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 UK investors considering brokerage options, both Fidelity International and Barclays offer a range of investment choices. Fidelity International provides investment opportunities in shares, ETFs, funds, and investment trusts, and also offers advisor services. However, Fidelity does not provide access to crypto trading, spread betting, CFD trading, or bond trading. Meanwhile, Barclays mirrors Fidelity in providing share trading, ETF trading, funds, and investment trusts. Barclays also goes a step further by offering corporate and government bond (gilts) trading, making it a broader choice for those interested in bond investments.
In terms of ratings and rankings, Barclays has a slight edge with a perfect 5-star rating for investment choices from UK.StockBrokers.com and ranks 9th among 21 brokers. Fidelity International closely follows with a commendable 4.5-star rating, placing 12th on the same list. While both brokers offer solid options, Barclays' additional bond offerings and higher rating might appeal more to investors seeking a comprehensive investment portfolio.
| Feature |
Fidelity International
|
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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Low-cost US and UK shares.
Professional’s Gateway to the World’s Markets.
When comparing Fidelity International to Barclays for trading tools, Fidelity stands out for its extensive charting features. Fidelity allows users to display corporate events such as earnings and dividends directly on charts, a feature Barclays lacks. With five drawing tools and 21 technical indicators, Fidelity provides ample resources for technical analysis, whereas Barclays offers none. Additionally, Fidelity supports index and stock overlays on charts, enhancing investor insights, a capability not available with Barclays.
Both Fidelity and Barclays offer browser-based trading platforms and allow users to set price alerts for stocks, ensuring traders stay updated on market movements. However, neither brokerage provides real-time market data, so traders might need to seek additional resources for live updates. Despite some shared features, Fidelity's charting capabilities make it a more attractive option for those looking to dive deep into market analysis.
| Feature |
Fidelity International
|
Barclays
|
|---|---|---|
| Web Platform | Yes | Yes |
| Stock Alerts | Yes | Yes |
| Charting - Indicators / Studies | 21 | 0 |
| Charting - Drawing Tools | 5 | 0 |
| Charting - Notes | No | No |
| Charting - Display Corporate Events | Yes | No |
| Charting - Stock Overlays | Yes | No |
| Charting - Index Overlays | Yes | No |
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.
For UK beginners looking to enhance their investing knowledge, Fidelity International and Barclays both offer valuable educational resources, but Fidelity International edges ahead in certain areas. Fidelity provides live client webinars and archives them for on-demand viewing, while Barclays does not offer this feature. Both brokers cover key topics like share trading, funds, and retirement planning, making them solid choices for learning about investing. However, according to UK.StockBrokers.com, Fidelity International receives top marks with a 5-star rating for beginner education and ranks #7 out of 21 brokers. In comparison, Barclays slightly trails with a 4.5-star rating and a #10 ranking. Overall, Fidelity's comprehensive and accessible learning options make it a more attractive choice for budding investors.
| Feature |
Fidelity International
|
Barclays
|
|---|---|---|
| Client Webinars | Yes | No |
| Client Webinars (Archived) | Yes | No |
| Education (Share Trading) | Yes | Yes |
| Education (Funds) | Yes | Yes |
| Education (Retirement) | Yes | Yes |
| Education |
|
|
Dive deeper: Best UK Trading Platforms for Beginners.
When comparing Fidelity International and Barclays in terms of market research offerings, both platforms provide comprehensive resources that cater to a wide range of investment needs. Investors can access research reports for funds with both brokers, ensuring informed decision-making. Fidelity International and Barclays allow users to view their portfolio allocation by asset class, helping investors keep track of their investments clearly. For those interested in shares, ETFs, and funds, both brokers offer detailed research, facilitating well-rounded investment strategies. However, neither Fidelity International nor Barclays provides research for CFDs. Investors interested in bonds will find research available on both platforms, thus supporting diverse investment portfolios. In summary, both Fidelity International and Barclays deliver strong research features that serve UK investors effectively.
| Feature |
Fidelity International
|
Barclays
|
|---|---|---|
| Research - Shares | Yes | Yes |
| Research - CFDs | No | No |
| 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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| Mobile App |
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Neither Fidelity International nor Barclays offer crypto trading, providing investors with traditional investment options without cryptocurrency exposure.
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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 | 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 | 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 | No | No | |
| Charting - Display Corporate Events | Yes | No | |
| Charting - Stock Overlays | Yes | No | |
| Charting - Index Overlays | Yes | No |
| Research | Fidelity International | 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 | 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 | No | |
| Client Webinars (Archived) | Yes | No |
| Overall Summary | Fidelity International | Barclays | |
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| Review | Fidelity International Review | Barclays Review | |
| Winner | check_circle |
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