★ BEST INVESTING TOOLS COMPARISON ★
VOL. XCIV, NO. 247
Tool details checked July 17, 2026
Tool Comparison
Freetrade vs Hargreaves Lansdown
Pick Freetrade if
Freetrade
Transaction-priced · Fees vary by offer and jurisdiction · Web · Mobile
Pick Hargreaves Lansdown if
Hargreaves Lansdown
Transaction-priced · Fees vary by offer and jurisdiction · Web · Mobile
- You've outgrown the basics and want pro-level depth
Skip both if: These two cover the same ground; it really comes down to price and which interface you enjoy using.
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Our take
The bottom line
Freetrade and Hargreaves Lansdown cover a lot of the same ground (5 shared categories, including brokerage, advanced order types, and portfolio), so for the basics you won't go far wrong with either. On paper they're closely matched, so let pricing, platform fit, and the details below break the tie.
What readers say
Freetrade
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Hargreaves Lansdown
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See for yourself
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 | Beginner, Intermediate, Advanced |
Best for | — | — |
Categories covered | 5 | 5 |
Regions | Europe, North America | Europe, North America |
| Try it | Visit Freetrade | Visit Hargreaves Lansdown |
Where each one shines
What Freetrade and Hargreaves Lansdown each do best.ShowHide
Where each one shines
What Freetrade and Hargreaves Lansdown each do best.What Freetrade does best
- Commission-free dealing in the available stocks, ETFs, investment trusts, funds, gilts, and UK Treasury bills.
- A free Basic plan with GIA, Stocks and Shares ISA, Junior Stocks and Shares ISA, and SIPP access.
- Optional Standard and Plus plans with lower FX fees and higher capped GBP cash interest.
- U.S.-listed fractional shares bought by GBP value, with proportional dividends and voting support.
- Recurring orders, limit orders, stop losses, portfolio monitoring, and watchlists.
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 Freetrade and Hargreaves Lansdown, side by side.ShowHide
Every detail we compared
Every tracked attribute for Freetrade and Hargreaves Lansdown, side by side.| Attribute | ||
|---|---|---|
| Coverage & fit | ||
Asset types | StocksETFsBondsMutual Funds | StocksETFsBondsMutual Funds |
Experience | BeginnerIntermediate | BeginnerIntermediateAdvanced |
Regions | EuropeNorth America | EuropeNorth America |
Coverage details | Identifiers: Ticker and ISIN | Identifiers: Ticker and ISIN |
| Access & integrations | ||
Export formats | CSVPDF | PDF |
| Plans & trust | ||
Vendor & support | Freetrade LimitedCountry: United KingdomSupport: Chat and Email | Hargreaves Lansdown Asset Management LimitedCountry: United KingdomSupport: Phone and Email |
Green tags are exclusive to that tool in this comparison.
What you'll actually pay
Plans, billing, trials, and per-month pricing for both tools.ShowHide
What you'll actually pay
Plans, billing, trials, and per-month pricing for both tools.| Tier | ||
|---|---|---|
| Free plan | Free“Basic” | — |
| Entry paid plan | £5.99/mo“Standard” | — |
| Top plan | £11.99/mo“Plus” | — |
Questions we keep getting
What's the difference between Freetrade and Hargreaves Lansdown?
Freetrade leans toward brokerage, advanced order types, and portfolio, while Hargreaves Lansdown puts more weight on brokerage, portfolio, and watchlist. They overlap in 5 categories, so for most people it comes down to workflow preference and price.
How much do Freetrade 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.
Which is better for beginners: Freetrade or Hargreaves Lansdown?
Honestly, neither is aimed at beginners. Expect a learning curve either way; that's the trade-off for the depth they offer.
Can I export data from Freetrade and Hargreaves Lansdown?
Freetrade exports to CSV. Hargreaves Lansdown is stingier about getting data out.
Can I track my portfolio with Freetrade 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.