Written by StockBrokers.com
In this head to head comparison of Hargreaves Lansdown vs Saxo, 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 Saxo 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 Saxo would cost 0.12% + 0.08% (or £3) per trade: a minimum of £51 per year.
12 trades per year - Hargreaves Lansdown would cost £143.40 / £188.40 if in ISA. per year, while Saxo would cost 0.12% + 0.08% (or £3) per trade: a minimum of £72 per year.
36 trades per year - Hargreaves Lansdown would cost £430.20 / £475.20 if in ISA. per year, while Saxo would cost 0.12% + 0.08% (or £3) per trade: a minimum of £144 per year.
120 trades per year - Hargreaves Lansdown would cost £1,074 / £1,119 if in ISA. per year, while Saxo would cost 0.12% + 0.08% (or £3) per trade: a minimum of £396 per year.
3 fund trades per year - Hargreaves Lansdown would cost £1 per year, while Saxo would cost £0 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.
For UK investors exploring online brokers, Hargreaves Lansdown and Saxo both offer strong choices with equally impressive ratings of five stars for investment options on UK.StockBrokers.com. Hargreaves Lansdown emerges as a versatile platform providing trading services in shares, ETFs, funds, corporate bonds, government bonds (gilts), and investment trusts, alongside the benefit of advisor services for those seeking guidance in their investment journey. Likewise, Saxo offers trading in an array of assets including shares, ETFs, funds, corporate and government bonds, as well as investment trusts, although it does not feature advisor services, which might be a consideration for some investors.
While both platforms share many features, Saxo stands out by offering CFD trading, presenting a key difference for traders interested in this type of investment. However, neither broker provides options for spread betting or crypto trading, catering instead to more traditional investment vehicles. In terms of rankings, Saxo takes the lead as the top broker for investment choices among 18 competitors, with Hargreaves Lansdown not far behind at fourth place. Both brokers are suitable for investors looking to diversify their portfolios with conventional assets, but each offers unique advantages that may align better with different investor needs.
| Feature |
Hargreaves Lansdown
|
Saxo
|
|---|---|---|
| Share Trading | Yes | Yes |
| CFD Trading | No | Yes |
| ETFs | Yes | Yes |
| Funds | Yes | Yes |
| Bonds - Government (Gilts) | Yes | Yes |
| Investment Trusts | Yes | Yes |
| Spread Betting | No | No |
| Crypto Trading | No | No |
| Advisor Services | Yes | No |
| 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 Hargreaves Lansdown to those of Saxo, UK traders will notice several key differences. Hargreaves Lansdown gives users the ability to display corporate events like earnings and dividends directly on charts, which Saxo does not. However, Saxo outshines Hargreaves Lansdown with a more extensive selection of charting tools, providing 20 drawing tools and 64 technical indicators, compared to Hargreaves Lansdown's 11 drawing tools and 15 indicators. Additionally, Saxo users can add notes to charts, a feature not available with Hargreaves Lansdown.
Both online brokers support adding index and stock overlays to charts and offer browser-based trading platforms equipped with real-time market data. Furthermore, they allow users to set up alerts for stock price updates. Whether prioritizing chart annotations or the inclusion of corporate events, UK investors can find unique benefits with both Hargreaves Lansdown and Saxo to enhance their trading experience.
| Feature |
Hargreaves Lansdown
|
Saxo
|
|---|---|---|
| Web Platform | Yes | Yes |
| Stock Alerts | Yes | Yes |
| Charting - Indicators / Studies | 15 | 64 |
| Charting - Drawing Tools | 11 | 20 |
| Charting - Notes | No | Yes |
| Charting - Display Corporate Events | Yes | No |
| Charting - Stock Overlays | Yes | Yes |
| Charting - Index Overlays | Yes | Yes |
When comparing online brokers Hargreaves Lansdown and Saxo for UK investors seeking retirement account options, both platforms offer Individual Savings Accounts (ISAs) and Self-Invested Personal Pensions (SIPPs). This means you can choose either broker if you want to invest tax-efficiently through an ISA or take control of your retirement savings with a SIPP. While both options provide similar account types, it's crucial to weigh aspects such as fees, customer support, and platform usability to determine which broker aligns best with your investment goals and preferences.
Dive deeper: Best SIPP Providers, Best Stocks and Shares ISA Providers.
For UK investors seeking efficient mobile trading platforms, both Hargreaves Lansdown and Saxo offer apps compatible with iPhone and Android devices. Hargreaves Lansdown's app is highly rated at 4.5 stars by UK.StockBrokers.com, ranking 10th out of 18 brokers, providing a solid choice for users. However, Saxo excels by earning a perfect 5-star rating and claiming the top spot in mobile app rankings, positioning it as a leading choice for those prioritizing top-tier mobile trading experiences.
Dive deeper: Best Stock Trading Apps UK.
For beginner investors seeking educational resources, both Hargreaves Lansdown and Saxo offer live client webinars to their users, though only Saxo provides on-demand access to these sessions. When it comes to specific topics, Hargreaves Lansdown covers a broader range offering guidance on share trading, funds, and retirement, whereas Saxo does not provide educational content on these subjects. Despite these differences, UK.StockBrokers.com rates both brokers equally with five stars for their beginner education offerings. However, in terms of ranking among 18 brokers, Saxo is slightly ahead at #3, while Hargreaves Lansdown is positioned at #4, offering potential new investors excellent options to consider depending on their learning preferences.
| Feature |
Hargreaves Lansdown
|
Saxo
|
|---|---|---|
| Client Webinars | Yes | Yes |
| Client Webinars (Archived) | No | Yes |
| Education (Share Trading) | Yes | No |
| Education (Funds) | Yes | No |
| Education (Retirement) | Yes | No |
| Education |
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Dive deeper: Best UK Trading Platforms for Beginners.
