Barclays Review 2026
According to our idea, the TU Overall Score indicator should answer the biggest question of all: “Can I trust this broker with my money?”. The scores range within 0.01 – 9.99 (the higher the indicator the more trust the broker has). More details
- £1
- Web platform
- Barclays Mobile App
- 1:1
- Only UK securities available, no margin accounts provided
Our Evaluation of Barclays
According to our idea, the TU Overall Score indicator should answer the biggest question of all: “Can I trust this broker with my money?”. The scores range within 0.01 – 9.99 (the higher the indicator the more trust the broker has). More details
Barclays is a broker with higher-than-average risk and the TU Overall Score of 4.21 out of 10. Having reviewed trading opportunities offered by the company and reviews posted by Barclays clients on our website, Traders Union expert Anton Kharitonov recommends users to consider a more reliable broker with better conditions, as, according to reviews, many clients of this broker are not satisfied with the company’s work.
The Barclays broker works only with UK investors who invest in local securities and use exclusively their funds for this.
How we tested Barclays
Traders Union has analyzed financial markets for over 14 years, evaluating brokers based on 250+ transparent criteria, including security, regulation, and trading conditions. Our expert team of over 50 professionals regularly updates a Watch List of 500+ brokers to provide users with data-driven insights. While our research is based on objective data, we recommend that users perform independent due diligence and consult official regulatory sources before making any financial decisions.
Learn more about our methodology and editorial policies.
Brief Look at Barclays
Barclays is a British multinational bank founded in 1690. Since 1986 Barclays has been providing investment services. The broker is regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority (155595) and is a member of the FSCS Compensation Fund. The holding's banking services are used by more than 48 million clients from 50 countries, but investing through Barclays is available only to UK tax residents. The broker offers over 3,500 financial instruments, including stocks, investment funds, ETFs, and corporate and government bonds.
We've identified your country as
US
We have thoroughly analyzed all companies legally providing trading services in your country and created a ranking of the best ones. Our analysis highlights companies that offer optimal working conditions, uphold a strong reputation, and consistently receive the highest number of positive reviews from traders on our website.
Explore the 5 top-rated companies in
US :
- Control of financial activities by the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) regulator.
- Availability of ground-breaking and user-friendly platforms (web and mobile) that allow you to manage accounts and make transactions.
- No requirements for the size of the minimum deposit on investment accounts.
- Access to research instruments and professional analytics.
- A simple pricing structure, transparent and modest fees.
- Limited choice of assets: only UK tax payers are eligible. There are no international securities or derivative financial instruments such as derivatives, futures, options, depositary receipts, etc.
- The company does not provide margin accounts and does not support leveraged trading. Clients can only trade with their hard-earned funds.
- Investment accounts can only be opened by UK residents over the age of 18. Broker services are not available to US residents, even if they reside in the UK.
TU Expert Verdict
Chief Analytics Officer
Barclays offers trading access to UK stocks, ETFs, bonds, and investment funds exclusively for UK tax residents using its proprietary web platform and mobile app. The minimum deposit starts at GBP 1, and account options include Investment Account, ISA, and SIPP, all denominated in GBP. Barclays is regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority, participates in the FSCS compensation scheme, and provides comprehensive banking and investment services. Fees are transparent, with fixed transaction costs and monthly subscription rates, although commission-free trading is not available. All accounts must be linked to a UK bank account, and there is no leverage or margin trading available.
Some disadvantages include access limited to UK residents, the absence of non-UK securities and derivatives, no leveraged products, and trading fees that are above many competitors, with ETFs at GBP 3 per trade and stocks at GBP 6 per trade. As a result, Barclays may not be suitable for active traders seeking international diversification or cost-sensitive investors, but it can meet the needs of UK-based clients focused on local securities and integrated personal banking.
