Prudential has retained its place at the top of the most recommended onshore bonds and the top recommended international bonds in the first half of 2026, according to the latest data from Defaqto.
Prudential retained its top spot for both product areas, with a similar level of market share to 2025.
Despite a 2% loss of market share to Quilter, Prudential was dominant in the onshore bond space, with Aviva rounding off the top three.
There was one new entrant to the table in the first half, Chesnara Life’s M&G Wealth version of their Investment Bond.
Top 10 recommended onshore bonds in H1 2026
|
Product |
% of Top 10 |
% change from 2025 |
|
Prudential Investment Plan |
58% |
-2% |
|
Quilter Collective Investment Bond |
21% |
+2% |
|
Aviva Onshore Bond |
10% |
+4% |
|
Transact Onshore Bond |
3% |
+1% |
|
LV= Smooth Managed Funds Bond |
3% |
+1% |
|
Chesnara Life Onshore Investment Bond - Select |
2% |
- |
|
Standard Life Tailored Investment Bond |
1% |
- |
|
Aberdeen Onshore Bond for Wrap |
1% |
- |
|
Nucleus Wrap Onshore Bond Account |
0.5% |
-0.5% |
|
Chesnara Life Onshore Investment Bond – M&G Wealth |
0.5% |
- |
Source: Defaqto Engage
Prudential also remained the top most recommended international bond with its International Portfolio Bond.
Top 10 most recommended international bonds in H1 2026
|
Product |
% of Top 10 |
% change from 2025 |
|
Prudential International Portfolio Bond |
24% |
+1% |
|
Transact Offshore Bond |
15% |
+5% |
|
Pru International Investment Bond WoL |
13% |
-1% |
|
Aberdeen International Portfolio Bond for Wrap |
11% |
-3% |
|
Pru International Investment Bond - CR |
10% |
-2% |
|
Canada Life International Premiere Account Alpha – Option 1 |
6% |
-1% |
|
Canada Life International Wealth Preservation Account Option 1 |
6% |
-1% |
|
Canada Life International Premiere Account Alpha – Option 3 |
5% |
- |
|
Utmost International IoM Evolution – Ongoing Chg ext mgt/cust |
4% |
- |
|
Canada Life International Premiere Europe Account – Option 1 |
4% |
- |
Source: Defaqto Engage
The Defaqto findings are drawn from the firm’s whole-of-market data, covering more than 20 onshore bonds from 15 providers and over 50 international bonds from 10 providers.
The data and fintech firm claims that over 30% of UK advisers use its Defaqto Engage platform.
Defaqto noted that advisers have been showing renewed interest in both onshore and international bonds.
Andrew Duthrie, insight manager for wealth and protection at Defaqto, said he expects the interest in bonds to continue as we move closer to unused pensions being included within the inheritance tax net from April 2027.
He said: “With bonds expected to be one of the products that benefits from changes to IHT in pensions coming in from April 2027, it will be interesting to see if these numbers change as we move into the second half of 2026 as advisers show a renewed interest in both onshore and international bonds.”