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 Buy Pension winners
Choosing the best pension provider isn't just about picking the cheapest - but costs matter a lot when you're investing for decades. That's why our Best Buy Pension analysis goes deep into the numbers for the top pensions in the UK.
We examine 18 different scenarios across 9 portfolio sizes, from starter pots of £1,000 right up to substantial £750,000 pension funds. We look at both platform fees and those all-important ready-made investment costs, because we know not everyone wants to pick their own investments.
But it's not just about costs. We scrutinise everything that makes a pension work hard for you - like how easy it is to consolidate old pensions (because who hasn't collected a few?), and whether you'll face any sneaky extra charges. We look carefully at drawdown capabilities too, because getting money out of your pension needs to be as smooth as putting it in.
The result? A thorough analysis of the best pensions on the market to help you find your perfect match. So you can sleep easier knowing your retirement savings are in the best pension for you!
Best Buy Pension winners 2025
Our Best Buy Pension winners represent the best personal pension providers in the UK in 2025. This year's winners are:
We list providers in alphabetical order.
AJ Bell
In a nutshell
Low cost
May be complex for beginners
Good investment ideas and content
Who is AJ Bell good for?
One of the best options in the UK, this service is suited for people with a little experience, providing lots of supporting information and guidance to support learning and increasingly confident decision-making. Costs are very reasonable and the support for beginners with ambitions to learn makes it a good option for aspiring investors. Not for those who prefer to take a back seat and do the bare minimum though. In terms of charges, AJ Bell is cheap for large portfolios, with no platform fees above £500k, and relatively cheap for smaller portfolios. Plus there’s a wide range of investments to choose from.
Fidelity
In a nutshell
Large, secure global company
Good investment research tools
Expensive for portfolios under £25k unless you have a regular savings plan
Who is Fidelity good for?
Fidelity’s charges make it a better option for those with larger portfolios (£30,000+) who want access to good research and solid customer support. The large global brand will reassure some too - it's a safe pair of hands for those who find newer brands too risky. There are extensive sustainable investing filtering options too. However, not the best digital experience.
Hargreaves Lansdown
In a nutshell
Excellent service
Established company
Very strong service and educational content
Who is Hargreaves Lansdown good for?
Still one of the best all-rounders, but it is pricey compared to peers. Caps on charges make this very compelling for larger accounts who have listed securities. Fees on smaller accounts are not unreasonable value, however, share dealing fees are on the expensive side and the platform charge for fund folders is high.
interactive investor
In a nutshell
Low cost for large portfolios
Wide range of investments
Good for share dealing
Who is interactive investor good for?
The fixed fees make this a very low-cost option for most people with more than £30,000 to invest. The support and research will be most helpful to experienced investors and share traders - it still feels a bit overwhelming for the less confident. Good for international trading.
Moneyfarm
In a nutshell
Really easy to use
Ready-made options
This is regulated advice
Who is Moneyfarm good for?
Moneyfarm is a good option for those who want some help with investing and who value the combo of a good digital customer experience with the ability to talk to real human beings on the phone. It’s also a decent fit for those who want some choice whilst still outsourcing most of the decisions to the experts.
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 giant 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.
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’s low-cost and 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 pension is best for you?
Are you looking to open a pension but not sure who to turn to? Check our pension comparison table to see what's out there! Read our full reviews for information on fees and charges, investment range, real customer reviews and more.
FAQs about pensions
From those wondering, “Which pension provider is best for beginners?” to experienced investors asking, “How do I make the most of my pension tax benefits?” – our community has the answers you need. Dive into our questions archive to find out:
What’s the difference between a personal pension and a workplace pension?
Should I top up my ISA or my pension?
What investments can I hold in a pension?
