Home ā¢ Compare Providers ā¢ Boring Money Awards 2025 ā¢ Methodology
How We Rate Workplace Provider Services
Our Simple Point Based Rating System
We evaluate every service across four key areas that matter most to you. Here's how it works:
š± Customer Reviews
What real users say about the service
We believe the best way to judge a service is by listening to people who actually use it. That's why we spend time checking reviews from Google, Trustpilot, and our very own Boring Money Customer Reviews to see how satisfied customers really are. We look for patterns in what people are saying - whether they're praising the service or highlighting problems. The more positive reviews and higher star ratings a service has, the more points we award. If customers are consistently unhappy or reporting issues, this will be reflected in a lower score.
š ļø Service Quality
How well they actually serve you
Great reviews are one thing, but we want to see for ourselves how well a service performs. Our team tests the user-friendliness of their mobile app, assesses the quality and depth of their customer service, such as how they handle phone inquiries, and evaluates the frequency and handling time of customer complaints. We're looking at the complete customer experience - from the moment you sign up to how they handle any problems that might arise. Services that consistently deliver excellent support across all channels earn top marks here.
š Performance
How well your money grows
Past performance doesn't guarantee future results, but it's still important to see how a service has handled your money over time. We examine their track record over both 3 and 5-year periods, comparing their results to similar services in the market. We're looking for consistent performers who have delivered good returns for their customers whilst managing risk appropriately. In financial services, performance is considered in quartiles, with the top quartile being the best and the bottom considered the worst. Top quartile performers who consistently beat their competitors score highest in this category.
š° Fees and Charges
What it actually costs you
Hidden fees can eat into your returns, so we calculate the true total cost of using each service. This includes ongoing management fees, transaction charges, platform fees, and any other costs you might face. We then compare these total costs to the broader retail market to see whether you're getting good value. Services with transparent, competitive pricing that keep more money in your pocket score best here.
Why This Matters to You
Our rating system puts customer experience at the heart of everything. With customer reviews and service quality making up 60% of the total score, we're ensuring that how you're actually treated matters more than flashy marketing promises.