Written by StockBrokers.com
In this head to head comparison of Barclays vs Vanguard UK Investor, 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 Vanguard UK Investor 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 - Barclays would cost £105 per year, while Vanguard UK Investor would cost N/A per year.
12 trades per year - Barclays would cost £75 or £147 per year, while Vanguard UK Investor would cost N/A per year.
36 trades per year - Barclays would cost £75 or £291 per year, while Vanguard UK Investor would cost N/A per year.
120 trades per year - Barclays would cost £75 or £795 per year, while Vanguard UK Investor would cost N/A per year.
3 fund trades per year - Barclays would cost £0 per year, while Vanguard UK Investor would cost £500 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.
For UK investors evaluating online brokers, Barclays and Vanguard UK Investor present differing investment options to consider. Barclays enables trading in shares, ETFs, funds, corporate and government bonds, and investment trusts, while also providing advisor services. In contrast, Vanguard UK Investor supports trading in ETFs and funds only, with no availability in share trading, bond markets, or investment trusts, nor does it offer advisor services. Both platforms do not engage in crypto, spread betting, or CFD trading.
When it comes to investment choice ratings, Barclays shines with a full 5-star rating awarded by UK.StockBrokers.com, while Vanguard UK Investor holds a 3.5-star status. Barclays ranks 9th out of 18 brokers for investment choices, indicating a broader array of options compared to Vanguard, which ranks 18th. These rankings serve as a useful guideline for investor preferences when seeking diverse investment avenues.
| Feature |
Barclays
|
Vanguard UK Investor
|
|---|---|---|
| Share Trading | Yes | No |
| CFD Trading | No | No |
| ETFs | Yes | Yes |
| Funds | Yes | Yes |
| Bonds - Government (Gilts) | Yes | No |
| Investment Trusts | Yes | No |
| Spread Betting | No | No |
| Crypto Trading | No | No |
| Advisor Services | Yes | No |
| Investment Choices |
|
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Low-cost US and UK shares.
Professional’s Gateway to the World’s Markets.
When it comes to the trading tools offered by Barclays and Vanguard UK Investor for UK investors, both platforms provide basic functionalities, yet there are key differences to consider. Neither Barclays nor Vanguard UK Investor support displaying corporate events like earnings, splits, or dividends on charts, and both lack drawing tools, technical indicators, the ability to add notes, and the capability to overlay indexes or stocks directly onto charts. However, both platforms are accessible via browser-based trading, enabling users to manage their investments online with ease.
Barclays sets itself apart by offering the ability to create alerts for stock price updates, a feature that can be quite beneficial for active traders staying on top of market movements. On the other hand, neither platform delivers real-time market data, which could be a significant consideration for those seeking the most timely trading information. In summary, while both Barclays and Vanguard UK Investor cater to basic trading needs, Barclays might offer a slight edge for those who prioritize price alert functionality.
| Feature |
Barclays
|
Vanguard UK Investor
|
|---|---|---|
| Web Platform | Yes | Yes |
| Stock Alerts | Yes | No |
| Charting - Indicators / Studies | 0 | 0 |
| Charting - Drawing Tools | 0 | 0 |
| Charting - Notes | No | No |
| Charting - Display Corporate Events | No | No |
| Charting - Stock Overlays | No | No |
| Charting - Index Overlays | No | No |
When comparing Barclays and Vanguard UK Investor, both offer attractive online investment options for UK residents planning for retirement. Barclays provides Individual Savings Accounts (ISAs) and Self-Invested Personal Pensions (SIPPs), allowing investors to benefit from tax-efficient savings and a wide array of investment choices. Similarly, Vanguard UK Investor also offers both ISAs and SIPPs, empowering individuals to grow their retirement savings with low-cost index funds and ETFs. Whether you choose Barclays or Vanguard, both platforms enable flexible retirement planning, catering to different investment styles and needs while ensuring tax benefits through ISAs and SIPPs.
Dive deeper: Best SIPP Providers, Best Stocks and Shares ISA Providers.
When comparing the mobile app offerings of Barclays and Vanguard UK Investor for UK investors, both brokers provide apps compatible with iPhone and Android devices. Despite this similarity, their app performance ratings show a difference in user satisfaction. Barclays' mobile app is rated 2.5 stars by UK.StockBrokers.com, while Vanguard UK Investor edges ahead with a 3.5-star rating. In rankings out of 18 brokers, Barclays comes in at 21st place, whereas Vanguard UK Investor is slightly better, positioned at 19th. This suggests that while both brokers provide mobile platforms, Vanguard UK Investor might offer a slightly more favorable user experience for investors on the go.
Dive deeper: Best Stock Trading Apps UK.
When comparing the educational resources for beginner investors offered by Barclays and Vanguard UK Investor, UK users will find distinct differences. Barclays provides a wide range of educational materials, covering topics like share trading, funds, and retirement planning, making it an appealing choice for those looking to learn about a variety of investment strategies. Although Barclays does not provide educational webinars, it has earned a 4.5-star rating and is ranked 10th out of 18 brokers for beginner education by UK.StockBrokers.com. Meanwhile, Vanguard UK Investor doesn't cover share trading but does offer resources on investing in funds and planning for retirement. Notably, Vanguard UK Investor archives its webinars for on-demand viewing, despite not offering live sessions. However, with a 3.5-star rating and a ranking of 17th, it may not be as comprehensive as Barclays for someone just starting their investment journey.
| Feature |
Barclays
|
Vanguard UK Investor
|
|---|---|---|
| Client Webinars | No | No |
| Client Webinars (Archived) | No | Yes |
| Education (Share Trading) | Yes | No |
| Education (Funds) | Yes | Yes |
| Education (Retirement) | Yes | Yes |
| Education |
|
|
Dive deeper: Best UK Trading Platforms for Beginners.
