Hargreaves Lansdown and Interactive Investor are both full-service UK investment platforms, but they use very different pricing models. Interactive Investor charges a flat monthly subscription starting at £5.99 per month on its Core plan, while Hargreaves Lansdown uses percentage-based account charges, with fee changes due to take effect from 1 March 2026. For smaller portfolios, HL can still work out cheaper, especially if you value its research and broader account range, including a Lifetime ISA and Junior SIPP. For medium and larger portfolios, Interactive Investor’s flat-fee pricing is often much better value, especially if you want an ISA, SIPP and Trading Account under one subscription. HL has the edge on research and specialist account choice, while ii usually wins on cost once your portfolio grows.
Fee Comparison
This is the most important difference between these two platforms. Hargreaves Lansdown uses percentage-based pricing, while Interactive Investor uses flat monthly fees. This creates a clear crossover point where each platform becomes better value.
Platform Fees
| Fee | Hargreaves Lansdown | Interactive Investor |
| Pricing Model | Percentage-based (0.35%) | Flat monthly fee |
| ISA Fee | 0.35% on first 250,000 | 5.99/mo (Core, up to 100k) |
| SIPP Fee | 0.35% on first 250,000 | Included in plan fee |
| GIA Fee | 0.35% (from March 2026) | Included in plan fee |
| Share Dealing | 6.95 per trade | 3.99 per trade (Core) |
| Fund Dealing | 1.95 per trade | 3.99 per trade (Core) |
| Regular Investing | Free | Free |
| FX Fee | 1.00% | 0.75% flat (Core) |
| ISA Share Cap | 150/year | N/A (flat fee) |
| SIPP Share Cap | 150/year | N/A (flat fee) |
| Dividend Reinvestment | Free | 0.99 per holding (Core) |
(Source: Platform websites, February/March 2026.)
Annual Cost by Portfolio Size
The table below shows approximate annual platform fees (excluding dealing fees) for a portfolio held in a Stocks and Shares ISA.
| Portfolio Value | HL Annual Cost | ii Annual Cost |
| 10,000 pounds | 35.00 | 71.88 |
| 20,000 pounds | 70.00 | 71.88 |
| 50,000 pounds | 175.00 | 71.88 |
| 100,000 pounds | 350.00 | 71.88 |
| 250,000 pounds | 875.00 | 179.88 |
| 500,000 pounds | 1,500.00 | 179.88 |
(Illustrative figures based on fund-only portfolios. Share holders may pay less on HL due to the 150 pound cap. ii Core plan up to 100,000 pounds, Plus plan above.)
The crossover point is approximately 20,000 pounds. Below that, HL's percentage fee is lower. Above that, ii's flat fee is increasingly better value. At 100,000 pounds, the difference is nearly 280 pounds per year. At 250,000 pounds, HL costs almost five times more than ii.
Investment Range
| Feature | Hargreaves Lansdown | Interactive Investor |
| Funds | 2,500+ | 3,000+ |
| Shares | UK, US, European | UK, US, European |
| ETFs | Comprehensive range | Comprehensive range |
| Investment Trusts | Yes | Yes |
| Bonds and Gilts | Yes | Yes |
| Ready-Made Portfolios | Yes (Wealth Shortlist) | Yes (Quick-start, Super 60) |
Both platforms offer comprehensive investment ranges that are significantly broader than commission-free alternatives. There is no meaningful difference in coverage for most investors. Both provide access to all major fund providers, UK and international shares, ETFs, investment trusts, and gilts.
Account Types
| Account | Hargreaves Lansdown | Interactive Investor |
| Stocks and Shares ISA | Yes | Yes |
| SIPP | Yes | Yes |
| Lifetime ISA | Yes | No |
| Junior ISA | Yes (free) | Yes (free on Plus/Premium) |
| Junior SIPP | Yes | No |
| Cash ISA | Yes (via Active Savings) | No |
| Flexible ISA | No | No (Core plan) |
| Managed ISA | No | Yes |
| Family Accounts | N/A | Yes (Plus: 5, Premium: unlimited) |
HL offers more account types, notably including a Lifetime ISA and Junior SIPP, which ii does not provide. However, ii's family account feature (free accounts for up to 5 family members on Plus) is unique and valuable for families who want to consolidate investing on one platform.
