Many or all of the products and brands we review are from our partners who compensate us. This may influence which products we write about and the product we choose in our ‘promotion’. However it doesn’t influence our reviews. Our opinions are our own.
At NerdWallet Ltd UK we base our reviews & ‘Best Of’ pages’ on the results of surveys we undertook about what was important to people that use these products. This allows us to look at products impartially of any commercial arrangements we have, and fairly rate the products on the same set of criteria.
Many or all of the products and brands we review are from our partners who compensate us. This may influence which products we write about and the product we choose in our ‘promotions’.
Product details reflect the information that was available at that time but may have changed since. We strive to give you a review on as many products as possible but it is likely there are others available that we have not reviewed. The review is our opinion, but it does not constitute advice, recommendation or suitability of your financial circumstances.
What does ‘Best’ mean?
Best means ‘our best’, and is based only on what products we have included in our surveys that forms the basis of our reviews and ratings. This means that there will be other products on the market that we have not included in our ‘best of’ pages. Best does not mean it’s best for you, nor does it mean the ‘cheapest’.
Is rate included in our reviews?
Some of our reviews include rates or representative APRs. This is additional information that has not been included in our star rating or evaluations but is still very important when choosing a product. Rates offered can depend on circumstances, amount and term. Always check details before proceeding with any financial product.
What does ‘Editor’s Pick’ mean?
The editor’s picks are based on NerdWallet’s editorial team’s analysis of brands and products reviewed on our site. The team has assessed and evaluated which brands offer standout features that may be important for a particular category. Editor’s picks are our own opinion and don’t constitute advice, recommendation or suitability for your financial circumstances. They are editorially independent of any relationship NerdWallet has with partners who may compensate us.
Methodology for business reviews
This methodology covers the data used for our reviews across the following verticals:
- Business energy
- Business loans
- Business insurance
- Business bank accounts
NerdWallet aims to gather survey feedback from at least 500 potential customers for each product type we provide reviews for.
For our business loans, business insurance and business bank accounts products, a pool of 500 potential customers were asked to complete our business product survey. Of the 500 surveyed for our business product reviews, all were business owners registered with the British government, with nine employees or less.
These 500 business owners were asked to select their top three criteria – from a list chosen by the NerdWallet team – for choosing the business products listed above. These choices were then combined to calculate a final ranking for the criteria included for each product.
From the same 500 business-owning survey respondents, we also asked those who owned their own business premises to complete the same process for the business energy products.
Once completed, the NerdWallet team used the results of the surveys to create a review to provide readers with a customer-guided insight into each product reviewed.
Methodology for Business Bank Account Ratings
NerdWallet evaluated and reviewed 20 business bank accounts from high street and digital-only banks. Collectively, these accounts represent the largest banks by assets and internet search traffic, along with notable or emerging players in the industry.
We considered more than 10 data points for each account, based on the criteria that matter most to users, scoring them on fees, accessibility and customer service, among other factors. This information was gathered from each financial institution’s website and company representatives. In addition, data is collected regularly and reviewed by our editorial team for consistency and accuracy.
Using the same data across all products and features we were able to create star ratings presented on a scale of one to five stars, where a one-star score represents ‘poor’ and a five-star score represents ‘excellent’.
Methodology for Business Loans Ratings
NerdWallet evaluated and reviewed 14 traditional and online-only business loans providers. Collectively, these lenders represent the largest providers by assets and internet search traffic, along with notable or emerging players in the industry.
We considered more than 10 data points for each account, based on the criteria that matter most to users, scoring them on term-length, the amount borrowable, and customer service, among other factors. This information was gathered from each lender’s website and company representatives. In addition, data is collected regularly and reviewed by our editorial team for consistency and accuracy.
Using the same data across all products and features we were able to create star ratings presented on a scale of one to five stars, where a one-star score represents ‘poor’ and a five-star score represents ‘excellent’.
Methodology for Personal Loans Reviews
For our personal loans reviews, NerdWallet surveyed 500 UK adults in February 2023 who have taken out a personal loan to get their feedback on what they felt were their most important considerations when choosing a personal loan product.
These 500 personal loan customers were asked to select their top criteria – from a list chosen by the NerdWallet editorial team – on different aspects of personal loans, including the loan flexibility and features, the application process and customer help and support. The results of the survey were used to help us to focus on reviewing the most useful criteria for consumers.
The NerdWallet team then focused on these final criteria to provide readers with a review that was guided by customer feedback.
Methodology for Personal Loan Ratings
NerdWallet has evaluated and reviewed more than 25 UK personal loan lenders.
We assessed 20 data points for each loan, based on the criteria that matter most to customers, scoring them on loan features, flexibility, application process and availability of customer support, among other factors. This information was gathered from each lender’s website, company representatives and independent financial product analyst Defaqto.
We regularly add new brands and our editorial team reviews them against the same criteria for consistency and accuracy.
Using the same data across all products and features we were also able to create star ratings, presented on a scale of one to five stars, where a one-star score represents ‘poor’ and a five-star score represents ‘excellent’.
Important information: Our reviews and ratings do not take into consideration the lenders’ lending rates, and therefore do not reflect how much they charge to borrow with them. The rates shown on our Best Personal Loans page have been provided as additional information. Always check and compare a lender’s rates against others on the market when considering a personal loan.
