Best ISA Rates
- Term: Instant Access
- Invest From: £100
Interest paid annually. Unlimited deposits and withdrawals. ISA transfers also allowed in (some providers charge a transfer fee). Open and manage online. FSCS Protected.. Must be UK resident and be aged 18 or older. After 12 months the interest rate changes to 1.45% AER variable. Online ISA is provided by OneFamily, savings in Post Office Cash ISAs are deposited with Bank of Ireland UK
Mobile App only account. *Up to three withdrawals can be made within each 12-month period from the date of opening without affecting the interest rate. More than three withdrawals made within each 12-month period, a lower rate of 0.75% (variable) will be applied. The Moneybox Cash ISA includes a 4.70% AER variable underlying rate and a bonus rate of 0.47% for the first 12 months. Up to three withdrawals can be made within each 12-month period from the date of opening without affecting the interest rate. Transfer in any ISAs you hold with other providers into a Moneybox Cash ISA, entirely in-app. Covered by FSCS. If more than three withdrawals made within each 12-month period, a lower rate of 0.75% (variable) will be applied for the rest of that 12-month period. The lower interest rate of 0.75% will also apply if the account balance dips below £500, automatically returning to the higher interest rate when the balance returns to £500 or more again. Must be UK resident and be aged 18 or older
Mobile App only account. *Up to three withdrawals can be made within each 12-month without affecting the interest rate. More than three withdrawals made within each 12-month period, a lower rate of 3.00% (variable) will be applied. Includes a bonus of 0.88% AER (variable) if account held for 12 months. Transfer in any ISAs you hold with other providers. Interest rates drop if more than three withdrawals per year. Covered by FSCS. Rate when you transfer in your existing ISA – 4.04% AER (variable). Rate for each 12-month period after your first 12 months – 4.04% AER (variable). Rate when balance drops below £100 or after your fourth annual withdrawal – 3.00% AER (variable). Must be UK resident and be aged 18 or older
- Term: Instant Access
- Invest From: £1
Unlimited deposits and withdrawals. Interest paid annually. ISA transfers also allowed in. Maximum deposit £250,000. FSCS Protected. Winner of Platinum Feefo Trusted Service Award in 2024. Must be UK resident and be aged 18 or older
- Term: Instant Access
- Invest From: £100
Interest paid annually. Unlimited deposits and withdrawals. ISA transfers also allowed in (some providers charge a transfer fee). Open and manage online. FSCS Protected.. Must be UK resident and be aged 18 or older. After 12 months the interest rate changes to 1.45% AER variable. Online ISA is provided by OneFamily, savings in Post Office Cash ISAs are deposited with Bank of Ireland UK
- Term: Easy Access
- Invest From: £1,000
Interest paid monthly or annually. Unlimited deposits and withdrawals. ISA transfers also allowed in. Open and manage online. FSCS Protected. Must be UK resident and be aged 18 or older
- Term: Easy Access - 30 Day Notice
- Invest From: £1,000
Unlimited deposits and withdrawals. ISA transfers in allowed. FSCS Protected. Must be UK resident and aged 16 or older. Withdrawals subject to 30 days notice
- Term: 1 Year, with option to make three free withdrawals
- Invest From: £1
Make up to three withdrawals during the 12-month term of this account. Tax free ISA account. Open with £1 or transfer in existing ISA funds. Invest up to £20,000 per tax year. Manage your account online. Interest paid at maturity. FSCS Protected. Must be UK resident and aged 16 or older. Make more than three withdrawals and the rate drops to 1.75% AER/gross p.a. (variable). Not available in branch
- Term: 1 Year
- Invest From: £1
Interest paid at maturity. ISA transfers also allowed in. Maximum deposit £250,000. FSCS Protected. Winner of Platinum Feefo Trusted Service Award in 2024. Must be UK resident and be aged 18 or older. No withdrawals permitted
- Term: 1 Year
- Invest From: £1,000
ISA transfers in allowed. FSCS Protected. Must be UK resident and aged 16 or older. Withdraw cash early if you need to (subject to loss of interest)
- Term: 1 Year
- Invest From: £500
Interest paid annually. ISA transfers also allowed in (some providers charge a transfer fee). Open and manage online. FSCS Protected. Must be UK resident and be aged 18 or older. Withdrawals permitted subject to 90 days loss of interest. Online ISA is provided by OneFamily, savings in Post Office Cash ISAs are deposited with Bank of Ireland UK
- Term: 1 Year
- Invest From: £1,000
