Expert VerifiedBestinvest SIPP Review 2025: Is This the Smartest Way to Grow Your Pension?
- Last Updated: 05 Aug 2025
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Key Takeaways
- Bestinvest is a well-regarded UK SIPP provider, offering a competitive fee structure and access to a broad range of investment options.
- Investors benefit from tax advantages, flexible investment choices, and the potential for stronger returns than traditional pensions.
- Transferring an existing pension to a Bestinvest SIPP can offer greater control over investments and may enhance long-term retirement outcomes.
Are you considering a Self-Invested Personal Pension (SIPP) for your retirement planning? The Bestinvest SIPP is a notable and respected option—as of March 2025, it serves over 50,000 clients and manages more than £3 billion in assets.1
At EveryInvestor, we are committed to providing you with accurate and up-to-date information on retirement products just like SIPPs, so that you have easy and first-hand access to everything you need to know.
Keep reading as we delve into the features, benefits, and considerations of the Bestinvest SIPP...
What Is Bestinvest & What Services Does It Offer?
Bestinvest is a UK investment platform that provides both DIY investment options and financial advice, and known for its "Best Funds" list and in-depth research reports, it offers tools and resources to help both novice and experienced investors.
With a focus on managed portfolios, Bestinvest stands out for its comprehensive investment guidance.
Let's break things down:
What Is a SIPP?
A SIPP (Self-Invested Personal Pension) is a UK pension plan that gives individuals control over their retirement investments, and unlike traditional pensions, it allows investment in a wide range of assets such as shares, bonds, and property.
This flexibility enables people to tailor their investment strategies to suit their financial goals, while also benefiting from tax relief and advantages.
It is ideal for individuals who want to take an active role in managing and growing their pension savings.
Is Bestinvest a Trusted SIPP Provider?
Yes, Bestinvest is a trusted provider; it is known for offering a broad range of investment options, expertise, exceptional customer service, dedication to client satisfaction, and focus on financial success.
The company has a strong reputation for effectively managing client investments, supported by positive customer reviews.
With transparent fees and a variety of investment tools, Bestinvest is an excellent choice for individuals aiming to maximise their retirement savings through a SIPP.
How Has the Bestinvest SIPP Developed Over Time?
The Bestinvest SIPP has developed over time to meet the growing demand for more personalised retirement solutions, mirroring broader trends in the UK where responsibility for retirement savings has increasingly moved from government and defined benefit pensions to individuals.2
In response to this shift, Bestinvest created their platform that allows individuals to actively manage their retirement sav ings, and over the years, the company has embraced technological advancements and user-friendly interfaces to enhance the overall user experience.
Bestinvest has expanded its investment options to include a broader range of assets, such as bonds and commodities; additionally, the provider introduced ready-made portfolios, DIY plans, and access to financial advice, solidifying its position in the UK pension market.3
What Are the Other Pension Products Offered by Bestinvest?
Beyond SIPPs, Bestinvest provides a range of other pension options, including ready-made investment portfolios for varied risk levels and goals.
These portfolios simplify retirement planning while still offering significant growth potential, and exploring these alternatives can help you decide if Bestinvest suits your broader retirement strategy.
Bestinvest also supports workplace pension transfers and SSAS occupational pension plans, making it a versatile provider for all retirement savings needs.
Key Features of the Bestinvest SIPP Explained
Key features of the Bestinvest SIPP include a wide range of investment choices, tax efficiency, and a user-friendly online platform, potentially making it a compelling choice for UK investors managing their retirement savings.
Investment Options & Flexibility
The scheme provides access to a wide array of investments including stocks, bonds, funds, and ETFs, coupled with the flexibility to switch between investments without incurring significant charges.6
The fact that investors can choose from an extensive selection of assets that includes shares, funds, bonds, and exchange-traded funds (ETFs) allows for portfolio diversification.
Fees & Charges
Bestinvest SIPP is known for its transparent fee structure, which includes charges based on the value of investments and specific transaction fees.7
Account fees come to a minimum of £10 a month and taper down from 0,20% on ready-made portfolios and US shares, and from 0,40% on third-party funds and UK shares.8
Technology & User Interface
The platform's website has been upgraded to be easier and more pleasant to use and now offers tools for portfolio management and performance tracking.9
This includes the Bestinvest Investment Search tool, which aims to help clients narrow down and select their investments by allowing them to apply certain filters (like performance, charges, and product type).10
Bestinvest also compiles an annual ‘Spot the Dog’ list that identifies underperforming funds.11
The online interface caters to both tech-savvy users and those who prefer straightforward, simple navigation, and the app has received 4,5 out of 5 stars on the App Store (based on 39 ratings).12
Bestinvest Platform: Features, Tools, and Usability
The Bestinvest platform is designed for simplicity and ease of use, making it suitable for both experienced investors and beginners.
Its dashboard provides a clear overview of your SIPP investments, allowing you to track performance and manage your portfolio efficiently.
