Hargreaves Lansdown vs Trading 212

Hargreaves Lansdown vs Trading 212 is a common comparison for UK investors looking for a Stocks & Shares ISA.

Both platforms allow investors to build long-term portfolios, but they take very different approaches. Hargreaves Lansdown focuses on providing one of the UK’s widest investment ranges alongside detailed research and investment tools, while Trading 212 offers commission-free investing through a simple, modern platform.

If you’re still comparing providers across the market, see our Best Stocks & Shares ISA UK guide.

In this Hargreaves Lansdown vs Trading 212 comparison, we look at fees, investment choice, platform features and which provider may suit different types of UK investors.

Jump to:

Overview · Fees · Investment Options · Best For Beginners? · Pros & Cons · Verdict · FAQs

Hargreaves Lansdown vs Trading 212: Quick Comparison

The table below summarises the main Hargreaves Lansdown vs Trading 212 differences.

Feature	Hargreaves Lansdown	Trading 212
Stocks & Shares ISA	✅	✅
UK Shares	✅	✅
International Shares	✅	✅
ETFs	✅	✅
Mutual Funds / OEICs	✅	❌
Investment Trusts	✅	❌
Bonds & Gilts	✅	❌
Fractional Shares	❌	✅
Auto Invest	✅	✅
Mobile App	✅	✅
Research Tools	Advanced	Basic
Platform Fee	Yes	No
Regular Investing	Free	Free
FCA Regulated	✅	✅
FSCS Protection	✅	✅

Fees Comparison: Hargreaves Lansdown vs Trading 212

One of the biggest differences between Hargreaves Lansdown and Trading 212 is how they charge investors.

Trading 212 charges no platform fee, no custody fee and no dealing commission for its Stocks & Shares ISA. The main investment cost is a 0.15% foreign exchange (FX) fee when buying investments priced in another currency.

Hargreaves Lansdown uses a more traditional charging structure. Investors holding funds pay a tiered platform fee, while shares and ETFs incur a 0.35% custody charge capped at £150 per year within an ISA. Manual online share and ETF trades cost £6.95, although regular monthly investing by Direct Debit is free.

For investors primarily focused on minimising costs, Trading 212 is generally the lower-cost platform.

If you want to understand how platform fees affect long-term returns, read our ISA Fees Explained UK guide.

You can view the latest Stocks & Shares ISA pricing and terms on the Trading 212 ISA page.

For the latest platform fees, custody charges and dealing costs, see Hargreaves Lansdown’s official ISA charges.

Investment Options

Investment choice is where Hargreaves Lansdown has a significant advantage.

Hargreaves Lansdown provides access to:

• Mutual funds and OEICs
• ETFs
• UK shares
• International shares
• Investment trusts
• Bonds
• Gilts

Trading 212 focuses on shares and ETFs together with fractional investing but does not currently offer traditional funds, OEICs, bonds or gilts.

Overall, Hargreaves Lansdown offers one of the widest investment selections available from a UK platform.

You can read our full Hargreaves Lansdown ISA Review for a detailed look at the platform.

Platform Experience

Trading 212 offers one of the simplest investing experiences available in the UK, with an intuitive mobile app, fractional investing and commission-free trading.

Hargreaves Lansdown provides significantly more investment research, analyst reports, educational content and investment tools, making it attractive for investors who prefer to research investments before buying.

The better platform therefore depends on whether you value simplicity or research.

For a deeper look at Trading 212, see our Trading 212 ISA Review.

Which Platform Is Better For Beginners?

Both platforms are suitable for beginners, although they appeal to different investors.

Trading 212 may suit beginners who want a simple, low-cost way to invest in ETFs and shares.

Hargreaves Lansdown may suit beginners who want educational resources, investment research and access to a much wider range of investment types.

Hargreaves Lansdown vs Trading 212 Pros & Cons

Hargreaves Lansdown

Pros

• Huge investment choice
• Funds, ETFs and shares
• Investment trusts
• Bonds and gilts
• Excellent research
• Established UK provider

Cons

• Higher platform fees
• Dealing charges
• No fractional shares

Trading 212

Pros

• No platform fee
• No custody fee
• Commission-free investing
• Fractional shares
• Free recurring investing
• Excellent mobile app

Cons

• No mutual funds
• No OEICs
• No bonds or gilts
• Fewer research tools

Hargreaves Lansdown vs Trading 212: Final Verdict

Choosing between Hargreaves Lansdown and Trading 212 largely depends on your investing priorities.

Trading 212 is likely to appeal to investors seeking the lowest possible costs, commission-free investing and a straightforward investing platform.

Hargreaves Lansdown is better suited to investors who value research, educational resources and access to a much broader investment universe.

In simple terms, Trading 212 is designed around low-cost investing, while Hargreaves Lansdown is designed around investment choice and research.

Neither is objectively better—the right platform depends on what you value most.

Investors focused on low-cost investing may also find our Cheapest Stocks & Shares ISA UK comparison useful.

If you’re considering Vanguard instead, read our Vanguard vs Trading 212 comparison.

Related Stocks & Shares ISA Guides

Still comparing investment platforms? You may also find these UKMoneyLab guides helpful before choosing a Stocks & Shares ISA.

FAQs

Stocks & Shares ISAs are subject to the HMRC ISA rules, including annual contribution limits and tax advantages.