What are the Boring Money Best Buy Awards?
The Boring Money Best Buy Awards have been running for 9 consecutive years.
They are designed to recognise the best investment platforms and providers in the UK across a range of categories - from Stocks & Shares ISAs, pensions, digital investment apps, and customer experience.
We select our winners based on an exclusive combination of our independent opinion, deep dives into technical information and over 22,000 real customer reviews.
At the heart of it all, our Best Buy Awards are designed to champion the voice of the consumer and help you make better, more informed choices about investing.
How we choose our Best For Beginners winners
Finding the best investment platform for beginners isn't just about what's cheapest - it's about what makes getting started with investing feel less daunting. That's why our testing puts extra focus on guidance and user experience.
We've thoroughly tested websites and apps through a beginner's eyes, checking everything from how well they explain investing basics to whether you can actually find what you're looking for. We look carefully at minimum investment amounts too, because we know not everyone's starting with a fortune.
On the cost front, we examine 10 different scenarios across 5 portfolio sizes, from £1,000 up to £50,000. We look at both platform fees and ready-made investment costs, because many beginners prefer a helping hand with their investment choices.
We also scrutinise those crucial first steps - how smooth is the sign-up process? How well do providers hold your hand through getting started? The result? A thorough assessment that helps newcomers find their perfect investing match.
Best For Beginners winners 2025
Our Best For Beginners winners represent the top investment platforms for beginner investors in 2025. This year's winners are:
We list providers in alphabetical order.
Bestinvest
In a nutshell
Free financial coaching
Many investment types available, including ready-made options
Charges are higher on UK investments
Who is Bestinvest good for?
Bestinvest is helpful for less confident investors who want a human being available on the phone to take questions and guide them. The content and research will also support those who want to learn and develop their investment confidence. However, it’s not the best for seasoned traders who value low charges and familiar trading interfaces.
Moneybox
In a nutshell
Excellent app
User-friendly tools simplify starting and maintaining investments
High platform fees
Who is Moneybox good for?
Moneybox is well-suited to beginners and people who want something simple and straightforward when it comes to investing. There’s a wealth of educational content to support your choices and its slick and easy to use app is great for people who live on their phones. However, the fees work out a little expensive, particularly for smaller portfolios under £5k.
Monzo
In a nutshell
Really easy to use and mobile-friendly
Quick set-up process
Handy illustration of potential investment growth
Who is Monzo good for?
So now you know more about Monzo, is it the right home for your money? We think it's a decent option if you're a beginner investor, someone who doesn't have a lot of time on their hands, or appreciates a little ESG consideration in their investments. But if you're more experienced and want a wider investment range or looking for the cheapest option, Monzo probably isn't best option for you.
J.P. Morgan Personal Investing
N.B. Prior to November 2025, J.P. Morgan Personal Investing operated under the Nutmeg Savings and Investment brand.
In a nutshell
Not the cheapest solution in town
Pre-packaged investments
The most established 'robo'
Who is J.P. Morgan Personal Investing good for?
It is a decent option for less confident investors or those who find investing a bit baffling and could do with a helping hand. There’s a wide range of different investment approaches and a lot of portfolios on offer compared to its competitors. Chase banking customers will also like the integration. Plus, it’s backed by investment banking giants JP Morgan.
PensionBee
In a nutshell
Brings pensions together
Nice digital service
Limited investment
Who is PensionBee good for?
PensionBee is a good choice for people who’ve moved jobs a lot and are looking for a handy service to consolidate their various pots. It’s particularly good for less confident investors who value simple language and a straightforward, digital approach. PensionBee is limited to those looking for pension related investments.
Vanguard
In a nutshell
Low fees on medium and large portfolios
Huge global player
Limited choice
Who is Vanguard good for?
Vanguard is a comforting, giant brand generally held in high regard. It is low-cost with competitive platform charges of 0.15% or £4/month (for balances under £32,000) and low fund management costs starting from 0.06%. Vanguard has a suite of industry-respected ready-made options for beginners – the famed LifeStrategy range. However, it does have its flaws; Vanguard is a closed platform, meaning you can only use it to buy Vanguard’s own funds, so there’s limited choice. It’s also not so good for active traders.
Which Stocks & Shares ISA is best for you?
Are you looking to open an investment account but not sure who to turn to? Do you want to make sure you're not paying any more tax than you need to? Check our ISA comparison table to see the best providers for tax-free investing! Read our full reviews for information on fees and charges, investment range, real customer reviews and more.
FAQs about investing
From beginners asking, “How do I start investing?” to those wondering, “What’s the best investment for long-term growth?” – our community has the answers you need. Dive into our questions archive to find out:
What’s the difference between stocks, funds, and ETFs?
How much money do I need to start investing?
What are the risks of investing, and how can I manage them?