Barclays Summary
| 💻 Trading platform: | Web platform, Barclays Mobile App (Android, iOS) |
|---|---|
| 📊 Accounts: |
|
| 💰 Account currency: | GBP |
| 💵 Deposit / Withdrawal: | Debit cards, wire transfer, online banking, transfer of assets from ISA or GIA Accounts of another broker, Check-in mobile app, Apple Pay, Android Pay, Pingit, via Barclays Bank Cashier (cash or check) |
| 🚀 Minimum deposit: | From £1 |
| ⚖️ Leverage: | 1:1 |
| 💼 Copy Trading: | No |
| 📈️ Min Order: | No data |
| 💱 EUR/USD spread: | Absent |
| 🔧 Instruments: | Shares, bonds, ETF, investment trusts |
| 💹 Margin Call / Stop Out: | No |
| 🏛 Liquidity provider: | Barclays Bank UK |
| 📱 Mobile trading: | Yes |
| ➕ Affiliate program: | No |
| 📋 Order execution: | No |
| ⭐ Trading features: | Only UK securities available, no margin accounts provided |
| 🎁 Contests and bonuses: | Yes |
You do not need to deposit to open an account with Barclays. Investors who have formed their portfolio of assets can start with any amount that can cover the commission for the transaction. A web platform and mobile applications are provided for trading. An interest rate is charged on free funds in investment accounts. The company does not offer margin trading with leverage. The currency used in investment accounts is GBP only.
Barclays Key Parameters Evaluation
Trading Account Opening
The procedure for opening an account with a broker differs depending on whether the potential investor is a client of Barclays Bank. If you already have a checking account with this bank, you can open an investment account through the Barclays Mobile Banking app. If there is no bank account, then you need to register on the broker's website. Below is a brief instruction on how to open an account on the website:
On the main page, click Save and Invest and in the drop-down list select the type of investment account you want to open.
Then click the button as shown in the screenshot below:
Fill out the registration form with your personal details. Also at this stage, you need to confirm that you are a UK tax resident. After that, the broker will request a bank account number, which will be linked to the Investment Account for its further replenishment:
Features of the personal account:
Also, the following actions can be performed in a Barclays personal account:
-
Transfer the interest that was accrued to your non-invested funds to your investment account.
-
View and track a portfolio of assets.
-
Manage investments.
-
Perform daily banking transactions such as view and manage accounts, transfer money, set up a direct debit, etc.
Is Barclays Safe?
Investment services and products are provided by Barclays Investment Solutions Limited, a member of the London Stock Exchange and the NEX, which is regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA). The company is registered under number 2752982. Barclays Bank UK Plc, which provides banking services, is controlled by the Prudential Regulation Authority (No. 759676 in the register of financial services).
Barclays also participates in the Financial Services Compensation Scheme (FSCS), which guarantees its customers compensation in the event the company stops its activities. The maximum payout is £85,000 per investor. In the event of Barclays' violation of its obligations, each client can file a written complaint with the Financial Ombudsman Service (FOS), an independent body established by the UK government to resolve disputes between financial companies and their clients.
Advantages
- The broker and bank are supervised by the UK's most reputable regulators
- In the event of bankruptcy of a company, its clients can receive compensation for funds from FSCS
- Every investor can file a claim with FCA or FOS
Disadvantages
- The client's investment account must be linked to his bank account with a UK financial institution
- To pass verification, you must provide tax documents
- All payments are made only through a linked UK bank account
Commissions and Fees
For each purchase or sale of an asset, the client pays a fixed fee: for online transactions with funds, it’s £3; for other assets, it’s £6; and for a phone transaction, it’s £25. If the client makes more than 4 trades per year, the fee is reduced to £1 per trade. Barclays charges a monthly subscription fee on investment accounts: for funds, it’s 0.2%; and for other instruments, it’s 0.1% (but not less than £4 and not more than £125 per month). At the end of each trading day, the value of the investments placed by the client is calculated, and then once a month (on the day the account was opened) a fee is charged. On SIPP accounts, in addition to monthly subscription fees and transaction fees, there is an administration fee of £31.25 + VAT every quarter. In addition, some ETFs and investment trusts include fees charged by fund managers to cover the costs of buying and selling the underlying investment. However, most funds do not have a down payment and the broker does not charge a withdrawal fee.
