Hargreaves Lansdown vs Lightyear
Key takeaways
 | ||
|---|---|---|
Platform fees | Free | 0.35% of holdings per year, see below |
Cash ISA - AER | 3.75% | up to 4.3% |
Stocks & Shares ISA | ||
ETFs - per order | Free | £6.95 |
US stocks - per order | Free | £6.95 |
EU stocks - per order | Free | £6.95 |
UK stocks - per order | Free | £6.95 |
Currency conversion (FX) | 0.1% | 0.99% First £10k (see below) |
Pricing data for Hargreaves Lansdown sourced from hl.co.uk and correct as of 1 March 2026. Platform fees depend on the total value of holdings and the type of instruments held. In a HL Stocks & Shares ISA, charges for holding funds are calculated in bands: the first £250,000 is charged at 0.35%, £250,000 to £1m at 0.25%, £1m to £2m at 0.10%, and amounts above £2m at 0%. Shares, exchange-traded funds (ETFs) and investment trusts are charged at 0.35% per year, capped at £150 per account.
Stock trading costs depend on the number of trades made in the previous month. The standard online dealing charge is £6.95 per trade for up to 19 trades in the previous month and £3.95 per trade for 20 or more trades.
Foreign exchange (FX) fees are tiered: 0.99% on the first £10,000, 0.75% on the next £10,000, 0.50% on the next £20,000, and 0.25% on amounts above £40,000. Additional dealing charges may apply for certain instruments, such as funds.
By default, this projection assumes a 5.00% annual growth rate - this is purely illustrative and is not a reliable indicator of future performance. We assume a 50:50 split of the yearly investment amount between stock and ETF investments, over a 10 year period. All ETFs are assumed to be in GBP (Pounds), and all stock purchases in USD (Dollars), incurring FX fees. We assume all purchases use newly invested funds (i.e. holdings are not sold, or sold and reinvested) and that the amount invested increases by 2% each year (in-line with inflation). It is your responsibility to check your investments are within the ISA annual contribution limit.
To customise, or to see broker pricing data, hit 'Detailed comparison'.
Is Hargreaves Lansdown expensive?
Hargreaves Lansdown charges a tiered annual platform fee for holding funds, starting at 0.35% for portfolios up to £250,000 and decreasing for larger portfolios. For shares, ETFs and investment trusts, the platform fee is 0.35% (unlike the fee for holding funds, this fee is not tiered but is capped at £150 a year).
Hargreaves Lansdown also charges £6.95 per trade for shares, ETFs and investment trusts, with lower fees available for higher trading volumes. The platform also applies foreign exchange fees and may charge additional dealing fees for certain instruments, such as funds.
Is Hargreaves Lansdown’s ISA flexible?
No, Hargreaves Lansdown’s Stocks & Shares ISA is not flexible. This means that if you withdraw funds during the tax year, you will lose the associated ISA allowance. Flexible ISAs allow you to withdraw and replace funds within the same tax year without impacting your annual allowance, but this feature is not available with Hargreaves Lansdown.
Lightyear offers a Stocks & Shares ISA and a Cash ISA, and both are flexible.
Is it time to quit Hargreaves Lansdown?
Whether it’s time to leave Hargreaves Lansdown depends on your investment needs and priorities. If you’re satisfied with their research tools, fund options, and customer service, and you don’t mind the higher fees, it may still be a good fit.
However, if you’re looking for more modern features like earning interest or holding multiple currencies, and access to stocks & ETFs without execution fees, you might want to explore alternatives such as Lightyear. Conducting a comparison based on your specific investment goals can help you decide.
Can I transfer stocks from Hargreaves Lansdown to Lightyear?
Yes, you can transfer stocks from Hargreaves Lansdown to Lightyear. Lightyear accepts transfers of whole shares, provided each position is worth at least £/$/€1,000. Only regular, exercised stocks can be transferred; Lightyear does not accept non-qualified stock options (NSOs).
To start a transfer, read our guide to stock transfers.