Vanguard vs Hargreaves Lansdown Fees Calculator (2026)

Vanguard and Hargreaves Lansdown (HL) are not interchangeable platforms. Vanguard's self-managed service is built around Vanguard's own funds and ETFs. HL offers a much wider investment range, research and dealing features. The cheaper platform therefore depends on the account size, investment type and trading pattern—not just the percentage in an advert.

Short answer for a funds ISA: Vanguard's self-managed account is £4 a month below £32,000, then 0.15% a year, capped at £375. HL charges 0.35% a year on the first £250,000 of funds, with lower tier rates above that. At £10,000, the headline platform charge is £48 at Vanguard versus £35 at HL; at £50,000 it is about £75 versus £175. Fund costs and dealing charges come on top.

Vanguard vs HL fees in 2026

Cost	Vanguard self-managed ISA	HL Stocks and Shares ISA
Platform/account charge on funds	£4 a month below £32,000; 0.15% a year from £32,000; maximum £375 a year	0.35% to £250,000; 0.25% from £250,000 to £1m; 0.10% from £1m to £2m; 0% above £2m, applied in tiers
Fund dealing	No separate online dealing charge for Vanguard mutual funds shown in the self-managed cost document	£1.95 for an online one-off fund trade; regular investment by monthly Direct Debit is free
Shares and ETFs	Vanguard's own available ETF range only	0.35% account charge, capped at £150 a year; online trades £6.95; regular monthly investment trades are free
Investment range	Vanguard funds, ETFs and ready-made portfolios offered on its service	Funds, shares, ETFs, investment trusts, bonds, gilts and more from many providers

Prices were checked on the providers' official pages on 20 September 2026. For Vanguard ETFs, the optional live Quote and Deal service is £7.50 per trade while its twice-daily batch service is listed as free. They can change, and a specific investment's own ongoing charge, transaction costs and bid-offer spread are separate from the platform charge.

The small-account result is easy to miss

Vanguard's £4 monthly minimum means its 0.15% headline rate does not describe a self-managed balance below £32,000. For a funds-only comparison, £48 divided by HL's 0.35% gives a rough crossover near £13,714. Below that, HL's percentage platform charge can be lower before dealing and fund costs; above it, Vanguard's £48 minimum can be lower until the £32,000 percentage threshold takes over.

This is arithmetic, not a platform recommendation. A saver making one-off HL fund trades could pay £1.95 each, while monthly Direct Debit investing is listed as free. The fund selected on each platform may also have a different ongoing charge or may not be available on the other.

When Vanguard is the more natural fit

• You deliberately want a Vanguard fund, ETF or ready-made portfolio available on the service.
• You prefer a restricted investment menu and do not need individual shares or third-party funds.
• Your balance is above the small-account crossover and the all-in cost is lower for the exact investment you want.
• You are comfortable making your own investment choice, or you separately compare Vanguard's managed option and its additional fee.

When HL is the more natural fit

• You need investments outside Vanguard's range, including individual shares, third-party funds, investment trusts, gilts or bonds.
• You value HL's research, tools and broader service enough to pay the relevant cost.
• You have a small funds balance where the percentage platform fee beats Vanguard's £48 annual minimum, after including your likely trades.
• You plan to hold ETFs or shares and have compared HL's £150 annual account-charge cap plus dealing costs with suitable alternatives.

Compare the all-in cost, not one fee

1. Choose the account: ISA, pension or general investment account. Charges can differ by account and service.
2. List the exact investments and their ongoing fund charges.
3. Add the platform charge for the expected balance.
4. Add realistic one-off and regular dealing costs.
5. Include any managed-portfolio or advice fee.
6. Check transfer-out terms, service needs and whether the desired investment is available.

A low platform fee cannot rescue an unsuitable or over-expensive fund, and a wider investment range is not automatically useful. The best comparison is the cheapest suitable route to a portfolio you can understand and hold through market falls.

Safety and regulation checks

Both firms state that their relevant UK entities are authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority. Verify the exact firm and permissions on the FCA Register, particularly if following an advert or email link. The value of investments can fall as well as rise and you may get back less than you invest. FSCS protection does not insure normal investment losses.

Sources checked

• Vanguard UK: current account and fund-cost structure
• Vanguard UK: free batch dealing and £7.50 Quote and Deal ETF charge
• Hargreaves Lansdown: Stocks and Shares ISA pricing
• FCA: good practice for comparing total platform costs

Reviewed 20 September 2026. Charges and product terms can change. Confirm the live tariff and key investor documents before opening or transferring an account. This is general education, not a personal recommendation or financial advice.