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Hargreaves Lansdown (HL) is a leading UK-based financial services company that provides a comprehensive range of investment products and services to individual investors. Established in 1981, HL has grown to become one of the largest investment platforms in the UK, serving over 1.9 million clients and managing assets worth more than £155 billion.
For beginner traders, HL offers a user-friendly platform with a variety of investment options, educational resources, and robust customer support. This review will explore HL’s key features, regulatory status, trading instruments, platforms, mobile app, and account types to help you determine if it’s the right choice for your investment needs.
Hargreaves Lansdown Key Features
- Wide Range of Investment Options: Access to over 3,000 funds, UK and overseas shares, corporate and government bonds, ETFs, and investment trusts.
- User-Friendly Platforms: Intuitive web and mobile platforms designed for easy navigation and trading.
- Comprehensive Educational Resources: High-quality tools, guides, webinars, and research resources to assist investors.
- Excellent Customer Support: UK-based support with professional and knowledgeable staff.
- No Inactivity Fees: Investors are not charged for periods of inactivity.
HL Regulatory Status & Licenses
Hargreaves Lansdown is authorized and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA), the UK’s financial regulatory body. This ensures that HL adheres to strict standards designed to protect investors.
Client funds are held in segregated accounts, separate from the company’s own funds, providing an additional layer of security. Moreover, HL is a member of the Financial Services Compensation Scheme (FSCS), which protects client assets up to £85,000.
| Regulatory Authority | License Number | Fund Protection | Negative Balance Protection | Country |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) | Not Publicly Disclosed | Up to £85,000 via FSCS | Yes | United Kingdom |
| Financial Services Compensation Scheme (FSCS) | N/A | Up to £85,000 | N/A | United Kingdom |
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Hargreaves Lansdown Trading Instruments
HL offers a diverse selection of trading instruments, allowing investors to build a well-rounded portfolio. The platform supports investments in various asset classes, including funds, shares, bonds, ETFs, and investment trusts.
Investors can access both UK and international markets, providing opportunities to diversify across different regions and sectors. However, while HL offers a broad range of investment options, complex instruments like forex and CFDs are not available.
| Asset Class | Number of Assets | Leverage | Spreads (Typical) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Funds | Over 3,000 | N/A | N/A |
| UK Shares | Thousands | N/A | £11.95 per trade |
| International Shares | Wide Range | N/A | £11.95 per trade |
| ETFs | Hundreds | N/A | £11.95 per trade |
| Bonds and Gilts | Multiple | N/A | £11.95 per trade |
| Investment Trusts | 300+ | N/A | £11.95 per trade |
| Venture Capital Trusts | 50+ | N/A | £11.95 per trade |
| REITs | Dozens | N/A | £11.95 per trade |
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HL Trading Platforms
HL provides both web-based and mobile trading platforms that are designed to be intuitive and accessible for investors of all experience levels. The platforms offer real-time data, research tools, and easy execution of trades.
The web platform features a clean interface with comprehensive tools for portfolio management, while the mobile app ensures that investors can manage their investments on the go.
| Platform | Availability | Features |
|---|---|---|
| Web Platform | Yes | Real-time data, research tools, portfolio management |
| Mobile App | iOS and Android | Account management, trading capabilities, alerts |
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Hargreaves Lansdown Mobile App
The HL mobile app is available for both iOS and Android devices, offering a seamless experience for investors who prefer to manage their portfolios on mobile devices. The app includes secure login, market data, and trading features.
Users rate the app highly for its simplicity, speed, and overall functionality.
| Feature | iOS Rating | Android Rating |
|---|---|---|
| Mobile App | 4.7/5 | 4.5/5 |
HL Account Types
HL offers a variety of account types to cater to different investment goals and preferences. Each account has its own features and fee structures, allowing investors to choose what best fits their needs.
