Written by StockBrokers.com
In this head to head comparison of Saxo 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 Saxo 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 - Saxo would cost 0.12% + 0.08% (or £3) per trade: a minimum of £51 per year, while Barclays would cost £105 per year.
12 trades per year - Saxo would cost 0.12% + 0.08% (or £3) per trade: a minimum of £72 per year, while Barclays would cost £75 or £147 per year.
36 trades per year - Saxo would cost 0.12% + 0.08% (or £3) per trade: a minimum of £144 per year, while Barclays would cost £75 or £291 per year.
120 trades per year - Saxo would cost 0.12% + 0.08% (or £3) per trade: a minimum of £396 per year, while Barclays would cost £75 or £795 per year.
3 fund trades per year - Saxo would cost £0 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 comparing Saxo and Barclays for investment options, both platforms offer comprehensive choices for investors in the UK. Saxo and Barclays provide share trading, ETF trading, funds trading, corporate bonds, government bonds (gilts), and investment trusts. However, Saxo stands out by offering CFD trading, while Barclays does not. On the other hand, Barclays provides advisor services, which Saxo does not include in their offerings. Both Saxo and Barclays are noted for their wide range of investment choices, each earning a 5-star rating from UK.StockBrokers.com.
In a broader comparison, Saxo is ranked first out of 18 brokers by UK.StockBrokers.com for its investment offerings, signalling a leading position in the market. Barclays, while also highly rated for its investment choices, occupies the ninth spot in the same ranking. Though neither platform currently supports crypto trading or spread betting, both provide a strong selection of traditional investment products for those looking to trade in the UK.
| Feature |
Saxo
|
Barclays
|
|---|---|---|
| Share Trading | Yes | Yes |
| CFD Trading | Yes | No |
| ETFs | Yes | Yes |
| Funds | Yes | Yes |
| Bonds - Government (Gilts) | Yes | Yes |
| Investment Trusts | Yes | Yes |
| Spread Betting | No | No |
| Crypto Trading | No | No |
| Advisor Services | No | Yes |
| Investment Choices |
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Low-cost US and UK shares.
Professional’s Gateway to the World’s Markets.
When comparing Saxo and Barclays for online trading tools, UK users will find Saxo significantly more feature-rich. While neither broker displays corporate events like earnings or dividends on charts, Saxo provides an impressive array of 20 drawing tools and 64 technical indicators, far outpacing Barclays, which offers none. Saxo users can also add personal notes and employ both index and stock overlays, giving traders versatile options for customizing their analysis. In contrast, Barclays lacks these features.
Both Saxo and Barclays support browser-based trading platforms, simplifying access across devices. However, Saxo takes a substantial lead with real-time market data, allowing traders to react swiftly to market changes—a crucial advantage Barclays does not offer. Additionally, both brokers allow the creation of alerts for stock price updates, ensuring traders never miss a crucial movement. Overall, Saxo presents a more comprehensive toolkit for those keen on in-depth chart analysis and up-to-the-minute market data.
| Feature |
Saxo
|
Barclays
|
|---|---|---|
| Web Platform | Yes | Yes |
| Stock Alerts | Yes | Yes |
| Charting - Indicators / Studies | 64 | 0 |
| Charting - Drawing Tools | 20 | 0 |
| Charting - Notes | Yes | No |
| Charting - Display Corporate Events | No | No |
| Charting - Stock Overlays | Yes | No |
| Charting - Index Overlays | Yes | No |
When comparing online brokers Saxo and Barclays for UK retirement accounts, both platforms cater to individuals seeking tax-efficient savings options. Saxo and Barclays each provide ISA accounts, allowing users to save and invest up to the annual limit without paying tax on returns. In addition to ISAs, both brokers also offer Self-Invested Personal Pension (SIPP) accounts, giving more control over pension investments with the added benefit of tax relief. Whether you choose Saxo or Barclays, both offer comprehensive solutions for growing your retirement savings while maximizing tax efficiencies.
Dive deeper: Best SIPP Providers, Best Stocks and Shares ISA Providers.
When comparing the mobile apps of Saxo and Barclays, both are available on iPhone and Android, but there is a clear distinction in their performance and user satisfaction. Saxo's mobile app shines with a stellar 5-star rating from UK.StockBrokers.com, making it the top choice among 18 brokers. In contrast, Barclays' app struggles with a modest 2.5-star rating and is ranked #21. UK investors looking for a seamless mobile trading experience may find Saxo's offering more appealing due to its superior reviews and higher ranking.
Dive deeper: Best Stock Trading Apps UK.
When it comes to educational resources for beginner investors, Saxo and Barclays each offer unique advantages. Saxo provides live and archived educational webinars, making it convenient for individuals who prefer learning at their own pace. In contrast, Barclays does not offer webinars but provides focused content on share trading, funds, and retirement, catering to those interested in these specific areas. Saxo is highly rated and ranked #3 out of 18 brokers by UK.StockBrokers.com for beginner education, receiving a perfect 5-star rating, while Barclays is praised with a 4.5-star rating and ranks #10. Each platform offers distinct educational strengths, allowing UK investors to choose one based on their preferred learning style and investment interests.
| Feature |
Saxo
|
Barclays
|
|---|---|---|
| Client Webinars | Yes | No |
| Client Webinars (Archived) | Yes | No |
| Education (Share Trading) | No | Yes |
| Education (Funds) | No | Yes |
| Education (Retirement) | No | Yes |
| Education |
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Dive deeper: Best UK Trading Platforms for Beginners.
