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Part of:
Best Investing UK 2026
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Hargreaves Lansdown — Key Facts 2026
Hargreaves Lansdown Platform Charges — Full 2026 Breakdown
In March 2026 Hargreaves Lansdown announced its first major fee restructure in over a decade. Platform charges on ISAs and SIPPs fell from 0.45% to 0.35% for portfolios under £250,000. Share dealing fees dropped from £11.95 to £6.95 per trade. A new £1.95 fund dealing fee was introduced.
Account Range — Save and Invest Tax Free
Investment Choices — Shares, Funds and ETFs
Hargreaves Lansdown offers over 13,000 investment choices including shares and ETFs across 23 international exchanges, funds, investment trusts, bonds and gilts. The HL Wealth Shortlist is a curated selection of recommended funds chosen by HL's research team — a useful starting point for fund investors.
For investors who want a hands-off approach, HL offers five ready-made portfolios from Cautious to Adventurous, managed by HL's investment team. These are designed for long term investors who want professional management without choosing individual shares funds or ETFs themselves.
Customer Service
Customer service is one of the most cited reasons investors choose Hargreaves Lansdown over cheaper alternatives. HL offers UK-based phone support, online secure messaging and a comprehensive help centre. Being able to speak to a knowledgeable human — rather than a chatbot — sets HL apart from newer app-based platforms. For complex pension questions or large portfolio transfers, phone access to a specialist is a genuine differentiator.
Who Should Use Hargreaves Lansdown?
Pros and Cons
✅ Pros
- Over 40 years experience — most trusted UK platform
- Widest account range including Junior SIPP and Lifetime ISA
- Free Junior ISA — no platform charges or dealing fees
- Excellent customer service — UK-based phone support
- Outstanding research tools and investment choices
- FSCS protected up to £85,000
- Award-winning mobile app — 4.8 iOS rating
- March 2026 fee cuts — more competitive than ever
❌ Cons
- Not the cheapest — 0.35% vs 0.15% at Vanguard
- New £1.95 fund dealing fee from March 2026
- No fractional shares
- Some actions require phone or post
- Android app weaker than iOS
- Currency conversion fee (1.00%) higher than competitors
Hargreaves Lansdown remains the gold standard for UK investing — particularly for beginners, SIPP savers and anyone who values customer service and research over the lowest possible platform charges. The March 2026 fee cuts make it meaningfully more competitive. The free Junior ISA is unmatched. If you want everything in one place with genuine human support, HL is hard to beat.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Hargreaves Lansdown safe?
Yes. HL is FCA regulated, FSCS protected up to £85,000, listed on the London Stock Exchange and has operated for over 40 years. Client money is held separately from HL's own funds.
What are the platform charges in 2026?
From March 2026, platform charges on ISAs and SIPPs are 0.35% for portfolios under £250,000. Share dealing is £6.95 per trade. A new £1.95 fund dealing fee applies. The Junior ISA remains completely free.
Does HL offer a Cash ISA?
Yes. HL offers a Cash ISA through its Active Savings service with competitive rates from partner banks, all within the £20,000 annual ISA allowance. Interest is paid tax free.
Is the Junior ISA really free?
Yes — completely free. No platform charges and no dealing fees. Only the underlying fund charges apply.
This article is for information purposes only and does not constitute financial advice. The value of investments can go down as well as up. Capital at risk. Always seek regulated financial advice before making financial decisions.
Part of our complete guide:
Equity Release Interest Rates UK 2026 - Complete Guide →
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