Written by StockBrokers.com
In this head to head comparison of IG vs Hargreaves Lansdown, 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, IG 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 - IG would cost £0 per year, while Hargreaves Lansdown would cost £59.75 / £104.75 if in ISA. per year.
12 trades per year - IG would cost £0 per year, while Hargreaves Lansdown would cost £143.40 / £188.40 if in ISA. per year.
36 trades per year - IG would cost £0 per year, while Hargreaves Lansdown would cost £430.20 / £475.20 if in ISA. per year.
120 trades per year - IG would cost £0 per year, while Hargreaves Lansdown would cost £1,074 / £1,119 if in ISA. per year.
3 fund trades per year - IG would cost £0 per year, while Hargreaves Lansdown 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 considering investment options in the UK, IG and Hargreaves Lansdown stand out as prominent choices. IG provides a solid platform for share trading, ETFs, CFD trading, and investment trusts, earning a commendable 4.5 stars for investment choices according to UK.StockBrokers.com. However, potential investors should be aware that IG does not currently support trading in crypto, funds, corporate bonds, government bonds (gilts), or spread betting, and lacks advisor services, which may limit some investors seeking these options.
In contrast, Hargreaves Lansdown offers a wider selection of investment opportunities, including share trading, funds, ETFs, corporate and government bonds, and investment trusts. Furthermore, it offers advisor services, a potential advantage for those needing guidance. Rated 5 stars for investment choices and ranked 4th out of 21 brokers by UK.StockBrokers.com, Hargreaves Lansdown may appeal more to investors who value a broad selection of investment types and additional customer support services.
| Feature |
IG
|
Hargreaves Lansdown
|
|---|---|---|
| Share Trading | Yes | Yes |
| CFD Trading | Yes | |
| ETFs | Yes | Yes |
| Funds | Yes | |
| Bonds - Government (Gilts) | Yes | |
| Investment Trusts | Yes | Yes |
| Spread Betting | Yes | |
| 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 online brokers IG and Hargreaves Lansdown, both platforms show a commitment to supporting UK traders with useful features. Each offers the ability to display corporate events like earnings, splits, and dividends directly on charts. However, IG outshines with 19 drawing tools and 33 technical indicators, compared to Hargreaves Lansdown's 11 drawing tools and 15 indicators. Additionally, IG allows users to add notes to charts, whereas this feature is absent in Hargreaves Lansdown. While both brokers provide a browser-based trading platform, real-time market data, and the option to create alerts for stock price updates, it's important to consider these differences when evaluating their offerings.
Despite Hargreaves Lansdown's limitation in drawing tools and technical indicators, it compensates with index and stock overlays, features not specified for IG. Thus, the choice between IG and Hargreaves Lansdown may depend on which toolset is more compelling for a trader's specific needs. For those prioritizing a richer set of charting tools and functionalities, IG might be the preferred option. Meanwhile, traders who require overlay features might lean towards Hargreaves Lansdown. Both platforms cater to different needs in the trading landscape, providing distinct advantages to their users.
| Feature |
IG
|
Hargreaves Lansdown
|
|---|---|---|
| Web Platform | Yes | Yes |
| Stock Alerts | Yes | Yes |
| Charting - Indicators / Studies | 33 | 15 |
| Charting - Drawing Tools | 19 | 11 |
| Charting - Notes | Yes | |
| Charting - Display Corporate Events | Yes | Yes |
| Charting - Stock Overlays | Yes | |
| Charting - Index Overlays | Yes |
When considering online brokers in the UK for retirement accounts, both IG and Hargreaves Lansdown offer appealing options. Each provides Individual Savings Accounts (ISAs) and Self-Invested Personal Pensions (SIPPs), making it easy for investors to plan their financial futures. IG's platform offers a streamlined approach that caters to those seeking simplicity in managing their investments. Meanwhile, Hargreaves Lansdown is renowned for its extensive research resources and customer service, particularly beneficial for those who prefer comprehensive support alongside their investment tools. Both brokers cater to a range of investment needs, but the choice between them may hinge on the user’s preference for either IG’s straightforward platform or Hargreaves Lansdown’s in-depth resources.
Dive deeper: Best SIPP Providers, Best Stocks and Shares ISA Providers.
For UK investors comparing online brokers, both IG and Hargreaves Lansdown offer mobile apps for iPhone and Android users. According to UK.StockBrokers.com, IG's mobile app earns a top rating of 5 stars and ranks #2 out of 21 brokers, showcasing its superior app experience. Meanwhile, Hargreaves Lansdown's app is rated 4.5 stars and ranks #10, indicating a strong, yet slightly less acclaimed user experience. Whether prioritizing performance or accessibility, both brokers provide solid mobile options for trading on the go.
Dive deeper: Best Stock Trading Apps UK.
When comparing the educational resources for beginner investors, IG and Hargreaves Lansdown both offer a solid foundation, yet differ in a few key areas. Both brokers provide educational webinars to help clients get started with their investing journeys. However, IG goes a step further by offering archived webinars for on-demand viewing, allowing beginners to learn at their own pace, while this feature is not specified for Hargreaves Lansdown. In terms of educational topics, IG and Hargreaves Lansdown both cover share trading and retirement planning, but only Hargreaves Lansdown offers educational content specifically about funds. According to UK.StockBrokers.com, both platforms are highly rated with five-star reviews for their beginner education, yet IG holds the top rank among 21 brokers, whereas Hargreaves Lansdown is ranked fourth. Both brokers provide valuable resources, but IG edges slightly ahead with its flexible webinar access and top ranking.
| Feature |
IG
|
Hargreaves Lansdown
|
|---|---|---|
| Client Webinars | Yes | Yes |
| Client Webinars (Archived) | Yes | |
| Education (Share Trading) | Yes | Yes |
| Education (Funds) | Yes | |
| Education (Retirement) | Yes | Yes |
| Education |
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Dive deeper: Best UK Trading Platforms for Beginners.
