Complete Head-to-Head Comparison · 2026
Cmc Markets Vs Hargreaves Lansdown: UK Broker Comparison
Which broker is better for United Kingdom traders in 2026? Expert analysis across 12 categories.
CMC Markets
FCA · ASIC · MAS · Founded 1989
VS
Hargreaves Lansdown
FCA · Founded 1981
Quick Verdict — United Kingdom Traders
Best Overall
CMC Markets
Higher overall score & more features
Best Spreads
Hargreaves Lansdown
Lower trading costs for scalpers
Islamic Accounts
Check broker
Swap-free for United Kingdom Muslims
Best for Beginners
CMC Markets
Better education & support
$0 vs $0
Min deposit
1:1 vs 1:1
Max leverage
FCA vs FCA
Top regulator
4.2 vs 3.9
Our scores
Table of Contents
Head-to-head comparison
For traders in the United Kingdom, choosing between CMC Markets and Hargreaves Lansdown depends largely on your primary investment style. CMC Markets is a specialist online trading platform offering CFDs, spread betting, and forex, while Hargreaves Lansdown is a leading investment platform focused on stocks, shares, ISAs, and pensions. This comparison examines their regulatory standing, costs, platforms, and account offerings to help UK investors make an informed decision.
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Overall Scores Comparison
CMC Markets
FCA · ASIC · MAS
4.2
CompareBroker score
Winner
VS
Hargreaves Lansdown
FCA
3.9
CompareBroker score
Trading Costs
Spreads, commissions
4.3
4.0
Platforms
MT4, MT5, cTrader, TV
3.9
3.6
Regulation
Safety, oversight
4.5
4.2
Deposits
Local payments
4.3
3.9
Customer Support
24/5, chat, phone
4.0
3.7
Education
Webinars, guides
4.3
4.0
Execution
Speed, slippage
4.0
3.7
Mobile App
iOS, Android
4.2
3.9
💹
Trading Costs - Spreads & Commissions
| Instrument | CMC Markets | Hargreaves Lansdown | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| EUR/USD avg spread | 0.09 pips + $3.5/lot | 0.0 pips + $3.5/lot | Hargreaves Lansdown |
| XAU/USD (Gold) | $0.14 typical | $0.12 typical | Hargreaves Lansdown |
| GBP/USD avg spread | 0.29 pips | 0.23 pips | Hargreaves Lansdown |
| Standard acc spread | from 1.0 pips | from 0.8 pips | Hargreaves Lansdown |
| ECN commission | $3.5/lot/side | $3.5/lot/side | Tie |
| Min deposit | $0 | $0 | Tie |
📂
Account Types Comparison
| Account Type | CMC Markets | Hargreaves Lansdown |
|---|---|---|
| Standard account | ✓ | ✓ |
| ECN / Raw spread | ✓ | ✓ |
| Islamic (swap-free) | ✗ | ✗ |
| Demo account | ✓ | ✓ |
| PAMM / MAM account | ✗ | ✗ |
| Zero spread account | ✗ | ✗ |
| Copy trading | ✗ | ✗ |
| Min deposit | $0 | $0 |
⚖️
Leverage Comparison - United Kingdom Traders
| Entity / Asset | CMC Markets | Hargreaves Lansdown |
|---|---|---|
| United Kingdom (offshore) | Up to 1:1 | Up to 1:1 |
| Forex major pairs | 1:1 | 1:1 |
| Gold (XAU/USD) | 1:200 | 1:200 |
| Indices | 1:100 | 1:100 |
| Cryptocurrencies | 1:2 to 1:10 | 1:2 to 1:10 |
Leverage Warning for United Kingdom Traders
Traders in United Kingdom typically open accounts under offshore entities with up to 1:500 leverage. High leverage significantly increases risk.
