Are you confused about whether to choose Plus500 vs Hargreaves Lansdown as a broker for your investing needs?
In this side-by-side comparison, we analyse Plus500 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!
Plus500 vs Hargreaves Lansdown: In a Nutshell
Commission-free CFDs trading and low spreads
Plus500 is an online broker offering a wide range of financial products, including real shares and CFDs on forex, indices, shares, commodities, options, ETFs, and cryptocurrencies.
There are two distinct account types: Plus500 CFD, which only focuses on CFD products; Plus500 Invest, where you can trade stocks (real shares).
The web platform you will use is the WebTrader, Plus500’s proprietary platform, offering a stable trading experience and easy access from multiple devices.
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
Plus500
Pros
- Easy-to-use and responsive platform
- Low spreads
- No dealing commissions
- Demo Account
- Top-tier regulators
Cons
- No ETF offering
- Inactivity fee ($10 per month after no login activity in 3 months)
- High overnight funding fees
- Very little research and education provided
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%)
Plus500 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.
