Written by StockBrokers.com
In this head to head comparison of Trading 212 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, Trading 212 offers better pricing than Barclays 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 - Trading 212 would cost £0 per year, while Barclays would cost £105 per year.
12 trades per year - Trading 212 would cost £0 per year, while Barclays would cost £75 or £147 per year.
36 trades per year - Trading 212 would cost £0 per year, while Barclays would cost £75 or £291 per year.
120 trades per year - Trading 212 would cost £0 per year, while Barclays would cost £75 or £795 per year.
3 fund trades per year - Trading 212 would cost £1 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 the investment choices between Trading 212 and Barclays, both platforms offer opportunities for share trading, exchange-traded funds (ETFs), and investment trusts. However, Trading 212 distinguishes itself by providing contracts for difference (CFD) trading, something Barclays does not. On the other hand, Barclays offers a broader range of options, including funds trading, corporate and government bonds, along with access to advisor services, which are absent from Trading 212's offerings.
In terms of ratings, UK.StockBrokers.com gives Barclays a full 5-star rating for investment choices, placing it 9th out of 18 brokers. Trading 212, while still having a commendable 4.5-star rating, is positioned lower at 16th in the ranking. This suggests that while Trading 212 has a strong selection for certain investment types, Barclays may appeal more to those seeking a wider variety of options, especially with the inclusion of advisory services and a focus on diversified investment products like funds and bonds.
| Feature |
Trading 212
|
Barclays
|
|---|---|---|
| Share Trading | Yes | Yes |
| CFD Trading | Yes | No |
| ETFs | Yes | Yes |
| Funds | No | Yes |
| Bonds - Government (Gilts) | No | Yes |
| Investment Trusts | Yes | Yes |
| Spread Betting | No | No |
| Crypto Trading | No | No |
| Advisor Services | No | Yes |
| Investment Choices |
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Professional’s Gateway to the World’s Markets.
Low-cost US and UK shares.
When comparing online trading tools between Trading 212 and Barclays for UK investors, there are notable differences. Trading 212 excels in charting capabilities, offering 27 drawing tools and 106 technical indicators, whereas Barclays provides none. Additionally, Trading 212 allows users to add notes directly to charts, an option that Barclays does not support. Surprisingly, neither platform offers features such as displaying corporate events, or adding stock or index overlays to charts.
Both Trading 212 and Barclays provide browser-based trading platforms and the ability to set alerts for stock price updates, catering to real-time decision-making. However, Trading 212 edges ahead by offering real-time market data, a crucial feature that Barclays lacks. As UK investors compare their trading options, it is clear that Trading 212 provides a more comprehensive suite of charting tools and real-time insights, making it a preferred choice for those serious about technical analysis.
| Feature |
Trading 212
|
Barclays
|
|---|---|---|
| Web Platform | Yes | Yes |
| Stock Alerts | Yes | Yes |
| Charting - Indicators / Studies | 106 | 0 |
| Charting - Drawing Tools | 27 | 0 |
| Charting - Notes | Yes | No |
| Charting - Display Corporate Events | No | No |
| Charting - Stock Overlays | No | No |
| Charting - Index Overlays | No | No |
When comparing online broker Trading 212 and Barclays for retirement accounts in the UK, it's important to consider the types of accounts each offers. Trading 212 provides Individual Savings Accounts (ISAs), making it a viable option for those looking to invest tax-efficiently. Barclays also offers ISAs and additionally provides Self-Invested Personal Pensions (SIPPs), giving investors an edge with more comprehensive retirement planning options. While Trading 212 keeps it simple with its ISA offerings, Barclays supports a broader range of retirement investment choices, appealing to those who are looking for both immediate savings and long-term retirement planning.
Dive deeper: Best SIPP Providers, Best Stocks and Shares ISA Providers.
For UK investors comparing mobile trading platforms, both Trading 212 and Barclays offer apps for iPhone and Android users. However, the experience they deliver is markedly different. Trading 212 boasts a highly rated mobile app with a perfect 5-star rating by UK.StockBrokers.com, ranking impressively as the third best among 18 brokers. In contrast, Barclays' mobile app receives a modest 2.5-star rating and ranks 21st. This discrepancy highlights Trading 212's superior user experience and performance in the mobile investing space, making it a preferred choice for those seeking a seamless trading journey on their devices.
Dive deeper: Best Stock Trading Apps UK.
For UK beginners seeking investment knowledge, both Trading 212 and Barclays provide accessible educational resources with some key differences. While neither platform offers live or archived webinars, both offer information on share trading and funds, essential for budding investors. However, only Barclays extends its educational reach to retirement topics, making it potentially more comprehensive for those interested in long-term financial planning. When evaluated by UK.StockBrokers.com, Trading 212 receives a commendable 4 out of 5 stars, landing at 13th place among 18 brokers, whereas Barclays edges slightly higher with 4.5 stars, securing the 10th position. This suggests Barclays might be a slightly better choice for education-focused beginners, particularly those keen on retirement planning.
| Feature |
Trading 212
|
Barclays
|
|---|---|---|
| Client Webinars | No | No |
| Client Webinars (Archived) | No | No |
| Education (Share Trading) | Yes | Yes |
| Education (Funds) | Yes | Yes |
| Education (Retirement) | No | Yes |
| Education |
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Dive deeper: Best UK Trading Platforms for Beginners.