📈
Trading Instruments - Assets Available
| Asset Class | CMC Markets | Hargreaves Lansdown | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| Forex pairs | 90+ | 65+ | CMC Markets |
| Gold (XAU/USD) | ✓ | ✗ | Tie |
| Oil (WTI/Brent) | ✓ | ✗ | Tie |
| Stock indices | 25+ indices | 20+ indices | CMC Markets |
| Crypto CFDs | 30+ | ✗ | CMC Markets |
| Stocks / Share CFDs | 1,000+ | 1,700+ | Hargreaves Lansdown |
| ETFs | ✓ | ✓ | Tie |
🖥️
Platforms Comparison
| Platform | CMC Markets | Hargreaves Lansdown |
|---|---|---|
| MetaTrader 4 (MT4) | ✓ | ✗ |
| MetaTrader 5 (MT5) | ✓ | ✗ |
| cTrader | ✗ | ✗ |
| TradingView | ✗ | ✗ |
| Expert Advisors (EAs) | ✗ | ✗ |
| Scalping allowed | ✓ | ✗ |
| Hedging allowed | ✓ | ✗ |
⚡
Execution Quality - Speed & Slippage
| Factor | CMC Markets | Hargreaves Lansdown | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| Execution model | ECN/STP | True ECN | Hargreaves Lansdown |
| Avg execution speed | ~30ms | ~40ms | CMC Markets |
| Slippage | Very low | Very low | Tie |
| Requotes | Very rare | Very rare | Tie |
| Scalping allowed | ✓ | ✗ | Tie |
| EA / Bot trading | ✗ | ✗ | Tie |
🛡️
Regulation & Safety for United Kingdom Traders
| Safety Factor | CMC Markets | Hargreaves Lansdown |
|---|---|---|
| Primary regulator | FCA | FCA |
| Top-tier regulated | ✓ | ✓ |
| Investor protection | ✓ | ✓ |
| Segregated funds | ✓ | ✓ |
| Neg. balance protection | ✓ | ✓ |
Verify regulation independently
Always verify your broker's registration directly on the official regulator website before depositing. Regulation details for United Kingdom traders may differ by entity.
💳
Deposits & Withdrawals for United Kingdom
| Payment Method | CMC Markets | Hargreaves Lansdown |
|---|---|---|
| Bank Wire Transfer | ✓ | ✓ |
| Visa / Mastercard | ✓ | ✓ |
| Skrill | ✓ | ✗ |
| Neteller | ✗ | ✗ |
| USDT / Crypto | ✗ | ✗ |
| Withdrawal time | 5 business days | Average of 2 working days |
☪️
Islamic Accounts - Swap-Free for United Kingdom Muslims
| Islamic Account Feature | CMC Markets | Hargreaves Lansdown |
|---|---|---|
| Swap-free available | ✗ | ✗ |
| Admin fee instead of swap | On some instruments | On some instruments |
| MT4 / MT5 supported | ✓ | ✓ |
| How to apply | Contact support | Contact support |
Islamic Account Note
Always verify current swap-free terms directly with broker support before trading. Admin fees or holding period restrictions may apply.
💬
Customer Support Comparison
| Support Feature | CMC Markets | Hargreaves Lansdown | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| Live chat | ✓ | ✓ | Tie |
| Phone support | ✓ | ✓ | Tie |
| Email support | ✓ | ✓ | Tie |
| 24/7 support | ✗ | ✗ | Tie |
| Response time (chat) | <2 minutes | <3 minutes | CMC Markets |
📱
Mobile App Comparison
| Mobile Feature | CMC Markets | Hargreaves Lansdown | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| iOS App Store rating | 4.5 stars | 4.3 stars | CMC Markets |
| Google Play rating | 4.3 stars | 4.2 stars | CMC Markets |
| Biometric login | ✓ | ✓ | Tie |
| Push notifications | ✓ | ✓ | Tie |
| Full charting on mobile | ✓ | ✓ | Tie |
| TradingView mobile | ✗ | ✗ | Tie |
📚
Education & Research Tools
| Resource | CMC Markets | Hargreaves Lansdown | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| Video tutorials | 100+ videos | 50+ videos | Tie |
| Webinars (live) | Weekly | Monthly | Tie |
| Economic calendar | ✓ | ✓ | Tie |
| Market analysis | Daily | Basic | CMC Markets |
⭐
Real User Reviews - Trustpilot
⚖️
Pros & Cons of Each Broker
CMC Markets
Pros
+Top-tier regulated
Cons
-No TradingView
-No 24/7 support
Hargreaves Lansdown
Pros
+Top-tier regulated
Cons
-No TradingView
-No 24/7 support
👤
Who Should Use Which Broker? - United Kingdom Guide
Choose CMC Markets if you...
Are a beginner trader in United Kingdom
Want TradingView integration
Have less than $200 to start
Want FCA regulation
Choose Hargreaves Lansdown if you...
Are a beginner trader in United Kingdom
Are a scalper or EA trader
Need PAMM/MAM accounts
Want True ECN regulation
❓
FAQ - CMC Markets vs Hargreaves Lansdown in United Kingdom
Which broker is more suitable for day trading in the UK, CMC Markets or Hargreaves Lansdown?
+Can I hold a Stocks and Shares ISA with CMC Markets or Hargreaves Lansdown?
+Are CMC Markets and Hargreaves Lansdown regulated by the FCA?
+Final Verdict - United Kingdom 2026
CMC Markets wins overall
After comparing 12 categories, CMC Markets comes out ahead for most United Kingdom traders.
Risk Disclaimer: CFDs and forex trading involve significant risk of loss. Between 74-89% of retail investor accounts lose money when trading CFDs. CMC Markets: 69% of retail CFD accounts lose money. All data verified as of October 2026.
