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.
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, 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.
Trading 212 and Barclays both cater to UK investors seeking diverse trading opportunities. Trading 212 offers share trading, ETFs, CFD trading, and investment trusts, providing a solid selection for those interested in online trading. While it excels with a 4.5-star rating from UK.StockBrokers.com, its offerings fall short in certain areas such as crypto trading, spread betting, funds trading, and bonds, resulting in a #16 rank out of 21 brokers for investment choices.
Barclays, on the other hand, presents a well-rounded portfolio that includes share trading, ETFs, and investment trusts, alongside additional options like funds, corporate and government bonds, and advisor services, achieving a 5-star rating. This comprehensive selection places Barclays at a #9 ranking for investment choices according to UK.StockBrokers.com. For UK investors aiming for more traditional and diverse investment options, Barclays may offer a more suitable package.
| Feature |
Trading 212
|
Barclays
|
|---|---|---|
| Share Trading | Yes | Yes |
| CFD Trading | Yes | |
| ETFs | Yes | Yes |
| Funds | Yes | |
| Bonds - Government (Gilts) | 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 Trading 212 and Barclays for their trading tools, it's evident that Trading 212 provides a more comprehensive charting experience. Trading 212 allows users to display corporate events like earnings and dividends directly on charts, features not mentioned for Barclays. Furthermore, Trading 212 offers a rich suite of charting tools, boasting 27 drawing tools and 106 technical indicators, whereas Barclays does not offer any. Trading 212 users can also add notes to charts, enhancing the functionality for those who track market trends closely.
Both Trading 212 and Barclays offer browser-based trading platforms and the ability to create alerts for stock price updates, making them convenient for on-the-go trading. However, Trading 212 provides real-time market data, giving it an edge for those who require up-to-the-minute information. While both platforms cater to UK traders, Trading 212's in-depth charting and data features may help investors make more informed decisions.
| 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 | |
| Charting - Display Corporate Events | ||
| Charting - Stock Overlays | ||
| Charting - Index Overlays |
In the UK, when comparing retirement account offerings between Trading 212 and Barclays, both platforms provide Individual Savings Accounts (ISAs), a popular choice for tax-efficient saving. However, a potential difference lies in the availability of Self-Invested Personal Pension (SIPP) accounts. While Barclays supports SIPPs, Trading 212 does not currently offer this option. This distinction could guide UK investors in selecting a suitable platform based on their specific retirement planning needs and preferences.
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 beginner investor educational resources, Trading 212 and Barclays each offer distinct experiences. Trading 212 does not provide educational webinars or archived sessions for on-demand viewing, but both platforms offer education on share trading and funds. Barclays, however, goes a step further by including resources on retirement planning. According to UK.StockBrokers.com, Trading 212 holds a 4-star rating and ranks 13th out of 21 brokers for beginner education, while Barclays enjoys a slightly higher 4.5-star rating and ranks 10th. Whether you are just dipping your toes into the world of investing or seeking continuing education on specific financial topics, Barclays appears to offer a broader range of resources and slightly higher customer satisfaction for those starting out.
| Feature |
Trading 212
|
Barclays
|
|---|---|---|
| Client Webinars | ||
| Client Webinars (Archived) | ||
| Education (Share Trading) | Yes | Yes |
| Education (Funds) | Yes | Yes |
| Education (Retirement) | Yes | |
| Education |
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Dive deeper: Best UK Trading Platforms for Beginners.
When comparing the market research features of online broker Trading 212 and Barclays, UK investors can find valuable tools in both platforms, but with notable differences. Barclays provides comprehensive research reports for funds, an area where Trading 212 falls short. Both platforms offer insights into portfolio allocation by asset class, share research, ETFs research, and the ability to explore their portfolios with these features. However, Barclays shines in offering research on bonds, something Trading 212 lacks. Meanwhile, traders interested in CFDs research will find Trading 212 more accommodating, as Barclays does not currently provide this feature. Overall, both platforms offer solid research tools, but Barclays provides more extensive resources for those investing in traditional assets like funds and bonds.
| Feature |
Trading 212
|
Barclays
|
|---|---|---|
| Research - Shares | Yes | Yes |
| Research - CFDs | Yes | |
| Research - ETFs | Yes | Yes |
| Research - Bonds | Yes | |
| Research - Funds | Yes | |
| Fund Research - Research Reports | 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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While Trading 212 provides an option for crypto trading, Barclays does not offer crypto trading services.
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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 | Yes | ||
| Share Trading | Yes | Yes | |
| CFD Trading | Yes | ||
| Funds | Yes | ||
| ETFs | Yes | Yes | |
| Bonds - Corporate | Yes | ||
| Bonds - Government (Gilts) | Yes | ||
| Investment Trusts | Yes | Yes | |
| Spread Betting | |||
| Crypto Trading | |||
| Advisor Services | 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 | ||
| Charting - Display Corporate Events | |||
| Charting - Stock Overlays | |||
| Charting - Index Overlays |
| Research | Trading 212 | Barclays | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Research - Shares | Yes | Yes | |
| Research - CFDs | Yes | ||
| Research - Funds | Yes | ||
| Fund Research - Research Reports | Yes | ||
| Research - ETFs | Yes | Yes | |
| Research - Bonds | Yes | ||
| Portfolio Allocation Breakdown | Yes | Yes |
| Education | Trading 212 | Barclays | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Education (Share Trading) | Yes | Yes | |
| Education (Funds) | Yes | Yes | |
| Education (Retirement) | Yes | ||
| Client Webinars | |||
| Client Webinars (Archived) |
| Overall Summary | Trading 212 | Barclays | |
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| Investment Choices |
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| Mobile App |
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| Website |
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| Review | Trading 212 Review | Barclays Review | |
| Winner | check_circle |
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