves Lansdown stands out by offering live educational webinars, while Barclays does not provide this feature. Neither archive these webinars for on-demand viewing. According to UK.StockBrokers.com, Hargreaves Lansdown earns a 5-star rating for beginner education, ranking 4th out of 18 brokers, whereas Barclays is rated 4.5 stars, placing 5th. Overall, Hargreaves Lansdown offers a slightly more robust educational experience for novice investors.
| Feature |
Hargreaves Lansdown
|
Barclays
|
|---|---|---|
| Client Webinars | Yes | No |
| Client Webinars (Archived) | No | No |
| Education (Share Trading) | Yes | Yes |
| Education (Funds) | Yes | Yes |
| Education (Retirement) | Yes | Yes |
| Education |
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Dive deeper: Best UK Trading Platforms for Beginners.
When comparing Hargreaves Lansdown and Barclays for market research features, both online brokers provide a robust suite of tools for investors. They each offer comprehensive research reports for funds, shares, ETFs, and bonds, allowing users to make informed investment decisions. Additionally, both platforms enable you to view portfolio allocation by asset class, helping to manage diversification effectively. However, neither Hargreaves Lansdown nor Barclays offer research specifically for CFDs. Overall, both brokers deliver strong market research capabilities that cater to a wide range of investment needs.
| Feature |
Hargreaves Lansdown
|
Barclays
|
|---|---|---|
| Research - Shares | Yes | Yes |
| Research - CFDs | No | No |
| Research - ETFs | Yes | Yes |
| Research - Bonds | Yes | Yes |
| Research - Funds | Yes | Yes |
| Fund Research - Research Reports | Yes | Yes |
| Portfolio Allocation Breakdown | Yes | Yes |
Which broker is better overall, Hargreaves Lansdown or Barclays? After collecting more than 900 data points over a 10-week period, we found Hargreaves Lansdown to be a better trading platform overall.
As the U.K.’s biggest investment platform for individual investors, Hargreaves Lansdown offers a wide range of investment choices for either beginners or seasoned investors. However, its fees are generally more expensive than rival brokers, which can become an issue for large investment pots.
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Hargreaves Lansdown
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Barclays
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When comparing online brokers Hargreaves Lansdown and Barclays, neither platform offers cryptocurrency trading, highlighting a shared limitation for investors seeking exposure to digital assets.
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0 of 5| Overall Rating | Hargreaves Lansdown | Barclays | |
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| Review | Hargreaves Lansdown Review | Barclays Review | |
| Winner | check_circle |
| Investments | Hargreaves Lansdown | Barclays | |
|---|---|---|---|
| ISA | Yes | Yes | |
| SIPP | Yes | Yes | |
| Share Trading | Yes | Yes | |
| CFD Trading | No | No | |
| Funds | Yes | Yes | |
| ETFs | Yes | Yes | |
| Bonds - Corporate | Yes | Yes | |
| Bonds - Government (Gilts) | Yes | Yes | |
| Investment Trusts | Yes | Yes | |
| Spread Betting | No | No | |
| Crypto Trading | No | No | |
| Advisor Services | Yes | Yes |
| Trading Fees | Hargreaves Lansdown | Barclays | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Minimum Deposit | £1 | £0 | |
| Share Trading: 0-9 Deals/ Month | £11.95 | £6 | |
| Share Trading: 10-19 Deals/ Month | £8.95 | £6 | |
| Share Trading: 20+ Deals/ Month | £5.95 | £6 | |
| 5 trades per year (£30k portfolio) | £59.75 / £104.75 if in ISA. | £105 | |
| 12 trades per year (£30k portfolio) | £143.40 / £188.40 if in ISA. | £75 or £147 | |
| 36 trades per year (£30k portfolio) | £430.20 / £475.20 if in ISA. | £75 or £291 | |
| 120 trades per year (£30k portfolio) | £1,074 / £1,119 if in ISA. | £75 or £795 | |
| 3 fund trades per year (£30k portfolio) | £135 | £75 | |
| Annual Custody Fee: £0 - £250,000 | Up to £1,125 | £0 - £525 | |
| Annual Custody Fee: £250K-£500K | Up to £625 | £525 - £650 | |
| Annual Custody Fee: £500,000 - £1m | Up to £1,250 | £650 - £850 | |
| Annual Custody Fee: £1m and over | Up to £1,000 | £850 and up | |
| Bonds - Corporate - Fee | £20 - £50 | £6 | |
| Bonds - Government (Gilts) - Fee | £20 - £50 | £6 | |
| ETFs - Fee | £5.95 - £11.95 | £6 | |
| Investment Trusts - Fee | £5.95 - £11.95 | £6 | |
| Telephone Dealing Fee | £20 - £50 | £25 |
| Broker Screenshots | Hargreaves Lansdown | Barclays | |
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| Platforms & Tools | Hargreaves Lansdown | Barclays | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Web Platform | Yes | Yes | |
| iPhone App | Yes | Yes | |
| Android App | Yes | Yes | |
| Stock Alerts | Yes | Yes | |
| Charting - Indicators / Studies | 15 | 0 | |
| Charting - Drawing Tools | 11 | 0 | |
| Charting - Notes | No | No | |
| Charting - Display Corporate Events | Yes | No | |
| Charting - Stock Overlays | Yes | No | |
| Charting - Index Overlays | Yes | No |
| Research | Hargreaves Lansdown | Barclays | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Research - Shares | Yes | Yes | |
| Research - CFDs | No | No | |
| Research - Funds | Yes | Yes | |
| Fund Research - Research Reports | Yes | Yes | |
| Research - ETFs | Yes | Yes | |
| Research - Bonds | Yes | Yes | |
| Portfolio Allocation Breakdown | Yes | Yes |
| Education | Hargreaves Lansdown | Barclays | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Education (Share Trading) | Yes | Yes | |
| Education (Funds) | Yes | Yes | |
| Education (Retirement) | Yes | Yes | |
| Client Webinars | Yes | No | |
| Client Webinars (Archived) | No | No |
| Overall Summary | Hargreaves Lansdown | Barclays | |
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| Review | Hargreaves Lansdown Review | Barclays Review | |
| Winner | check_circle |
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