Terms and Conditions: You must be 18 or over and a UK Resident. Currently you can only subscribe to one Cash ISA with NatWest Bank per tax year. You must hold the account solely in your name. NatWest’s FRISA rates are 4.00% AER/Tax-free p.a. (fixed) for 1 year and 3.80% AER/Tax-free p.a. (fixed) for 2 years. Rate available until 5pm on 8th January 2025 for new customers and 13th January 2025 for existing customers. Offer may be withdrawn early due to limited availability. Interest is calculated daily and paid annually to your ISA on the first business day in April and on the Maturity Payment Date. You can withdraw money from your account up to 31st January 2025. If you want to make a withdrawal after this time and before the Maturity Date, you must close your account by giving written notice in branch. ISA subscription limits apply. If you make a payment into your Fixed Rate ISA you will not be able to make any further payments for that tax year into any other cash ISA with NatWest or Royal Bank of Scotland. Early Closure Charge applies. The Early Closure Charge will be the lower of the amount of interest earned on your account or 90 days’ interest. The Early Closure Charge will be deducted from the balance of your Fixed Rate ISA. The interest payable on the money held in your account is tax-free. The tax treatment may be subject to change in the future and depends on your individual circumstances.
- Term: 1 Year
- Invest From: £1,000
Terms and Conditions: You must be 18 or over and a UK Resident. Currently you can only subscribe to one Cash ISA with Royal Bank of Scotland per tax year. You must hold the account solely in your name. Royal Bank of Scotland’s FRISA rates are 4.00% AER/Tax-free p.a. (fixed) for 1 year and 3.80% AER/Tax-free p.a. (fixed) for 2 years. Rate available until 5pm on 8th January 2025 for new customers and 13th January 2025 for existing customers. Offer may be withdrawn early due to limited availability. Interest is calculated daily and paid annually to your ISA on the first business day in April and on the Maturity Payment Date. You can withdraw money from your account up to 31st January 2025. If you want to make a withdrawal after this time and before the Maturity Date, you must close your account by giving written notice in branch. ISA subscription limits apply. If you make a payment into your Fixed Rate ISA, you will not be able to make any further payments for that tax year into any other cash ISA with Royal Bank of Scotland or NatWest. Early Closure Charge applies. The Early Closure Charge will be the lower of the amount of interest earned on your account of 90 day’s interest. The Early Closure Charge will be deducted from the balance of your Fixed Rate ISA. The interest payable on the money held in your account is tax-free. The tax treatment may be subject to change in the future and depends on your individual circumstances.
- Term: 2 Years
- Invest From: £1,000
ISA transfers in allowed. FSCS Protected. Must be UK resident and aged 16 or older. Withdraw cash early if you need to (subject to loss of interest)
- Term: 2 Years
- Invest From: £1
Interest paid annually. ISA transfers also allowed in. Maximum deposit £250,000. FSCS Protected. Winner of Platinum Feefo Trusted Service Award in 2024. Must be UK resident and be aged 18 or older. No withdrawals permitted
- Term: 2 Years
- Invest From: £1,000
Terms and Conditions: You must be 18 or over and a UK Resident. Currently you can only subscribe to one Cash ISA with NatWest Bank per tax year. You must hold the account solely in your name. NatWest’s FRISA rates are 4.00% AER/Tax-free p.a. (fixed) for 1 year and 3.80% AER/Tax-free p.a. (fixed) for 2 years. Rate available until 5pm on 8th January 2025 for new customers and 13th January 2025 for existing customers. Offer may be withdrawn early due to limited availability. Interest is calculated daily and paid annually to your ISA on the first business day in April and on the Maturity Payment Date. You can withdraw money from your account up to 31st January 2025. If you want to make a withdrawal after this time and before the Maturity Date, you must close your account by giving written notice in branch. ISA subscription limits apply. If you make a payment into your Fixed Rate ISA you will not be able to make any further payments for that tax year into any other cash ISA with NatWest or Royal Bank of Scotland. Early Closure Charge applies. The Early Closure Charge will be the lower of the amount of interest earned on your account or 90 days’ interest. The Early Closure Charge will be deducted from the balance of your Fixed Rate ISA. The interest payable on the money held in your account is tax-free. The tax treatment may be subject to change in the future and depends on your individual circumstances.
