The top 5 places to get free financial advice in the UK
Where can you get free financial advice? We reveal the best places in the UK to access financial guidance free of charge.
Financial advice can be invaluable as a financial adviser can help you get the most out of your money, whether you’re hoping to start investing, planning your retirement or looking for the right mortgage.
While the initial meeting is typically free, working with an adviser is fee-based, and charges can vary.
We reveal the services that offer impartial guidance or advice free of charge.
We’ll also explore the difference between financial guidance and advice and restricted and independent advisers, as well as what questions to ask and qualifications to look out for.
There are key differences between financial advice and financial guidance
There are two types of financial advisers, independent and restricted
When you have an initial meeting with a financial adviser, you should ask questions to ensure they are right for you
There are a variety of trusted organisations who offer free, impartial advice
Where can I get free financial advice and guidance in the UK?
Here are five of the best places that offer free financial advice and guidance.
MoneyHelper offers free, impartial advice backed by the UK Government. It offers money and pensions guidance online, over the phone or in person and can connect you to a free debt adviser.
So, whether you’re looking to make the most of your money, cut your debt or even plan ahead or find out whether you’re entitled to any benefits, MoneyHelper can offer helpful guidance.
Citizens Advice offers free, independent advice in various areas, including guidance on pensions, housing, employment issues, debt, benefits, family matters and consumer rights.
The organisation’s network of independent charities can give confidential advice over the phone, online or in person.
Citizens Advice says it helped over 2.66 million people with one-to-one advice in 2022-23.
StepChange is the UK’s leading debt charity and has helped millions of people deal with their debt problems for free.
You can get advice online or over the phone. StepChange will help you work out your income, budget and debts and use this to devise a solution before setting up a plan and extra support.
Run by the Money Advice Trust, National Debtline is a free and confidential debt advice service.
You can either call, use its online webchat or use the digital advice tool to get the right advice for you.
The Financial Ombudsman helps settle complaints about financial businesses for free.
They may be able to help if you have any issues with:
Financial advice, pensions and investments
Bank accounts, payments and cards
Insurance products
Loans and finance loans
Debt collection and repayment problems
Mortgages
If you’re struggling with your finances and are not sure where to turn, it’s worth getting in touch with a trusted organisation that can offer free, impartial and confidential advice.
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Unbiased empowers people to make confident financial decisions, from buying a house to planning for retirement.
Not only can we connect you quickly and easily to the best experts, we can also help you choose the right type of advice to help you achieve your goals.
Getting matched with an adviser on Unbiased is completely free.
After you're matched, the first consultation is also free. During this consultation, the adviser will provide details about their fees for any further services.
What is the difference between financial guidance and advice?
The key difference is that financial guidance provides general information about your options, while financial advice gives you a specific recommendation tailored to your circumstances.
Financial guidance explains the choices available to you and outlines the pros and cons of each, but it won’t tell you which option to take. In contrast, financial advice involves an adviser assessing your personal situation and recommending the best course of action or product for your needs.
For example, guidance on savings would list different account types and their features, whereas an adviser would recommend a particular account that suits your goals.
It’s also important to note that financial advisers must be regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA). This means you have protection if things go wrong, including the right to complain to the Financial Ombudsman. Financial guidance is not regulated in the same way, so you won’t have these safeguards.
If you’re ever unsure whether you’re receiving guidance or advice, ask the organisation directly as some only provide guidance.
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“Sites that offer free financial guidance can be useful if you’re looking for information, which can be invaluable and span various areas such as pensions, debt, housing, benefits and consumer rights.
While financial guidance is helpful, the companies providing this cannot offer any recommendations.
For example, they can give you information about how to access your pension but can’t tell you which way is right for you, while a qualified financial adviser can make recommendations based on your circumstances.”
When should I get a financial adviser?
There are many occasions in life where advice can make a big difference – some more obvious than others.
Most people who contact an adviser do so when facing one or more of these decisions:
Starting a pension
Saving for / buying a home
Investing
Marriage / starting a family
Making a significant career change
Starting or running a business
Planning ahead for retirement
Taking an income in retirement
Planning life after retirement
Other reasons for seeking financial advice may include moving abroad, getting divorced, arranging for yourself or a relative to go into long-term care, or any situation in which you may need to take out a financial product, such as a mortgage, insurance, or a pension arrangement.
What are the different types of financial advisers?
There are two types of financial advisers, which are outlined below.
Independent financial advisers
Independent financial advisers can recommend investment and financial products, including pension products, from various firms across the market.
Restricted financial advisers
Restricted advisers are limited in what types of financial products they can offer, the providers they can use or both.
Regardless of the type of adviser you choose, the quality of the advice you receive should be similar.
Before agreeing to use a financial adviser, you should be clear about whether they are restricted or independent and make sure it works for you.
What types of qualifications should a financial adviser have?
A financial adviser must have a qualification recognised and approved by the FCA and, at minimum, have completed a Level 4 diploma for financial advisers.
They must also have a Statement of Professional Standing.
All financial advisers available via Unbiased are regulated by the FCA, so you have peace of mind when getting advice.
What questions should I ask in my first meeting?
When you have an initial meeting with a financial adviser, you should ask questions to ensure they are right for you.
Below are some questions you should ask, although this is not an exhaustive list.
Will you advise on the whole of the market?
What are your qualifications?
What should I bring to the next meeting?
What will be the cost of advice?
What benefits can I expect from this advice?
The emotional value of financial advice
Managing personal finances can be stressful and time consuming given the complexity and important nature of financial decisions.
Vanguard's latest 2025 study provides the below insights on how financial advice can add emotional and time saving value:
Advised clients are less financially stressed than self-directed investors: Advised investors are roughly half as likely (14%) as self-directed ones (27%) to experience high levels of financial stress.
Advice delivers emotional value to clients through more peace of mind: 86% of advised clients report having greater peace of mind when thinking about their finances, compared with managing them on their own. Advice improves investors’ positive emotions and seems particularly effective at lessening negative emotions regarding personal finances, such as feeling overwhelmed and worried.
Advice saves clients time: 76% of advised clients say advice saves them time, namely, a median of two hours per week (or over 100 hours per year), from thinking about and dealing with their finances.
Seek expert financial advice
If you’re looking into how to make the most of your money and are considering ways to maximise your pension or find the best investments or mortgage, it may be worth paying for advice.
Learn more: what is a financial adviser and what do they do?
Unbiased can quickly connect you to a qualified financial adviser who can offer guidance whether you plan to retire soon, start investing or optimise your pension.