Hargreaves Lansdown is one of the UK’s largest investment platforms, with around 2 million clients, and a reputation for strong customer service and research.From March 2026, the platform fee drops from 0.45% to 0.35%, and share dealing falls from 11.95 pounds to 6.95 pounds per trade. It offers the widest range of investments of any UK platform, including funds, shares, ETFs, bonds, and investment trusts. The main downside is that it remains more expensive than commission-free rivals like Trading 212 and InvestEngine. Best suited for investors who value research, customer service, and access to the full range of UK investment products.
Hargreaves Lansdown at a Glance
| Feature | Details |
| Founded | 1981 (Bristol, UK) |
| Clients | Around 2 million |
| Assets Under Administration | Over 172 billion pounds |
| Regulation | FCA (UK) |
| FSCS Protection | Cash can be protected up to 120,000 pounds with banking partners, while investment protection is different and depends on the type of claim |
| Account Types | ISA, SIPP, LISA, Junior ISA, Junior SIPP, GIA |
| Platform Fee (from March 2026) | 0.35% (ISA/SIPP, on first 250,000) |
| Share Dealing (from March 2026) | 6.95 pounds per trade |
| Fund Dealing (from March 2026) | 1.95 pounds per trade |
| Regular Investing | Free (shares and funds via direct debit) |
| Investments Available | Funds, shares, ETFs, bonds, gilts, investment trusts |
| Minimum Investment | No set lump sum minimum online, or 25 pounds monthly by direct debit |
(Source: Hargreaves Lansdown website, FCA register, February 2026. New fees effective 1 March 2026.)
What Is Hargreaves Lansdown?
Hargreaves Lansdown (HL) is the UK's largest direct-to-consumer investment platform, founded in 1981 in Bristol. It is listed on the London Stock Exchange and manages over 155 billion pounds in assets for approximately 1.9 million clients. The platform is known for its comprehensive investment range, in-depth research tools, and strong customer service.
HL offers a full suite of accounts including Stocks and Shares ISAs, SIPPs, Lifetime ISAs, Junior ISAs, Junior SIPPs, and General Investment Accounts. It provides access to the widest range of investments of any major UK platform, covering funds (OEICs and unit trusts), individual shares, ETFs, investment trusts, bonds, and gilts.
Hargreaves Lansdown Fees (Updated March 2026)
In January 2026, Hargreaves Lansdown announced its first major fee restructure in over a decade. The changes take effect from 1 March 2026.
ISA and SIPP Fees
| Fee Type | New Rate (from March 2026) |
| Platform Fee (funds) | 0.35% on first 250,000 pounds |
| Platform Fee (shares, ETFs, trusts) | 0.35%, capped at 150 pounds/year per account |
| Share Dealing (online) | 6.95 pounds per trade |
| Fund Dealing (online) | 1.95 pounds per trade |
| Regular Investing | Free (via monthly direct debit, min 25 pounds) |
| FX Fee | 1.00% |
| Dividend Reinvestment | Free |
The platform fee reduction from 0.45% to 0.35% benefits fund holders with portfolios under 250,000 pounds. However, HL is introducing a 0.35% account charge on shares, ETFs, investment trusts and bonds in ISAs and Fund and Share Accounts, capped at £150 per year, where previously some holdings had lower or no equivalent account charges depending on account type. which means investors holding significant share portfolios may pay more than before. For investors who primarily hold index funds or ETFs, cheaper alternatives remain available.
Junior ISA Fees
Hargreaves Lansdown charges zero platform fees and zero dealing charges for Junior ISAs. This makes it one of the best-value options for children's investment accounts, regardless of what you invest in.
How Hargreaves Lansdown Compares on Fees
| Platform | Platform Fee | Share Dealing | Fund Dealing | FX Fee | ISA Fee |
| Hargreaves L. | 0.35% | 6.95 | 1.95 | 1.00% | Included |
| AJ Bell | 0.25% | 5.00 | 1.50 | 0.75% | Included |
| Interactive Inv. | 4.99-11.99/mo | 3.99 | 3.99 | 0.99% | Included |
| Vanguard | 0.15% | Zero | Zero | Included | Included |
| Trading 212 | Zero | Zero | N/A | 0.15% | Zero |
| InvestEngine | Zero | Zero | N/A | N/A | Zero |
(Source: Platform websites, February/March 2026. See our full best trading platforms UK guide for detailed comparisons.)
