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.
Your capital is at risk.
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 account options in the UK, both platforms excel in providing a wide array of choices tailored to accommodate the needs of investors. Saxo offers a comprehensive selection, including share trading, ETFs, CFD trading, funds, corporate and government bonds, and investment trusts. Barclays also matches many of these offerings but lacks some specifics in certain trading types. Both platforms have excellent ratings for investment choices, each receiving five stars from UK.StockBrokers.com, although Saxo shines brighter by attaining the top ranking out of 21 brokers surveyed.
For those prioritizing extensive investment options, Saxo earns the number one spot, outpacing Barclays which stands at ninth in the same assessment. With both brokers offering traditional and mainstream investment opportunities like share trading and bonds, the subtle distinctions in their offerings—such as CFD trading available through Saxo—could influence investor preferences. Regardless, both platforms provide solid options for UK investors seeking diverse portfolios, each with its own strengths.
| Feature |
Saxo
|
Barclays
|
|---|---|---|
| Share Trading | Yes | Yes |
| CFD Trading | Yes | |
| ETFs | Yes | Yes |
| Funds | Yes | Yes |
| Bonds - Government (Gilts) | Yes | Yes |
| Investment Trusts | Yes | Yes |
| Spread Betting | ||
| Crypto Trading | ||
| Advisor Services | 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 offered by Saxo and Barclays, Saxo appears to take the lead with a comprehensive suite for charting and analysis. Saxo allows users to visualize corporate events such as earnings, splits, and dividends directly on their charts, whereas Barclays does not offer this feature. Furthermore, Saxo provides 20 drawing tools and 64 technical indicators for charting, while Barclays provides none. Saxo users can also add notes, index overlays, and stock overlays to their charts, enhancing the depth of analysis, features not available with Barclays.
Both Saxo and Barclays offer browser-based trading platforms, ensuring accessibility for UK traders. Additionally, both platforms allow the creation of alerts for stock price updates. However, Saxo offers real-time market data, which is crucial for making timely trading decisions, a feature that is not highlighted for Barclays. Overall, Saxo delivers a more feature-rich trading environment compared to Barclays for individuals seeking detailed charting and analytical capabilities.
| Feature |
Saxo
|
Barclays
|
|---|---|---|
| Web Platform | Yes | Yes |
| Stock Alerts | Yes | Yes |
| Charting - Indicators / Studies | 64 | 0 |
| Charting - Drawing Tools | 20 | 0 |
| Charting - Notes | Yes | |
| Charting - Display Corporate Events | ||
| Charting - Stock Overlays | Yes | |
| Charting - Index Overlays | Yes |
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.
For UK investors seeking top-tier mobile trading solutions, comparing Saxo and Barclays highlights significant differences. Both brokers provide iPhone and Android apps, ensuring wide accessibility. However, Saxo leads the pack with a 5-star mobile app rating from UK.StockBrokers.com, securing the #1 position among 21 brokers. Conversely, Barclays falls behind with a 2.5-star rating, landing at #21 in the same rankings. This contrast suggests Saxo's mobile services are highly sought after for their superior user experience, while Barclays may not meet the same benchmark of satisfaction for mobile users.
Dive deeper: Best Stock Trading Apps UK.
For beginner investors in the UK looking for educational resources, Saxo and Barclays offer unique advantages. Saxo provides clients with live and archived webinars, earning a top rating of 5 stars from UK.StockBrokers.com for its comprehensive educational offerings. Ranked third among 21 brokers, Saxo stands out for its accessible learning experiences. Conversely, Barclays, with a 4.5-star rating and ranked tenth, excels in offering educational content focused on key investment topics like share trading, funds, and retirement. However, Barclays does not currently offer live or on-demand webinars, which might limit interactive learning experiences for newcomers. Overall, both brokers cater to beginners but differ in their educational approaches, with Saxo leading in interactive webinars and Barclays in topic-specific content.
| Feature |
Saxo
|
Barclays
|
|---|---|---|
| Client Webinars | Yes | |
| Client Webinars (Archived) | Yes | |
| Education (Share Trading) | Yes | |
| Education (Funds) | Yes | |
| Education (Retirement) | Yes | |
| Education |
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|
Dive deeper: Best UK Trading Platforms for Beginners.
For UK traders interested in market research features, both Saxo and Barclays offer comprehensive options. They provide research reports for funds and the ability to view portfolio allocation by asset class, making it easier for investors to understand and manage their investments. Investors can also access detailed analyses on shares, ETFs, and funds through both platforms. However, Saxo stands out by offering research on CFDs, a feature Barclays does not provide. Additionally, both brokers support bonds research, catering to those interested in fixed-income investments. Overall, both Saxo and Barclays deliver extensive market research capabilities, accommodating various investor needs.
| Feature |
Saxo
|
Barclays
|
|---|---|---|
| Research - Shares | Yes | Yes |
| Research - CFDs | Yes | |
| 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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| Overall Rating |
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| Charges & Fees |
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| Mobile App |
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| Website |
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While Saxo provides the option for crypto trading, Barclays does not currently offer crypto trading services.
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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 | ||
| Funds | Yes | Yes | |
| ETFs | Yes | Yes | |
| Bonds - Corporate | Yes | Yes | |
| Bonds - Government (Gilts) | Yes | Yes | |
| Investment Trusts | Yes | Yes | |
| Spread Betting | |||
| Crypto Trading | |||
| Advisor Services | 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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| Mobile Trading Apps 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 | ||
| Charting - Display Corporate Events | |||
| Charting - Stock Overlays | Yes | ||
| Charting - Index Overlays | Yes |
| Research | Saxo | Barclays | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Research - Shares | Yes | Yes | |
| Research - CFDs | Yes | ||
| 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) | Yes | ||
| Education (Funds) | Yes | ||
| Education (Retirement) | Yes | ||
| Client Webinars | Yes | ||
| Client Webinars (Archived) | Yes |
| Overall Summary | Saxo | Barclays | |
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| Review | Saxo Review | Barclays Review | |
| Winner | check_circle |
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