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, Hargreaves Lansdown offers better pricing than Freetrade 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 it comes to investment choices, Hargreaves Lansdown and Freetrade offer distinct advantages for UK investors. Both platforms allow share trading and the trading of ETFs and investment trusts, catering to those interested in a variety of asset classes. However, Hargreaves Lansdown broadens the field by also offering the trading of funds, corporate bonds, government bonds (gilts), and provides advisor services. In contrast, Freetrade does not offer these options, sticking to a more streamlined selection that foregoes services like fund trading and bond investments.
For those weighing the breadth of investment possibilities, Hargreaves Lansdown is highly rated at five stars by UK.StockBrokers.com and ranks 4th out of 18 brokers. Freetrade, albeit with a lower variety of investment options, still performs respectably with a four-star rating and a 17th place ranking by UK.StockBrokers.com. Both platforms avoid complex investment products such as crypto trading and spread betting, making them suitable options for traditional asset investors.
| 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 and Freetrade offer different experiences for UK investors. Hargreaves Lansdown stands out with a wide array of charting features, providing 11 drawing tools and 15 technical indicators to support detailed market analysis. Additionally, users have the ability to display corporate events like earnings and dividends on charts. In contrast, Freetrade does not offer drawing tools, technical indicators, or corporate event displays on its charts. Both platforms, however, support real-time market data and allow users to create alerts for stock price updates.
For those who enjoy visualising market data, Hargreaves Lansdown allows the addition of index and stock overlays to charts, further enhancing the depth of analysis possible for traders keen on detail. Freetrade does not support these advanced charting features, making it potentially less attractive to experienced traders seeking comprehensive tools for in-depth analysis. Both Hargreaves Lansdown and Freetrade provide a browser-based platform to manage trades easily from a desktop, ensuring accessibility for all types of investors.
| 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 for retirement accounts in the UK, both Hargreaves Lansdown and Freetrade offer Individual Savings Accounts (ISAs) and Self-Invested Personal Pensions (SIPPs), making them strong options for those looking to save for the future. Hargreaves Lansdown, with its well-established presence, provides a range of investment options to suit various financial goals. Freetrade, known for its user-friendly platform, offers a straightforward, app-based approach, appealing to both seasoned investors and those new to the investing scene. Both brokers give UK investors flexibility and accessibility when managing their retirement savings.
Dive deeper: Best SIPP Providers, Best Stocks and Shares ISA Providers.
In the world of online investing, both Hargreaves Lansdown and Freetrade offer mobile applications compatible with iPhones and Android devices, catering to the modern investor's demand for on-the-go accessibility. According to UK.StockBrokers.com, Hargreaves Lansdown's app enjoys a slightly higher user rating, achieving 4.5 out of 5 stars compared to Freetrade's 4 stars. When ranked among 18 brokers for mobile app performance, Hargreaves Lansdown takes the 10th spot while Freetrade follows closely at 12th place, providing UK investors with reputable options to consider based on their mobile trading preferences.
Dive deeper: Best Stock Trading Apps UK.
When comparing beginner investor education resources between Hargreaves Lansdown and Freetrade, it's clear that Hargreaves Lansdown has the edge. They provide educational webinars, although not available on-demand, and cover topics such as share trading, funds, and retirement. Freetrade, while also offering education on these subjects, lacks live or recorded webinars. This difference is reflected in their ratings, with Hargreaves Lansdown earning a solid 5-star score and ranking 4th out of 18 brokers according to UK.StockBrokers.com, compared to Freetrade's 3.5-star rating and 16th place ranking. For UK beginners seeking comprehensive online broker educational support, Hargreaves Lansdown appears to be the more favourable choice.
| 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 Hargreaves Lansdown and Freetrade for UK investors, Hargreaves Lansdown seems to offer a more extensive array of research options. Both platforms provide research on shares, ETFs, and the ability to view portfolio allocation by asset class. However, Hargreaves Lansdown takes the lead by offering research reports on funds and bonds, which Freetrade lacks. Additionally, neither platform offers research on CFDs. This makes Hargreaves Lansdown a potentially stronger choice for those seeking comprehensive research capabilities, particularly for funds and bonds.
| 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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Hargreaves Lansdown
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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 | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 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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