Written by StockBrokers.com
In this head to head comparison of Trading 212 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, Trading 212 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 - Trading 212 would cost £0 per year, while Hargreaves Lansdown would cost £59.75 / £104.75 if in ISA. per year.
12 trades per year - Trading 212 would cost £0 per year, while Hargreaves Lansdown would cost £143.40 / £188.40 if in ISA. per year.
36 trades per year - Trading 212 would cost £0 per year, while Hargreaves Lansdown would cost £430.20 / £475.20 if in ISA. per year.
120 trades per year - Trading 212 would cost £0 per year, while Hargreaves Lansdown would cost £1,074 / £1,119 if in ISA. per year.
3 fund trades per year - Trading 212 would cost £1 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 it comes to investment options, UK investors considering Trading 212 and Hargreaves Lansdown have a clear choice based on their needs. Trading 212 offers share and ETF trading along with CFDs and investment trusts, making it ideal for those focusing on these specific areas. However, it lacks options like funds, corporate bonds, and government bonds (gilts), which are available with Hargreaves Lansdown. Furthermore, Trading 212 does not provide advisory services, potentially limiting support for beginners or those seeking professional guidance.
On the other hand, Hargreaves Lansdown provides a more comprehensive range of investment choices, including funds and bonds, and also offers advisory services, making it a suitable option for investors looking for a broader selection and expert help. As a reflection of their offerings, Hargreaves Lansdown earns a higher rating of 5 stars for investment choices according to UK.StockBrokers.com, compared to Trading 212's 4.5 stars. In the UK's competitive market, Hargreaves Lansdown ranks 4th among 21 brokers for investment choices, whereas Trading 212 ranks 16th, highlighting the broader appeal and versatility of Hargreaves Lansdown's platform.
| Feature |
Trading 212
|
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 | No | 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 the trading tools of Trading 212 and Hargreaves Lansdown, both offer browser-based platforms, real-time market data, and the ability to set stock price alerts, making them accessible and efficient for everyday traders. However, Trading 212 stands out with its generous offering of 27 drawing tools and 106 technical indicators, enhancing market analysis potential. Additionally, it allows users to annotate charts, though it lacks features to display corporate events and add stock or index overlays, features available on Hargreaves Lansdown's platform.
Hargreaves Lansdown provides a simpler charting experience with 11 drawing tools and 15 technical indicators but excels in delivering deeper insights through charting corporate events and offering both stock and index overlays. These features could be advantageous for traders seeking comprehensive context in their analysis. Overall, Trading 212 may appeal to those focused on technical analysis, while Hargreaves Lansdown offers functionalities beneficial for understanding broader market impacts.
| Feature |
Trading 212
|
Hargreaves Lansdown
|
|---|---|---|
| Web Platform | Yes | Yes |
| Stock Alerts | Yes | Yes |
| Charting - Indicators / Studies | 106 | 15 |
| Charting - Drawing Tools | 27 | 11 |
| Charting - Notes | Yes | No |
| Charting - Display Corporate Events | No | Yes |
| Charting - Stock Overlays | No | Yes |
| Charting - Index Overlays | No | Yes |
For UK investors seeking online brokerage services, Trading 212 and Hargreaves Lansdown each offer distinct retirement account options. Both platforms provide Individual Savings Accounts (ISAs), allowing users to invest tax-efficiently. However, those looking to invest in a Self-Invested Personal Pension (SIPP) will only find this option available with Hargreaves Lansdown, as Trading 212 does not offer SIPP accounts. This key difference may sway investors depending on their retirement planning needs. Choosing between the two depends on whether you prioritize access to a SIPP or are satisfied with an ISA for your savings strategy.
Dive deeper: Best SIPP Providers, Best Stocks and Shares ISA Providers.
In the UK, both Trading 212 and Hargreaves Lansdown provide mobile apps for iPhone and Android users, making them conveniently accessible for investors on the go. Trading 212 shines brightly with a 5-star rating from UK.StockBrokers.com, securing the third spot out of 21 brokers for its mobile app, reflecting its high user satisfaction and functionality. Meanwhile, Hargreaves Lansdown offers a competitive experience with a respectable 4.5-star rating, ranking tenth among its peers. Both options are solid choices for mobile investing, with Trading 212 slightly edging out in terms of user acclaim and rank.
Dive deeper: Best Stock Trading Apps UK.
