Written by StockBrokers.com
In this head to head comparison of Bestinvest vs Barclays, we will compare the trading platforms, mobile apps, investment options, costs, market research, and more. Let's dive in.
Alongside the cost per trade, most UK online brokers also charge a monthly, quarterly, or annual management fee, which varies based on the account type and balance. Based on our thorough review, Barclays offers better pricing than Bestinvest for share dealing.
Assuming a £30,000 portfolio size, here are the total annual costs for share dealing with both brokers, given different monthly activity scenarios.
5 trades per year - Bestinvest would cost £144.75 per year, while Barclays would cost £105 per year.
12 trades per year - Bestinvest would cost £119.40 - £179.40 per year, while Barclays would cost £75 or £147 per year.
36 trades per year - Bestinvest would cost £238.20 - £357.60 per year, while Barclays would cost £75 or £291 per year.
120 trades per year - Bestinvest would cost £654 - £714 per year, while Barclays would cost £75 or £795 per year.
3 fund trades per year - Bestinvest would cost £50 per year, while Barclays would cost £0 per year.
What type of trader are you?
New to the world of investing? See our picks for the Best UK Trading Platforms for Beginners. More experienced traders should read our guide to the Best UK Trading Platforms for Active Traders.
When it comes to diverse investment opportunities, both Bestinvest and Barclays offer a variety of choices, making them strong contenders for investors looking for comprehensive platforms. Both brokers support share trading, ETFs, fund trading, and investment trusts, catering to those with traditional investing needs. However, neither Bestinvest nor Barclays provides options for crypto trading, spread betting, or CFD Trading, which could be limiting for investors seeking more alternative or high-risk financial products.
While Bestinvest excels with a commendable 4.5-star rating for investment choices, Barclays slightly edges it out with a perfect 5-star rating according to UK.StockBrokers.com. Notably, Barclays also provides access to corporate and government bonds, offering more avenues for those interested in fixed income investments. Both platforms offer advisor services, ensuring clients receive expert guidance. Despite Barclays holding the sixth ranking among 18 brokers for investment choices, Bestinvest's exact ranking was not disclosed, although its offerings remain robust and tailored for varied investor interests.
| Feature |
Bestinvest
|
Barclays
|
|---|---|---|
| Share Trading | Yes | Yes |
| CFD Trading | No | No |
| ETFs | Yes | Yes |
| Funds | Yes | Yes |
| Bonds - Government (Gilts) | No | Yes |
| Investment Trusts | Yes | Yes |
| Spread Betting | No | No |
| Crypto Trading | No | No |
| Advisor Services | Yes | Yes |
| Investment Choices |
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Professional’s Gateway to the World’s Markets.
Low-cost US and UK shares.
When comparing the online trading tools of Bestinvest and Barclays, a few key differences stand out. Bestinvest caters to traders who like to engage with charts, offering 9 drawing tools and 36 technical indicators, which is a significant advantage over Barclays, which provides neither. Bestinvest also allows users to add notes and stock overlays to charts, features that are not available with Barclays. Both platforms lack the ability to display corporate events and index overlays on charts, maintaining a level playing field in these areas.
For traders looking for convenient and accessible trading platforms, both Bestinvest and Barclays offer browser-based platforms, as well as the ability to set stock price alerts. However, neither provides real-time market data, which may be a consideration for those seeking timely information. In summary, Bestinvest offers more advanced charting tools, while Barclays provides a more straightforward experience, potentially appealing to different types of investors depending on their individual needs and trading style.
