Written by StockBrokers.com
In this head to head comparison of Hargreaves Lansdown vs Freetrade, 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, Freetrade 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 Freetrade would cost £0 (Basic plan), £59.88 (Standard), £119.88 (Plus) per year.
12 trades per year - Hargreaves Lansdown would cost £143.40 / £188.40 if in ISA. per year, while Freetrade would cost £0 (Basic plan), £59.88 (Standard), £119.88 (Plus) per year.
36 trades per year - Hargreaves Lansdown would cost £430.20 / £475.20 if in ISA. per year, while Freetrade would cost £0 (Basic plan), £59.88 (Standard), £119.88 (Plus) per year.
120 trades per year - Hargreaves Lansdown would cost £1,074 / £1,119 if in ISA. per year, while Freetrade would cost £0 (Basic plan), £59.88 (Standard), £119.88 (Plus) per year.
3 fund trades per year - Hargreaves Lansdown would cost £1 per year, while Freetrade would cost £1 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 Freetrade, both online brokers offer share trading and ETF trading. However, Hargreaves Lansdown provides a wider range of investment choices. This includes funds trading, corporate bonds, government bonds (gilts), and investment trusts, which Freetrade does not offer in its lineup. For those seeking personalized guidance, Hargreaves Lansdown also features advisor services, setting it apart from Freetrade. Both brokers do not support trading in cryptocurrencies, spread betting, or CFDs, keeping the trading experience relatively accessible for beginners.
According to UK.StockBrokers.com ratings, Hargreaves Lansdown excels with five stars for its investment choices, securing the #4 spot among 18 brokers. Freetrade, while still a strong contender with four stars, ranks at #13, highlighting its more limited selection. For investors prioritizing extensive options, Hargreaves Lansdown stands out as the more robust platform, whereas Freetrade offers a simpler, straightforward trading experience adequate for those with basic needs.
| Feature |
Hargreaves Lansdown
|
Freetrade
|
|---|---|---|
| Share Trading | Yes | Yes |
| CFD Trading | No | No |
| ETFs | Yes | Yes |
| Funds | Yes | No |
| Bonds - Government (Gilts) | Yes | No |
| Investment Trusts | Yes | Yes |
| Spread Betting | No | No |
| Crypto Trading | No | No |
| Advisor Services | Yes | No |
| Investment Choices |
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Professional’s Gateway to the World’s Markets.
Low-cost US and UK shares.
When it comes to trading tools, Hargreaves Lansdown provides a comprehensive suite compared to Freetrade. Users of Hargreaves Lansdown can view important corporate events like earnings, splits, and dividends directly on charts, which Freetrade lacks. Additionally, Hargreaves Lansdown offers a more robust charting experience with 11 drawing tools and 15 technical indicators, while Freetrade does not offer any. Both platforms allow the creation of stock price alerts and provide real-time market data via their browser-based trading platforms, catering to traders who need timely updates and ease of access.
Hargreaves Lansdown further enhances its charting capability by allowing the addition of index and stock overlays, a feature not available in Freetrade. However, neither platform currently supports the ability to add personal notes to charts. This distinction in features makes Hargreaves Lansdown a more equipped choice for traders who prioritize comprehensive analytical tools, whereas Freetrade could suit those who prefer a simpler, more straightforward online trading experience.
| Feature |
Hargreaves Lansdown
|
Freetrade
|
|---|---|---|
| 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 Freetrade, both platforms offer a range of retirement accounts suitable for UK investors looking to grow their savings. Notably, both Hargreaves Lansdown and Freetrade provide Individual Savings Accounts (ISAs), allowing users to invest tax-efficiently. Additionally, both brokers support Self-Invested Personal Pensions (SIPPs), which are designed for those seeking a flexible approach to retirement savings. Whether you're looking to make tax-free investments or build a retirement fund, both Hargreaves Lansdown and Freetrade offer comprehensive account options tailored to meet these needs.
Dive deeper: Best SIPP Providers, Best Stocks and Shares ISA Providers.
When choosing an online broker with an intuitive mobile app, both Hargreaves Lansdown and Freetrade offer strong options for iPhone and Android users. Hargreaves Lansdown boasts an impressive rating of 4.5 stars from UK.StockBrokers.com, securing the #4 spot out of 18 brokers for its mobile app. In comparison, Freetrade receives a respectable 4-star rating and ranks #8. These solid ratings highlight the reliability and user-friendliness of both apps, providing excellent platforms for managing investments on the go.
Dive deeper: Best Stock Trading Apps UK.