- Term: 2 Years
- Invest From: £1,000
Terms and Conditions: You must be 18 or over and a UK Resident. Currently you can only subscribe to one Cash ISA with Royal Bank of Scotland per tax year. You must hold the account solely in your name. Royal Bank of Scotland’s FRISA rates are 4.00% AER/Tax-free p.a. (fixed) for 1 year and 3.80% AER/Tax-free p.a. (fixed) for 2 years. Rate available until 8th January 2025 for new customers and 13th January 2025 for existing customers. Offer may be withdrawn early due to limited availability. Interest is calculated daily and paid annually to your ISA on the first business day in April and on the Maturity Payment Date. You can withdraw money from your account up to 31st January 2025. If you want to make a withdrawal after this time and before the Maturity Date, you must close your account by giving written notice in branch. ISA subscription limits apply. If you make a payment into your Fixed Rate ISA, you will not be able to make any further payments for that tax year into any other cash ISA with Royal Bank of Scotland or NatWest. Early Closure Charge applies. The Early Closure Charge will be the lower of the amount of interest earned on your account of 90 day’s interest. The Early Closure Charge will be deducted from the balance of your Fixed Rate ISA. The interest payable on the money held in your account is tax-free. The tax treatment may be subject to change in the future and depends on your individual circumstances.
- Term: 2 Years
- Invest From: £500
Interest paid annually. ISA transfers also allowed in (some providers charge a transfer fee). Open and manage online. FSCS Protected. Must be UK resident and be aged 18 or older. Withdrawals permitted subject to 180 days loss of interest. Online ISA is provided by OneFamily, savings in Post Office Cash ISAs are deposited with Bank of Ireland UK
- Term: 3 Years
- Invest From: £1,000
ISA transfers in allowed. FSCS Protected. Must be UK resident and aged 16 or older. Withdraw cash early if you need to (subject to loss of interest)
- Term: 5 Years
- Invest From: £1
Interest paid annually. ISA transfers also allowed in. Maximum deposit £250,000. FSCS Protected. Winner of Platinum Feefo Trusted Service Award in 2024. Must be UK resident and be aged 18 or older. No withdrawals permitted
Best Cash ISA Rates: Find the Right Savings Account for You
When it comes to managing your savings efficiently, Individual Savings Accounts (ISAs) offer an invaluable opportunity to grow your money tax-free.
There is a wide range of cash ISAs with competitive interest rates available, and choosing the best one depends on factors such as access requirements, deposit flexibility, and the returns you’re aiming for.
Here’s how to choose the right ISA for your needs.
Why Choose a Cash ISA?
With the Bank of England base rate currently at its highest in over a decade, now is a perfect time to explore your options for growing your savings.
Cash ISAs provide a convenient way to earn tax-free interest, meaning you won’t pay any income tax on the interest earned. This can make a significant difference, especially if you’ve already used up your personal savings allowance.
Additionally, ISAs are protected by the Financial Services Compensation Scheme (FSCS) up to £85,000 per person, per institution. This ensures that your savings are secure even if your bank or building society encounters financial difficulties.
Types of Cash ISAs: Which One Suits You?
Easy Access ISAs
Ideal for savers who may need to withdraw their funds without restrictions. These ISAs typically offer lower interest rates in exchange for liquidity, but they still provide tax-free earnings.
Fixed-Rate ISAs
If you can commit to locking your money away for a set period, fixed-rate ISAs usually offer higher interest rates. These accounts require you to hold your savings for a fixed term (such as one, two, or five years) to secure the best returns, but early withdrawal often comes with penalties.
Notice ISAs
These accounts strike a balance between flexibility and higher returns. With a notice ISA, you must give the provider advance notice—typically 30 to 90 days—before making withdrawals. In return, you often receive better rates than with easy access ISAs.