Hargreaves Lansdown remains the most expensive major platform for active share traders and fund holders. For cost-focused investors, Trading 212 offers zero-commission trading, and Vanguard charges just 0.15% for its own funds. However, HL's unique selling point is its combination of breadth, research, and service, which no low-cost rival currently matches.
What Can You Invest in on Hargreaves Lansdown?
Hargreaves Lansdown offers the widest investment range of any major UK platform.
Over 2,500 funds (OEICs and unit trusts) from providers including Fundsmith, Baillie Gifford, and Vanguard. Thousands of UK and international shares across the London Stock Exchange, NYSE, NASDAQ, and major European exchanges. A comprehensive range of ETFs and investment trusts. UK government gilts and corporate bonds. This breadth is a significant advantage over commission-free platforms like Trading 212 (which does not offer OEICs or bonds) and InvestEngine (ETFs only).
Hargreaves Lansdown Account Types
Stocks and Shares ISA
HL's ISA provides access to the full investment range with tax-free growth up to the 20,000 pound annual ISA allowance. Note that this is not a flexible ISA, so if you withdraw money and put it back in during the same tax year, the replacement counts towards your ISA allowance., so withdrawals and redeposits within the same tax year will count twice against your allowance. For the best stocks and shares ISAs, flexibility is an important consideration.
SIPP
The HL SIPP is one of the most popular in the UK, with full access to the platform's investment range and government tax relief on contributions. The share fee cap drops to 150 pounds per year from March 2026 (previously 200 pounds). For a comparison of SIPP providers, see our guide to the best SIPPs.
Lifetime ISA
HL offers a Lifetime ISA with a 0.25% platform fee capped at 45 pounds per year for shares. The government adds a 25% bonus on contributions up to 4,000 pounds per year.
Junior ISA and Junior SIPP
The Junior ISA has zero platform fees and zero dealing charges, making it genuinely free for children's investing. The Junior SIPP charges 5.95 pounds per share trade with platform fees capped at 150 pounds per year.
Hargreaves Lansdown Research and Tools
This is where Hargreaves Lansdown genuinely excels. The platform provides in-depth fund factsheets and analyst research, the Wealth Shortlist (a curated selection of funds recommended by HL's research team), detailed share analysis with financial data, broker forecasts, and company news, a portfolio analysis tool showing asset allocation and geographic exposure, educational content and investment guides, and a personal financial advice service (from 995 pounds).
For investors who value research to inform their decisions, HL offers a level of content and analysis that commission-free platforms simply do not provide. If you prefer to make investment decisions based on detailed research rather than just low cost, this is HL's strongest selling point.
Hargreaves Lansdown Customer Service
HL consistently receives high marks for customer service. It offers telephone support with UK-based advisors (not just chatbots), secure messaging through the platform, a comprehensive help centre and FAQ section, and optional paid financial advice. This is a meaningful differentiator compared to app-only platforms like Trading 212, Freetrade, and InvestEngine, which offer no telephone support. For investors who want to speak to a human when they have questions, HL delivers.
Hargreaves Lansdown Pros and Cons
Pros
Widest investment range of any major UK platform, covering funds, shares, ETFs, bonds, gilts, and investment trusts. Excellent research tools and the Wealth Shortlist fund selection. Strong customer service with telephone support. Full suite of accounts including ISA, SIPP, LISA, Junior ISA, and Junior SIPP. Free regular investing via monthly direct debit. Free Junior ISA with no platform or dealing fees. Free dividend reinvestment. Established since 1981 with over 1.9 million clients.
Cons
More expensive than commission-free rivals like Trading 212 and InvestEngine. Share dealing at 6.95 pounds per trade (from March 2026) is still above AJ Bell (5.00 pounds) and Interactive Investor (3.99 pounds). New 1.95 pound fund dealing charge where previously free. ISA share fee cap increased from 45 to 150 pounds per year. Not a flexible ISA (withdrawals count against allowance). No fractional shares. 1.00% FX fee is among the highest of major platforms. Minimum lump sum investment of 100 pounds.