For UK investors seeking in-depth market research through online brokers, both Hargreaves Lansdown and Saxo provide a wide array of features. Each platform offers research reports for funds, allowing users to make informed investment choices. They both provide tools to view portfolio allocation by asset class, maintaining a clear overview of your investments. Hargreaves Lansdown and Saxo both cater to shares, ETFs, funds, and bonds research, ensuring a broad spectrum of market insights. However, only Saxo extends its research to CFDs, making it a more versatile choice for those interested in exploring contract for difference investments. With these features, both platforms support investors in making informed decisions tailored to their financial goals.
| Feature |
Hargreaves Lansdown
|
Saxo
|
|---|---|---|
| Research - Shares | Yes | Yes |
| Research - CFDs | No | Yes |
| Research - ETFs | Yes | Yes |
| Research - Bonds | Yes | Yes |
| Research - Funds | Yes | Yes |
| Fund Research - Research Reports | Yes | Yes |
| Portfolio Allocation Breakdown | Yes | Yes |
Which broker is better overall, Hargreaves Lansdown or Saxo? 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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Saxo
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While both online brokers Hargreaves Lansdown and Saxo offer a range of investment services, neither provides options for crypto trading.
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0 of 5| Overall Rating | Hargreaves Lansdown | Saxo | |
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| Review | Hargreaves Lansdown Review | Saxo Review | |
| Winner | check_circle |
| Investments | Hargreaves Lansdown | Saxo | |
|---|---|---|---|
| ISA | Yes | Yes | |
| SIPP | Yes | Yes | |
| Share Trading | Yes | Yes | |
| CFD Trading | No | Yes | |
| Funds | Yes | Yes | |
| ETFs | Yes | Yes | |
| Bonds - Corporate | Yes | Yes | |
| Bonds - Government (Gilts) | Yes | Yes | |
| Investment Trusts | Yes | Yes | |
| Spread Betting | No | No | |
| Crypto Trading | No | No | |
| Advisor Services | Yes | No |
| Trading Fees | Hargreaves Lansdown | Saxo | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Minimum Deposit | £1 | £0 | |
| Share Trading: 0-9 Deals/ Month | £11.95 | From £3 or 0.08% | |
| Share Trading: 10-19 Deals/ Month | £8.95 | From £3 or 0.08% | |
| Share Trading: 20+ Deals/ Month | £5.95 | From £3 or 0.08% | |
| 5 trades per year (£30k portfolio) | £59.75 / £104.75 if in ISA. | 0.12% + 0.08% (or £3) per trade: a minimum of £51 | |
| 12 trades per year (£30k portfolio) | £143.40 / £188.40 if in ISA. | 0.12% + 0.08% (or £3) per trade: a minimum of £72 | |
| 36 trades per year (£30k portfolio) | £430.20 / £475.20 if in ISA. | 0.12% + 0.08% (or £3) per trade: a minimum of £144 | |
| 120 trades per year (£30k portfolio) | £1,074 / £1,119 if in ISA. | 0.12% + 0.08% (or £3) per trade: a minimum of £396 | |
| 3 fund trades per year (£30k portfolio) | £135 | 0.4% + 0% commission: £120 | |
| Annual Custody Fee: £0 - £250,000 | Up to £1,125 | Up to £800 | |
| Annual Custody Fee: £250K-£500K | Up to £625 | £500 to £1,000 | |
| Annual Custody Fee: £500,000 - £1m | Up to £1,250 | Up to £1,998 | |
| Annual Custody Fee: £1m and over | Up to £1,000 | £1,000 | |
| Bonds - Corporate - Fee | £20 - £50 | €20 minimum | |
| Bonds - Government (Gilts) - Fee | £20 - £50 | €20 minimum | |
| ETFs - Fee | £5.95 - £11.95 | From $1 | |
| Investment Trusts - Fee | £5.95 - £11.95 | From $1 / £3 / €10 | |
| Telephone Dealing Fee | £20 - £50 | £50 |
| Broker Screenshots | Hargreaves Lansdown | Saxo | |
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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 | Saxo | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Web Platform | Yes | Yes | |
| iPhone App | Yes | Yes | |
| Android App | Yes | Yes | |
| Stock Alerts | Yes | Yes | |
| Charting - Indicators / Studies | 15 | 64 | |
| Charting - Drawing Tools | 11 | 20 | |
| Charting - Notes | No | Yes | |
| Charting - Display Corporate Events | Yes | No | |
| Charting - Stock Overlays | Yes | Yes | |
| Charting - Index Overlays | Yes | Yes |
| Research | Hargreaves Lansdown | Saxo | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Research - Shares | Yes | Yes | |
| Research - CFDs | No | Yes | |
| Research - Funds | Yes | Yes | |
| Fund Research - Research Reports | Yes | Yes | |
| Research - ETFs | Yes | Yes | |
| Research - Bonds | Yes | Yes | |
| Portfolio Allocation Breakdown | Yes | Yes |
| Education | Hargreaves Lansdown | Saxo | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Education (Share Trading) | Yes | No | |
| Education (Funds) | Yes | No | |
| Education (Retirement) | Yes | No | |
| Client Webinars | Yes | Yes | |
| Client Webinars (Archived) | No | Yes |
| Overall Summary | Hargreaves Lansdown | Saxo | |
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| Review | Hargreaves Lansdown Review | Saxo Review | |
| Winner | check_circle |
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