Each type of ISA comes with specific benefits, and the right choice for you depends on your financial goals and whether you need access to your funds in the short term.
How to Choose the Right ISA
Selecting the best cash ISA depends on several factors:
- Access to funds – If flexibility is important to you, an easy access ISA may be your best option. While the interest rates are typically lower than those of fixed-rate ISAs, you’ll have the freedom to withdraw money as needed without facing penalties.
- Maximising returns – For those focused on higher returns, a fixed-rate ISA could be more appealing. The trade-off is that your funds will be locked in for a set period, usually one to five years, in exchange for better interest rates. Make sure to evaluate your ability to go without accessing the money for the fixed term.
- Term length – Fixed-rate ISAs often come with different term lengths, ranging from one to five years. The longer the term, the higher the interest rate tends to be. If you can commit to saving over the long term, this can be a great way to secure higher returns on your savings.
- Transfer options – If you’ve built up savings in ISAs over previous years, transferring them to a new provider can often result in better rates.
Can I transfer an existing Cash ISA to a new one?
If you find a Cash ISA with great interest rates, you can usually transfer your previous year’s Cash ISAs into the new one. Check with your new provider on how to do this, but it usually involves completing a transfer form and posting it to your new ISA provider.
Make sure to check with your previous ISA provider to ensure that you are not charged for transferring out or lose any of your interest, which could happen if you currently invest in a fixed rate ISA.
You can also transfer to and from Stocks and Shares ISAs and Cash ISAs if you wish to change your investment strategy.
How do I apply for a Cash ISA?
You can apply for a Cash ISA online once you have settled on an ISA provider and type of account to invest in.
You will need to have the following information on hand to open your account:
- Your National Insurance number
- Your debit card details if you want to make a lump-sum contribution
- Your bank details if you are going to set up a regular Direct Debit contribution
You can also apply for some Cash ISAs over the telephone, or using a postal form and a cheque if you prefer this method.
Cash ISA Eligibility
In order to be eligible to open a Cash ISA you must be:
- At least 16 years old
- A resident of the UK – if you do not live in the UK then you must be either a Crown Servant or the spouse/civil partner of one
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the annual ISA allowance for 2024?
You can invest up to £20,000 into your ISAs during the tax year. This ISA allowance limit applies to all types of ISAs combined, including cash ISAs, stocks and shares ISAs, and Lifetime ISAs.
Can I hold multiple ISAs?
Yes, you can hold multiple ISAs, but you can only contribute to one of each type (e.g., one cash ISA and one stocks and shares ISA) within the same tax year.
Are there penalties for withdrawing from a fixed-rate ISA?
Yes, withdrawing from a fixed-rate ISA before the end of the agreed term usually results in a penalty, which is often calculated as a loss of interest for a certain number of days. Be sure to understand the terms before committing.
Am I committed to one ISA provider forever?
No. You can switch providers with an ISA transfer if you wish. You can also contribute to other ISA providers in separate tax years.
Are ISA accounts safe?
ISA accounts are authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA). This means that all ISA providers are covered by the Financial Services Compensation Scheme (FSCS) for up to £85,000 if they go out of business.
Please note that this may not apply to the underlying holdings within a Stocks and Shares ISA, and will not cover standard investment losses.
Can I withdraw money from an ISA?
You can withdraw money from a Stocks and Shares ISA at any time provided that you sell the underlying investments first.
You can withdraw from a variable-rate Cash ISA at any time.
Withdrawing from a fixed-rate Cash ISA may incur charges if you do so before the end of the specified fixed term.
How much can I contribute to an ISA?
The annual ISA allowance is set by HMRC each year, and the current limit is £20,000 per person for the 2024/25 tax year.
When does the ISA tax year run to?
The annual ISA allowance runs in line with the normal tax year, which is 6th April to 5th April the following year. Your ISA allowance will refresh on 6th April each year.
Can I transfer my Cash ISA into a Stocks and Shares ISA?
Yes, you can transfer from your Cash ISA to a Stocks and Shares ISA at any time. However, do check you won’t lose out by transferring, as some Fixed Rate Cash ISAs may charge a fee or void your interest if you surrender your policy before the fixed term has ended