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Key differences at a glance
A side-by-side comparison of charges, ISA and SIPP availability, FX rates, fund holding charges, minimum deposits, key account features, regulation, and company ownership.
Commission fees
Free ISA
Free SIPP
FX rate
Free fund holding
Minumum deposit
Fractional shares
Flexible ISA
Mobile app
Regulation & protection
Company ownership
Commission-free, other charges may apply
£0 for stocks and shares ISA
0.99% (Basic plan)
£0 for holding funds
No minimum deposit required to open a ISA or SIPP account.
Free
Yes
Yes
FCA-regulated, FSCS protected
Part of FTSE 250 listed IG Group
£1.95 per fund trade and £6.95 per trade for shares, ETFs, investment trusts and bonds (up to 19 trades in the previous month) from 1st March 2026
0.35% (previously 0.45%) annual account fee on stocks and shares ISA from 1st March 2026
0.35% (previously 0.45%) annual account fee on SIPP from 1st March 2026
0.99% (on the first £10,000)
0.35% (previously 0.45%) holding charge (on the first £250,000 of funds) from 1st March 2026
£100 deposit to open an ISA or a SIPP (or a regular £25 per month)
No
No
Yes
FCA-regulated, FSCS protected
Private
Comparison Disclosure
Comparisons to Hargreaves Lansdown are based on publicly available information on their website as at 26 January 2025. Fees, charges and features are shown for illustrative purposes only and may change over time. For the most up-to-date information, you should visit their website.
Hargreaves Lansdown charges (from 1 March 2026)
- Hargreaves Lansdown applies an ongoing account charge based on the value of investments held.
- Funds: 0.35% per year on the first £250,000, 0.25% between £250,000 and £1 million, 0.10% between £1 million and £2 million, and no charge above £2 million.
- Shares, ETFs, investment trusts and bonds: 0.35% per year, capped at £150 per account for Stocks and Shares ISAs and SIPPs.
- Dealing charges: £1.95 per online fund trade. Online dealing charges for shares, ETFs, investment trusts and bonds are £6.95 per trade, reducing to £3.95 per trade if 20 or more trades were placed in the previous month.
- FX charges: 0.99% on the first £10,000, 0.50% on £10,000 to £25,000, and 0.20% above £25,000.
When you invest, your capital is at risk. The value of your investments can go down as well as up and you may get back less than you invest. Always do your own research.
£0 account fee with Freetrade
Freetrade does not charge ongoing account or holding fees. You can open a GIA, Stocks and Shares ISA, and SIPP with £0 ongoing account fees. View our charges.
Hargreaves Lansdown charges account fees as a percentage of investment value. From 1 March 2026, the annual charge on funds will reduce from 0.45% to 0.35% across Stocks and Shares ISAs, SIPPs, and Fund and Share Accounts, with no cap on fund holdings.
Other investments are charged at 0.35% per year, capped at £150, with Fund and Share Accounts now subject to a new 0.35% annual charge on shares, ETFs, investment trusts, and bonds.
Commission-free trading with Freetrade
Freetrade provide comission-free tade for UK and US trades for all types of investments including shares, funds, bonds and more. *Other charges, such as FX fees, may apply. View our charges.
From 1 March 2026, Hargreaves Lansdown charges £6.95 per online trade for shares, ETFs, investment trusts and bonds, reducing to £3.95 per trade for customers who placed 20 or more trades in the previous month. Fund trades cost £1.95 per trade, while regular monthly fund investing remains free.
How fund holding costs compare
Freetrade offers commission-free fund trading, with no platform fee for funds. This means the cost of holding funds does not increase as your portfolio grows.
From 1 March 2026, Hargreaves Lansdown charges £1.95 per fund trade, with a 0.35% annual holding fee on fund holdings up to £250,000 across its Stocks and Shares ISA, SIPP, and Fund and Share Account
Why investors choose Freetrade for Funds
Fee-free growth
Grow your funds, not your fees. Choose from 500+ funds from providers like Vanguard, Blackrock, Royal Londoon, and more to diversify your portfolio.
Instant diversification
Buying into a fund is like buying a basket of investments. In one unit, you’ll be holding a range of stocks, bonds, and other assets, giving your portfolio a boost of diversification.
Expert management
Invest in actively managed funds and benefit from a professional fund manager. They oversee the fund and choose the investments within it, with the aim of beating the chosen benchmark.
