Best Cash ISAs in the UK right now

Cash ISAs explained

If you’re saving for your first home, wedding, furnishing your home, expanding your family, or any other big life milestones, a Cash ISA lets you save up to £20,000 each tax year without paying a penny of tax on your interest.

It's also worth knowing that savers can now open and pay into multiple Cash ISAs in the same tax year, as long as total contributions across all ISAs stay within the £20,000 annual limit. Any interest earned doesn't count towards that limit, only the money deposited does. And if the full allowance isn't used by the end of the tax year, the unused portion is lost, so it's worth making the most of it.

Types of Cash ISAs include:

• Easy-access Cash ISAs - allow savers to deposit and withdraw money freely, making them ideal for those who want flexibility.
• Fixed-rate Cash ISAs - lock in a set interest rate for a fixed term (e.g. one, two or three years), which can be great for savers who won't need to touch their money for a while.
• Notice Cash ISAs - require savers to give advance notice (e.g. 30, 60, or 90 days) before making a withdrawal, often in exchange for a slightly higher rate.
• Transfer-in-friendly accounts - designed for savers who want to move an existing ISA to a new provider offering a better rate, without losing their tax-free status.

Important changes coming to ISAs

From April 2027, the Cash ISA allowance is set to reduce to £12,000 for under-65s. You still get a £20,000 annual ISA allowance, which you can split across different ISA types like Cash ISAs and Stocks & Shares ISAs. The good news is these changes only apply to new money going in, not anything you’ve already saved. On top of that, Lifetime ISAs are expected to be phased out from 2028 and replaced with a new product aimed at first-time buyers, although existing LISA savers won’t be affected.

The main takeaway? ISAs aren’t going anywhere, but it could make sense to make the most of your allowance while it’s still fully available. Find out more here.

Our picks

• Best easy access cash ISA: Tembo. Up to 4.05% AER (variable), minimum £10 balance, highly rated customer service with 4.8 Trustpilot score, fee-free mortgage advice from the UK's Best Mortgage Broker*.
• Best 1 Year Fixed Rate ISA: Tembo. 4.40% AER (fixed), minimum £500 opening balance, 4.8 Trustpilot customer score, fee-free mortgage advice from the UK's Best Mortgage Broker*. Plus the ability to add funds later on, with new deposits fixed for 12 months at the available rate at the time.
• Best 2 Year Fixed Rate ISA: Tandem Bank. Table-topping rate of 4.58% AER (fixed), low minimum opening balance of just £1, highly rated customer service with 4.4 Trustpilot score.
• Best 3 Year Fixed Rate ISA: Tandem Bank. Not top-of-the-table rate, but still offers a competitive 4.56% AER (fixed) interest rate, a low minimum opening balance of £1 and a high Trustpilot customer rating of 4.4.
• Best 5 Year Fixed Rate ISA: Tandem Bank. Not top-of-the-table rate, but still offers a competitive 4.56% AER (fixed) interest rate, a low minimum opening balance of £1 and a high Trustpilot customer rating of 4.4.

What is the best easy access cash ISA in the UK?

When looking at the full picture - a competitive interest rate, genuine flexibility and excellent customer service - the Tembo Cash ISA stands out as the best Cash ISA in the UK. Unlike many providers, Tembo doesn't penalise savers for making withdrawals or letting their balance dip, and all deposits are protected by the Financial Services Compensation Scheme (FSCS).

• Competitive interest rates: Earn up to 4.05% AER (variable) with our range of Easy Access Cash ISAs.
• Unlimited withdrawals without any impact on your interest rates.
• No minimum-balance penalty - so your interest won't change just because your balance falls below a certain amount.
• Fee-free mortgage advice from the UK's Best Mortgage Broker*.

The following comparison demonstrates this assessment. The list below is based on UK Cash ISA accounts providing the best product for customers, subject to interest rate. Accurate up to May 2026. Tax treatment depends on your individual circumstances and may be subject to change in the future.

Top easy access cash ISAs:

1. Tembo Cash ISAs

For savers seeking the best value, Tembo's Easy Access Cash ISAs allow you to choose a Cash ISA that suits your needs. Choose between a simple, straight rate Cash ISA, or a 12-month introductory bonus of up to 4.05% AER (variable) for new accounts.

Unlike other providers, we don't penalise you by lowering your rate if your balance falls too low or if you make multiple withdrawals.

