Merchant Machine

Barclays VS Charity Bank: Business Banking Review & Fee Comparison


By: Ian Wright | Last Updated: May 22, 2025

Is Barclays or Charity Bank better for your small business?



Compare UK Business Bank Accounts

Powered By BusinessBankAccounts.co.uk



Below we look at both Barclays and Charity Bank reviews on Trustpilot along with their App reviews from Apple and Google.

We then look at typical fees, business savings rates, foreign currency options and a whole bunch of other account features to help you make up your mind.

Barclays Homepage
Barclays Homepage


Charity Bank Homepage
Charity Bank Homepage
 

Barclays vs Charity Bank Trustpilot Reviews

BarclaysCharity Bank
Trustpilot Review Score (out of 5)1.43.3
Percent 5-Star Reviews8%33%
Percent 1- Star Reviews86%34%
Total Number of Reviews9,8593
Sources:
https://www.trustpilot.com/review/www.barclays.co.uk
https://www.trustpilot.com/review/charitybank.org

Barclays vs Charity Bank App Reviews

BarclaysCharity Bank
iPhone Review Score (out of 5)4.8No Rating
Number of iPhone Reviews1,700,000No Reviews
Android Review Score (out of 5)4.8No Rating
Number of Android Reviews506,000No Reviews
Sources:
https://apps.apple.com/gb/app/barclays/id536248734
https://www.apple.com/uk/app-store/

Barclays vs Charity Bank Account Fees & Charges

BarclaysCharity Bank
Free Business Bank AccountYesNo
Free Business Account Term Length12 MonthsNA
Cheapest Monthly Account Fee£8.50Free
Most Expensive Monthly Account Fee£8.50Free
Electronic Payment Cost (in/out)Free (up to 500 per month; 35p after)No
Cash Payments Cost (in/out)60p per £100/FreeFree
Cheques (in/out)60p each/60p eachFree
CHAPS Payments Cost£15£10
SEPA Payments Cost35p20p

Barclays vs Charity Bank Business Savings Rates

BarclaysCharity Bank
Types of Business Savings AccountsInstant access, Fixed-term Treasury Reserve AccountsCITR accounts, Easy Access, Notice Accounts, Fixed Account
Lowest Savings Rate (AER)1.51%2.02%
Maximum Savings Rate (AER)1.96%4.51%
Minimum Savings Amount£1£1,000
Interest Paid On Foreign CurrenciesYesNo
 

Barclays vs Charity Bank Account Opening Times

BarclaysCharity Bank
Can You Apply Online?YesYes
How Long Does Opening An
Account Typically Take?
Up to 7 Working DaysUndisclosed
Do They Check Your Credit?YesYes
Current Account Switch ServiceYesYes

Barclays vs Charity Bank Features & Account Types

Barclays Account Types
Barclays Features & Account Types


Charity Bank Account Types
Charity Bank Features & Account Types


BarclaysCharity Bank
Business Current AccountYesYes
Business Savings AccountYesYes
Business Credit CardYes, via BarclaycardNo
Business OverdraftYesNo
Accounts For StartupsYesYes
Accounts For CharitiesYesYes
Accounts For Sole TradersYesYes
Joint Business Accounts AvailableYesYes
Card TypeMastercardMastercard
Online BankingYesYes
Mobile BankingYesNo
In Person/Branch BankingYesNo
Branch LocationsUK-wideTonbridge

Barclays vs Charity Bank Customer Support Options

BarclaysCharity Bank
Phone Support AvailableYesYes
Email Support AvailableYesYes
App Based Support YesNo
Web Based SupportYesYes
In person Customer SupportYesNo

Barclays vs Charity Bank Foreign Currency Accounts

BarclaysCharity Bank
US Dollar (USD) Bank AccountsYesNo
Euro (EUR) Bank AccountsYesNo
Other Currencies Available:
  • Australian Dollar (AUD)
  • Canadian Dollar (CAD)
  • Chinese Yuan (CNY)
  • Czech Koruna (CZK)
  • Danish Krone (DKK)
  • Hong Kong Dollar (HKD)
  • Japanese Yen (JPY)
  • New Zealand Dollar (NZD)
  • Norwegian Krone (NOK)
  • Polish Zloty (PLN)
  • Singapore Dollar (SGD)
  • South African Rand (ZAR)
  • Swedish Krona (SEK)
  • Swiss Franc (CHF)
  • UAE Dirham (AED)
No

Other Business Services From Barclays and Charity Bank

Barclays Account Types
Other Barclays Services


Charity Bank Account Types
Other Charity Bank Services


BarclaysCharity Bank
Business LoansYesYes
Commercial MortgagesYesYes
Invoice FinancingYesNo
International PaymentsYesYes
Merchant Payment ServicesYes, via BarclaycardNo
Card MachinesYes, via BarclaycardNo
Free Accounting SoftwareYes, FreshBooksNo

Barclays vs Charity Bank Banking Basics

BarclaysCharity Bank
Bank TypeHigh StreetChallenger
FSCS ProtectionYes, up to £85,000Yes, up to £85,000
FCA Number122702207701
WebsiteBarclays WebsiteCharity Bank Website

Common Comparison Questions

Does Barclays or Charity Bank have better customer reviews?

Barclays scores 1.4 out of 5 based 9,859 Trustpilot reviews. Of these reviews 8% are 5-star and 86% are 1-star.

Whereas, Charity Bank scores 3.3 out of 5 based 3 Trustpilot reviews. Of which 33% are 5-star and 34% are 1-star.

Does Barclays or Charity Bank have a better App?

Barclays’s iPhone App is rated 4.8 out of 5 based on 1,700,000 reviews. And it’s Android App is rated 4.8 out of 5 based on 506,000 reviews.

In comparison, Charity Bank’s iPhone App is rated No Rating out of 5 based on No Reviews reviews. And it’s Android App is rated No Rating out of 5 based on No Reviews reviews.

Does Barclays or Charity Bank have better business savings rates?

Barclays offers the following types of business savings accounts: Instant access, Fixed-term Treasury Reserve Accounts with interest rates ranging from 1.51% to 1.96%. (AER)

In contrast, Charity Bank offers CITR accounts, Easy Access, Notice Accounts, Fixed Account accounts with interest rates ranging from 2.02% to 4.51% (AER).

See Other Comparisons:
Barclays vs Cumberland Building Society
Barclays vs Redwood Bank
Barclays vs Amaiz
Barclays vs ICICI Bank UK
Barclays vs Intergiro


For other business bank accounts see our guide here.

 



Please note: Merchant Machine is an information and comparison website only.
We do not provide merchant services nor can we recommend which solution is right for you and your business.
Blog · About · Privacy Policy · Terms of Use · Contact Us
Copyright © 2025 Brilliant British Ltd trading as Merchant Machine

Registered Office Address:
3rd Floor Great Titchfield House, 14-18 Great Titchfield Street, London, United Kingdom, W1W 8BD
Company number 10490224