About Defaqto
What is Defaqto?
Defaqto is one of the UK’s most trusted sources of financial product and market intelligence. They support financial institutions, intermediaries and consumers to make smarter financial decisions. Defaqto maintain the UK’s largest financial product database, using research to develop independent ratings, insights and technology.
How long has Defaqto been operating?
Defaqto has been providing independent financial product analysis for over 30 years.
Who owns Defaqto?
Defaqto is part of Fintel plc, but maintain editorial independence from all financial services providers. This means their ratings remain unbiased and objective.
About Star Ratings
What are Defaqto Star Ratings?
Defaqto Star Ratings are expert, unbiased assessments of financial products based on features and benefits. Their ratings range from 1 to 5 Stars, with 5 Stars representing an excellent product with a broad range of features and benefits.
How often are Star Ratings updated?
Defaqto conducts an extensive annual review of all Star Ratings, publishing updated ratings on 1st February each year.
Defaqto also updates sole product ratings whenever providers launch new products or make significant changes to existing products. This means that Star Ratings remain accurate and up-to-date, giving consumers confidence in the quality assessments they rely on.
What products does Defaqto rate?
Defaqto rates products across insurance, banking, investments, pensions, life & protection and many others. For more details, please visit www.defaqto.com/star-ratings.
How does Defaqto decide which features to include in their analysis?
Defaqto’s feature selection process combines expert knowledge, primary research, and input from providers in the market. This allows them to evaluate aspects that matter most to consumers.
Defaqto vs Trustpilot/Feefo?
Defaqto and Trustpilot/Feefo both play important roles in making smarter financial decisions. Defaqto is one of the UK’s most trusted sources of financial product and market intelligence.
Trustpilot and Feefo look to represent the voice of the customer, providing reviews based on customer experience. Defaqto’s ratings alongside Trustpilot and Feefo’s customer reviews provides a powerful combination when looking for a suitable financial product.
About the Ratings Process
How does Defaqto ensure their ratings are unbiased?
Defaqto’s ratings are based on objective analysis of product features and benefits. They don’t consider price, provider size, or commercial ties when determining ratings.
Why doesn’t Defaqto use a bell curve approach like some competitors?
Defaqto shows clear quality boundaries for each rating level instead of limiting the number of products that can achieve each rating. If a product meets their criteria for a 5 Star Rating, it will receive that rating regardless of how many other products achieve the same standard.
What are Core Criteria?
Core Criteria are minimum standards for essential features that apply to 3, 4, and 5 Star rated products. These ensure that highly rated products meet customer expectations for fundamental benefits.