| Account type | Spread (minimum value) | Withdrawal commission |
|---|---|---|
| Investment Account | From £3 | No |
| ISA | From £3 | No |
| SIPP | From £3 | No |
Stamp duty for the acquisition of shares in the UK is 0.5%, and in Ireland, it’s 1%. The Panel of Takeovers and Mergers (PTM) also charges £1 on all UK stock trades over £10,000.
The experts at Traders Union compared the fees for trading in shares of Barclays Bank and stockbrokers Ally and Charles Schwab. The results of the study are presented in the table below. It should be borne in mind that Barclays makes it possible to trade only securities listed on the UK stock exchanges. Access to international shares (including the United States) is closed to its clients.
| Broker | Average commission | Level |
|---|---|---|
|
$3 | |
|
$4 | |
|
$ |
Account Types
Barclays offers clients current bank, savings, and investment accounts. The latter is only available to UK tax residents.
Account types:
Barclays does not have a demo account, but there is no monthly subscription fee until the account is funded. That is, an investor can open an account, study the platform, and then close it (free of charge) if the trading conditions do not suit him.
Bank accounts in Barclays can be opened by residents of any country, but investments can only be by UK citizens who have an account with a local bank.
Deposit and Withdrawal
-
To withdraw money, you must first transfer funds from your investment account to your linked UK bank account using online banking. The limit on the amount of one transfer is £250,000. There are no restrictions on the number of transfers.
-
The customer can then transfer funds to a debit card or receive cash from their bank's cash desk or ATM.
-
If the customer is outside the UK at the time of withdrawal, they can transfer funds by international bank transfer. SEPA payments are made only in euros, and SWIFT payments are made only in the currency chosen by the client.
Investment Options
Barclays provides access to thousands of investment assets, including stocks, bonds, and funds (ETFs and other investment funds), listed in the UK. At the moment, investing in securities on international markets is not available to the broker's clients.
Three ways to invest in Barclays
Experienced investors can create their investment portfolios with Smart Investor. Newcomers to securities trading and investors with minimal skills are assisted in building portfolios and a recommended list of Barclays’ funds. It includes more than 40 Investment Trusts and ETFs, which the company's experts consider to be promising under long-term strategies. The broker offers the following types of investment:
-
Smart Investor. An option for experienced and professional investors who can build their portfolio using the instruments and concepts of the Barclays Research Center. The investor chooses a tax-efficient account (Investment Account, ISA, or SIPP) and personally manages the portfolio. There are no requirements of a minimum investment amount, but it must exceed the commission for the purchase of securities.
-
Plan & Invest. An individual investment plan for clients who prefer long-term investments with the help of professionals. The digital service operates through Barclays Online Banking and the app, so you need to be a Barclays checking account holder to use it. Such investments have a minimum investment period of five years, with an initial investment of £5,000.
-
Ready-made Investments. Balanced investment portfolios consisting of funds with different levels of risk. The company offers investors five types of ready-made portfolios: Defensive, Cautious, Balanced, Growth, and Adventurous. The funds are managed by a team of investment experts from Barclays. Day-to-day investment decisions are made by Blackrock managers, leaders in passive portfolio management. There is no minimum deposit, but for a ready investment, the minimum purchase is £50.
Both experienced traders and newcomers to the stock exchange can invest in UK securities through Barclays. To do this, you need to open one of three investment accounts with a broker and choose a trading strategy.
If you are a large investor and plan on investments over $10,000, contact us at vip-invest@tradersunion.com or by the feedback form on our website. Our professional team will take you through all the intricacies of the deal and all the steps from signing up to withdrawal of profits.
Barclays’ affiliate program
At the moment, the broker has no affiliate programs.
