Hargreaves Lansdown Review has the widest range of funds available of any investment platform in the UK and you can buy shares listed on the London Stock Exchange, the Canadian stock market, the European stock exchange, corporate and government bonds, ETFs, unit trusts and investment trusts. It also offers a comprehensive selection of ready-made portfolios and the handy Wealth Shortlist, which highlights funds with good performance potential. Moreover, HL negotiates fund discounts on your behalf so you pay less in fees per unit than if you invested directly with the fund manager.

Hargreaves Lansdown Review: UK Investment Platform Analysis

Whether HL is worth the extra cost depends on your needs and budget. Generally, it suits investors who want an all-in-one investing service with a good mobile and desktop app and plenty of choice in investments, savings accounts, and tax wrappers. They can also benefit from the wide range of research and education tools and access to expert advice.

The firm is regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority, ensuring adherence to industry standards. Moreover, assets are held in segregated accounts and clients are protected up to PS85,000 by the Financial Services Compensation Scheme.

As a long-standing market leader, Hargreaves Lansdown has a good reputation as one of the best online share trading platforms in the UK. However, it’s losing ground to the new breed of digital brokers that offer free trades and cheaper account fees (particularly if you invest frequently). Nonetheless, its competitive product offering should make it a compelling option for most investors.