Provider comparison
NEST vs Smart Pension
Side-by-side comparison from the PerkIQ directory. Cover, pricing, regulator status, and fit at a glance.
Nest and Smart Pension are both workplace pension master trusts used for auto-enrolment. Nest is run by a public corporation accountable to Parliament. Smart Pension runs a digital master trust with online set-up and a member app.
- Free for employers. There are no charges for employers.
- Public corporation. Run by Nest Corporation, accountable to Parliament through the DWP.
- Fund choices. Retirement Date Funds by default, plus higher risk, lower growth, ethical and Sharia options.
- Online administration. Employers manage enrolment and contributions online.
- Online set-up. Employers set up and run the scheme online.
- Member app. Employees check and manage their pension in an app.
- Payroll integrations. Connects to payroll software including Xero, Sage and IRIS.
- Fund choice. A default fund plus other options, including responsible investment funds.
- Free for employers
- Public corporation
- No shareholders
- Any size of employer
- Authorised by The Pensions Regulator
- Digital set-up
- Member app
- Payroll integrations
Which should you choose?
Nest may suit you if you want a scheme that is free for employers to use. Members pay a 1.8% charge on each contribution and a 0.3% annual management charge on their pot.
Smart Pension may suit you if payroll integration and a member app are priorities. Employer charges depend on business size and how the scheme is set up.
Both are master trusts overseen by The Pensions Regulator. Compare charges and features for your workforce, or speak to a financial adviser.
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.