The most popular accounts include the Stocks and Shares ISA and Fund and Share Account. For retirement planning, the SIPP offers tax-efficient growth.
| Account Type | Minimum Deposit | Leverage | Spreads | Commission |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Stocks and Shares ISA | £100 lump sum or £25/month | N/A | N/A | 0.45% annual charge on funds |
| Fund and Share Account | No minimum | N/A | N/A | 0.45% annual charge on funds |
| Self-Invested Personal Pension (SIPP) | £100 lump sum or £25/month | N/A | N/A | 0.45% annual charge on funds |
| Lifetime ISA | £100 lump sum or £25/month | N/A | N/A | 0.45% annual charge on funds |
| Junior ISA | £100 lump sum or £25/month | N/A | N/A | No annual charge |
| Junior SIPP | £100 lump sum or £25/month | N/A | N/A | No annual charge |
HL Commissions & Fees
Understanding HL’s fees is key to controlling your investment costs. HL charges for share trading but offers commission-free fund investing.
Fee discounts are available for frequent traders, and there are no fees for deposits, withdrawals, or inactivity.
| Fee Type | Amount |
|---|---|
| Annual Account Management | 0.45% on funds; capped at £45/year per fund |
| UK Share Dealing Fee | £11.95; drops to £5.95 with frequent trading |
| Fund Trading Fee | Free |
| FX Conversion Fee | Up to 1%, depending on trade size |
| Inactivity Fee | None |
| Withdrawal Fee | None |
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HL Deposit & Withdrawals
HL supports multiple payment options with no deposit or withdrawal fees. Processing is typically fast, especially with debit cards and bank transfers.
| Payment Method | Deposit Fee | Withdrawal Fee | Processing Time |
|---|---|---|---|
| Debit Card | Free | N/A | Instant |
| Bank Transfer | Free | Free | Same-day (before 6 PM) |
| Cheque | Free | N/A | Up to 5 working days |
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HL Customer Support
HL has a strong reputation for client support with UK-based agents. While there’s no live chat, phone and email service are prompt and effective.
| Support Channel | Availability | Response Time | Languages |
|---|---|---|---|
| Phone | Mon-Fri: 8 am – 5 pm, Sat: 9:30 am – 12:30 pm | Immediate during hours | English |
| 24/7 | 1–2 working days | English | |
| Live Chat | Not available | N/A | N/A |
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Hargreaves Lansdown Education & Research
HL excels in education and research. Beginners can access simple guides, while experienced investors benefit from market analysis and webinars.
| Resource Type | Availability | Quality |
|---|---|---|
| Educational Articles | Yes | Beginner-friendly and updated regularly |
| Webinars and Seminars | Yes | Cover a wide range of topics |
| Research Reports | Yes | Detailed analysis of funds, shares, and markets |
| Investment Tools | Yes | Includes calculators, risk tools, and portfolio analysis |
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HL Google Reviews & Reputation
HL enjoys high ratings from customers across different platforms, especially for usability and service quality.
| Rating Factor | Score (out of 5) | Trustpilot Rating | App Store Rating | Google Play Rating |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Overall | 4.5 | 4.3 | 4.7 | 4.5 |
| Ease of Use | 4.7 | 4.5 | N/A | N/A |
| Customer Service | 4.6 | 4.4 | N/A | N/A |
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Hargreaves Lansdown Bonuses & Promotions
HL occasionally runs promotional campaigns, mostly for ISA transfers or pension contributions. While not frequent, they can be valuable.
Current promotions include:
- Cashback for ISA Transfers – Receive up to £500 for transferring large investments to HL
- Referral Program – Earn vouchers or account credit by referring friends
- Pension Transfer Bonus – Receive extra contributions for large pension transfers
HL Advantages & Disadvantages
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| FCA-regulated with FSCS protection | Higher dealing charges than low-cost brokers |
| Broad product range across multiple asset classes | No CFDs, forex, or leveraged trading instruments |
| Excellent educational resources and market research | No MetaTrader or advanced charting |
| Highly-rated mobile and web platforms | No live chat |
| Strong customer support | Foreign exchange costs can be high |
Final Thoughts
Hargreaves Lansdown is one of the most reputable investment platforms in the UK. Its combination of strong regulation, broad investment options, and easy-to-use tools make it ideal for long-term investors and beginners alike.
While not the cheapest for high-frequency traders, the value it delivers in research, support, and ease of use justifies its pricing. If you’re starting out or planning for the long term, HL is a top-tier option.