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 comparing Trading 212 and Hargreaves Lansdown, both online brokers offer a range of investment options for those interested in share and ETF trading. However, Trading 212 distinguishes itself by providing CFD trading, whereas Hargreaves Lansdown does not support this option. While neither platform supports crypto trading or spread betting, Hargreaves Lansdown offers a broader range of investment instruments like funds, corporate bonds, government bonds (gilts), and investment trusts, along with advisory services, making it a more comprehensive choice for diverse portfolio management.
In terms of user reviews, Trading 212 is awarded 4.5 stars by UK.StockBrokers.com for its investment options, placing it at number 11 out of 18 brokers. Conversely, Hargreaves Lansdown enjoys a full 5-star rating and achieves a higher ranking at number 4. These ratings reflect the broader investment opportunities available with Hargreaves Lansdown, making it a favored choice for those seeking varied investment avenues and professional advice.
| 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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Professional’s Gateway to the World’s Markets.
Low-cost US and UK shares.
When comparing the trading tools of Trading 212 and Hargreaves Lansdown, both brokers offer a browser-based platform, real-time market data, and the ability to set alerts for stock price updates. However, Trading 212 shines with a more comprehensive set of 27 drawing tools and 106 technical indicators, exceeding the 11 drawing tools and 15 technical indicators provided by Hargreaves Lansdown. Trading 212 users can also add notes to their charts, a feature not available with Hargreaves Lansdown.
On the other hand, Hargreaves Lansdown stands out for its ability to display corporate events such as earnings, splits, and dividends on charts. It also offers the option to add both index and stock overlays, which Trading 212 does not support. Ultimately, the choice between the two may hinge on whether a trader values a larger array of technical tools or the capacity to incorporate corporate events and overlays into their analysis.
| 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 |
Trading 212 and Hargreaves Lansdown are popular online brokers that offer various investment accounts to meet different financial goals. If you're considering tax-efficient saving options, both platforms provide ISA accounts, enabling you to invest without paying taxes on your capital gains or dividends. However, if you're interested in a Self-Invested Personal Pension (SIPP) account, which is a flexible pension option that allows you to manage your retirement savings, only Hargreaves Lansdown offers this service. Trading 212 does not currently provide SIPP accounts, which could be a limiting factor for those specifically looking to manage their retirement savings with this provider.
Dive deeper: Best SIPP Providers, Best Stocks and Shares ISA Providers.
When comparing the mobile apps of online brokers Trading 212 and Hargreaves Lansdown, both offer dedicated apps for iPhone and Android users, making trading accessible on the go. According to UK.StockBrokers.com, Trading 212’s mobile app earns an impressive rating of 5 stars, securing the 9th spot out of 18 brokers. In contrast, Hargreaves Lansdown’s app receives a slightly lower rating of 4.5 stars but ranks higher at 4th place, indicating strong performance and user satisfaction. Both platforms provide robust mobile solutions, but their rankings highlight subtle differences in user preferences.
Dive deeper: Best Stock Trading Apps UK.
When evaluating beginner investor educational resources, Trading 212 and Hargreaves Lansdown both offer education on share trading and funds, but only Hargreaves Lansdown provides resources on retirement. Hargreaves Lansdown stands out with its educational client webinars, albeit without on-demand viewing options, which Trading 212 lacks entirely. According to UK.StockBrokers.com ratings, Trading 212 earns 4 stars and ranks #11 out of 18 brokers, whereas Hargreaves Lansdown secures 5 stars and ranks higher at #4, reflecting its superior offering for those new to investing.
| 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.
When comparing the market research features of online brokers Trading 212 and Hargreaves Lansdown, both provide robust tools for portfolio allocation by asset class and comprehensive research for shares and ETFs. However, Hargreaves Lansdown excels in providing in-depth research reports for funds and bonds, which Trading 212 lacks. Conversely, Trading 212 offers unique insights with CFDs research, a feature Hargreaves Lansdown does not support. This makes Trading 212 a versatile platform for those interested in CFDs, while Hargreaves Lansdown stands out for investors seeking detailed research in traditional funds and bonds. Overall, both provide valuable resources, but their offerings cater to different investing priorities.
| 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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