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 exploring online brokerage options, both Fidelity International and Barclays offer comprehensive services, but they differ in certain key areas. Fidelity International and Barclays both allow share and ETF trading as well as funds and investment trusts, providing robust options for stock market enthusiasts. Additionally, both brokers offer advisor services, helping investors make informed decisions. However, Fidelity International does not offer trading in corporate and government bonds, something that Barclays includes in its range of services.
Neither Fidelity International nor Barclays offer options for crypto trading, spread betting, or CFD trading, focusing instead on traditional investment avenues. In terms of ratings, Fidelity International is rated at 4.5 stars for investment choices by UK.StockBrokers.com, ranking 12th out of 18 brokers, while Barclays is rated slightly higher at 5 stars, ranking 9th. These differences suggest that Barclays may provide a slightly broader range of investment choices compared to Fidelity International. Whether your preference leans towards more diverse bond options or certain star rankings, both offer reliability and a spectrum of traditional investments.
| 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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Professional’s Gateway to the World’s Markets.
Low-cost US and UK shares.
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.
Fidelity International and Barclays both provide mobile apps for iPhone and Android users in the UK, ensuring accessibility across popular devices. However, when it comes to app performance, Fidelity International scores more favorably, earning a 4-star rating from UK.StockBrokers.com, compared to Barclays' lower 2.5-star rating. Additionally, among 18 brokers reviewed for mobile app quality, Fidelity International ranks 15th, highlighting a better user experience than Barclays, which falls to 21st in the rankings. UK investors seeking a better mobile app experience may find Fidelity International to be the more favorable choice of the two.
Dive deeper: Best Stock Trading Apps UK.
When comparing the educational resources for beginner investors offered by Fidelity International and Barclays, UK investors will find distinct differences. Fidelity International stands out with its client webinars that are both live and archived, providing easy access to learning at any time. In contrast, Barclays does not offer webinars, which may limit access to real-time educational content. Both brokers, however, offer guidance on share trading, funds, and retirement topics, catering comprehensively to new investors' needs. Fidelity International earns a perfect 5-star rating from UK.StockBrokers.com, ranking 7th out of 18 brokers for beginner education. Barclays, while slightly behind, still holds a commendable 4.5-star rating, ranked 10th among their peers.
| 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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