Tools like fund comparison and risk assessment further support informed decision-making.
One standout feature is the platform's educational content, which includes guides, videos, and tips for retirement planning.
Coupled with its responsive mobile app, the Bestinvest platform ensures you can manage your investments anytime, anywhere, with minimal hassle.
Tax Benefits & Considerations
Like other pension products, this SIPP offers valuable tax benefits, such as tax relief on contributions and tax-free growth on investments.
Aligning with UK tax regulations, investors can also withdraw a 25% untaxed lump sum upon retirement.
However
After the initial tax-free lump sum, all other withdrawals will be taxed as income at the investor’s marginal rate.
These features form part of Bestinvest’s attempt at catering to the needs of anyone planning for retirement, regardless of investment background.
Benefits of the Bestinvest SIPP
Benefits of the Bestinvest SIPP include features such as flexibility, relatively simple diversification potential, and free financial coaching.
Here are some advantages to consider:
- Investors can choose a ready-made portfolio or the self-managed option.
- Bestinvest’s ‘Best™ Funds List’ may be a useful tool for investors who would like some extra guidance when selecting funds.13
- Similarly, the platform’s annual ‘Spot the Dog’ list aims to help investors identify underperforming funds.14
- According to a Forbes review from 2023, Bestinvest offers the highest interest rate on cash deposits kept in a SIPP.15
- Bestinvest will pay up to £500 towards an investor’s transfer fees if they move investments valued at at least £50,000 from another pension to their new Bestinvest SIPP within a three-month period.16
- Bestinvest offers free financial coaching and paid-for advice packages, as well as investment tracking tools.17
Important
Before you decide to transfer your pension, you should consider whether you may lose any benefits or incur significant costs by doing so.
Speak to a pensions expert to make sure.
Drawbacks to the Bestinvest SIPP
Drawbacks to the Bestinvest SIPP include the fact that the product’s 0,4% annual service fee (on DIY funds and UK shares) may be higher than that of its competitors.18
Other drawbacks and risks to consider are:
- Bestinvest charges a relatively high foreign exchange fee of 0,95% for dealing in US shares.19
- Investors are limited to UK and US shares.
- As is the case with all UK pensions, investors are not able to access their funds until they reach retirement age.
- As with all investment products, no SIPP investment is guaranteed to deliver good returns, and you may even incur significant losses.
Discuss these points with your financial advisor to determine how your requirements and expectations match up with the pros and cons of the Bestinvest SIPP.
Bestinvest vs Competitors: Is It the Best SIPP Platform?
Bestinvest stands out for its low fees, its user-friendly interface, and robust customer support, but it’s essential to compare it with other providers.
Platforms like Hargreaves Lansdown and AJ Bell may offer different fee structures or features that better suit certain investors. For example, Bestinvest excels in personalised advice, while others might have lower trading costs.
When deciding if Bestinvest is the best option, consider your investment style.
If you value educational resources and hands-on guidance, it’s a strong contender. However, for frequent traders or those seeking niche investments, exploring competitors might reveal better alternatives.
Who Is the Bestinvest SIPP Suited to?
The Bestinvest SIPP is suited to beginner investors who would appreciate a larger degree of guidance when picking investments.
Bestinvest’s free coaching may be useful in this regard, as may their advice packages.
The ideal investor for the Bestinvest SIPP is someone seeking a blend of flexibility and simplified investment choice, and the option of taking a more hands-on approach to pension management at a later stage.
User Experience & Reviews: How Bestinvest Stacks Up
User experience and customer service tend to be rated highly, with reviewers on Trustpilot reporting high satisfaction with the platform's ease of use and the quality of customer support, which includes coaching and personalised advice.20
Account Management & Accessibility
Account management is streamlined through an online portal, offering easy access and control over investments.
The platform's accessibility is a key feature, appealing to a range of users from active investors to those seeking a set-and-forget approach.
Bestinvest Reviews: What Users Really Think
Many Bestinvest reviews on Trustpilot highlight the platform's ease of use, its helpful customer service, and the usefulness of the free coaching.21
On the Smart Money People review platform, however, clients are less positive and have aired complaints about Bestinvest’s introduction of a £120 annual charge22 and about the firm’s customer service levels.23
Online ratings:
- Trustpilot: a very good 4,3 out of 5 stars (based on 961 reviews).24
- Smart Money People: a less impressive 1,5 out of 5 stars (though this score is based on only 6 reviews, the last of which was submitted in 2022).25
Remember that while online client reviews can sometimes provide a helpful glimpse into current or former clients’ feelings about a company’s product offerings and customer service levels, these aggregated review scores do not necessarily provide an accurate assessment of a provider’s performance.
How to Contact Bestinvest: Key Support Details
Bestinvest offers multiple ways for users to get in touch, ensuring support is accessible when needed.
