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.
Your capital is at risk.
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.
Hargreaves Lansdown and Freetrade are both popular choices for UK investors seeking online brokerage services, but they cater to different needs. Hargreaves Lansdown stands out with a comprehensive range of investment options, including share and ETF trading, funds, and both corporate and government bonds. It also offers unique services like advisor support. These offerings have earned it a 5-star rating from UK.StockBrokers.com and a notable 4th place ranking out of 21 brokers for investment choices. In contrast, Freetrade also supports share and ETF trading, alongside investment trusts, and has been rated 4 stars with a 17th place ranking, indicating it may appeal to investors seeking a more straightforward, low-cost platform.
While both platforms offer share and ETF trading, Hargreaves Lansdown provides a broader investment landscape with additional options like funds and bond trading, which Freetrade currently does not offer. This diverse selection offers more avenues for investors wishing to diversify their portfolios extensively. Although Freetrade may lack certain features available at Hargreaves Lansdown, it provides a user-friendly experience tailored to those looking for simplicity without the need for advisor services or more complex investment vehicles. These differences make Hargreaves Lansdown and Freetrade suitable for different types of investors depending on their specific investment goals and preferences.
| Feature |
Hargreaves Lansdown
|
Freetrade
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|---|---|---|
| Share Trading | Yes | Yes |
| CFD Trading | ||
| ETFs | Yes | Yes |
| Funds | Yes | |
| Bonds - Government (Gilts) | Yes | |
| Investment Trusts | Yes | Yes |
| Spread Betting | ||
| Crypto Trading | ||
| Advisor Services | Yes | |
| Investment Choices |
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Low-cost US and UK shares.
Professional’s Gateway to the World’s Markets.
When comparing the trading tools of UK-based online brokers Hargreaves Lansdown and Freetrade, there is a noticeable difference in functionality and features. Hargreaves Lansdown provides a comprehensive suite of charting tools, including 11 drawing tools and 15 technical indicators, allowing users to track and analyse corporate events like earnings, splits, and dividends. Users can also enhance their analysis with index and stock overlays. On the other hand, Freetrade currently offers a more simplified charting experience without these advanced features.
Both Hargreaves Lansdown and Freetrade facilitate online trading through their browser-based platforms and provide essential services like real-time market data and stock price alerts, ensuring traders can stay informed. While both platforms cater to various trading needs, Hargreaves Lansdown may appeal more to traders seeking a detailed analytical approach, whereas Freetrade could be more suitable for those preferring straightforward, minimalist functionality.
| Feature |
Hargreaves Lansdown
|
Freetrade
|
|---|---|---|
| Web Platform | Yes | Yes |
| Stock Alerts | Yes | Yes |
| Charting - Indicators / Studies | 15 | 0 |
| Charting - Drawing Tools | 11 | 0 |
| Charting - Notes | ||
| Charting - Display Corporate Events | Yes | |
| Charting - Stock Overlays | Yes | |
| Charting - Index Overlays | Yes |
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.
For UK investors seeking convenient mobile trading options, both Hargreaves Lansdown and Freetrade provide reliable choices, offering apps compatible with iPhone and Android devices. According to UK.StockBrokers.com, Hargreaves Lansdown's mobile app is rated at 4.5 stars, landing it in 10th position among 21 brokers for mobile apps, while Freetrade's app earns a 4-star rating, positioning it at the 12th spot. Both platforms ensure users can trade on the go, with Hargreaves Lansdown slightly edging out in app ratings and rankings.
Dive deeper: Best Stock Trading Apps UK.
When comparing the educational resources for beginner investors between Hargreaves Lansdown and Freetrade, Hargreaves Lansdown stands out with a higher rating of 5 stars compared to Freetrade's 3.5 stars by UK.StockBrokers.com. Hargreaves Lansdown offers educational webinars, though it's not specified if these are available on-demand. Both platforms provide learning material on share trading, funds, and retirement, catering comprehensively to novice investors. Among 21 brokers, Hargreaves Lansdown is impressive, ranking 4th, whereas Freetrade lags behind at 16th, indicating a stronger proposition for those prioritizing beginner education.
| Feature |
Hargreaves Lansdown
|
Freetrade
|
|---|---|---|
| Client Webinars | Yes | |
| Client Webinars (Archived) | ||
| 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 Freetrade for their market research features, it's clear both platforms provide valuable insights, but with a few differences. Hargreaves Lansdown excels in various areas, offering research reports for funds and comprehensive insights on shares, ETFs, and bonds. It also allows users to view portfolio allocation by asset class. In contrast, Freetrade matches Hargreaves Lansdown in shares and ETFs research and displays portfolio allocation by asset class, but lacks research reports for funds and bonds. Both platforms do not provide research on CFDs, but Hargreaves Lansdown offers a broader range of research tools for investors seeking in-depth analysis.
| Feature |
Hargreaves Lansdown
|
Freetrade
|
|---|---|---|
| Research - Shares | Yes | Yes |
| Research - CFDs | ||
| Research - ETFs | Yes | Yes |
| Research - Bonds | Yes | |
| Research - Funds | Yes | |
| Fund Research - Research Reports | Yes | |
| 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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|---|---|---|
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Hargreaves Lansdown does not offer crypto trading, while Freetrade also does not provide crypto trading services, highlighting a key similarity between these online brokers in terms of cryptocurrency investment options.
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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 | |||
| Funds | Yes | ||
| ETFs | Yes | Yes | |
| Bonds - Corporate | Yes | ||
| Bonds - Government (Gilts) | Yes | ||
| Investment Trusts | Yes | Yes | |
| Spread Betting | |||
| Crypto Trading | |||
| Advisor Services | Yes |
| 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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| Education 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 | |||
| Charting - Display Corporate Events | Yes | ||
| Charting - Stock Overlays | Yes | ||
| Charting - Index Overlays | Yes |
| Research | Hargreaves Lansdown | Freetrade | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Research - Shares | Yes | Yes | |
| Research - CFDs | |||
| Research - Funds | Yes | ||
| Fund Research - Research Reports | Yes | ||
| Research - ETFs | Yes | Yes | |
| Research - Bonds | Yes | ||
| 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 | ||
| Client Webinars (Archived) |
| Overall Summary | Hargreaves Lansdown | Freetrade | |
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| Review | Hargreaves Lansdown Review | Freetrade Review | |
| Winner | check_circle |
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