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Barclays VS Ulster Bank: Business Banking Review & Fee Comparison


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

Is Barclays or Ulster Bank better for your small business?



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Below we look at both Barclays and Ulster 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


Ulster Bank Homepage
Ulster Bank Homepage
 

Barclays vs Ulster Bank Trustpilot Reviews

BarclaysUlster Bank
Trustpilot Review Score (out of 5)1.41.5
Percent 5-Star Reviews8%8%
Percent 1- Star Reviews86%86%
Total Number of Reviews9,859114
Sources:
https://www.trustpilot.com/review/www.barclays.co.uk
https://www.trustpilot.com/review/www.ulsterbank.co.uk

Barclays vs Ulster Bank App Reviews

BarclaysUlster Bank
iPhone Review Score (out of 5)4.84.8
Number of iPhone Reviews1,700,00015,700
Android Review Score (out of 5)4.84.1
Number of Android Reviews506,00015,000
Sources:
https://apps.apple.com/gb/app/barclays/id536248734
https://apps.apple.com/gb/app/ulster-bank-ni-mobile-banking/id469523324

Barclays vs Ulster Bank Account Fees & Charges

BarclaysUlster Bank
Free Business Bank AccountYesYes
Free Business Account Term Length12 Months24 Months
Cheapest Monthly Account Fee£8.50£8
Most Expensive Monthly Account Fee£8.50£12
Electronic Payment Cost (in/out)Free (up to 500 per month; 35p after)43p
Cash Payments Cost (in/out)60p per £100/Free70p per £100
Cheques (in/out)60p each/60p each40p
CHAPS Payments Cost£15£18.75
SEPA Payments Cost35p€0.51

Barclays vs Ulster Bank Business Savings Rates

BarclaysUlster Bank
Types of Business Savings AccountsInstant access, Fixed-term Treasury Reserve AccountsInstant access accounts, Fixed term accounts, Currency savings accounts
Lowest Savings Rate (AER)1.51%1.46%
Maximum Savings Rate (AER)1.96%1.92%
Minimum Savings Amount£1No
Interest Paid On Foreign CurrenciesYesYes
 

Barclays vs Ulster Bank Account Opening Times

BarclaysUlster Bank
Can You Apply Online?YesYes
How Long Does Opening An
Account Typically Take?
Up to 7 Working Days24 working hours
Do They Check Your Credit?YesYes
Current Account Switch ServiceYesYes

Barclays vs Ulster Bank Features & Account Types

Barclays Account Types
Barclays Features & Account Types


Ulster Bank Account Types
Ulster Bank Features & Account Types


BarclaysUlster Bank
Business Current AccountYesYes
Business Savings AccountYesYes
Business Credit CardYes, via BarclaycardYes
Business OverdraftYesYes
Accounts For StartupsYesYes
Accounts For CharitiesYesYes
Accounts For Sole TradersYesYes
Joint Business Accounts AvailableYesYes
Card TypeMastercardMastercard
Online BankingYesYes
Mobile BankingYesYes
In Person/Branch BankingYesYes
Branch LocationsUK-wideNorthern Ireland Only

Barclays vs Ulster Bank Customer Support Options

BarclaysUlster Bank
Phone Support AvailableYesYes
Email Support AvailableYesYes
App Based Support YesYes
Web Based SupportYesYes
In person Customer SupportYesYes

Barclays vs Ulster Bank Foreign Currency Accounts

BarclaysUlster Bank
US Dollar (USD) Bank AccountsYesYes
Euro (EUR) Bank AccountsYesYes
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)
  • Swiss franc
  • Japanese yen
  • Australian dollar
  • Canadian dollar
  • New Zealand dollar
  • Swedish krona

Other Business Services From Barclays and Ulster Bank

Barclays Account Types
Other Barclays Services


Ulster Bank Account Types
Other Ulster Bank Services


BarclaysUlster Bank
Business LoansYesYes
Commercial MortgagesYesNo
Invoice FinancingYesYes
International PaymentsYesYes
Merchant Payment ServicesYes, via BarclaycardYes
Card MachinesYes, via BarclaycardYes
Free Accounting SoftwareYes, FreshBooksYes

Barclays vs Ulster Bank Banking Basics

BarclaysUlster Bank
Bank TypeHigh StreetHigh Street
FSCS ProtectionYes, up to £85,000Yes, up to £85,000
FCA Number122702NA
WebsiteBarclays WebsiteUlster Bank Website

Common Comparison Questions

Does Barclays or Ulster 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, Ulster Bank scores 1.5 out of 5 based 114 Trustpilot reviews. Of which 8% are 5-star and 86% are 1-star.

Does Barclays or Ulster 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, Ulster Bank’s iPhone App is rated 4.8 out of 5 based on 15,700 reviews. And it’s Android App is rated 4.1 out of 5 based on 15,000 reviews.

Does Barclays or Ulster 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, Ulster Bank offers Instant access accounts, Fixed term accounts, Currency savings accounts accounts with interest rates ranging from 1.46% to 1.92% (AER).

See Other Comparisons:
Barclays vs Kent Reliance
Barclays vs Cynergy Bank
Barclays vs Zempler Bank (formerly Cashplus)
Barclays vs Co-operative Bank
Barclays vs Aldermore


For other business bank accounts see our guide here.

 



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