Customer Support
To contact the company directly, customers can use the chat in the application or on the website or call the numbers indicated in the Contact us section. Chat operators are available 24/7. Telephone support is available Monday through Thursday from 7:30 am to 7:00 pm, and Friday from 7:30 am to 6:00 pm (GMT + 1).
Advantages
- In the application and the chat on the site, you can contact support 5 days during office hours
- Phone numbers listed are for calls within the UK and abroad
- Several ways to communicate
- Broker representatives answer questions in popular messengers
- There is a separate communication channel for people with disabilities
Disadvantages
- Inability to call on weekends and holidays
This broker provides the following communication channels for existing clients and potential investors:
-
phone numbers, as indicated on the website;
-
fax;
-
email;
-
chat in the application;
-
Apple Business Chat;
-
SignVideo (a service for deaf or hearing challenged people who communicate in British Sign Language);
-
Facebook Messenger;
-
Twitter - @BarclaysUK or @BarclaysBizChat;
-
LinkedIn profile;
-
Barclays also has a YouTube channel.
Contacts
| Foundation date | 2060 |
|---|---|
| Registration address | 1 Churchill Place, London E14 5HP |
| Regulation | FCA, FSCS, FOS |
| Official site | https://www.barclays.co.uk/ |
| Contacts |
0800 279 3667
|
Education
There is a lot of educational information on the Barclays Bank website. Investment resources are available at Investment resources. When you go to the Learn section, a securities section opens, which is designed for beginners with minimal investment experience.
Also in the training section, you can find investment ideas, learn about ready-made asset portfolios, and view lists of available funds.
Detailed Review of Barclays
Barclays is not only a world-famous bank but also a broker that offers clients to invest in securities listed on the UK stock exchanges. The company allows you to invest in stocks, bonds, exchange-traded funds, and investment trusts. At the same time, the client can form a portfolio on his own or entrust this mission to Barclays experts, which allows not only experienced but also novice investors to carry out exchange trading.
Barclays Q1 2021 financials by the numbers:
-
Total revenue - £5.9 billion.
-
Profit before tax - £2.4 billion.
-
The cost/income ratio is 61%.
-
The return on equity ratio (RoTE) is 14.7%.
Barclays is a long-term investment broker
Barclays offers clients the best pricing for LSE-listed securities from select RSPs and marketplaces. Investors can invest in over 2,500 funds and 1,000 stocks, as well as UK corporate and government bonds. The broker publishes trading ideas, fundamental data on stocks and ETFs, and blockbuster trading news. However, the range of charting tools is limited, which suggests that Barclays is focused on long-term strategies rather than active trading.
The broker's clients can invest and manage accounts through its web platform and Barclays’ mobile apps. A desktop terminal is not provided. The mobile application is protected from unauthorized access with an 8-digit PINsentry security code and 128-bit data encryption. It also provides an automatic logout if the user is inactive for 10 minutes.
Useful services:
-
Investing insights — in-depth market analysis with comments from financial experts.
-
Investment strategies — analyses of up-to-date investment strategies, which are carried out by independent and internal analysts of the company.
-
Word on the Street is a podcast where leading investment experts discuss the latest financial news and events.
-
Market analysis — articles about various markets and key asset classes.
-
Smart Investor with Clare Francis — videos in which Barclays’ Savings and Investment Director discusses investments in simple terms.
-
Active Trader is a paid research platform from partner Web Financial Group (WFG) that delivers real-time pricing, streaming charts, and Level 2 data.
Advantages:
You can open an account online, and filling out the registration form takes no more than 10 minutes.
The monthly subscription fee is charged only after the customer has made a deposit.
Compensation is available for commissions (up to £500) charged by another broker for transferring assets to Barclays.
Prompt assistance with any questions — by phone or via online chat.
A single Barclays app gives you access to all your open accounts — investment and banking.
Articles that may help you
Check out our reviews of other companies as well
