Why you can trust our mortgage lender reviews
Real mortgage holders
We asked 5,016 mortgage customers about their lender, then produced a score to help you compare providers.
Unique expert rate analysis
We've analysed mortgage rates over two months to ensure we only recommend providers that offer competitive deals.
Best UK mortgage lenders compared
We compared 21 mortgage lenders, examining their rates and analysing feedback from their customers.
Use our table to see the customer score, plus how customers rated providers on customer service, clarity of mortgage statements, transparency of charges, flexibility of payments and online access.
Please note that this article is for information purposes only and doesn't constitute advice. Please refer to the particular terms and conditions of a provider before committing to any financial products.
Table notes: Last updated October 2025. Next update October 2026. The results are based on an online survey of 5,016 members of the public conducted in August/September 2025, and are representative of the GB/UK population (aged 18+). Sample sizes in brackets. If two or more brands have the same score, they're ranked alphabetically. Providers must receive a minimum of 40 responses for inclusion in the table. Customer score is based on a combination of overall satisfaction and likelihood to recommend the provider. The average customer score is 74%. Star ratings are out of five. 'Interest rate' star rating is based on our analysis of 13 types of mortgages over an eight-week period in August-September 2025. Data for this analysis was collected weekly from Moneyfacts. For more information on our research, see our full methodology below.
- Find out more: head to our guide on the best mortgage rates to compare deals – it's updated daily and includes the cheapest deals on the market, plus the cheapest fee-free options.
The Which? Recommended Provider for mortgages
Just one mortgage provider, Nationwide Building Society, passed our strict criteria to become a Which? Recommended Provider (WRP).
Nationwide Building Society
Customers gave the UK's largest building society five stars out of five for clarity of mortgage statements and online access. Our mortgage rate analysis also found that Nationwide Building Society consistently offered competitive mortgage rates for a wide range of borrowers.
1=out of 21 mortgage lenders ranked on customer score (joint 1st)
How to choose a mortgage provider
Although our WRP is a great all-rounder, the best mortgage lender for you will depend on your individual circumstances.
For example, some lenders are more willing to give mortgages to self-employed homebuyers, while others specialise in guarantor mortgages or solutions for people with credit issues.
According to data from UK Finance, the largest mortgage lender in 2024 was Lloyds Banking Group, which includes Lloyds Bank and Halifax.
Choosing a big lender can have some advantages. For example, they often have a more extensive range of products and may offer in-branch services.
However, you don't need to go with one of the big players just because you recognise the name or you're already a customer. Smaller lenders, including building societies, may offer tailored products that better suit your circumstances.
It's worth taking the time to do some research on the different types of lenders and mortgages available, and consider taking advice from a mortgage broker if you're unsure. A good broker will also be able to take you through the application process from start to finish.
Should I consider the 'worst' mortgage lenders?
Sam Wilson, Which? Mortgage expert says: 'All mortgage lenders in our survey achieved what we would consider a good customer score, but some providers had particularly excellent results.
'Only three lenders got a customer score below 70% (Leeds Building Society, Royal Bank of Scotland and Bank of Ireland). This shows that generally, there were high levels of customer satisfaction in this market.
'So, you don't need to discount providers, particularly if you can get a good rate.
'However, you can use our star ratings to see if there are some areas of service you aren't willing to compromise on. Leeds Building Society, for example, was the only lender to get two stars for online access, which would be something I'd consider.'
The next step: finding the best mortgage deal
Now that you know which lenders are keeping their customers satisfied, you can check which are offering the best deals.
You can use our guide on the best mortgage rates to continue your research. We list the cheapest rates for first-time buyers, home movers and remortgagers for a variety of deposit sizes, as well as the top fee-free deals. This information is updated twice a day.
Remember to research the full cost of the deal, taking into account upfront fees, early repayment charges and any incentives such as cashback.
A mortgage broker can also help you research deals that suit your circumstances.
How we analyse mortgage lenders
Our editorial independence means we work on behalf of consumers, not lenders. This means you can trust that our reviews are impartial and fair.
Customer score
Our customer satisfaction table is produced using results from our survey of 5,016 members of the general public, conducted in August-September 2025.
The customer score reflects how satisfied customers are with their provider and how likely they would be to recommend it.
Lenders must receive a minimum of 40 responses to be included in our results.
Mortgage interest rate analysis
We analyse eight weeks of Moneyfacts mortgage data and consider 13 different borrower scenarios to find the lenders that consistently offer competitive rates.
What makes a lender a Which? Recommended Provider?
To be named a WRP, a mortgage lender must:
- achieve a score of above 75% in our customer survey
- consistently offer competitive mortgage deals on various product types at different loan-to-value levels
- be fully covered by the Financial Services Compensation Scheme and Financial Conduct Authority banking standards regime.
Find out more: what the Which? symbols, logos and ratings mean
Key information
Why should you trust Which? research? We’re not influenced by third parties. We work entirely on behalf of you, the consumer – nobody else. See our statement of editorial independence