- Experts commend Hargreaves Lansdown Junior ISA for its no-fee structure, which is a significant advantage for parents looking to invest for their children's future. The platform offers a wide range of investment options, including thousands of UK and international shares, bonds, and funds, alongside excellent research and analysis capabilities. However, it is noted that Hargreaves Lansdown does not offer a cash Junior ISA, which may limit options for some investors.
- Across 1775 user reviews on Good Money Guide, averaging 3.8/5, customers frequently highlight the platform's ease of use and excellent customer service, particularly praising the intuitive app and responsive support. However, some users express concerns about high fees for certain transactions and difficulties with the website's navigation. Additionally, while many appreciate the no-fee structure for the Junior ISA, there are criticisms regarding account management issues and delays in processing requests.
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 1,775 reviews
- Excellent27%
- Very good38%
- Basic24%
- Poor7%
- Bad4%
Read customer reviews
Excellent App but high buying fees
HL is an excellent platform as it’s easy to use and set up. It does however have rather large fees when buying a share. Considering the number of clients they have I’m surprised they remain high and is the reason I am looking for an alternative for my Stocks and Shares ISA
My trust in their knowledge is key
When you are a newbie to investing, it can be overwhelming, there are sharks in the tank that you need to avoid, along with many obstacles to overcome. While no financial organisation can deliver guidance with a crystal ball - I have found Hargreaves's Lansdown to operate with expertise and business integrity with a focus on client satisfaction. This has led me to confidently invest in a safe and secure environment with top class educated guidance. I don't think you can do better than that.
Great value for Junior ISAs
Set up Junior ISAs for my kids last year with 0% commission on all trades into and out of the Junior ISAs has been an excellent way to get them started in investing. I use other resources for keeping track of my portfolio but the overall service provides excellent value for money.
SAFE AND SECURE LIKE A TRUSTED OLD FRIEND
I have been a customer of Hargreaves Lansdowne for many decades, and I use the platform to manage my stocks and shares ISA, my SIPP, plus my Fund and Share Account.
The platform is easy to navigate
The choice of investments is wide ranging.
The customer service is very good, though not as good as it used to be since a cost saving exercise about a year ago.
Obviously, other platforms are cheaper, and for that reason I cannot give it five stars.
It is safe and secure like a trusted old friend, and long may that continue.
No fees on JISA is Great - Webstite Needs Improvement
Love the lack of fees on the product for the junior ISA. Really draws me in to make the most of the contributions that are made to it. However I really don't enjoy using the HL website to manage the JISA. It lacks a lot of the ease of use that you find in other products e.g. Invest Engine, Trading 212 that HL should be able to compete with. Just changing my contribution / d
Good
Good service speed, feedback clear website
Investors
My Friend made a small investment in Hargreaves Lansdown PLC . They are a United Kingdom-based digital wealth management service administering company. The Company provides a range of services, including stocks and shares individual savings account (ISA), Self-Invested Personal Pension (SIPP), share dealing, fund dealing, drawdown, cash savings, lifetime ISA and junior ISA.
There is so much to like about this company. They have money in the bank. The returns are enormous with ROC of 50% ROE of 46% and a healthy margin of 48%. Gearing is low. Liquidity is good. Analyst sentiment is reasonably positive. The fundamentals are excellent . Revenue is increasing . Operating profits are steady. Cash flow and working capital are all good.
I had a few reservations. New investment last year was 38% down year on year. However, this is understandable in a cost of lockdown crisis. In addition, compared to their peers, such as AJ Bell, they are not doing that badly.
Another drawback is that HL are not competitive for those who are just getting started with investing. Investors with a large portfolio are ok because of the platform fee cap. However, HL could well lose out to new platforms offering commission free trading and no platform fees.
I like the sound of the new CEO and a potential British ISA may bring in more clients.
All in all, this is a quality company that I bought at a low price (P/E 11) with a great dividend story (expected 6.6% this year). which they have consistently paid over the past 8 years: with no share dilution.
