Hargreaves Lansdown ISA Review: Hargreaves Lansdown is one of the UK’s best-known investment platforms and is often considered by investors who want a broad range of investments, strong research tools and an established Stocks & Shares ISA provider.
HL offers access to funds, ETFs, shares, investment trusts, bonds and ready-made investment options through its Stocks & Shares ISA.
In this Hargreaves Lansdown ISA Review, we look at fees, investment choice, pros, cons and whether HL may be a good fit for UK investors in 2026.
If you’re still deciding which provider to choose, see our Best Stocks & Shares ISA UK comparison covering the leading platforms.
Jump to:
Overview · Fees · Investment Options · Best For Beginners? · Pros & Cons · Verdict · FAQs
Quick Overview
| Feature | Hargreaves Lansdown ISA |
|---|---|
| Stocks & Shares ISA | Yes |
| ETFs | Yes |
| Funds/OEICs | Yes |
| Individual Shares | Yes |
| Investment Trusts | Yes |
| Bonds/Gilts | Yes |
| Regular Investing | Yes |
| Mobile App | Yes |
| Research Tools | Advanced |
| Fractional Shares | No |
Hargreaves Lansdown ISA Review: Fees
Hargreaves Lansdown charges different fees depending on what you hold in your ISA.
For funds, HL uses a tiered platform fee. The charge is 0.35% up to £250,000, then 0.25% from £250,000 to £1 million, 0.10% from £1 million to £2 million, and 0% above £2 million.
For shares, ETFs, investment trusts, bonds and gilts, HL charges 0.35% per year, capped at £12.50 per month, or £150 per year, within a Stocks & Shares ISA.
One-off fund trades are listed as £1.95, while standard online share and ETF trades are £6.95. Monthly regular investing by Direct Debit is free.
If you want to understand how platform fees, dealing charges and fund costs affect your overall returns, read our ISA Fees Explained UK guide.
Hargreaves Lansdown ISA Review: Investment Options Available
One of the biggest strengths of Hargreaves Lansdown is investment choice.
Investors can access:
- Funds and OEICs
- ETFs
- UK and international shares
- Investment trusts
- Bonds and gilts
- Ready-made investment options
This makes HL more flexible than restricted platforms such as Vanguard, and broader than ETF-only providers such as InvestEngine.
You can also compare Vanguard’s investment range in our Vanguard ISA Review.
Not sure whether to invest in ETFs or traditional funds? Read our guide to ETF vs OEIC.
Who Is Hargreaves Lansdown Best For?
Hargreaves Lansdown may suit investors who want a well-established platform, broad investment choice, strong research tools and access to both funds and shares.
It may be less suitable for investors whose main priority is finding the lowest possible platform fees, especially for smaller portfolios where percentage-based charges can be more noticeable.
If low cost is your main priority, see our Cheapest Stocks & Shares ISA UK comparison.
Pros
- Very broad investment choice
- Access to funds, ETFs, shares and investment trusts
- Strong research tools
- Established UK investment platform
- Regular investing available
- Good option for investors wanting a full-service platform
Cons
- Not the cheapest ISA provider
- Fund platform fees can be higher than some competitors
- Share and ETF dealing charges apply
- No fractional shares
- Fee structure is more complex than some low-cost platforms
Hargreaves Lansdown ISA Review: Final Verdict
Our Hargreaves Lansdown ISA Review finds that HL remains one of the strongest all-round Stocks & Shares ISA platforms for investors who value investment choice, research tools and an established provider.
However, it is not usually the cheapest option. Investors focused mainly on low platform fees may prefer alternatives such as Vanguard, InvestEngine or Trading 212, depending on how they invest.
You may also find our Best Stocks & Shares ISA for Beginners UK guide useful if you’re opening your first ISA.
Overall, this Hargreaves Lansdown ISA Review concludes that the platform is an excellent choice for investors who want a broad, full-service ISA platform rather than the lowest-cost option.
For the latest HL ISA charges and investment options, visit the official Hargreaves Lansdown website.
FAQs
Is Hargreaves Lansdown a good Stocks & Shares ISA?
Yes. Hargreaves Lansdown is a well-established ISA provider with a broad investment range, strong research tools and access to funds, ETFs, shares and investment trusts.
What are Hargreaves Lansdown ISA fees?
HL charges tiered platform fees for funds and a capped custody charge for shares and ETFs. Dealing charges may also apply depending on how you invest.
Is Hargreaves Lansdown good for beginners?
Yes, HL can suit beginners who want guidance, research and a wide investment range, although some lower-cost platforms may be simpler and cheaper.
Can I buy ETFs in a Hargreaves Lansdown ISA?
Yes. HL offers ETFs, shares, funds, investment trusts, bonds and gilts within its Stocks & Shares ISA.
Stocks & Shares ISAs are subject to the HMRC Stocks & Shares ISA rules, including annual contribution limits.