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 comparing investment choices for online brokerages in the UK, Trading 212 and Hargreaves Lansdown offer distinct options. Trading 212 provides share trading, ETF trading, CFD trading, and investment trusts, allowing for a diverse trading experience. However, it lacks access to funds trading, corporate bonds, government bonds (gilts), and advisor services. On the other hand, Hargreaves Lansdown, while also offering share trading, ETF trading, and investment trusts, does not support CFD trading. Instead, it gives investors the opportunity to engage in funds trading and trading in both corporate and government bonds (gilts), with the added benefit of advisory services.
In terms of ratings, Trading 212 is awarded 4.5 stars by UK.StockBrokers.com for its investment choices, securing the 16th spot among 18 brokers. Meanwhile, Hargreaves Lansdown claims a full 5-star rating and ranks notably higher at 4th place. This difference highlights Hargreaves Lansdown's broader offering in terms of traditional investment products, making each platform unique in what they bring to aspiring investors in the UK.
| 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.
When it comes to mobile trading apps, both Trading 212 and Hargreaves Lansdown cater to iPhone and Android users in the UK. Trading 212 stands out with an impressive 5-star rating for its app and ranks 3rd out of 18 brokers, according to UK.StockBrokers.com. In comparison, Hargreaves Lansdown's app holds a respectable 4.5-star rating and is ranked 10th. This means that while both platforms offer solid options for mobile trading, Trading 212 has a slight edge in user satisfaction and app performance.
Dive deeper: Best Stock Trading Apps UK.
When comparing the beginner investor educational resources of Trading 212 and Hargreaves Lansdown, Hargreaves Lansdown stands out thanks to its offering of educational webinars, a feature Trading 212 lacks. Both platforms provide educational resources on share trading and funds, but only Hargreaves Lansdown includes information on retirement, making it a more comprehensive choice for beginners. According to UK.StockBrokers.com, Hargreaves Lansdown is rated 5 stars and ranks 4th out of 18 brokers for beginner education, whereas Trading 212 garners a 4-star rating and is ranked 13th, highlighting Hargreaves Lansdown as a top option for novice investors in the UK.
| 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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