This will be a stock that I will hold and enjoy the dividend and probable capital accumulation
Will be transferring a JISA here as it is fee free!
I will be transferring a JISA to HL as it is fee free and also pays interest on any cash held which my current provider does not.
Stocks & Shares JISA
Been using HL to invest for my daughter’s future. All transactions are quick and simple to execute. Buy & sell orders fulfilled smoothly. I also was impressed with their customer service and help in transferring in a cash JISA from Nationwide. The application process was easy and the response was swift.
Reliable and User-Friendly, but High Fees Make It Worth Exploring Alternatives
I've been a Hargreaves Lansdown customer for many years, and the platform does exactly what it says on the tin. It's generally user-friendly, reliable, and offers a wide range of investment options and app. However, it is undeniably expensive compared to other platforms. The fees add up, especially if you're an active investor. While I plan to continue using it for now, the market has become increasingly competitive, and it's worth exploring other options that offer similar functionality at a much lower cost.
HL is not acting in my best interests, I have been waiting over 6 weeks for my drawdown funds.
HL pensions staff have not been helpful, open or transparent with my drawdown application. I am still waiting after 6 weeks and have no confidence in their internal work processes. HL are not acting in my best interests.
I wish I had checked Good Money Guide and other sites before as others have experienced similar issues. Delayed payment appears a deliberate HL policy.
Hargreaves Lansdown Excellent
HL currently is a market leader to my investment experience. Top service, top platforms, safe an secure with a large portfolio and great analytics. I would recommend.
Easy to use app. Moderate plans
App is pretty intuitive and decent value
Investment guide
I’ve been following Hargreaces Lansdown it has been helpful to understand present money and investing guide.
Good and safe
They hold my shares. It’s an easy website to navigate.
Excellent service
I like the HL app which allows me to follow markets and my investment with ease. It was also very simple to set up.
investments
professional competent and efficient
keep you updated trustworthy
AVOID AT ALL COSTS
1. I Sold isa to pay deposit for house. 2. I Changed my address which stopped me nominating a bank for transfer.
3. Spoke to them was asked to provide proof of house purchase which I did.
4. 10 days later despite an email saying they would be in contact in next few days I heard nothing.
5 Rang them , nothing had been done! I wasn't allowed to speak to the relevant department they don't speak to customers.
6. Looks like at least another week before I can even nominate my bank for a transfer exchange date is before that.
IF YOUR HAPPY TO BE ABUSED AND DONT WANT CONTROL OVER YOUR FINANCES HARGREAVES LANSDOWN IS THE COMPANY FOR YOU, FOR OTHERS AVOID THESE SOULLESS COMPANY.
Professional & efficient
People & platform - professional, competent & efficient. Overall, great value.
Does the job
No fuss - just really good platform and service
Richard is the founder of the Good Money Guide (formerly Good Broker Guide), one of the original investment comparison sites established in 2015. With a career spanning two decades as a broker, he brings extensive expertise and knowledge to the financial landscape.
Having worked as a broker at Investors Intelligence and a multi-asset derivatives broker at MF Global (Man Financial), Richard has acquired substantial experience in the industry. His career began as a private client stockbroker at Walker Crips and Phillip Securities (now King and Shaxson), following internships on the NYMEX oil trading floor in New York and London IPE in 2001 and 2000.
Richard’s contributions and expertise have been recognized by respected publications such as The Sunday Times, BusinessInsider, Yahoo Finance, BusinessNews.org.uk, Master Investor, Wealth Briefing, iNews, and The FT, among many others.
Under Richard’s leadership, the Good Money Guide has evolved into a valuable destination for comprehensive information and expert guidance, specialising in trading, investment, and currency exchange. His commitment to delivering high-quality insights has solidified the Good Money Guide’s standing as a well-respected resource for both customers and industry colleagues.
