- Experts commend Hargreaves Lansdown Junior ISA for its no-fee structure, which they believe encourages long-term saving for children. The platform is praised for its extensive range of investment options, including thousands of UK and international shares, bonds, and funds, alongside excellent customer service and research capabilities. However, it is noted that Hargreaves Lansdown does not offer a cash Junior ISA, which may limit options for some investors.
- Across 1779 user reviews on Good Money Guide, averaging 3.8/5, customers frequently highlight the user-friendly app and website, as well as the quality of customer support. Many users appreciate the fee-free structure of the Junior ISA, which they find appealing for investing on behalf of their children. However, some reviews express concerns about high fees for certain transactions and difficulties with the platform's navigation and customer service responsiveness.
Hargreaves Lansdown Junior ISA Expert rating
Our expert rating is the average of the areas listed here, each scored out of 5 by our team.Our experts have rated Hargreaves Lansdown Junior ISA across five key areas of our review framework.
- Pricing5.0
- Market Access5.0
- App & Platform5.0
- Customer Service5.0
- Research & Analysis5.0
Pros
- Thousands of UK and international shares, bonds & funds
- Ready-made portfolios with different levels of risk
- Excellent research and analysis
- An established and listed company on the LSE.
Cons
- Not a cash ISA
See full expert review
Our verdict
Hargreaves Lansdown has one of the best JISA as there are no account costs and your money can be invested in the stock market. Hargreaves Lansdown is one of the largest investment platforms in the UK, and have recently removed their Junior ISA fees. You also get the widest selection of UK and international shares as well as bonds, ETFs, VCTs, gilts and bonds to invest for your children.
Capital at risk.
Is the Hargreaves Lansdown Junior Stocks and Shares ISA any good?
Yes, Hargreaves Lansdown won "Best Junior Stocks & Shares ISA 2025" in the Good Money Guide Awards.
Since Hargreaves Lansdown removed the fees from of its JISA (Junior ISA) account it is now one of the cheapest ways to invest for your children.. This is good news as Hargreaves Lansdown is generally acknowledged to be not only the largest provider of direct-to-consumer investment services but also the most expensive.
As well as seeing record inflows in 2024 for the now free junior ISA investing account, HL also reports that over one-third of JISA are paid into every month and that the average account value of a junior stocks and shares ISA when it converts into an adult ISA is £18,829.
The Junior ISA is aimed at those under the age of 18 and is designed to encourage long-term saving on behalf of children and teenagers. Those goals have received a boost with Hargreaves Lansdown removing its fees on the Junior ISA.
Junior ISAs, which are often managed by parents, grandparents or guardians, on behalf of a young person, will now be able to trade or invest in funds and ETFs, UK and overseas shares, gilts and other bonds, free of charge.
If those deals are transacted online or as part of a regular savings plan via direct debit.
Charges will still apply if orders are placed over the phone with the Hargreaves Lansdown's dealing team, or via the firm's postal dealing service.
Hargreaves will also waive charges associated with account opening or closing, transfers of stock or cash, and the production of quarterly statements.
Though the firm will retain some credit interest to cover its administrative expenses.
UK and Irish Stamp Duty charges and the UK PTM levy will still apply to qualifying equity trades, as will purchase and financial taxes on certain French, Spanish and Italian securities.
Hargreaves Lansdown’s biggest rival is AJ Bell, who charge 0.25% on the value of shares held in a Junior ISA, though that fee is capped at £2.50 per month.
AJ Bell also has a custody fee of 0.25% per annum and a variable fee schedule for trading.
Regular online investments attract a charge of £1.50, as do dividend reinvestments and trades in unit trusts.
Online trades in equities, investment trusts, ETFs, Gilts and bonds are charged at £9.95 per trade.
Though that can fall to just £4.95 if the account traded 10 times or more in the prior month.
Telephone orders at AJ Bell are charged at £29.95 per trade.
AJ Bell's Lifetime ISA charges 0.25% of the value of shares held in the account, capped at a maximum of £3.50 per month.
Once again custody charges of 0.25% also apply.
Though if an investor is holding more than £250,000 in funds, within their AJ Bell Lifetime ISA, then the custody charge falls to 0.10%.
And if they hold £500,000 or more in fund investments there are no custody charges levied.
Over the long term, fees can negatively affect the performance of an investment portfolio. So for Junior ISA holders and those that manage the accounts, a no-fee solution is a very positive step.
And one that will hopefully encourage parents, grandparents and guardians to invest on their charges’ behalf, and to choose Hargreaves Lansdown as they do so.
Which, is no doubt what the no-fee offer is designed to encourage.
However, there is no cash Junior ISA at HL. Hargreaves Lansdown only has a stocks and shares junior ISA, but you can receive interest on your uninvested cash (essentially making it a cash ISA).
Customer reviews for Hargreaves Lansdown
Customer ratings come from reviews left on this site. Every review is read and approved before it is published.Based on 1,779 reviews
- Excellent27%
- Very good38%
- Basic24%
- Poor7%
- Bad4%
Read customer reviews
Useful
Helpfull phone support and an easy to use app and website
Excellent
Everything is clearly explained, and the interest rate on the cash isa is very good
Transparent
Clear policies and excellent documentation with reasonable charges in managing ISA savings and SIPP pensions
Reliable
Provides excellent rates with a solid reputation.
hideous experience
just speechless! I created the kids accounts. They changed the primary person on my child's account without telling either parent, locked me out when I Phoned about a login issue, then dictated what I do in my own home and with whom. Never had an experience like that!
Website
Excellent platform for stocks, shares and cash investing.
Class
Amazing customer service
Efficient
Very simple app. Brilliant customer service. Good range of ETFs, which I use for long-term investing. Brilliant Cash ISA also, with great interest rate. Trusted and credible. I trust my money is in a safe place.
Good
Communication
Intuitive
Good, intuitive app. Very responsive customer service.
Excellent
Easy platform to use
Confidence
Easy to use platform, very supportive and excellent telephone service.
fantastic
They listen then execute the right strategy
Accessible
Easy to use and patient/friendly when contacted. 5he brand provides access at all investment skill and money levels.
Great for junior ISA
Provide good junior stocks and shares ISA
Quality
Been with them for years and I have always felt they provide me with the best service for my needs as being retired now , not the force of old but heh ho still looking . Pb
Bereavement Support - Incompetent and Difficult
Where do I start.
Claiming they sent forms when they didn't. Then sent them in an email, but the forms were not attached.
Provided all information requested.
Week later I get an email requesting more information. We are all HL clients but they have made a bad situation so much worse because of their incompetence and awkwardness.
I have NEVER dealt with a more difficult organisation in thise who bereavement process.
They offer good products but I am seriously considering moving my considerable financial invesment away from HL.
Utterly appalled.
Overall good but the app could be easier to use.
One of only a few providers of a JISA where you can pick and manage your investments. Setting up the account was reasonably easy. The app UI is ok but not great. Can only fund the account through a card payment is a little frustrating but not a deal breaker.
Free JISA and app is great
Opened up a JISA on HL due to fees and ease of use. Good stock universe and the app works very well. Got no complaints
Good but room for improvement
HL Junior ISA is okay but their website and app need improvement compared to competitors like InvestEngine and Trading212.
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