Both are FCA-regulated and FSCS-protected. The real difference is fees, account types and how each platform feels to use. Verified against each provider’s published charges.
Fees verified July 2026. Capital at risk. Information, not financial advice.
Active investors who want professional tools alongside long-term holdings.
Investors who want the fullest service, research and support and will pay a premium for it.
Tick what you need. No account, no email. The answer is on this page.
Tick what you need above and we'll tell you which of the two covers it.
Account availability verified July 2026. Capital at risk. Information, not financial advice.
Experienced traders rate the platform quality, charting and market access.
Lower scores than rivals, with complaints about account queries and the complexity of the product range.
Read IG reviews on TrustpilotService 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 Trustpilot| Fee | IG | Hargreaves Lansdown |
|---|---|---|
| Platform fee | £0 (custody fee removed January 2026) | Funds: 0.35% up to £250k, 0.25% £250k-£1m, 0.10% £1m-£2m, nothing above £2m. Shares, ETFs and investment trusts: 0.35%, capped at £150 a year in the ISA, SIPP and Fund & Share account |
| Share dealing | £0 commission with instant currency conversion | £6.95 per trade (cut from £11.95 in March 2026) |
| Fund dealing | Not confirmed: check IG's site for fund availability | £1.95 per trade (free via regular investing) |
| FX fee | 0.7% | 1% on the first £5k, tiered lower above |
| Stocks & Shares ISA | Free | Platform fee applies |
| SIPP | Commission-free; administered by Options Pensions, £205 a year | Platform fee applies |
| Withdrawals | Free | Free |
| Minimum to start | No minimum | £25/month or £100 lump sum |
A 0.25% yearly fee gap sounds small. On £50,000 over 20 years it is about £5,900 (illustrative). Add your ISA and pension balances to Delphina yourself and see what your charges cost by retirement and whether you're on track.
See what my fees costIllustrative: £50,000, 5% a year growth before charges, 0.25% vs 0.50% a year in charges, no further contributions. Not a recommendation of IG or Hargreaves Lansdown. Delphina is guidance, not financial advice.
IG is best known for trading, but its share dealing account and ISA became far more competitive in 2026 when it removed custody fees and commissions. You get institutional-quality tools with no platform charge.
The 0.7% currency conversion fee is the main cost to watch on US shares, and there are no traditional funds. It suits confident investors; beginners will find simpler homes elsewhere.
Hargreaves 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.
It depends on what you hold and how often you trade. IG's platform fee is £0 (custody fee removed January 2026), against funds: 0.35% up to £250k, 0.25% £250k-£1m, 0.10% £1m-£2m, nothing above £2m. Shares, ETFs and investment trusts: 0.35%, capped at £150 a year in the ISA, SIPP and Fund & Share account at Hargreaves Lansdown. On dealing, IG charges £0 commission with instant currency conversion for shares and not confirmed: check IG's site for fund availability for funds, while Hargreaves Lansdown charges £6.95 per trade (cut from £11.95 in March 2026) for shares and £1.95 per trade (free via regular investing) for funds. Fees verified July 2026.
IG is best for active investors who want professional tools alongside long-term holdings. Hargreaves Lansdown is best for investors who want the fullest service, research and support and will pay a premium for it. Both are FCA regulated and covered by the FSCS.
On IG's ISA: Free. On Hargreaves Lansdown's ISA: Platform fee applies. IG offers a flexible ISA and Hargreaves Lansdown does not. Minimums are No minimum at IG and £25/month or £100 lump sum at Hargreaves Lansdown.
IG offers a SIPP (commission-free; administered by Options Pensions, £205 a year). Hargreaves Lansdown offers a SIPP (platform fee applies).
IG scores 3.8 out of 5 on Trustpilot (Great) from around 8,500 reviews. Hargreaves Lansdown scores 4.3 out of 5 (Excellent) from over 21,000 reviews. Lower scores than rivals, with complaints about account queries and the complexity of the product range. Price. Even after the cuts, reviewers and commentators note cheaper alternatives for the same investments.
Yes. UK platforms accept ISA and SIPP transfers in, and you start the transfer with the receiving provider rather than the one you are leaving. IG charges free on withdrawals and Hargreaves Lansdown charges free. Transfer as cash and you are out of the market while it settles; transfer in specie and you keep your holdings but it takes longer.
IG or Hargreaves Lansdown, the account is the easy part. What decides when you can retire is how much goes in and for how long. Delphina works that out from what you already hold and what you pay in each month.
Free to check. No card required. Takes about two minutes.