When it comes to educational resources for beginner investors, Hargreaves Lansdown and Freetrade each offer valuable insights, but there are notable differences. Hargreaves Lansdown provides educational webinars, although they are not available on demand, and offers comprehensive education on share trading, funds, and retirement topics. Freetrade also covers these investment areas, but does not host webinars. According to UK.StockBrokers.com, Hargreaves Lansdown shines brightly with a 5-star rating for beginner education and ranks 4th out of 18 brokers, while Freetrade receives a 3.5-star rating and is positioned 9th in the same lineup.
| Feature |
Hargreaves Lansdown
|
Freetrade
|
|---|---|---|
| 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 the market research features of online brokers Hargreaves Lansdown and Freetrade, some key differences emerge. Both platforms offer extensive research capabilities for shares and ETFs, as well as the ability to view portfolio allocation by asset class. However, while Hargreaves Lansdown provides detailed research reports for funds and bonds, Freetrade does not offer these features. Neither broker covers CFDs research. For investors seeking comprehensive research and insights, Hargreaves Lansdown provides more robust tools, especially in the areas of funds and bonds analysis.
| Feature |
Hargreaves Lansdown
|
Freetrade
|
|---|---|---|
| Research - Shares | Yes | Yes |
| Research - CFDs | No | No |
| Research - ETFs | Yes | Yes |
| Research - Bonds | Yes | No |
| Research - Funds | Yes | No |
| Fund Research - Research Reports | Yes | No |
| Portfolio Allocation Breakdown | Yes | Yes |
Which broker is better overall, Hargreaves Lansdown or Freetrade? 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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Freetrade
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Hargreaves Lansdown and Freetrade both do not offer crypto trading, providing distinct options for investors seeking traditional assets through user-friendly online platforms.
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0 of 5| Overall Rating | Hargreaves Lansdown | Freetrade | |
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| Review | Hargreaves Lansdown Review | Freetrade Review | |
| Winner | check_circle |
| Investments | Hargreaves Lansdown | Freetrade | |
|---|---|---|---|
| ISA | Yes | Yes | |
| SIPP | Yes | Yes | |
| Share Trading | Yes | Yes | |
| CFD Trading | No | No | |
| Funds | Yes | No | |
| ETFs | Yes | Yes | |
| Bonds - Corporate | Yes | No | |
| Bonds - Government (Gilts) | Yes | No | |
| Investment Trusts | Yes | Yes | |
| Spread Betting | No | No | |
| Crypto Trading | No | No | |
| Advisor Services | Yes | No |
| Trading Fees | Hargreaves Lansdown | Freetrade | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Minimum Deposit | £1 | £1 | |
| Share Trading: 0-9 Deals/ Month | £11.95 | £0 | |
| Share Trading: 10-19 Deals/ Month | £8.95 | £0 | |
| Share Trading: 20+ Deals/ Month | £5.95 | £0 | |
| 5 trades per year (£30k portfolio) | £59.75 / £104.75 if in ISA. | £0 (Basic plan), £59.88 (Standard), £119.88 (Plus) | |
| 12 trades per year (£30k portfolio) | £143.40 / £188.40 if in ISA. | £0 (Basic plan), £59.88 (Standard), £119.88 (Plus) | |
| 36 trades per year (£30k portfolio) | £430.20 / £475.20 if in ISA. | £0 (Basic plan), £59.88 (Standard), £119.88 (Plus) | |
| 120 trades per year (£30k portfolio) | £1,074 / £1,119 if in ISA. | £0 (Basic plan), £59.88 (Standard), £119.88 (Plus) | |
| 3 fund trades per year (£30k portfolio) | £135 | N/A | |
| Annual Custody Fee: £0 - £250,000 | Up to £1,125 | £0 (Basic plan), £59.88 (Standard), £119.88 (Plus) | |
| Annual Custody Fee: £250K-£500K | Up to £625 | £0 (Basic plan), £59.88 (Standard), £119.88 (Plus) | |
| Annual Custody Fee: £500,000 - £1m | Up to £1,250 | £0 (Basic plan), £59.88 (Standard), £119.88 (Plus) | |
| Annual Custody Fee: £1m and over | Up to £1,000 | £0 (Basic plan), £59.88 (Standard), £119.88 (Plus) | |
| Bonds - Corporate - Fee | £20 - £50 | N/A | |
| Bonds - Government (Gilts) - Fee | £20 - £50 | N/A | |
| ETFs - Fee | £5.95 - £11.95 | £0 | |
| Investment Trusts - Fee | £5.95 - £11.95 | £0 | |
| Telephone Dealing Fee | £20 - £50 | N/A |
| Broker Screenshots | Hargreaves Lansdown | Freetrade | |
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| Website Gallery (click to expand) |
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| Platforms & Tools | Hargreaves Lansdown | Freetrade | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 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 | Freetrade | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Research - Shares | Yes | Yes | |
| Research - CFDs | No | No | |
| Research - Funds | Yes | No | |
| Fund Research - Research Reports | Yes | No | |
| Research - ETFs | Yes | Yes | |
| Research - Bonds | Yes | No | |
| Portfolio Allocation Breakdown | Yes | Yes |
| Education | Hargreaves Lansdown | Freetrade | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 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 | Freetrade | |
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| Review | Hargreaves Lansdown Review | Freetrade Review | |
| Winner | check_circle |
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