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 it comes to choosing an online broker in the UK, comparing Trading 212 and Barclays reveals distinct investment options that cater to diverse investment strategies. Both platforms offer share trading and ETF trading, making them accessible for those interested in straightforward investments. However, Trading 212 offers CFD trading, providing investors with an opportunity to trade on price differences without owning the underlying asset. On the other hand, Barclays excels in offering a wider range of investment products, including funds, corporate bonds, government bonds, and advisor services, which Trading 212 does not provide.
In terms of ratings from UK.StockBrokers.com, Trading 212 boasts an impressive 4.5-star rating for investment choices, while Barclays shines slightly brighter with a full 5-star rating. Despite its high rating, Trading 212 is ranked #16 out of 21 brokers for investment choices, whereas Barclays sits at a more favorable #9, reflecting its broader array of investment offerings. This suggests that while Trading 212 offers strong options in specific areas like CFD trading, Barclays provides a more comprehensive suite for investors seeking diversified portfolio opportunities.
| 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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Low-cost US and UK shares.
Professional’s Gateway to the World’s Markets.
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.
In the comparison between Trading 212 and Barclays, both online brokers offer mobile apps for iPhone and Android users. However, Trading 212 stands out significantly, earning a top rating of 5 stars from UK.StockBrokers.com, and is ranked as the third best among 21 brokers for its mobile app offerings. In contrast, Barclays receives a relatively modest rating of 2.5 stars and is ranked last at number twenty-one. This makes Trading 212 a preferable choice for those seeking a high-performing mobile app experience in the United Kingdom.
Dive deeper: Best Stock Trading Apps UK.
When comparing Trading 212 and Barclays for beginner investor educational resources, both offer guidance on share trading and funds, yet neither provides webinars or on-demand recordings. However, Barclays goes a step further with education on retirement, which Trading 212 does not offer. According to UK.StockBrokers.com, Trading 212 holds a 4-star rating for beginner education, while Barclays scores a slightly higher 4.5 stars. In the rankings of 21 brokers for beginner resources, Trading 212 is placed at number 13, whereas Barclays ranks slightly better at number 10, making it potentially more appealing for UK beginners seeking comprehensive educational support.
| 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 |
|
|
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
|
|---|---|---|
| Overall Rating |
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| Charges & Fees |
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| Investment Choices |
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| Mobile App |
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| Website |
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| Ease of Use |
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| Education |
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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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| 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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