| Feature |
Bestinvest
|
Barclays
|
|---|---|---|
| Web Platform | Yes | Yes |
| Stock Alerts | Yes | Yes |
| Charting - Indicators / Studies | 36 | 0 |
| Charting - Drawing Tools | 9 | 0 |
| Charting - Notes | Yes | No |
| Charting - Display Corporate Events | No | No |
| Charting - Stock Overlays | Yes | No |
| Charting - Index Overlays | No | No |
When comparing retirement account offerings from Bestinvest and Barclays, both brokers provide Individual Savings Accounts (ISAs) and Self-Invested Personal Pensions (SIPPs). Bestinvest offers a range of investment options tailored for both novice and seasoned investors, making it a flexible choice for those planning their financial future. Similarly, Barclays provides ISA and SIPP accounts with competitive features, catering to a wide audience seeking straightforward solutions for their retirement planning. Whether you're looking for the personalized investment approach of Bestinvest or the established financial services of Barclays, both platforms present viable options for managing your retirement funds effectively.
Dive deeper: Best SIPP Providers, Best Stocks and Shares ISA Providers.
When comparing the mobile app offerings of online broker Bestinvest and Barclays, both provide options for iPhone and Android users, ensuring accessibility for a wide range of mobile devices. According to UK.StockBrokers.com, Bestinvest’s app scores a 3.5-star rating, whereas Barclays trails slightly with a 2.5-star rating. While Bestinvest's ranking among 18 brokers is not available, Barclays is positioned at 16th, indicating room for improvement in its mobile app compared to competitors. Overall, Bestinvest appears to offer a more favorably reviewed mobile experience according to these metrics.
Dive deeper: Best Stock Trading Apps UK.
When it comes to educational resources for beginner investors, Bestinvest stands out with its comprehensive offerings, including live and on-demand webinars, something Barclays does not provide. Both Bestinvest and Barclays offer education on crucial investment topics like share trading, funds, and retirement planning, catering to new investors looking to build a solid foundation. In terms of overall beginner education quality, Bestinvest receives a perfect 5-star rating from UK.StockBrokers.com, while Barclays holds a commendable 4.5-star rating. While Barclays ranks 5th among 18 brokers for beginner education, Bestinvest does not have a specific ranking, yet its robust resources and high rating highlight its capability in guiding novice investors.
| Feature |
Bestinvest
|
Barclays
|
|---|---|---|
| Client Webinars | Yes | No |
| Client Webinars (Archived) | Yes | No |
| Education (Share Trading) | Yes | Yes |
| Education (Funds) | Yes | Yes |
| Education (Retirement) | Yes | Yes |
| Education |
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Dive deeper: Best UK Trading Platforms for Beginners.
When comparing the market research features of Bestinvest and Barclays, both online brokers excel by providing comprehensive research reports for funds, portfolio allocation insights by asset class, and rich research offerings for shares, ETFs, and funds. However, a noteworthy distinction lies in their coverage of bonds; Barclays extends its research to include bonds, a feature Bestinvest does not provide. Neither broker offers research on CFDs, making their services similar in that regard. Overall, both brokerages deliver robust market insights, though Barclays edges out with its additional bonds research.
| Feature |
Bestinvest
|
Barclays
|
|---|---|---|
| Research - Shares | Yes | Yes |
| Research - CFDs | No | No |
| Research - ETFs | Yes | Yes |
| Research - Bonds | No | Yes |
| Research - Funds | Yes | Yes |
| Fund Research - Research Reports | Yes | Yes |
| Portfolio Allocation Breakdown | Yes | Yes |
Which broker is better overall, Bestinvest or Barclays? After collecting more than 900 data points over a 10-week period, we found Bestinvest to be a better trading platform overall.
Bestinvest is a very good broker that should appeal to a wide range of investors. Fees are competitive, particularly if you invest in funds or US shares, and the investment options are extensive. The Bestinvest platform is relatively easy to use and the offer of a free 45 minute session with a financial coach can be a useful starting point for newer investors. Bestinvest is also a great option for a Junior SIPP, as it is one of very few UK brokers offering children’s pensions and with a low entry point.
| Feature |
Bestinvest
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Barclays
|
|---|---|---|
| Overall Rating |
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| Charges & Fees |
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| Mobile App |
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| Website |
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| Education |
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When comparing online brokers Bestinvest and Barclays, it's important to note that neither platform offers crypto trading, making them less suitable for investors interested in cryptocurrency markets.
