Directshares
Hargreaves Lansdown
BrokerDataNet earns affiliate commission from brokers listed on this site. This does not affect our ratings or editorial independence.
Overview
Directshares was founded in 2007 and is headquartered in Australia, while Hargreaves Lansdown was established in 1981 and is based in UK. Directshares holds licences including The Portuguese Securities Market Commission (CMVM), while Hargreaves Lansdown is regulated by Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) among others. Directshares serves 10,000+ clients worldwide; Hargreaves Lansdown has 10,000+. The minimum deposit is $100 at Directshares and $200 at Hargreaves Lansdown.
| Feature | Directshares | Hargreaves Lansdown |
|---|---|---|
| Min. Deposit | $100 | $200 |
| Regulation | The Portuguese Securities Market Commission (CMVM) | Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) |
| Founded | 2007 | 1981 |
| Country | Australia | UK |
| Clients | 10,000+ | 10,000+ |
Fees
Fees are a critical factor when choosing between Directshares and Hargreaves Lansdown, directly affecting your bottom line as a trader. Directshares has a lower barrier to entry with a minimum deposit of $100 (vs $200 at Hargreaves Lansdown). Directshares charges withdrawal fees while Hargreaves Lansdown does not, a notable advantage for frequent withdrawers. Directshares charges deposit fees; Hargreaves Lansdown does not. Overall, Hargreaves Lansdown scores higher on fees in our assessment.
| Feature | Directshares | Hargreaves Lansdown |
|---|---|---|
| Min. Deposit | $100 | $200 |
| Withdrawal Fees | Yes | No |
| Inactivity Fees | No | No |
| Deposit Fees | Yes | No |
| CFD Fees | No | Yes |
Platforms
Directshares offers MT4, MT5, cTrader, while Hargreaves Lansdown supports MT4, MT5, cTrader. Both brokers provide mobile trading apps for iOS and Android. Directshares supports social and copy trading features, which Hargreaves Lansdown does not offer. The two brokers are closely matched on platform offering.
| Feature | Directshares | 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 | MT4,iOS,MacBook,iPhone | Web Trader, Tablet & Mobile apps |
Education & Research
Education and research tools help traders at every level make more informed decisions, and here's how Directshares 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. Directshares scores higher overall in education and research.
| Feature | Directshares | Hargreaves Lansdown |
|---|---|---|
| Forex Education | Yes | No |
| CFD Education | Yes | Yes |
| Weekly Webinars | Yes | Yes |
| Daily Commentary | Yes | Yes |
| Trading Central | Yes | Yes |
| Autochartist | Yes | No |
Deposits & Withdrawals
Convenient deposit and withdrawal options reduce friction for traders, especially important when managing positions across time zones. Directshares 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 | Directshares | 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 Directshares 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 | Directshares | Hargreaves Lansdown |
|---|---|---|
| Live Chat | Yes | Yes |
| Phone Support | Yes | Yes |
| Email Support | Yes | Yes |
| Languages | English, and Chinese | English, and Chinese |