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.
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 comparing IG to Hargreaves Lansdown, UK investors will find that both platforms cater to different aspects of investment needs. IG offers share, ETF, CFD, and investment trust trading, earning it a commendable 4.5-star rating for investment options. However, it misses out on crypto trading, spread betting, funds, and bonds — both corporate and government — and does not provide advisor services. Ranked at number 11 out of 21 brokers by UK.StockBrokers.com, IG provides a specific set of tools for investors interested primarily in stocks and derivatives like CFDs.
In contrast, Hargreaves Lansdown provides a broader spectrum of investment choices, featuring share, ETF, funds, corporate and government bonds, and investment trust trading. Notably, it does not offer crypto or CFD trading, nor does it support spread betting. With the added advantage of advisor services, Hargreaves Lansdown garners a perfect 5-star rating for investment options and ranks 4th out of 21 brokers. This makes it an attractive choice for investors looking for comprehensive investment solutions and professional guidance.
| Feature |
IG
|
Hargreaves Lansdown
|
|---|---|---|
| Share Trading | Yes | Yes |
| CFD Trading | Yes | No |
| ETFs | Yes | Yes |
| Funds | No | Yes |
| Bonds - Government (Gilts) | No | Yes |
| Investment Trusts | Yes | Yes |
| Spread Betting | Yes | No |
| Crypto Trading | No | No |
| Advisor Services | No | Yes |
| Investment Choices |
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Low-cost US and UK shares.
Professional’s Gateway to the World’s Markets.
When comparing IG and Hargreaves Lansdown for trading tools, both brokers support displaying corporate events such as earnings, splits, and dividends on their charts. IG stands out with a larger arsenal of 19 drawing tools and 33 technical indicators, whereas Hargreaves Lansdown provides 11 drawing tools and 15 technical indicators. Crucially, IG allows users to add notes directly to charts, offering a more personalized experience. On the other hand, Hargreaves Lansdown shines by allowing users to add both index and stock overlays to charts, a feature missing from IG's platform.
Both IG and Hargreaves Lansdown offer browser-based trading platforms and provide real-time market data along with the ability to set alerts for stock price updates. This makes them both competent choices for traders who need immediate access to critical market information. Each broker offers different sets of features that can cater to varying trading needs, with IG appealing more to those who favour advanced charting customization and Hargreaves Lansdown to those who need overlay capabilities on their charts.
| 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 | No |
| Charting - Display Corporate Events | Yes | Yes |
| Charting - Stock Overlays | No | Yes |
| Charting - Index Overlays | No | 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.
For those starting out in investing, IG and Hargreaves Lansdown both provide valuable educational resources, including live client webinars. IG excels by offering recorded webinars for viewing on demand, making it easier for beginners to learn at their own pace. While both platforms cover share trading, Hargreaves Lansdown also delves into funds, which IG does not. Both brokers offer education on retirement topics, catering well to a variety of learner needs. Despite both being highly rated with five-star beginner education ratings from UK.StockBrokers.com, IG is the standout, ranked first among 21 brokers, while Hargreaves Lansdown takes the fourth spot, making IG a particularly compelling choice for UK novices seeking structured learning paths.
| Feature |
IG
|
Hargreaves Lansdown
|
|---|---|---|
| Client Webinars | Yes | Yes |
| Client Webinars (Archived) | Yes | No |
| Education (Share Trading) | Yes | Yes |
| Education (Funds) | No | 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 IG and Hargreaves Lansdown, UK investors will find that both brokers offer research reports for funds, shares, and ETFs, catering to a wide range of investment interests. However, they differ in other aspects; Hargreaves Lansdown provides insights into portfolio allocation by asset class, whereas IG does not. Additionally, IG provides research for CFDs, an area where Hargreaves Lansdown falls short. On the other hand, Hargreaves Lansdown offers more extensive research for funds and bonds, which IG does not cover. This makes Hargreaves Lansdown a comprehensive option for those looking to delve into fund and bond investments.
| Feature |
IG
|
Hargreaves Lansdown
|
|---|---|---|
| Research - Shares | Yes | Yes |
| Research - CFDs | Yes | No |
| Research - ETFs | Yes | Yes |
| Research - Bonds | No | Yes |
| Research - Funds | No | Yes |
| Fund Research - Research Reports | Yes | Yes |
| Portfolio Allocation Breakdown | No | 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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When comparing online brokers IG and Hargreaves Lansdown, it's notable that neither platform offers crypto trading, focusing instead on a diverse range of other financial instruments and investment opportunities.
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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 | No | |
| Funds | No | Yes | |
| ETFs | Yes | Yes | |
| Bonds - Corporate | No | Yes | |
| Bonds - Government (Gilts) | No | Yes | |
| Investment Trusts | Yes | Yes | |
| Spread Betting | Yes | No | |
| Crypto Trading | No | No | |
| Advisor Services | No | 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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| 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 | No | |
| Charting - Display Corporate Events | Yes | Yes | |
| Charting - Stock Overlays | No | Yes | |
| Charting - Index Overlays | No | Yes |
| Research | IG | Hargreaves Lansdown | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Research - Shares | Yes | Yes | |
| Research - CFDs | Yes | No | |
| Research - Funds | No | Yes | |
| Fund Research - Research Reports | Yes | Yes | |
| Research - ETFs | Yes | Yes | |
| Research - Bonds | No | Yes | |
| Portfolio Allocation Breakdown | No | Yes |
| Education | IG | Hargreaves Lansdown | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Education (Share Trading) | Yes | Yes | |
| Education (Funds) | No | Yes | |
| Education (Retirement) | Yes | Yes | |
| Client Webinars | Yes | Yes | |
| Client Webinars (Archived) | Yes | No |
| Overall Summary | IG | Hargreaves Lansdown | |
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| Review | IG Review | Hargreaves Lansdown Review | |
| Winner | check_circle |
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