Provider comparison
Penfold vs NEST
Side-by-side comparison from the PerkIQ directory. Cover, pricing, regulator status, and fit at a glance.
Category
Pension & Retirement
Pension & Retirement
Best for
1-500 employees
Any size
Pricing model
0.75% AMC for members
Free for employer; 1.8% contribution charge + 0.3% AMC
UK presence
Since 2018
Since 2010
Regulator
TPR
TPR
Strapline
Penfold is a digital workplace pension built for modern SMEs and self-employed workers. Simple setup, transparent fees, and a beautiful app that members actually engage with.
NEST (National Employment Savings Trust) is the government-backed master trust set up to support auto-enrolment. Free for employers, simple to use, and the default choice for many UK SMEs.
What's included
- Mobile-first member experience. Polished iOS and Android app where members see balances, change contributions, switch funds, and project retirement income.
- Self-serve employer setup. Sign up online and start auto-enrolment in under 30 minutes. No paperwork or broker required.
- Sustainable default fund. ESG-aligned default fund with explicit climate and exclusion screens.
- Self-employed + employer in one app. Contractors and consultants can continue contributing between gigs without opening a separate scheme.
- Free for employers. No setup or ongoing employer fees. Member charges fund the entire scheme.
- Government-backed. Public service obligation means NEST cannot refuse any employer, making it the universal fallback for auto-enrolment.
- Multiple default fund options. Higher Risk Fund, Lower Risk Fund, Ethical Fund, and Sharia Fund all available to members.
- Payroll integrations. Direct integrations with all major UK payroll providers for automated contribution submission.
Who it's for
No fit notes published.
No fit notes published.
Pricing approach
No pricing notes published.
No pricing notes published.
At a glance
- TPR authorised
- Founded 2018, London
- Self-employed & employer plans
- Mobile-first member experience
- 0.75% AMC
- Free employer onboarding
- TPR authorised
- Government-backed
- 12m+ members
- 1m+ employer schemes
- Free for employers
- Any size eligible
Pick the right one with data, not a sales pitch
Score your benefits stack with PerkIQ and you'll see which of these (or another provider entirely) closes the biggest gaps for your team.
Information on this page is editorial, gathered from public sources and the providers' own materials, and does not constitute financial advice or a recommendation. For a quote, contact each provider directly or speak to an FCA-authorised broker. PerkIQ is not a reseller and earns no commission on provider sign-ups.
