Circle Markets
Hargreaves Lansdown
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Overview
Circle Markets was founded in 2007 and is headquartered in New Zealand, while Hargreaves Lansdown was established in 1981 and is based in UK. Circle Markets holds licences including Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (FINRA), while Hargreaves Lansdown is regulated by Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) among others. Circle Markets serves 10,000+ clients worldwide; Hargreaves Lansdown has 10,000+. The minimum deposit is $100 at Circle Markets and $200 at Hargreaves Lansdown.
| Feature | Circle Markets | Hargreaves Lansdown |
|---|---|---|
| Min. Deposit | $100 | $200 |
| Regulation | Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (FINRA) | Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) |
| Founded | 2007 | 1981 |
| Country | New Zealand | UK |
| Clients | 10,000+ | 10,000+ |
Fees
Fees are a critical factor when choosing between Circle Markets and Hargreaves Lansdown, directly affecting your bottom line as a trader. Circle Markets has a lower barrier to entry with a minimum deposit of $100 (vs $200 at Hargreaves Lansdown). Circle Markets charges withdrawal fees while Hargreaves Lansdown does not, a notable advantage for frequent withdrawers. Circle Markets charges deposit fees; Hargreaves Lansdown does not. Overall, Hargreaves Lansdown scores higher on fees in our assessment.
| Feature | Circle Markets | Hargreaves Lansdown |
|---|---|---|
| Min. Deposit | $100 | $200 |
| Withdrawal Fees | Yes | No |
| Inactivity Fees | No | No |
| Deposit Fees | Yes | No |
| CFD Fees | No | Yes |
Platforms
Circle Markets offers MT4, MT5, cTrader, while Hargreaves Lansdown supports MT4, MT5, cTrader. Both brokers provide mobile trading apps for iOS and Android. The two brokers are closely matched on platform offering.
| Feature | Circle Markets | Hargreaves Lansdown |
|---|---|---|
| MT4 | Yes | Yes |
| MT5 | Yes | Yes |
| cTrader | Yes | Yes |
| Windows App | Yes | Yes |
| iOS App | Yes | Yes |
| Android App | Yes | Yes |
| Trading Platforms | Desktop, Tablet & Mobile apps | Web Trader, Tablet & Mobile apps |
Education & Research
Education and research tools help traders at every level make more informed decisions, and here's how Circle Markets and Hargreaves Lansdown compare. Both brokers run regular live webinars. Both provide video tutorials, including advanced content. Daily market commentary is available from both brokers. Both integrate third-party research tools including Trading Central. Archived webinars are available at both brokers for self-paced learning. The two brokers are evenly matched on educational content.
| Feature | Circle Markets | Hargreaves Lansdown |
|---|---|---|
| Forex Education | No | No |
| CFD Education | Yes | Yes |
| Weekly Webinars | Yes | Yes |
| Daily Commentary | Yes | Yes |
| Trading Central | Yes | Yes |
| Autochartist | No | No |
Deposits & Withdrawals
Convenient deposit and withdrawal options reduce friction for traders, especially important when managing positions across time zones. Circle Markets accepts 2 of the tracked payment methods (bank transfer, credit/debit card), while Hargreaves Lansdown supports 2 (bank transfer, credit/debit card). Both brokers support the same set of payment methods.
| Feature | Circle Markets | Hargreaves Lansdown |
|---|---|---|
| Bank Transfer | Yes | Yes |
| Credit Card | Yes | Yes |
| PayPal | No | No |
| Skrill | No | No |
| Neteller | No | No |
Support
Responsive customer support matters most when you're locked out of your account or need urgent help with a trade. Both Circle Markets and Hargreaves Lansdown offer live chat support. Both provide phone support. Email support is available at both brokers. Both brokers offer support in 2 languages. Both brokers are comparable on support quality.
| Feature | Circle Markets | Hargreaves Lansdown |
|---|---|---|
| Live Chat | Yes | Yes |
| Phone Support | Yes | Yes |
| Email Support | Yes | Yes |
| Languages | English, and Chinese | English, and Chinese |