When comparing the market research features of Saxo and Barclays for UK investors, both platforms provide comprehensive research reports for funds, allowing users to make informed investment decisions. They each enable users to view portfolio allocation by asset class, enhancing transparency in investment management. Both Saxo and Barclays offer detailed research on shares, ETFs, and funds. However, a notable distinction is that Saxo provides research for Contracts for Difference (CFDs), which is absent in Barclays' offerings. Additionally, both Saxo and Barclays support research for bonds, catering to investors interested in fixed income instruments. Overall, while both brokers deliver extensive research tools, Saxo edges slightly ahead with its inclusion of CFDs research.
| Feature |
Saxo
|
Barclays
|
|---|---|---|
| Research - Shares | Yes | Yes |
| Research - CFDs | Yes | 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, Saxo or Barclays? After collecting more than 900 data points over a 10-week period, we found Saxo to be a better trading platform overall.
Saxo’ trading platform is highly sophisticated and offers a huge range of international shares and funds. The biggest downside is the cost, as its charges are higher than its U.K. competitors. It's best suited for experienced investors rather than beginners.
| Feature |
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Barclays
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Neither Saxo nor Barclays currently offer crypto trading, making these online brokers similar in their exclusion of cryptocurrency investment options.
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0 of 5| Overall Rating | Saxo | Barclays | |
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| Review | Saxo Review | Barclays Review | |
| Winner | check_circle |
| Investments | Saxo | Barclays | |
|---|---|---|---|
| ISA | Yes | Yes | |
| SIPP | Yes | Yes | |
| Share Trading | Yes | Yes | |
| CFD Trading | Yes | No | |
| Funds | Yes | Yes | |
| ETFs | Yes | Yes | |
| Bonds - Corporate | Yes | Yes | |
| Bonds - Government (Gilts) | Yes | Yes | |
| Investment Trusts | Yes | Yes | |
| Spread Betting | No | No | |
| Crypto Trading | No | No | |
| Advisor Services | No | Yes |
| Trading Fees | Saxo | Barclays | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Minimum Deposit | £0 | £0 | |
| Share Trading: 0-9 Deals/ Month | From £3 or 0.08% | £6 | |
| Share Trading: 10-19 Deals/ Month | From £3 or 0.08% | £6 | |
| Share Trading: 20+ Deals/ Month | From £3 or 0.08% | £6 | |
| 5 trades per year (£30k portfolio) | 0.12% + 0.08% (or £3) per trade: a minimum of £51 | £105 | |
| 12 trades per year (£30k portfolio) | 0.12% + 0.08% (or £3) per trade: a minimum of £72 | £75 or £147 | |
| 36 trades per year (£30k portfolio) | 0.12% + 0.08% (or £3) per trade: a minimum of £144 | £75 or £291 | |
| 120 trades per year (£30k portfolio) | 0.12% + 0.08% (or £3) per trade: a minimum of £396 | £75 or £795 | |
| 3 fund trades per year (£30k portfolio) | 0.4% + 0% commission: £120 | £75 | |
| Annual Custody Fee: £0 - £250,000 | Up to £800 | £0 - £525 | |
| Annual Custody Fee: £250K-£500K | £500 to £1,000 | £525 - £650 | |
| Annual Custody Fee: £500,000 - £1m | Up to £1,998 | £650 - £850 | |
| Annual Custody Fee: £1m and over | £1,000 | £850 and up | |
| Bonds - Corporate - Fee | €20 minimum | £6 | |
| Bonds - Government (Gilts) - Fee | €20 minimum | £6 | |
| ETFs - Fee | From $1 | £6 | |
| Investment Trusts - Fee | From $1 / £3 / €10 | £6 | |
| Telephone Dealing Fee | £50 | £25 |
| Broker Screenshots | Saxo | Barclays | |
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| Website Gallery (click to expand) |
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| Education Gallery (click to expand) |
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| Platforms & Tools | Saxo | Barclays | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Web Platform | Yes | Yes | |
| iPhone App | Yes | Yes | |
| Android App | Yes | Yes | |
| Stock Alerts | Yes | Yes | |
| Charting - Indicators / Studies | 64 | 0 | |
| Charting - Drawing Tools | 20 | 0 | |
| Charting - Notes | Yes | No | |
| Charting - Display Corporate Events | No | No | |
| Charting - Stock Overlays | Yes | No | |
| Charting - Index Overlays | Yes | No |
| Research | Saxo | Barclays | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Research - Shares | Yes | Yes | |
| Research - CFDs | Yes | 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 | Saxo | Barclays | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Education (Share Trading) | No | Yes | |
| Education (Funds) | No | Yes | |
| Education (Retirement) | No | Yes | |
| Client Webinars | Yes | No | |
| Client Webinars (Archived) | Yes | No |
| Overall Summary | Saxo | Barclays | |
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| Review | Saxo Review | Barclays Review | |
| Winner | check_circle |
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