Most importantly, holders of a Tembo Cash ISA also have access to fee-free, award-winning mortgage advice with Tembo*, whether they're looking to buy their first home, remortgage, switch to a better deal, or help a loved one buy.

2. Trading 212 Cash ISA

If securing the highest interest rate for an initial period is your priority, take a look at Trading 212. Their Cash ISA currently pays the top rate of 4.55% AER (variable), however this is only for the first 12 months and only for new customers. You’ll earn 3.6% AER (variable) after that.

3. Chip Cash ISA

The Chip Cash ISA currently pays an interest rate of 4.54% AER (variable), but this rate is only available for new customers, and only for the first 12 months, after which it drops to 3.75% AER (variable). However, this product is not eligible for customers wanting to transfer in an existing ISA.

4. Vanquis Bank Cash ISA

Vanquis Bank's Cash ISA pays 4.30% AER (variable). However, this drops to 2.25% AER (variable) after your third withdrawal in one year. You will also need at least £1,000 to open the account. You can transfer in from other providers.

5. Kent Reliance

Kent Reliance's Cash ISA currently offers 4.27% AER (variable), which is the same rate for transfers in. However, you do need a minimum balance of £1,000 to open the account.

What is the best 1 year fixed rate ISA in the UK?

The best 1 year fixed rate ISA in the UK isn’t just about who offers the very top rate. You should also look at the minimum opening balance, whether ISA transfers are accepted, how easy the account is to manage, and whether existing customers actually rate the provider highly.

Right now, while providers like UBL UK and Charter Savings Bank occasionally edge ahead on headline rates, Tembo stands out as one of the strongest all-round options for many savers thanks to its competitive rates, flexible funding options, ISA transfer support and excellent customer reviews.

Unlike other accounts, Tembo's Fixed Rate ISA also lets you add more money after opening, with each new deposit fixed for 12 months at the available rate. This makes it a more flexible choice for people who want to keep building their savings over time. With Tembo, the opening minimum balance is also much lower at £500.

The following comparison demonstrates this assessment. The list below is based on UK 1 Year Fixed Rate ISA accounts providing the best product for customers, subject to interest rate. Accurate up to May 2026. Tax treatment depends on your individual circumstances and may be subject to change in the future.

Top 1 year fixed rate ISAs:

1. Tembo

Tembo’s 1 Year Fixed Rate Cash ISA combines a competitive fixed rate with features you don’t always get elsewhere. You can open an account with as little as £500 or transfer in an existing ISA, and continue making one-off contributions after opening, with each new deposit fixed for 12 months at the available rate.

That flexibility makes it particularly useful for savers who don’t want to commit all their cash upfront. Tembo is also highly rated by our customers, with a 4.9 Trustpilot score.

2. UBL UK

When it comes down to rate alone, UBL UK currently offers one of the market-leading 1 year fixed ISA rates. However, savers should check the minimum deposit requirements carefully before applying, as UBL currently requires a £2,000 minimum opening balance, which may be more than some savers can afford.

They also have the lowest Trustpilot score out of all the top 1 Year Fixed Rate ISAs in this list. So, UBL UK may appeal most to savers focused purely on maximising headline interest rather than customer experience or flexibility.

3. Vida Savings

Vida Savings currently offers a competitive interest rate of 4.65% AER (fixed) and is rated highly by customers on Trustpilot. However, it still has a minimum opening balance of £1,000, which may be too high for some customers.

4. Close Brothers

Close Brothers is now offering a competitive interest rate of 4.6% AER (fixed), but their 1 Year Fixed Rate ISA does have a high bar to entry with a minimum deposit of £10,000. This may put this account out of range for some customers.

5. Lloyds Bank

If you're looking for a competitive interest rate from a well-known name, Lloyds Bank's 1 Year Fixed Rate ISA might be for you. They have a low opening minimum balance of just £500, and accept ISA transfers from other providers. They are also well rated by customers on Trustpilot with a score of 4.2.

The main drawback of this account is you cannot keep adding funds after the initial 30-day funding window, similar to the other accounts on this list. Whereas with Tembo's 1 Year Fixed Rate Cash ISA, you can keep adding funds, with each new deposit fixed for 12 months at the available rate. So if you need an account, you can open with a smaller amount and keep adding to, Tembo could be the better choice.

