IN THE BACK
Bestinvest
Bestinvest , part of Tilney Smith & Williamson , is tiny compared with Hargreaves Lansdown and interactive investor , but it has a long track record . It is the most hybridised of all the platforms reviewed here , with a mix of DIY , guidance , a new coaching service and formal financial advice . The site is clear and well judged in terms of the amount of content . Yet while its illustrations look like they were generated by a planning tool , I couldn ’ t find one to use myself . More effort seemed to have been put into pushing people towards a free telephone-based pensions review . In terms of investment products , there ’ s no disguising the fact Bestinvest would rather sell you its ready-made portfolios than anything else . They ’ re half the price of other investments ( 0.2 % a year compared with the regular platform fee of 0.4 %) and are risk-rated . Again , there ’ s an emphasis on consolidating pensions , with £ 500 cashback should you move over , while an emphasis is also placed on child pensions , too .
The site promises multiple methods of accessing your pot at retirement , including annuities , but again , the option of remaining invested and drawing down your money seems to be an afterthought . Bestinvest ’ s trump card may be the “ at your shoulder ” pay-asyou-go advice it offers when decisions get tough .
Cost per annum *: £ 800
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