Contact options are:
- Customers can call their dedicated helpline, available during standard working hours, for assistance with account queries, investment advice, or technical support: 020 7189 9999
- The company can be reached by post: Online Investment Service, Bestinvest, Second Floor, Liver Building, Pier Head, Liverpool, L3 1NY
- Bestinvest also offers email support for more detailed inquiries: Fill in the contact form here.
- Their FAQ section on the platform is also a valuable resource, addressing common concerns about fees, account management, and pension transfers: bestinvest.co.uk/help
Always check the Bestinvest website for the most up-to-date contact details.
Regulatory Compliance & Security
Regulatory compliance and security are paramount considerations for any investment provider, and Bestinvest's SIPP is no exception in this regard, as it is regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA).
As part of this regulation, strict rules must be followed when handling client funds, and Bestinvest must allow regular audits and submit detailed reports to regulatory bodies.
Regulatory Details
Bestinvest is regulated by the FCA and registered with Companies House.
The relevant details:
- FCA ref. number: 165169 (registered as Evelyn Partners Investment Management Services Limited and trading as Bestinvest).26
- Companies House number: 02830297.27
Data Security & Protection Measures
The platform employs advanced data security protocols, including encryption and secure servers, safeguarding client information and transactions against potential breaches.
How to Open a Bestinvest SIPP Account
To open a Bestinvest SIPP account, you will need to follow a relatively simple online process.
The steps include:
- Create your online profile on the Bestinvest site.28
- Select the SIPP account option.
- Enter your bank details.
- Fund your account.
You will have to have your National Insurance details to hand when opening your SIPP account.
Common Questions on the Bestinvest SIPP
Yes, Bestinvest is a reputable provider of SIPPs in the UK.
With a long-standing history in the financial industry, they offer a range of investment options and competitive fees for those looking to manage their pension savings independently.
Bestinvest charges fees for managing your SIPP, including an annual administration fee and investment fees.
These fees vary depending on the investment options you choose and the size of your pension pot.
It’s important to review and understand these fees before opening a SIPP with Bestinvest to ensure they align with your financial goals.
Bestinvest offers a wide range of investment options for their SIPPs, including funds, shares, and other assets.
They provide access to various markets and investment strategies, allowing investors to diversify their portfolios effectively.
When comparing to other providers, Bestinvest’s investment options are competitive and cater to a diverse range of investor needs.
You can transfer your existing pension into a Bestinvest SIPP.
Transferring a pension into a SIPP can offer more control and flexibility over your retirement savings, allowing you to manage and invest them according to your financial goals.
Bestinvest can assist you with the transfer process, ensuring a smooth transition of your pension funds.
Opening a SIPP with Bestinvest can provide you with greater control over your pension savings, allowing you to choose from a wide range of investment options to suit your risk appetite and financial goals.
Additionally, Bestinvest offers competitive fees, expert advice, and online tools to help you manage and monitor your investments effectively.
The Bestinvest SIPP is a UK-based pension scheme offering individuals control over their retirement investments.
Unlike traditional pensions, a SIPP allows investors to choose from a variety of assets, including stocks, bonds, and funds.
Contributions to the Bestinvest SIPP can be made regularly or as lump sums, with tax relief added by the government.
Upon retirement, investors can draw a 25% tax-free lump sum, with the remainder used to provide a taxable income.
The Bestinvest SIPP provides a range of investment options, including shares, government and corporate bonds, funds, exchange-traded funds (ETFs), and investment trusts.
This variety enables investors to diversify their portfolios across different asset classes and geographic regions.
Bestinvest SIPP’s fee structure is competitive in the market.
It includes an annual service charge based on the value of the SIPP and transaction fees for trading.
The tax benefits of investing in a Bestinvest SIPP are the same found when investing in any UK SIPP.
Contributions are topped up by basic rate tax relief, and higher or additional rate taxpayers can claim extra relief.
Investments grow free from Income Tax and Capital Gains Tax.
At retirement, up to 25% of the pension pot can be taken as a tax-free lump sum, with the remainder subject to income tax.
The Bestinvest SIPP platform is designed for ease of use.
Its intuitive interface allows for straightforward management of investments, regular monitoring of portfolio performance, and easy access to research and analysis tools.
This user-friendly approach is suitable for both experienced investors and those new to SIPPs.
Bestinvest takes the security and safety of investments seriously.
It adheres to stringent regulatory standards set by the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) and employs robust security measures, including encrypted data transmission and secure storage of client information.
Regular audits and compliance checks ensure ongoing protection of client assets.
Final Thoughts on Our Bestinvest Review
With its range of investment choices, user-friendly platform, and collection of information and tools, the Bestinvest SIPP stands out as a strong contender in the UK's Self-Invested Personal Pension market.
Whether you are a seasoned investor or just beginning your pension journey, this scheme could offer you a balanced blend of flexibility and security.
Our Bestinvest SIPP review underscores this product’s potential as a key component in crafting a resilient and tailored retirement strategy.
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