Written by StockBrokers.com
In this head to head comparison of Fidelity International 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 Fidelity International 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 - Fidelity International would cost £127.50 per year, while Barclays would cost £105 per year.
12 trades per year - Fidelity International would cost £108 or £180 per year, while Barclays would cost £75 or £147 per year.
36 trades per year - Fidelity International would cost £144 or £360 per year, while Barclays would cost £75 or £291 per year.
120 trades per year - Fidelity International would cost £270 or £990 per year, while Barclays would cost £75 or £795 per year.
3 fund trades per year - Fidelity International would cost £1000 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.
For those navigating the landscape of investment options, both Fidelity International and Barclays present solid choices for UK investors interested in share trading, ETFs, funds, and investment trusts. Notably, Barclays extends its offerings with the ability to trade corporate bonds and government bonds, or gilts, a key difference for those seeking a more diversified investment strategy. Both brokers also provide advisory services, ensuring investors can access expert guidance when needed.
When considering ratings, Fidelity International earns a commendable 4.5 stars from UK.StockBrokers.com for its investment options, placing it 12th out of 21 brokers. Meanwhile, Barclays achieves the full 5 stars, ranking 9th overall. While crypto trading, spread betting, and CFD trading are not currently available with either broker, both platforms deliver a strong foundation for traditional investment avenues, appealing to a range of investor profiles.
| Feature |
Fidelity International
|
Barclays
|
|---|---|---|
| Share Trading | Yes | Yes |
| CFD Trading | ||
| ETFs | Yes | Yes |
| Funds | Yes | Yes |
| Bonds - Government (Gilts) | Yes | |
| Investment Trusts | Yes | Yes |
| Spread Betting | ||
| Crypto Trading | ||
| Advisor Services | Yes | Yes |
| Investment Choices |
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Low-cost US and UK shares.
Professional’s Gateway to the World’s Markets.
When comparing the trading tools of Fidelity International and Barclays for online brokerage services in the UK, Fidelity International stands out with its dynamic charting capabilities. Fidelity allows users to display corporate events like earnings, splits, and dividends directly on their charts, enhancing data transparency. By offering 5 drawing tools and 21 technical indicators, Fidelity provides a rich charting experience. It also enables users to overlay both index and stock data on charts, offering deeper market insights. Barclays, on the other hand, lacks these advanced charting features, as it offers no drawing tools or technical indicators, and does not support the addition of overlays. Both brokers provide a browser-based trading platform paired with the ability to set alerts for stock price updates, but Fidelity clearly excels in its charting functionalities.
In terms of additional features, Fidelity International again distinguishes itself by facilitating chart notes, a feature not confirmed in Barclays' toolkit. While both brokers grant access to browser-based trading and support price alert creation, Fidelity's user-friendly interface extends further by allowing detailed, interactive chart analysis that appeals to both seasoned traders and novices alike. For UK investors seeking comprehensive tools for technical analysis and market insights, Fidelity International delivers a superior offering, making it the preferable choice for sophisticated charting needs.
| Feature |
Fidelity International
|
Barclays
|
|---|---|---|
| Web Platform | Yes | Yes |
| Stock Alerts | Yes | Yes |
| Charting - Indicators / Studies | 21 | 0 |
| Charting - Drawing Tools | 5 | 0 |
| Charting - Notes | ||
| Charting - Display Corporate Events | Yes | |
| Charting - Stock Overlays | Yes | |
| Charting - Index Overlays | Yes |
For UK investors evaluating retirement account options, both Fidelity International and Barclays provide attractive choices with their Individual Savings Accounts (ISAs) and Self-Invested Personal Pensions (SIPPs). Fidelity International stands out with its comprehensive range of investment options, user-friendly online platform, and competitive fees. Similarly, Barclays offers ISAs and SIPPs with the added advantage of their established banking presence, which could be appealing for those who prefer to keep their financial services in one place. Both brokers ensure investors have the flexibility to manage their retirement savings efficiently, catering to diverse financial goals and preferences.
Dive deeper: Best SIPP Providers, Best Stocks and Shares ISA Providers.
In the ever-evolving world of online trading, both Fidelity International and Barclays offer mobile apps compatible with iPhone and Android devices, catering to on-the-go users in the UK. Evaluating their performance, Fidelity International's app receives a commendable 4-star rating from UK.StockBrokers.com, placing it 15th in a ranking of 21 brokers. In contrast, Barclays' app, with a 2.5-star rating, is positioned at 21st. This suggests that while both institutions provide mobile solutions, Fidelity International's app might offer a more satisfactory user experience according to national reviews, making it a preferable choice for those prioritizing reliable mobile trading capabilities.
Dive deeper: Best Stock Trading Apps UK.