When comparing Trading 212 and Barclays for their market research features, several differences emerge that may influence your decision as an investor. Both Trading 212 and Barclays allow users to view their portfolio allocation by asset class, providing insights into asset distribution. When it comes to research capabilities, both platforms offer resources for shares and ETFs. However, Barclays sets itself apart by providing research reports on funds and bonds, which Trading 212 lacks. On the other hand, Trading 212 offers research on CFDs, a feature Barclays does not support. For UK investors seeking comprehensive fund and bond research, Barclays could prove more beneficial, whereas those interested in CFDs might find Trading 212 more appealing.
| Feature |
Trading 212
|
Barclays
|
|---|---|---|
| Research - Shares | Yes | Yes |
| Research - CFDs | Yes | No |
| Research - ETFs | Yes | Yes |
| Research - Bonds | No | Yes |
| Research - Funds | No | Yes |
| Fund Research - Research Reports | No | Yes |
| Portfolio Allocation Breakdown | Yes | Yes |
Which broker is better overall, Trading 212 or Barclays? After collecting more than 900 data points over a 10-week period, we found Trading 212 to be a better trading platform overall.
Trading 212 offers commission-free share dealing and is a great option for those looking to simply execute share or ETF trades. Novice investors or those looking for more diversification through mutual funds may find better options elsewhere.
| Feature |
Trading 212
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Barclays
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|---|---|---|
| Overall Rating |
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Neither Trading 212 nor Barclays offers crypto trading, making both online brokers equally limited for investors looking to trade cryptocurrencies.
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0 of 5| Overall Rating | Trading 212 | Barclays | |
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| Review | Trading 212 Review | Barclays Review | |
| Winner | check_circle |
| Investments | Trading 212 | Barclays | |
|---|---|---|---|
| ISA | Yes | Yes | |
| SIPP | No | Yes | |
| Share Trading | Yes | Yes | |
| CFD Trading | Yes | No | |
| Funds | No | 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 | No | Yes |
| Trading Fees | Trading 212 | Barclays | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Minimum Deposit | £1 | £0 | |
| Share Trading: 0-9 Deals/ Month | £0 | £6 | |
| Share Trading: 10-19 Deals/ Month | £0 | £6 | |
| Share Trading: 20+ Deals/ Month | £0 | £6 | |
| 5 trades per year (£30k portfolio) | £0 | £105 | |
| 12 trades per year (£30k portfolio) | £0 | £75 or £147 | |
| 36 trades per year (£30k portfolio) | £0 | £75 or £291 | |
| 120 trades per year (£30k portfolio) | £0 | £75 or £795 | |
| 3 fund trades per year (£30k portfolio) | £0 | £75 | |
| Annual Custody Fee: £0 - £250,000 | £0 | £0 - £525 | |
| Annual Custody Fee: £250K-£500K | £0 | £525 - £650 | |
| Annual Custody Fee: £500,000 - £1m | £0 | £650 - £850 | |
| Annual Custody Fee: £1m and over | £0 | £850 and up | |
| Bonds - Corporate - Fee | N/A | £6 | |
| Bonds - Government (Gilts) - Fee | N/A | £6 | |
| ETFs - Fee | 0 | £6 | |
| Investment Trusts - Fee | 0 | £6 | |
| Telephone Dealing Fee | N/A | £25 |
| Broker Screenshots | Trading 212 | Barclays | |
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| 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 | Trading 212 | Barclays | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Web Platform | Yes | Yes | |
| iPhone App | Yes | Yes | |
| Android App | Yes | Yes | |
| Stock Alerts | Yes | Yes | |
| Charting - Indicators / Studies | 106 | 0 | |
| Charting - Drawing Tools | 27 | 0 | |
| Charting - Notes | Yes | No | |
| Charting - Display Corporate Events | No | No | |
| Charting - Stock Overlays | No | No | |
| Charting - Index Overlays | No | No |
| Research | Trading 212 | Barclays | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Research - Shares | Yes | Yes | |
| Research - CFDs | Yes | No | |
| Research - Funds | No | Yes | |
| Fund Research - Research Reports | No | Yes | |
| Research - ETFs | Yes | Yes | |
| Research - Bonds | No | Yes | |
| Portfolio Allocation Breakdown | Yes | Yes |
| Education | Trading 212 | Barclays | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Education (Share Trading) | Yes | Yes | |
| Education (Funds) | Yes | Yes | |
| Education (Retirement) | No | Yes | |
| Client Webinars | No | No | |
| Client Webinars (Archived) | No | No |
| Overall Summary | Trading 212 | Barclays | |
|---|---|---|---|
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| Investment Choices |
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| Review | Trading 212 Review | Barclays Review | |
| Winner | check_circle |
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