When comparing the market research features offered by Barclays and Vanguard UK Investor, Barclays clearly provides a broader range of resources for investors. Both platforms offer research reports for funds as well as the ability to view portfolio allocation by asset class, making it easier for investors to assess their investments. Barclays, however, stands out by also providing research on shares and bonds, which Vanguard UK Investor does not offer. While both offer research on ETFs, neither Barclays nor Vanguard UK Investor delve into CFDs research. For UK investors seeking comprehensive market insights, Barclays may provide a more extensive suite of research options.
| Feature |
Barclays
|
Vanguard UK Investor
|
|---|---|---|
| Research - Shares | Yes | No |
| Research - CFDs | No | No |
| Research - ETFs | Yes | Yes |
| Research - Bonds | Yes | No |
| Research - Funds | Yes | Yes |
| Fund Research - Research Reports | Yes | Yes |
| Portfolio Allocation Breakdown | Yes | Yes |
Which broker is better overall, Barclays or Vanguard UK Investor? After collecting more than 900 data points over a 10-week period, we found Barclays to be a better trading platform overall.
Barclays Smart Investor offers a wide range of investments and accounts and is a good value for those with a midsize portolio who like flat fees. On the downside, it can be complicated to open an account as a non-Barclays bank customer, and you can’t buy or sell investments through the app if you don’t have a Barclays bank account.
| Feature |
Barclays
|
Vanguard UK Investor
|
|---|---|---|
| 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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Both Barclays and Vanguard UK Investor do not offer crypto trading options, so investors seeking cryptocurrency investment platforms may need to explore alternative options.
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0 of 5| Overall Rating | Barclays | Vanguard UK Investor | |
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| Review | Barclays Review | Vanguard UK Investor Review | |
| Winner | check_circle |
| Investments | Barclays | Vanguard UK Investor | |
|---|---|---|---|
| ISA | Yes | Yes | |
| SIPP | Yes | Yes | |
| Share Trading | Yes | No | |
| CFD Trading | No | No | |
| Funds | Yes | Yes | |
| ETFs | Yes | Yes | |
| Bonds - Corporate | Yes | No | |
| Bonds - Government (Gilts) | Yes | No | |
| Investment Trusts | Yes | No | |
| Spread Betting | No | No | |
| Crypto Trading | No | No | |
| Advisor Services | Yes | No |
| Trading Fees | Barclays | Vanguard UK Investor | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Minimum Deposit | £0 | £500 | |
| Share Trading: 0-9 Deals/ Month | £6 | N/A | |
| Share Trading: 10-19 Deals/ Month | £6 | N/A | |
| Share Trading: 20+ Deals/ Month | £6 | N/A | |
| 5 trades per year (£30k portfolio) | £105 | N/A | |
| 12 trades per year (£30k portfolio) | £75 or £147 | N/A | |
| 36 trades per year (£30k portfolio) | £75 or £291 | N/A | |
| 120 trades per year (£30k portfolio) | £75 or £795 | N/A | |
| 3 fund trades per year (£30k portfolio) | £75 | £108 | |
| Annual Custody Fee: £0 - £250,000 | £0 - £525 | Under £32,000: £48 / Over £32,000: 0.15% | |
| Annual Custody Fee: £250K-£500K | £525 - £650 | £375 | |
| Annual Custody Fee: £500,000 - £1m | £650 - £850 | £375 | |
| Annual Custody Fee: £1m and over | £850 and up | £375 | |
| Bonds - Corporate - Fee | £6 | N/A | |
| Bonds - Government (Gilts) - Fee | £6 | N/A | |
| ETFs - Fee | £6 | 0.02% to 0.14% | |
| Investment Trusts - Fee | £6 | N/A | |
| Telephone Dealing Fee | £25 | N/A |
| Broker Screenshots | Barclays | Vanguard UK Investor | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 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 | Barclays | Vanguard UK Investor | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Web Platform | Yes | Yes | |
| iPhone App | Yes | Yes | |
| Android App | Yes | Yes | |
| Stock Alerts | Yes | No | |
| Charting - Indicators / Studies | 0 | 0 | |
| Charting - Drawing Tools | 0 | 0 | |
| Charting - Notes | No | No | |
| Charting - Display Corporate Events | No | No | |
| Charting - Stock Overlays | No | No | |
| Charting - Index Overlays | No | No |
| Research | Barclays | Vanguard UK Investor | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Research - Shares | Yes | No | |
| Research - CFDs | No | No | |
| Research - Funds | Yes | Yes | |
| Fund Research - Research Reports | Yes | Yes | |
| Research - ETFs | Yes | Yes | |
| Research - Bonds | Yes | No | |
| Portfolio Allocation Breakdown | Yes | Yes |
| Education | Barclays | Vanguard UK Investor | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Education (Share Trading) | Yes | No | |
| Education (Funds) | Yes | Yes | |
| Education (Retirement) | Yes | Yes | |
| Client Webinars | No | No | |
| Client Webinars (Archived) | No | Yes |
| Overall Summary | Barclays | Vanguard UK Investor | |
|---|---|---|---|
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| Education |
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| Review | Barclays Review | Vanguard UK Investor Review | |
| Winner | check_circle |
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