When comparing educational resources for beginner investors, Fidelity International and Barclays each offer valuable information, though Fidelity seems to have a slight edge. Fidelity International provides educational client webinars, both live and archived for convenient, on-demand viewing, covering topics such as share trading, funds, and retirement. Barclays, meanwhile, offers education on these same subjects but lacks the availability of webinars for their clients. Rated by UK.StockBrokers.com, Fidelity International shines with a 5-star rating and ranks 7th out of 21 brokers, whereas Barclays is slightly behind with a 4.5-star rating and the 10th position in the same ranking, making Fidelity a particularly attractive choice for UK-based beginner investors seeking comprehensive educational support.
| Feature |
Fidelity International
|
Barclays
|
|---|---|---|
| Client Webinars | Yes | |
| Client Webinars (Archived) | Yes | |
| 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 online brokers Fidelity International and Barclays, UK investors will find that both offer comprehensive resources. Fidelity International and Barclays provide research reports for funds, ensuring investors have detailed insights at their fingertips. Both platforms also allow users to view portfolio allocation by asset class, helping them make informed decisions. In terms of shares, ETFs, and funds research, both brokers deliver strong support, making it easier to navigate the market. Additionally, investors interested in bonds will find research available from both Fidelity International and Barclays, though neither offers CFDs research.
| Feature |
Fidelity International
|
Barclays
|
|---|---|---|
| Research - Shares | Yes | Yes |
| Research - CFDs | ||
| Research - ETFs | Yes | Yes |
| Research - Bonds | Yes | Yes |
| Research - Funds | Yes | Yes |
| Fund Research - Research Reports | Yes | Yes |
| Portfolio Allocation Breakdown | Yes | Yes |
Which broker is better overall, Fidelity International or Barclays? After collecting more than 900 data points over a 10-week period, we found Fidelity International to be a better trading platform overall.
Fidelity offers thousands of investments to choose from and also offers financial advice for those wanting more direction. It's best suited to traditional investors who hold a range of accounts through the platform, enjoy the great research material available and who may also use Fidelity for financial advice. The platform can be expensive for those with portfolios of less than £20,000 and those with portfolios above £40,000.
| Feature |
Fidelity International
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Barclays
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|---|---|---|
| Overall Rating |
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| Charges & Fees |
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| Mobile App |
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| Website |
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| Ease of Use |
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| Education |
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Fidelity International, unlike Barclays, does not offer crypto trading services, making Barclays the more suitable option for investors interested in digital currencies.
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0 of 5| Overall Rating | Fidelity International | Barclays | |
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| Review | Fidelity International Review | Barclays Review | |
| Winner | check_circle |
| Investments | Fidelity International | Barclays | |
|---|---|---|---|
| ISA | Yes | Yes | |
| SIPP | Yes | Yes | |
| Share Trading | Yes | Yes | |
| CFD Trading | |||
| Funds | Yes | Yes | |
| ETFs | Yes | Yes | |
| Bonds - Corporate | Yes | ||
| Bonds - Government (Gilts) | Yes | ||
| Investment Trusts | Yes | Yes | |
| Spread Betting | |||
| Crypto Trading | |||
| Advisor Services | Yes | Yes |
| Trading Fees | Fidelity International | Barclays | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Minimum Deposit | £1000 | £0 | |
| Share Trading: 0-9 Deals/ Month | £1.50 or £7.50 | £6 | |
| Share Trading: 10-19 Deals/ Month | £1.50 or £7.50 | £6 | |
| Share Trading: 20+ Deals/ Month | £1.50 or £7.50 | £6 | |
| 5 trades per year (£30k portfolio) | £127.50 | £105 | |
| 12 trades per year (£30k portfolio) | £108 or £180 | £75 or £147 | |
| 36 trades per year (£30k portfolio) | £144 or £360 | £75 or £291 | |
| 120 trades per year (£30k portfolio) | £270 or £990 | £75 or £795 | |
| 3 fund trades per year (£30k portfolio) | £105 | £75 | |
| Annual Custody Fee: £0 - £250,000 | £90 - £875 | £0 - £525 | |
| Annual Custody Fee: £250K-£500K | £500 - £1,000 | £525 - £650 | |
| Annual Custody Fee: £500,000 - £1m | £1,000 - £2,000 | £650 - £850 | |
| Annual Custody Fee: £1m and over | £2,000 | £850 and up | |
| Bonds - Corporate - Fee | N/A | £6 | |
| Bonds - Government (Gilts) - Fee | N/A | £6 | |
| ETFs - Fee | £7.50 | £6 | |
| Investment Trusts - Fee | £7.50 | £6 | |
| Telephone Dealing Fee | £30 | £25 |
| Broker Screenshots | Fidelity International | 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 | Fidelity International | Barclays | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Web Platform | Yes | Yes | |
| iPhone App | Yes | Yes | |
| Android App | Yes | Yes | |
| Stock Alerts | Yes | Yes | |
| Charting - Indicators / Studies | 21 | 0 | |
| Charting - Drawing Tools | 5 | 0 | |
| Charting - Notes | |||
| Charting - Display Corporate Events | Yes | ||
| Charting - Stock Overlays | Yes | ||
| Charting - Index Overlays | Yes |
| Research | Fidelity International | Barclays | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Research - Shares | Yes | Yes | |
| Research - CFDs | |||
| Research - Funds | Yes | Yes | |
| Fund Research - Research Reports | Yes | Yes | |
| Research - ETFs | Yes | Yes | |
| Research - Bonds | Yes | Yes | |
| Portfolio Allocation Breakdown | Yes | Yes |
| Education | Fidelity International | Barclays | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Education (Share Trading) | Yes | Yes | |
| Education (Funds) | Yes | Yes | |
| Education (Retirement) | Yes | Yes | |
| Client Webinars | Yes | ||
| Client Webinars (Archived) | Yes |
| Overall Summary | Fidelity International | Barclays | |
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| Review | Fidelity International Review | Barclays Review | |
| Winner | check_circle |
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