★ BEST INVESTING TOOLS COMPARISON ★
VOL. XCIV, NO. 247
Tool details checked August 23, 2026
Tool Comparison
CommSec vs Hargreaves Lansdown
Pick CommSec if
CommSec
Transaction-priced · Fees vary by offer and jurisdiction · Web · Mobile
- You care about options, something Hargreaves Lansdown doesn't offer
Pick Hargreaves Lansdown if
Hargreaves Lansdown
Transaction-priced · Fees vary by offer and jurisdiction · Web · Mobile
- You care about advanced order types, something CommSec doesn't offer
Skip both if: Neither one clicks with how you research; there are strong third options.
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Our take
The bottom line
CommSec and Hargreaves Lansdown cover a lot of the same ground (4 shared categories, including brokerage, portfolio, and watchlist), so for the basics you won't go far wrong with either. The real difference is focus: only CommSec gives you options, and only Hargreaves Lansdown gives you advanced order types.
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CommSec
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Hargreaves Lansdown
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How they stack up
The side-by-side table: pricing, platforms, data, and coverage at a glance.ShowHide
How they stack up
The side-by-side table: pricing, platforms, data, and coverage at a glance.| Attribute | ||
|---|---|---|
| Pricing & plans | ||
Starting price | Transaction-priced · Fees vary by offer and jurisdiction | Transaction-priced · Fees vary by offer and jurisdiction |
Free tier | No | No |
Free trial | — | — |
| Platforms & access | ||
Web app | Yes | Yes |
Mobile app | Yes | Yes |
API access | No | No |
| Audience & fit | ||
Experience level | Beginner, Intermediate, Advanced | Beginner, Intermediate, Advanced |
Best for | — | — |
Categories covered | 5 | 5 |
Regions | APAC, North America, Europe | Europe, North America |
| Try it | Visit CommSec | Visit Hargreaves Lansdown |
Where each one shines
What CommSec and Hargreaves Lansdown each do best.ShowHide
Where each one shines
What CommSec and Hargreaves Lansdown each do best.What CommSec does best
- CHESS-sponsored Australian shares, ETFs and listed investments.
- International stocks across U.S., Canada, Europe and Asian markets.
- Domestic online brokerage from A$5 with eligible CDIA settlement.
- Custodian-supported international fractional and recurring orders.
- Exchange-traded options, research, screeners, and market tools.
What Hargreaves Lansdown does best
- Fund and Share Account, Stocks and Shares ISA, Lifetime ISA, junior accounts, SIPP, Junior SIPP, and Bare Trust access.
- Thousands of funds plus UK and overseas shares, ETFs, investment trusts, gilts, and corporate bonds.
- HL research, live share prices, watchlists, portfolio tracking, charts, stop losses, and limit orders.
- Regular monthly investing with selected dealing fees waived.
- Interest paid on cleared investment-account cash using account-specific balance tiers.
Every detail we compared
Every tracked attribute for CommSec and Hargreaves Lansdown, side by side.ShowHide
Every detail we compared
Every tracked attribute for CommSec and Hargreaves Lansdown, side by side.| Attribute | ||
|---|---|---|
| Coverage & fit | ||
Asset types | StocksETFsOptions | StocksETFsBondsMutual Funds |
Experience | BeginnerIntermediateAdvanced | BeginnerIntermediateAdvanced |
Regions | APACNorth AmericaEurope | EuropeNorth America |
Coverage details | Countries: AUIdentifiers: Ticker | Identifiers: Ticker and ISIN |
| Access & integrations | ||
Export formats | CSVPDF | PDF |
| Plans & trust | ||
Vendor & support | Commonwealth Securities LimitedCountry: AustraliaSupport: Phone and Email | Hargreaves Lansdown Asset Management LimitedCountry: United KingdomSupport: Phone and Email |
Green tags are exclusive to that tool in this comparison.
Questions we keep getting
What's the difference between CommSec and Hargreaves Lansdown?
CommSec leans toward brokerage, portfolio, and watchlist, while Hargreaves Lansdown puts more weight on brokerage, portfolio, and watchlist. They overlap in 4 categories, so for most people it comes down to workflow preference and price.
How much do CommSec and Hargreaves Lansdown cost?
Neither has a free plan; you'll need a paid subscription for the full feature set of either. Check each tool's current plan details before buying.
Should I choose CommSec or Hargreaves Lansdown?
It depends on what you're after. Pick CommSec if options matter to you; go with Hargreaves Lansdown if you'd rather have advanced order types. And if you only need the basics both share, let price decide.
What asset classes do CommSec and Hargreaves Lansdown cover?
Both cover stocks and ETFs. CommSec also handles options. Hargreaves Lansdown adds bonds and mutual funds on top.
Can I export data from CommSec and Hargreaves Lansdown?
CommSec exports to CSV. Hargreaves Lansdown is stingier about getting data out.
Can I track my portfolio with CommSec or Hargreaves Lansdown?
Yes, both do portfolio tracking: holdings, performance, and allocation in one place.
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Curation & Accuracy
This directory blends AI‑assisted discovery with human curation. Entries are reviewed, edited, and organized with the goal of expanding coverage and sharpening quality over time. Your feedback helps steer improvements (because no single human can capture everything all at once).
Details change. Pricing, features, and availability may be incomplete or out of date. Treat listings as a starting point and verify on the provider’s site before making decisions. If you spot an error or a gap, send a quick note and I’ll adjust.