SIPP providers - which one?

[FredClogs]

Right, my news years resolution is to sort my sodding pension arrangements out, I'm self employed and have an old private pension and a stakeholder and various other bits of saving which I reckon I'll pool into a SIPP, about £40k.

I use HL for the kids ISAs and my wife's self invested ISA so my natural instinct is to start a SIPP with them, the website is certainly easy enough to use. I've never used any of the other fund shops but see that the annual charges for HL are quite a bit higher than some of the other, Best Invest, You Invest etc... Now I know the fund charges for HLs partners can be quite heavily discounted but I'll be fked if I'm going to go through them all and compare.

Just wondered if anyone had any experience or in depth knowledge or data as to how the fees stack up on average between the sipp providers given a diverse portfolio?

[mjb1]

I use Best Invest (never tried anyone else, so nothing to compare to). On the face of it, their charges seemed marginally lower than HL. I've no complaints with their service, website is easy enough to use, and the odd occasion that I've had to phone them I've always got straight through to someone who's been knowledgeable enough to answer my questions.

[Bluesgirl]

I use YouInvest at AJ Bell and it's very straightforward to deal. Their website is user friendly and they respond promptly to queries. I've never set up a SIPP before so have nothing else to compare them to. They've won 'Best SIPP Provider' apparently. I have an ISA with them and a dealing account too - it's good to see it all in one place and they provide research and stats if you need them. There are useful charts too showing the breakdown of the portfolio by sector and risk analysis.

[Truffles]

Another vote for YouInvest. I have used them for years with no issues.
HL seems to be very expensive. My wife had some contact with them a while back and they send out reams of bumff enticing her back.

I found a site where you can easily compare charges if you wish. http://www.comparefundplatforms.com/

[FredClogs]

Truffles said:

Another vote for YouInvest. I have used them for years with no issues.
HL seems to be very expensive. My wife had some contact with them a while back and they send out reams of bumff enticing her back.

I found a site where you can easily compare charges if you wish. http://www.comparefundplatforms.com/

Thanks for that, interesting comparison tool. Unfortunately I've sent my paper work off to HL, I'll give it a year and see where I am, the funds I've earmarked are very low cost including the HL discounts and the platform charge is only .15% over the others.

Thanks.

[Jon39]

Truffles said:

I found a site where you can easily compare charges if you wish. http://www.comparefundplatforms.com/

Does that website also compare the 'hidden' charges?

Many funds seem to trade their holdings quite often. Some might say, too often. One example of a cost, that is never itemised to clients.