Hargreaves Lansdown (HL) is the UK’s largest investment platform, with around two million clients. It was founded in Bristol in 1981 and is known for its research and customer service. However, its fees can add up: since 1 March 2026, HL charges 0.35% a year on funds in an ISA, SIPP or Fund and Share Account, and £6.95 per online share trade. HL also doesn’t let you buy crypto directly (see our Hargreaves Lansdown crypto article).
Below are the best Hargreaves Lansdown alternatives in the UK for October 2026, split into DIY investing and managed portfolios.
Hargreaves Lansdown fees in 2026
HL cut its charges on 1 March 2026. These are the main fees:
- Account charge: 0.35% a year on funds in an ISA, SIPP or Fund and Share Account, and on shares in a Fund and Share Account.
- Cap on shares: account charges on shares, ETFs and investment trusts are capped at £150 a year per account.
- Share dealing: £6.95 per online trade, or £3.95 if you placed more than 20 trades in the previous month.
- Fund dealing: £1.95 per online trade. Regular investing by Direct Debit is free.
Source: Hargreaves Lansdown fee changes. FX charges and government taxes may also apply.
On £50,000 invested in funds, HL’s account charge is £175 a year. If you hold mostly shares and ETFs, the £150 cap makes HL more competitive, but the £6.95 dealing fee still adds up if you trade often.
Hargreaves Lansdown alternatives compared
| Platform | Best for | Annual fee on £50,000 in funds or ETFs | UK share or ETF trade |
| Hargreaves Lansdown | Research and service | £175 (funds), max £150 (shares and ETFs) | £6.95 |
| Interactive Brokers | Active and international investors | £0 (£3 monthly minimum activity in the ISA) | £3 |
| Bestinvest | Funds and free financial coaching | £200 (funds), £100 (ready-made portfolios) | £4.95 |
| InvestEngine | ETF investors | £0 (DIY) | £0 |
| Moneyfarm | Managed portfolios | Up to £350 (0.70% at £20,000, lower on larger sums) plus fund costs | Not applicable |
| Wealthify | Simple managed portfolios | £300 (0.6%) plus fund costs | Not applicable |
Sources: providers’ websites, October 2026. ETF and fund providers’ own charges apply on top.
A. Hargreaves Lansdown alternatives for DIY investors
1. Interactive Brokers
Pros:
- No account fee or custody fee
- Low dealing fees: £3 for UK shares and $0.005 per US share ($1 minimum)
- More than 150 markets, with an ISA, Junior ISA and SIPP
Cons:
- £3 minimum monthly activity fee in the ISA
- The main platform is complex for beginners
Interactive Brokers (IBKR) was founded in 1978 and gives access to stocks, ETFs, bonds, funds, options and futures on more than 150 markets. It suits investors who trade often or want international shares, and it’s an alternative to US platforms such as thinkorswim.
UK shares cost £3 per trade on fixed pricing, or 0.05% of the trade value (minimum £1) on tiered pricing. US shares cost $0.005 per share, with a $1 minimum, and currency conversion costs 0.002% (minimum $2). There is no account or custody fee, but the ISA has a £3 minimum monthly activity fee, which a single £3 trade covers. Interactive Brokers (U.K.) Limited is authorised and regulated by the FCA (FRN 208159).
CFDs are complex instruments and come with a high risk of losing money rapidly due to leverage. 58.9% of retail investor accounts lose money when trading CFDs with IBKR. You should consider whether you understand how CFDs work and whether you can afford to take the high risk of losing your money.
2. Bestinvest
Pros:
- No dealing fee on funds
- Lower 0.2% fee on ready-made portfolios and US shares
- Free financial coaching
Cons:
- 0.4% fee on funds and UK shares, with no cap
- 0.95% FX fee on US shares
Bestinvest is one of the UK’s longest-running investment platforms. It offers a Stocks and Shares ISA, Junior ISA, SIPP, Junior SIPP and Investment Account, with funds, shares, ETFs and investment trusts.
The annual service fee is 0.4% on funds and UK shares and 0.2% on ready-made portfolios and US shares, for the first £250,000. It falls to 0.1% between £500,000 and £1 million, and to zero above £1 million. Fund trades are free, UK share and ETF trades cost £4.95 online and US shares have no dealing fee but a 0.95% FX fee. The SIPP has a £10 minimum monthly fee. Regular investing and dividend reinvestment are free.
3. InvestEngine
Pros:
- No platform fee on DIY ISA, SIPP and General accounts
- More than 870 ETFs, with fractional investing
- AutoInvest and one-click rebalancing
Cons:
- ETFs only: no funds or individual shares
- £100 minimum investment
If you invest in ETFs, InvestEngine is the cheapest alternative to HL in this list. Its DIY service has no platform fee and no dealing fee on the Stocks and Shares ISA, the SIPP and the General Investment Account, so you only pay the ETF providers’ own charges. You can choose from more than 870 ETFs from providers such as iShares and Vanguard. InvestEngine is authorised and regulated by the FCA (FRN 801128). See also our guide to the best ETF brokers in the UK.
When investing, your capital is at risk. Tax treatment depends on individual circumstances and may change in the future.
B. Hargreaves Lansdown alternatives for managed portfolios
HL offers its own ready-made portfolios and pension plan. If you would rather have a digital manager choose and rebalance your investments, these are two alternatives:
1. Moneyfarm
Pros:
- Managed ISA, Junior ISA, General Investment Account and SIPP
- Active, Fixed and Smart Yield management styles, with ESG options
- Access to investment consultants
Cons:
- £500 minimum investment
- Higher fees than DIY investing
Moneyfarm was founded in 2011 and manages portfolios of ETFs for UK investors. On a £20,000 portfolio, its fees are 0.70% a year (a 0.45% management fee plus a 0.25% platform fee), plus fund costs of up to 0.21%, for a total of up to 0.91%. Fees fall as your portfolio grows. There are no charges for entry, exit, withdrawals or top-ups, and the minimum investment is £500.
2. Wealthify
Pros:
- Simple app with five risk levels
- Original and Ethical portfolio ranges
- No fees for deposits, withdrawals or inactivity
Cons:
- No control over individual investments
- 0.6% fee plus fund costs
Wealthify launched in Cardiff in 2016 and is majority-owned by Aviva. You choose between Original and Ethical portfolios and one of five risk levels, from Cautious to Adventurous, and Wealthify’s team manages the funds. It charges a 0.6% annual fee plus the cost of the funds in your plan, and offers a Stocks and Shares ISA, Junior ISA, General Investment Account and pension.
When investing, your capital is at risk and you may get back less than you invest.
The bottom line
HL’s fees fell in March 2026, but on £50,000 in funds you still pay £175 a year in account charges, plus £6.95 per share trade. For DIY investors, InvestEngine has no platform fee on ETFs, Interactive Brokers suits active and international investors with £3 UK trades and no custody fee, and Bestinvest is closest to HL for fund investors who want free fund dealing and coaching. If you prefer a managed service, Moneyfarm and Wealthify run portfolios for you from around 0.6% to 0.7% a year.