Are you confused about whether to choose Firstrade vs Hargreaves Lansdown as a broker for your investing needs?
In this side-by-side comparison, we analyse Firstrade vs Hargreaves Lansdown to help you understand how these apps compare on some of the most common features and make a better-informed decision about the best broker for you.
Below, you’ll find the pros and cons of each broker, as well as a comparison table that features the different fees charged, the financial instruments supported, the regulation, and more. Keep reading!
Firstrade vs Hargreaves Lansdown: In a Nutshell
US investors looking for US options only
Firstrade is a traditional company founded in 1985 that recently changed its strategy to become a commission-free online trading platform for stocks, ETFs and options.
The broker is considered safe, with a long track record that survived a few crises and top-tier regulators’ supervision.
The main drawbacks are its limited products offering (no European ETFs, stocks,…) and the fact that it only offers fractional shares on reinvested dividends.
Reliability and security (UK investors only)
Hargreaves Lansdown is one of the biggest UK platforms for individual investors. It serves more than 1.5 million clients with over £120 billion AUMs.
You will find the most relevant financial instruments (Stocks, ETF, funds,…). It’s a bit pricey, but it makes up for it by being one of the most reliable brokers.
It is well-established, secure and regulated by the FCA. The customer service is market-leading, and their educational resources are superb.
Pros and Cons
Firstrade
Pros
- Commission-free stock, ETF, mutual fund and options trading
- Good research and educational content
- No inactivity fees
- No minimum deposit
Cons
- You can trade only on US markets
- No 24/7 customer support
- No demo account
- No fractional shares
Hargreaves Lansdown
Pros
- Excellent research and educational tools
- Great customer service
- No inactivity fee
- No withdrawal fee
- No minimum deposit
- High reliability and security
- Listed in the FTSE 100 index
- Has ISA, SIPP, and other products and services catered to british investors
Cons
- High trading commissions (UK and overseas shares, investment trusts, ETFs, gilts and bonds)
- Annual account charges for funds (up to 0.45%)
- No demo account
- Only one base currency: GBP
- High currency conversion fee (up to 1%)
Firstrade vs Hargreaves Lansdown: Side-by-side Comparison
- General Information
- Founded in
- Demo Account
- Account Minimum
- Interest on unninvested cash (annually)
- Products
- Stocks
- ETFs
- Bonds
- Funds
- Options
- Futures
- CFDs
- Leverage Products
- Forex
- Cryptocurrencies
- Commodities
- Fees
- US stocks
- EU stocks
- ETFs
- Cryptocurrencies
- Custody Fee
- Inactivity Fee
- Withdrawal Fee
- Connectivity Fee
- Currency Conversion Fee
- Security
- Regulators
- Investor Compensation Scheme(per person, per institution)
Franklin is a CFA Level III Candidate with 3 years of experience in Wealth Management as a Fund Research Analyst and the Host of the "Edge Over Hedge" YouTube Channel.