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0 of 5| Overall Rating | Bestinvest | Barclays | |
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| Review | Bestinvest Review | Barclays Review | |
| Winner | check_circle |
| Investments | Bestinvest | Barclays | |
|---|---|---|---|
| ISA | Yes | Yes | |
| SIPP | Yes | Yes | |
| Share Trading | Yes | Yes | |
| CFD Trading | No | No | |
| Funds | Yes | Yes | |
| ETFs | Yes | Yes | |
| Bonds - Corporate | No | Yes | |
| Bonds - Government (Gilts) | No | Yes | |
| Investment Trusts | Yes | Yes | |
| Spread Betting | No | No | |
| Crypto Trading | No | No | |
| Advisor Services | Yes | Yes |
| Trading Fees | Bestinvest | Barclays | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Minimum Deposit | £50 | £0 | |
| Share Trading: 0-9 Deals/ Month | £0 - £4.95 | £6 | |
| Share Trading: 10-19 Deals/ Month | £0 - £4.95 | £6 | |
| Share Trading: 20+ Deals/ Month | £0 - £4.95 | £6 | |
| 5 trades per year (£30k portfolio) | £144.75 | £105 | |
| 12 trades per year (£30k portfolio) | £119.40 - £179.40 | £75 or £147 | |
| 36 trades per year (£30k portfolio) | £238.20 - £357.60 | £75 or £291 | |
| 120 trades per year (£30k portfolio) | £654 - £714 | £75 or £795 | |
| 3 fund trades per year (£30k portfolio) | £60 or £120 | £75 | |
| Annual Custody Fee: £0 - £250,000 | Up to £500 or £1,000 | £0 - £525 | |
| Annual Custody Fee: £250K-£500K | £500 - £1,000 | £525 - £650 | |
| Annual Custody Fee: £500,000 - £1m | £100 - £1,000 | £650 - £850 | |
| Annual Custody Fee: £1m and over | £0 | £850 and up | |
| Bonds - Corporate - Fee | £4.95 | £6 | |
| Bonds - Government (Gilts) - Fee | £4.95 | £6 | |
| ETFs - Fee | £4.95 | £6 | |
| Investment Trusts - Fee | £4.95 | £6 | |
| Telephone Dealing Fee | £30 | £25 |
| Broker Screenshots | Bestinvest | Barclays | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Website Gallery (click to expand) |
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| Mobile Trading Apps Gallery (click to expand) |
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| Education Gallery (click to expand) |
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| Platforms & Tools | Bestinvest | Barclays | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Web Platform | Yes | Yes | |
| iPhone App | Yes | Yes | |
| Android App | Yes | Yes | |
| Stock Alerts | Yes | Yes | |
| Charting - Indicators / Studies | 36 | 0 | |
| Charting - Drawing Tools | 9 | 0 | |
| Charting - Notes | Yes | No | |
| Charting - Display Corporate Events | No | No | |
| Charting - Stock Overlays | Yes | No | |
| Charting - Index Overlays | No | No |
| Research | Bestinvest | Barclays | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Research - Shares | Yes | Yes | |
| Research - CFDs | No | No | |
| Research - Funds | Yes | Yes | |
| Fund Research - Research Reports | Yes | Yes | |
| Research - ETFs | Yes | Yes | |
| Research - Bonds | No | Yes | |
| Portfolio Allocation Breakdown | Yes | Yes |
| Education | Bestinvest | Barclays | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Education (Share Trading) | Yes | Yes | |
| Education (Funds) | Yes | Yes | |
| Education (Retirement) | Yes | Yes | |
| Client Webinars | Yes | No | |
| Client Webinars (Archived) | Yes | No |
| Overall Summary | Bestinvest | Barclays | |
|---|---|---|---|
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| Review | Bestinvest Review | Barclays Review | |
| Winner | check_circle |
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