Bestinvest

Bestinvest: online investment platform with over three decades of experience

Bestinvest is an online investment platform that operates under the trading name of Evelyn Partners Investment Management Services Limited, an entity authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) of the United Kingdom. The company has accumulated over 35 years of experience helping investors manage their money, since 1986. Its proposition combines a wide range of investment accounts, planning tools and free expert coaching, with the aim of enabling users to make informed decisions about their investments.

Accounts and investment products

Bestinvest offers various types of accounts to suit different objectives and life stages. These include:

• Stocks & Shares ISA: allows you to invest up to £20,000 per tax year with tax-free gains and flexible withdrawals. Tax treatment may change.
• Junior Stocks & Shares ISA: designed for children to start investing with up to £9,000 tax-free per tax year. Tax treatment may change.
• Self-invested Personal Pension (SIPP): a pension that gives greater control and choice over investments.
• Junior SIPP: a pension for minors that allows them to start saving for retirement from an early age.
• Investment Account: for those who have already used their ISA or pension allowances and wish to invest without annual limits.
• Bare trusts, Discretionary trusts and SSAS pension: other structures available according to specific needs.

Opening an account is free and can be completed in less than 10 minutes. The company applies a tiered annual service fee, so investors keep a greater proportion of their investments as they grow.

Investment options and managed portfolios

Clients can build their own portfolio by selecting from a wide variety of instruments: over 1,800 funds, over 1,200 shares, over 530 ETFs and over 230 Investment Trusts. In addition, Bestinvest offers Ready-made Portfolios, investment portfolios built and managed by the expert teams of its parent company, Evelyn Partners. These portfolios are presented as a simple way to invest with professional management. The platform also provides the Best™ Funds List, a selection of funds that the firm's experts consider capable of outperforming their peers and their benchmark. The list is a registered trademark of Bestinvest.

Coaching and advice

Bestinvest makes available to its clients a free coaching service. The coaches, who hold the level 4 qualification in financial planning from the Chartered Insurance Institute (CII), help users with goal planning, making important decisions, interpreting market conditions and aligning investment strategy with personal objectives. This service does not constitute specific investment advice. The company also offers regulated investment advice.

Educational resources and tools

The platform includes a learning section with guides on ISAs, pensions and investments, as well as a series called Investing 101. Users can access calculators such as the money growth calculator and informative content on current financial topics. In addition, Bestinvest publishes monthly which funds, shares, ETFs and Investment Trusts its clients are buying, through the best-selling assets section.

Requirements and sign-up process

To register with Bestinvest you must be over 18 years old and a UK resident. The process consists of three steps: choose and open the account online, select the investments (either a Ready-made portfolio or individual instruments) and decide the amount and frequency of contributions. The initial investment can be from £50 a month. The company also allows transferring investment accounts from other entities.

Corporate structure and regulation

Bestinvest operates as a trading name of Evelyn Partners Investment Management Services Limited, which is authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority. Financial services are provided by this entity and may be offered by other companies in the Evelyn Partners group. The information and guidance provided by the coaches is not regulated by the FCA. The platform is aimed exclusively at UK investors.