Interactive Investor vs Hargreaves Lansdown: Overview
Interactive Investor and Hargreaves Lansdown are the two largest UK investment platforms, taking fundamentally different approaches to pricing. ii uses flat monthly fees regardless of pot size, while HL charges a percentage. This makes ii dramatically cheaper for larger pots and HL potentially cheaper for very small ones.
Fees Comparison
| Feature | Interactive Investor | Hargreaves Lansdown |
|---|---|---|
| Platform/Management Fee | Flat fee from £5.99 to £19.99 per month | 0.45% on first £250,000 |
| Fund Range | Over 40,000 investments | Over 3,500 funds plus shares |
Interactive Investor: Strengths
- Flat fee outstanding for large pots
- No percentage charges
- Wide investment range
- Free regular investing
Hargreaves Lansdown: Strengths
- Best customer service
- Best research tools
- Widest fund range
- Strongest reputation
Which Should You Choose?
Choose Interactive Investor if you have a larger pot and want to minimise platform costs. Choose Hargreaves Lansdown if you value the best possible service, research, and platform experience and are willing to pay a premium.
Key takeaway: Both Interactive Investor and Hargreaves Lansdown are reputable pension providers. The best choice depends on your individual priorities, whether that is lower fees, wider investment choice, simpler management, or better service. Consider your pot size, investment style, and how hands-on you want to be.
Frequently Asked Questions
ii becomes cheaper than HL once your pot exceeds roughly £30,000 to £50,000, depending on the plan tier. For a £100,000 pot, ii saves roughly £260/year. For £500,000, the saving is over £1,200/year.
ii claims over 40,000 investment options, while HL offers over 3,500 funds plus shares. Both cover all major fund managers and share markets. In practical terms, the difference is unlikely to affect most investors.
HL wins on customer service by a clear margin. They have a larger, more experienced helpdesk and consistently win service awards. ii's service is adequate but can have longer wait times during busy periods.
ii offers a free regular investing service with no dealing charges. HL charges £1.50 per regular investment trade. For regular investors, ii offers a clear cost advantage.
Yes, transfers in both directions are possible, including in-specie transfers. The receiving platform manages the process, typically completing in 4 to 6 weeks.
HL is generally more beginner-friendly with better educational content, clearer fund research, and more intuitive platform navigation. ii can feel more complex initially but offers excellent value once you are familiar with it.