Research and Tools
Hargreaves Lansdown has the edge here. Its Wealth Shortlist is one of the most respected curated fund lists in the UK, and its share analysis tools, financial data, and educational content are more comprehensive than ii's offering. HL also provides optional paid financial advice (from 995 pounds), which ii does not. Interactive Investor's Super 60 fund list and Quick-start Funds are solid alternatives, and the platform provides good quality editorial content and market commentary. However, HL's research is deeper and more detailed overall.
Customer Service
Both platforms offer telephone support with UK-based staff, which is a significant advantage over app-only platforms. HL is consistently rated highly for customer service and has a longer track record. ii also receives positive reviews for its support, though with a smaller team. Both platforms provide secure messaging, live chat, and comprehensive help centres.
Who Should Choose Hargreaves Lansdown?
Choose HL if you have a smaller portfolio (under 20,000 pounds) where the percentage fee is lower than ii's flat fee. It is also the better option if you want the best research tools and the Wealth Shortlist, need a Lifetime ISA or Junior SIPP, value the highest-rated customer service, or primarily invest via regular monthly contributions (free on both platforms). For a full review, see our Hargreaves Lansdown review.
Who Should Choose Interactive Investor?
Choose ii if you have a medium to large portfolio (over 20,000 pounds) where the flat fee saves you money. It is also a strong choice if you hold both an ISA and SIPP and want them under a single fee, want to add family members to your subscription (Plus/Premium plans), prefer predictable flat costs that do not increase with your balance, or are an active trader who benefits from lower dealing fees (3.99 pounds vs 6.95 pounds). For a full review, see our Interactive Investor review.
What About Cheaper Alternatives?
Both HL and ii are established, full-service platforms with broad investment ranges and strong support. However, if low cost is your primary priority, commission-free platforms offer significantly lower fees. Trading 212 charges zero commission, zero platform fees, and just 0.15% FX on overseas trades. Freetrade offers a free ISA and SIPP with zero commission. InvestEngine charges zero fees for ETF investing. Vanguard charges just 0.15% for access to its own fund range.
The trade-off with these alternatives is a narrower investment range (no OEICs or bonds on most), less research, and limited customer support. For investors who want the full package, HL and ii remain the leading choices. For more options, see our best trading platforms UK guide.
Frequently Asked Questions
It depends on your portfolio size. For portfolios under approximately £20,000, HL's percentage fee is lower. Above that, ii's flat fee becomes increasingly better value. At £100,000, ii saves you nearly £280 per year compared to HL.
Hargreaves Lansdown has the more comprehensive research offering, including the Wealth Shortlist, detailed share analysis, and financial data. ii's Super 60 and Quick-start Funds are useful but not as deep.
On Interactive Investor, yes. All plans include ISA, SIPP, and GIA access for a single monthly fee. On Hargreaves Lansdown, you pay the percentage-based fee on each account separately.
Only Hargreaves Lansdown offers a Lifetime ISA. Interactive Investor does not. If you need a LISA, this could be a deciding factor.
Both offer good telephone support. HL is consistently rated among the highest in the industry for customer service. ii also receives positive reviews but HL has the stronger reputation in this area.
Yes. Both platforms support ISA and SIPP transfers in both directions, including in-specie transfers. Always use the official transfer process to preserve tax-free status.
For beginners with small portfolios, HL's percentage fee means you pay less on smaller amounts, and its research tools are helpful for learning. However, both platforms charge more than zero-fee alternatives like Trading 212. See our how to start investing UK guide.
Neither HL nor ii offers fractional shares. For fractional investing, consider Trading 212 or Freetrade.
Both pay interest on uninvested cash. Rates vary by account type and balance. Check each platform's current rates before deciding, as these change frequently.
For cost-focused investors, Trading 212 offers zero fees across the board. For Vanguard fund investors, the Vanguard platform is cheapest at 0.15%. AJ Bell sits between HL and the zero-fee platforms at 0.25%. The right choice depends on your priorities. See our full best trading platforms UK comparison.
Related Reading
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.
