Both are FCA regulated and FSCS protected. The real differences are fees, investment range and how each platform feels to use. Here is the honest comparison.
Fees verified July 2026. Capital at risk. Information, not financial advice.
Investors who want the fullest service, research and support and will pay a premium for it.
Beginners building a habit, and first-time buyers using the Lifetime ISA.
| Fee | Hargreaves Lansdown | Moneybox |
|---|---|---|
| Platform fee | 0.35% on funds up to £250k (tiered lower above); shares capped at £45/year in an ISA and £150/year in a SIPP | £1/month subscription plus 0.45% platform fee |
| Share dealing | £6.95 per trade (cut from £11.95 in March 2026) | US stocks available, 0.45% FX fee |
| Fund dealing | £1.95 per trade (free via regular investing) | Free (fund fees apply) |
| FX fee | 1% on the first £5k, tiered lower above | 0.45% on US stocks |
| Stocks & Shares ISA | Platform fee applies | Subscription plus 0.45% applies |
| SIPP | Platform fee applies | 0.45% platform fee (0.15% above £100k), no subscription |
| Withdrawals | Free | Free |
| Minimum to start | £25/month or £100 lump sum | £1 |
Service quality is the recurring theme: phone answered quickly, knowledgeable staff, smooth transfers.
Price. Even after the cuts, reviewers and commentators note cheaper alternatives for the same investments.
Read Hargreaves Lansdown reviews on TrustpilotUsers love the round-ups, the goal-based design and how painless it makes starting. 93% of customers surveyed in 2026 would recommend it.
The combined £1/month plus 0.45% is repeatedly flagged as expensive for small balances.
Read Moneybox reviews on TrustpilotHargreaves Lansdown is the UK's largest DIY investment platform and leans into service: fast phone support, deep research and every account type you might need. The March 2026 fee cuts made it meaningfully cheaper, with fund fees down to 0.35% and share dealing at £6.95.
It is still rarely the cheapest option. You are paying for service and breadth, so the honest question is whether you will use them. If not, AJ Bell offers similar range for less.
Moneybox is designed for getting started. Round-ups, weekly deposits and simple starter portfolios remove the friction that stops most people investing, and its Lifetime ISA is one of the most popular routes to a first home deposit.
The convenience has a price: £1 a month plus 0.45% is one of the higher fee stacks here once your balance grows. It is a great first platform, and many users graduate to cheaper ones later.
A 0.2% fee difference is worth optimising. Knowing whether you are saving enough in the first place is worth far more. Delphina models your pensions, ISAs and investments and tells you where you actually stand.