Convenience
Save yourself time and effort. Funds rebalance and adjust their positions constantly, meaning you don’t have to constantly follow the markets or buy and sell individual stocks to meet your goals.
Flexible stock and shares ISA
Freetrade offers a flexible stocks and shares ISA, giving you more control over how and when you move money in and out of your ISA without affecting your annual allowance, up to £20,000 per tax year.
Hargreaves Lansdown does not currently offer a flexible Stocks and Shares ISA. This means withdrawals permanently reduce your ISA allowance for that tax year.
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Why open an ISA with Freetrade
Commission-free investing
Pay no commission for buying or selling stocks. Other charges may apply. See our full pricing table.
Over 6,500 stocks and ETFs
Choose from thousands of UK, US, and European stocks, ETFs and investment trusts, as well as UK Treasury bills. See our full list.
Automate your investments
Set up recurring orders, limit orders, and stop losses to control what you invest in and when.
No account fees
Open an ISA and invest tax efficiently without any account fees. Other charges may apply.
Flexible
The Freetrade ISA is flexible, meaning you can withdraw and replace money during the tax year without impacting your annual allowance.
Easy to use
Manage your portfolio with ease on iOS, Android, or your web browser.
5 star reviews
Join over 1.6 million users
Ready to start investing with Freetrade?
Open a SIPP
Build your future today. Open a Freetrade SIPP in minutes with no account fee.
Open an ISA
Invest tax-free from day one with a Stocks and Shares ISA on Freetrade. £0 account fees.
Tax treatment depends on personal circumstances and current rules may change. Before transferring, check for any exit fees or loss of benefits from your current provider.
Have a SIPP or ISA already?
Transfer a SIPP
Take control of your pension. Transfer your SIPP to Freetrade and simplify investing.
Transfer an ISA
Bring your ISA together in one place. Transfer to Freetrade for simple, tax-free control.
Tax treatment depends on personal circumstances and current rules may change. Before transferring, check for any exit fees or loss of benefits from your current provider.
Freetrade vs Hargreaves Lansdown FAQs
Here you'll find answers to the most frequently asked questions. If you have a question that's not listed, please contact support.
Can I transfer my ISA from Hargreaves Lansdown to Freetrade?
Yes. You can transfer an existing Stocks and Shares ISA from Hargreaves Lansdown to Freetrade. Transfers may be made as a full or partial ISA transfer, depending on eligibility and the investments held.
Are there any charges when transferring an ISA from Hargreaves Lansdown?
Freetrade does not charge to receive ISA transfers. However, Hargreaves Lansdown may apply exit or transfer-out fees, so it’s worth checking their latest charges before starting a transfer.
How long does it take to transfer an ISA from Hargreaves Lansdown to Freetrade?
ISA transfers typically take 2 to 6 weeks. The exact timeframe depends on the type of transfer and how quickly your current provider completes the process.
Is Freetrade ISA flexible?
Yes. Freetrade offers a flexible Stocks and Shares ISA. This allows you to withdraw and replace money within the same tax year without affecting your annual ISA allowance, up to the £20,000 annual limit.
Can I transfer my Hargreaves Lansdown SIPP to Freetrade?
Yes. You can transfer an existing SIPP from Hargreaves Lansdown to Freetrade. Transfers may be made as a full or partial SIPP transfer, depending on the assets held.
How long does it take to transfer a SIPP from Hargreaves Lansdown to Freetrade?
SIPP transfers typically take 4 to 8 weeks. Timescales can vary depending on the investments being transferred and how quickly your current provider processes the request.
Is there a fee to transfer a SIPP out of Hargreaves Lansdown?
Freetrade does not charge to receive SIPP transfers. Hargreaves Lansdown may charge transfer-out or exit fees, so you should check their current fee schedule before starting.
Can I track the progress of my transfer to Freetrade?
Yes. Once your ISA or SIPP transfer request has been submitted, you can track its progress in the Freetrade app and receive updates as it moves through each stage.
How much does Hargreaves Lansdown charge per trade?
Hargreaves Lansdown charges dealing fees for trades. The amount you pay depends on how many trades you placed in the previous month.
Does Freetrade charge fund holding fees?
No. Freetrade does not charge fund holding fees. However, the funds themselves may have their own ongoing charges set by the fund provider.
Regulation and protection
Freetrade is authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) and investments are covered by the Financial Services Compensation Scheme (FSCS).