Methodology for Bad Credit Loans Reviews
NerdWallet surveyed 500 UK adults in February 2023 who have taken out a bad credit loan to get their feedback on what they felt were their most important considerations when choosing a bad credit loan product.
These 500 bad credit loan customers were asked to select their top criteria – from a list chosen by the NerdWallet editorial team – on different aspects of bad credit loans, including the loan flexibility and features, the application process and customer help and support. The results of the survey were used to help us to focus on reviewing the most useful criteria for consumers.
The NerdWallet team then focused on these final criteria to provide readers with a review that was guided by customer feedback.
Methodology for Bad Credit Loans Ratings
NerdWallet has evaluated and reviewed 13 UK bad credit loan lenders.
We assessed 20 data points for each loan, based on the criteria that matter most to customers, scoring them on loan features, flexibility, application process and availability of customer support, among other factors. This information was gathered from each lender’s website, company representatives and independent financial product analyst Defaqto.
The reviews and ratings did not include how much it costs to borrow with the lender.
We regularly add new brands and our editorial team reviews them against the same criteria for consistency and accuracy.
Using the same data across all products and features we were also able to create star ratings, presented on a scale of one to five stars, where a one-star score represents ‘poor’ and a five-star score represents ‘excellent’.
Important information: Our reviews and ratings do not take into consideration the lenders’ lending rates, and therefore do not reflect how much they charge to borrow with them. Some loans for bad credit consumers can come with very high interest rates. Always check and compare a lender’s rates against others on the market when considering a bad credit loan.
Methodology for Secured Loan Reviews
For our secured loan reviews, NerdWallet surveyed 500 UK adults in February 2023 who have taken out a secured loan to find out which considerations they felt were most important when choosing a secured loan product.
These 500 secured loan customers were asked to select their top criteria – from a list chosen by the NerdWallet editorial team – on different aspects of secured loans, including loan options, features and flexibility, the application process and customer support. The results of the survey were used to help us to focus on reviewing the most useful criteria for consumers.
The NerdWallet team then focused on these final criteria to provide readers with a review that was guided by customer feedback.
Methodology for Secured Loan Ratings
NerdWallet has evaluated and reviewed 11 UK secured loan providers.
We assessed 13 data points for each lender, based on the criteria that matter most to customers, scoring them on the application process, product options and criteria, and the availability of customer support, among other factors. This information was gathered from each lender’s website or from a representative of the company via a survey. If we were unable to verify any of the data points using a lender’s website or directly with a company representative, that lender has not been reviewed.
We regularly add new brands and our editorial team reviews them against the same criteria for consistency and accuracy.
Using the same data across all products and features we were also able to create star ratings, presented on a scale of one to five stars, where a one-star score represents ‘poor’ and a five-star score represents ‘excellent’.
Important information: Our reviews and ratings do not take into consideration the lenders’ lending rates, and therefore do not reflect how much they charge to borrow with them. Always check and compare a lender’s rates against others on the market when considering any type of loan.
Methodology for Mortgage Reviews
For our mortgage reviews, NerdWallet surveyed 500 UK adults in February 2023 who have taken out a mortgage to find out which considerations they felt were most important when choosing a mortgage product.
These 500 mortgage customers were asked to select their top criteria – from a list chosen by the NerdWallet editorial team – on different aspects of mortgages, including product options, product criteria, product features, the application process and customer support. The results of the survey were used to help us to focus on reviewing the most useful criteria for consumers.
The NerdWallet team then focused on these final criteria to provide readers with a review that was guided by customer feedback.
Methodology for Mortgage Ratings
NerdWallet has evaluated and reviewed 14 UK mortgage providers. Collectively these lenders accounted for 84% of the gross UK mortgage lending in 2021, out of approximately 65 lenders in the market for that year.
We assessed 30 data points for each lender, based on the criteria that matter most to customers, scoring them on the application process, product options and criteria, and the availability of customer support, among other factors. This information was gathered from each lender’s website or from a representative of the company via a survey. If we were unable to verify any of the data points using a lender’s website or directly with a company representative, that lender has not been reviewed.
We regularly add new brands and our editorial team reviews them against the same criteria for consistency and accuracy.
Using the same data across all products and features we were also able to create star ratings, presented on a scale of one to five stars, where a one-star score represents ‘poor’ and a five-star score represents ‘excellent’.
Important information: Our reviews and ratings do not take into consideration the lenders’ lending rates, and therefore do not reflect how much they charge to borrow with them. Always check and compare a lender’s rates against others on the market when considering a mortgage.
Methodology for Accounting Software Reviews
NerdWallet has evaluated and reviewed eight accounting software providers. Collectively, these companies represent the most popular brands by internet search volume.
We assessed 10 data points for each accounting software provider, based on the criteria that we believe matter most to customers, scoring them on product options and the availability of customer support, among other factors. This information was gathered from each provider’s website and company representatives.
We regularly add new brands and our editorial team reviews them against the same criteria for consistency and accuracy.
Using the same data across all products and features, we were also able to create star ratings, presented on a scale of one to five stars, where a one-star score represents ‘poor’ and a five-star score represents ‘excellent’.