Who Is Hargreaves Lansdown Best For?
HL is best suited for investors who want access to the widest possible range of investments, including OEIC funds, bonds, and gilts that are not available on commission-free platforms. It is also a strong choice for investors who value in-depth research and customer service, those who invest via monthly direct debit (which remains free), SIPP investors who benefit from the lower cap on fees, and parents opening Junior ISAs (zero fees).
HL is less suitable for cost-conscious investors who primarily buy shares or ETFs, active traders who would benefit from zero-commission platforms, and small portfolio holders where percentage-based fees have less impact. For these investors, Trading 212, Vanguard, or InvestEngine would likely be better value. For a direct comparison, see our guide on Hargreaves Lansdown vs Interactive Investor.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Hargreaves Lansdown safe?
Yes. Hargreaves Lansdown is authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority and listed on the London Stock Exchange. Hargreaves Lansdown is authorised and regulated by the FCA. Eligible cash deposits with its banking partners can be protected by the FSCS up to £120,000 per banking licence, while investment-related protection works differently and depends on the type of failure and claim. It has been operating since 1981.
How much does Hargreaves Lansdown charge?
From March 2026, the platform fee is 0.35% on the first 250,000 pounds (ISA/SIPP). Share dealing costs 6.95 pounds per trade, fund dealing costs 1.95 pounds per trade, and regular investing via direct debit is free. The FX fee for overseas shares is 1.00%.
Is Hargreaves Lansdown good for beginners?
HL's research tools and customer service make it beginner-friendly in terms of guidance and support. However, its fees are higher than platforms like Trading 212 or InvestEngine, which offer zero-cost investing. Beginners who want the lowest possible costs may prefer to start elsewhere. See our how to start investing UK guide.
Does Hargreaves Lansdown offer a flexible ISA?
No. The HL Stocks and Shares ISA is not flexible. If you withdraw and redeposit within the same tax year, the redeposit counts against your annual ISA allowance. Platforms like Trading 212 and AJ Bell do offer flexible ISAs.
Can I transfer my ISA to Hargreaves Lansdown?
Yes. HL supports ISA transfers from other providers, including in-specie transfers where your actual holdings are moved without selling. Transfer times depend on the outgoing provider but typically take two to six weeks.
Does Hargreaves Lansdown offer fractional shares?
No. You must buy whole shares on HL, which means you need enough capital to purchase at least one full share at the current market price. For fractional shares, platforms like Trading 212 and Freetrade are better options.
Is Hargreaves Lansdown cheaper than AJ Bell?
In most cases, no. AJ Bell charges a lower platform fee (0.25% vs 0.35%), lower share dealing (5.00 pounds vs 6.95 pounds), and a lower FX fee (0.75% vs 1.00%). HL's advantage lies in its wider investment range, research tools, and customer service rather than price.
What is the Hargreaves Lansdown Wealth Shortlist?
The Wealth Shortlist is a curated selection of funds chosen by HL's research team as strong long-term performers. It covers various investment styles and asset classes. The list is regularly reviewed and updated. While helpful as a starting point, it is not personalised financial advice. See our best index funds UK guide for low-cost fund options.
Does Hargreaves Lansdown pay interest on cash?
Yes. Uninvested cash in HL accounts earns interest at approximately 2.00% to 3.00% AER (variable). This is lower than rates available on some dedicated cash savings accounts and lower than Trading 212's rate of approximately 4.00%.
Can I buy Vanguard funds on Hargreaves Lansdown?
Yes. HL offers a wide range of Vanguard funds including the LifeStrategy range, Target Retirement funds, and Vanguard ETFs. However, the 0.35% HL platform fee is on top of Vanguard's own fund charges, making it more expensive than buying the same funds on the Vanguard platform (0.15%).
Related Reading
Hargreaves Lansdown vs Interactive Investor
Capital at risk. The value of your investments can go down as well as up. You may get back less than you invest. Tax treatment depends on your individual circumstances and may change in the future. ISA rules and allowances may also change. If you are unsure whether investing is right for you, seek independent financial advice.