When considering market research features for UK investors, IG and Hargreaves Lansdown each offer distinct strengths. Both platforms provide research reports for funds, shares, and ETFs. However, IG supports CFDs research, while Hargreaves Lansdown does not. On the other hand, Hargreaves Lansdown offers the ability to observe asset allocation by class and provides bonds research, areas not covered by IG. Additionally, Hargreaves Lansdown includes support for funds research, setting it apart from IG. This makes Hargreaves Lansdown a more comprehensive choice for those seeking detailed portfolio insights and diverse market research capabilities.
| Feature |
IG
|
Hargreaves Lansdown
|
|---|---|---|
| Research - Shares | Yes | Yes |
| Research - CFDs | Yes | |
| Research - ETFs | Yes | Yes |
| Research - Bonds | Yes | |
| Research - Funds | Yes | |
| Fund Research - Research Reports | Yes | Yes |
| Portfolio Allocation Breakdown | Yes |
Which broker is better overall, IG or Hargreaves Lansdown? After collecting more than 900 data points over a 10-week period, we found IG to be a better trading platform overall.
IG is an investment platform aimed at experienced investors looking to make frequent trades on the stock market, with thousands of shares, trusts and ETFs to trade. It offers a comprehensive and easy-to-use trading platform that is used by both private and professional investors.
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Hargreaves Lansdown
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In comparing online brokers, IG offers cryptocurrency trading, providing investors with more diverse digital asset options, whereas Hargreaves Lansdown does not currently support crypto trading, focusing instead on a wide range of traditional investment products.
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0 of 5| Overall Rating | IG | Hargreaves Lansdown | |
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| Review | IG Review | Hargreaves Lansdown Review | |
| Winner | check_circle |
| Investments | IG | Hargreaves Lansdown | |
|---|---|---|---|
| ISA | Yes | Yes | |
| SIPP | Yes | Yes | |
| Share Trading | Yes | Yes | |
| CFD Trading | Yes | ||
| Funds | Yes | ||
| ETFs | Yes | Yes | |
| Bonds - Corporate | Yes | ||
| Bonds - Government (Gilts) | Yes | ||
| Investment Trusts | Yes | Yes | |
| Spread Betting | Yes | ||
| Crypto Trading | |||
| Advisor Services | Yes |
| Trading Fees | IG | Hargreaves Lansdown | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Minimum Deposit | £0 | £1 | |
| Share Trading: 0-9 Deals/ Month | £0 | £11.95 | |
| Share Trading: 10-19 Deals/ Month | £0 | £8.95 | |
| Share Trading: 20+ Deals/ Month | £0 | £5.95 | |
| 5 trades per year (£30k portfolio) | £0 | £59.75 / £104.75 if in ISA. | |
| 12 trades per year (£30k portfolio) | £0 | £143.40 / £188.40 if in ISA. | |
| 36 trades per year (£30k portfolio) | £0 | £430.20 / £475.20 if in ISA. | |
| 120 trades per year (£30k portfolio) | £0 | £1,074 / £1,119 if in ISA. | |
| 3 fund trades per year (£30k portfolio) | N/A | £135 | |
| Annual Custody Fee: £0 - £250,000 | £0 / £96 | Up to £1,125 | |
| Annual Custody Fee: £250K-£500K | £0 / £96 | Up to £625 | |
| Annual Custody Fee: £500,000 - £1m | £0 / £96 | Up to £1,250 | |
| Annual Custody Fee: £1m and over | £0 / £96 | Up to £1,000 | |
| Bonds - Corporate - Fee | N/A | £20 - £50 | |
| Bonds - Government (Gilts) - Fee | N/A | £20 - £50 | |
| ETFs - Fee | £0 - £8 | £5.95 - £11.95 | |
| Investment Trusts - Fee | £0 - £8 | £5.95 - £11.95 | |
| Telephone Dealing Fee | £50 | £20 - £50 |
| Broker Screenshots | IG | Hargreaves Lansdown | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Website Gallery (click to expand) |
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| Education Gallery (click to expand) |
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| Platforms & Tools | IG | Hargreaves Lansdown | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Web Platform | Yes | Yes | |
| iPhone App | Yes | Yes | |
| Android App | Yes | Yes | |
| Stock Alerts | Yes | Yes | |
| Charting - Indicators / Studies | 33 | 15 | |
| Charting - Drawing Tools | 19 | 11 | |
| Charting - Notes | Yes | ||
| Charting - Display Corporate Events | Yes | Yes | |
| Charting - Stock Overlays | Yes | ||
| Charting - Index Overlays | Yes |
| Research | IG | Hargreaves Lansdown | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Research - Shares | Yes | Yes | |
| Research - CFDs | Yes | ||
| Research - Funds | Yes | ||
| Fund Research - Research Reports | Yes | Yes | |
| Research - ETFs | Yes | Yes | |
| Research - Bonds | Yes | ||
| Portfolio Allocation Breakdown | Yes |
| Education | IG | Hargreaves Lansdown | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Education (Share Trading) | Yes | Yes | |
| Education (Funds) | Yes | ||
| Education (Retirement) | Yes | Yes | |
| Client Webinars | Yes | Yes | |
| Client Webinars (Archived) | Yes |
| Overall Summary | IG | Hargreaves Lansdown | |
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| Review | IG Review | Hargreaves Lansdown Review | |
| Winner | check_circle |
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