When comparing the educational resources for beginner investors between Trading 212 and Hargreaves Lansdown, UK readers will find notable differences. Hargreaves Lansdown hosts educational webinars, enhancing user understanding, though neither platform archives these for later viewing. Both brokers offer education on share trading and funds; however, Hargreaves Lansdown extends its offerings to cover retirement topics, which Trading 212 does not. In terms of ratings, Hargreaves Lansdown is rated higher with 5 stars compared to Trading 212's 4 stars according to UK.StockBrokers.com. Additionally, Hargreaves Lansdown ranks 4th, while Trading 212 is placed 13th out of 21 brokers for beginner education. Thus, Hargreaves Lansdown emerges as a more comprehensive choice in this area.
| Feature |
Trading 212
|
Hargreaves Lansdown
|
|---|---|---|
| Client Webinars | No | Yes |
| Client Webinars (Archived) | No | No |
| Education (Share Trading) | Yes | Yes |
| Education (Funds) | Yes | Yes |
| Education (Retirement) | No | Yes |
| Education |
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Dive deeper: Best UK Trading Platforms for Beginners.
In comparing the market research features of Trading 212 and Hargreaves Lansdown, UK investors will find that Hargreaves Lansdown offers comprehensive research reports for funds and bonds, setting it apart as a valuable resource for those interested in these areas. Both platforms provide insights into shares and ETFs and enable users to view portfolio allocation by asset class, ensuring balanced investment tracking. However, Trading 212 has a unique advantage for traders interested in CFDs, as it is the only platform of the two offering research in this area. While Trading 212 lacks fund research reports and bond insights, it remains a strong contender for CFD enthusiasts and traders focusing on shares and ETFs. In contrast, Hargreaves Lansdown appeals to a broader range of investment interests with its extensive research capabilities across multiple asset classes.
| Feature |
Trading 212
|
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 | No | Yes |
| Portfolio Allocation Breakdown | Yes | Yes |
Which broker is better overall, Trading 212 or Hargreaves Lansdown? After collecting more than 900 data points over a 10-week period, we found Trading 212 to be a better trading platform overall.
Trading 212 offers commission-free share dealing and is a great option for those looking to simply execute share or ETF trades. Novice investors or those looking for more diversification through mutual funds may find better options elsewhere.
| Feature |
Trading 212
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Hargreaves Lansdown
|
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Both Trading 212 and Hargreaves Lansdown are online brokers that currently do not offer cryptocurrency trading, catering instead to traditional investment options.
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0 of 5| Overall Rating | Trading 212 | Hargreaves Lansdown | |
|---|---|---|---|
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| Review | Trading 212 Review | Hargreaves Lansdown Review | |
| Winner | check_circle |
| Investments | Trading 212 | Hargreaves Lansdown | |
|---|---|---|---|
| ISA | Yes | Yes | |
| SIPP | No | 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 | No | No | |
| Crypto Trading | No | No | |
| Advisor Services | No | Yes |
| Trading Fees | Trading 212 | Hargreaves Lansdown | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Minimum Deposit | £1 | £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) | £0 | £135 | |
| Annual Custody Fee: £0 - £250,000 | £0 | Up to £1,125 | |
| Annual Custody Fee: £250K-£500K | £0 | Up to £625 | |
| Annual Custody Fee: £500,000 - £1m | £0 | Up to £1,250 | |
| Annual Custody Fee: £1m and over | £0 | Up to £1,000 | |
| Bonds - Corporate - Fee | N/A | £20 - £50 | |
| Bonds - Government (Gilts) - Fee | N/A | £20 - £50 | |
| ETFs - Fee | 0 | £5.95 - £11.95 | |
| Investment Trusts - Fee | 0 | £5.95 - £11.95 | |
| Telephone Dealing Fee | N/A | £20 - £50 |
| Broker Screenshots | Trading 212 | Hargreaves Lansdown | |
|---|---|---|---|
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| Platforms & Tools | Trading 212 | Hargreaves Lansdown | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Web Platform | Yes | Yes | |
| iPhone App | Yes | Yes | |
| Android App | Yes | Yes | |
| Stock Alerts | Yes | Yes | |
| Charting - Indicators / Studies | 106 | 15 | |
| Charting - Drawing Tools | 27 | 11 | |
| Charting - Notes | Yes | No | |
| Charting - Display Corporate Events | No | Yes | |
| Charting - Stock Overlays | No | Yes | |
| Charting - Index Overlays | No | Yes |
| Research | Trading 212 | Hargreaves Lansdown | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Research - Shares | Yes | Yes | |
| Research - CFDs | Yes | No | |
| Research - Funds | No | Yes | |
| Fund Research - Research Reports | No | Yes | |
| Research - ETFs | Yes | Yes | |
| Research - Bonds | No | Yes | |
| Portfolio Allocation Breakdown | Yes | Yes |
| Education | Trading 212 | Hargreaves Lansdown | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Education (Share Trading) | Yes | Yes | |
| Education (Funds) | Yes | Yes | |
| Education (Retirement) | No | Yes | |
| Client Webinars | No | Yes | |
| Client Webinars (Archived) | No | No |
| Overall Summary | Trading 212 | Hargreaves Lansdown | |
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| Review | Trading 212 Review | Hargreaves Lansdown Review | |
| Winner | check_circle |
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