What is the best 2 year fixed rate ISA in the UK?

The best 2 year fixed rate ISA in the UK depends on more than just the headline rate. You should compare the interest rate alongside factors like minimum opening balance, whether ISA transfers are accepted, withdrawal penalties and how well customers rate the provider.

Right now, Tandem Bank and Charter Savings Bank are the market leaders on rate, offering 4.58% AER (fixed) and 4.57% AER fixed for two years. If you want the familiarity of a well-known name, Nationwide stands out as the strongest choice thanks to its competitive rate and £1 minimum deposit.

However, unlike the smaller providers on the top 5 list, Nationwide has a much poorer Trustpilot customer rating.

The following comparison demonstrates this assessment. The list below is based on UK 2 Year Fixed Rate ISA accounts providing the best product for customers, subject to interest rate. Accurate up to May 2026. Tax treatment depends on your individual circumstances and may be subject to change in the future.

Top 2 year fixed rate ISAs:

1. Tandem Bank

Tandem Bank’s 2 Year Fixed Rate Cash ISA is one of the more affordable options among the top-paying providers, currently offering 4.71% AER (fixed) with a low minimum opening balance of £1. They are also highly rated on Trustpilot by customers with an average rating of 4.2.

2. Vida Savings

Visa Savings’s 2 Year Fixed Rate Cash ISA is currently offering a competitive rate of 4.70% AER (fixed), with a strong rating on Trustpilot by customers. However, it still has a minimum opening balance of £1,000, which may be too high for some customers.

3. Close Brothers

Close Brothers is now offering a competitive interest rate of 4.7% AER (fixed) on their 2 Year Fixed Rate ISA, but like their 1 Year Fixed Rate ISA this account does have a high bar to entry with a minimum deposit of £10,000. This may put this account out of range for some customers!

4. Lloyds Bank

Lloyds Bank's 2 Year Fixed Rate Cash ISA is one of the strongest options for savers who want a balance between a competitive fixed interest rate and the reassurance of a major high street brand. The account currently pays around 4.65% AER fixed and can be opened with just £500.

What is the best 3 year fixed rate ISA in the UK?

Right now, Tandem Bank stands out as the best all-round option for a 3 Year Fixed Rate ISA, offering a competitive 4.61% AER (fixed) rate, alongside a £1 minimum deposit, and ISA transfers are also accepted. Although this is slightly lower than Close Brothers' 3 Year Fixed Rate ISA, which is currently offering 4.62% AER (fixed), the Close Brothers' account has a much higher minimum deposit of £10,000.

The following comparison demonstrates this assessment. The list below is based on UK 3 Year Fixed Rate ISA accounts providing the best product for customers, subject to interest rate. Accurate up to May 2026. Tax treatment depends on your individual circumstances and may be subject to change in the future.

What is the best 5 year fixed rate ISA in the UK?

At the top end of the market, Close Brothers 5 Year Fixed Rate ISA stands out, offering 4.66% AER (fixed). However, this account comes with a £10,000 minimum opening balance.

Halifax 5 Year Fixed Rate ISA comes up close second, offering 4.65% AER (fixed). Unlike Close Brothers, Halifax. has a much lower minimum opening balance of £500, plus the reassurance of a major building society brand. However, Halifax is not well rated by customers on Trustpilot, with a poor score of 1.7.

Leek Building Society is in the middle of these other two providers if you want a competitive rate with middling customer service. Their 5 Year Fixed Rate ISA is currently offering 4.65% AER (fixed) with a £1,000 minimum opening balance. But, they have a Trustpilot score of 2.6, which is higher than Halifax's but not as high as Close Brothers.

The following comparison demonstrates this assessment. The list below is based on UK 5 Year Fixed Rate ISA accounts providing the best product for customers, subject to interest rate. Accurate up to May 2026. Tax treatment depends on your individual circumstances and may be subject to change in the future.

Cash ISA vs Lifetime ISA for first-time buyers

If you’re saving for your first home, the choice between a Cash ISA vs LISA (Lifetime ISA) comes down to one key difference: free government money. A Cash ISA gives you flexibility and tax-free interest, but no bonus from the government. A Lifetime ISA, on the other hand, gives you a 25% government bonus on everything you pay in (up to £1,000 per tax year), as long as you’re buying your first home (worth up to £450,000) or saving for retirement.

That means if you put in £4,000, the government tops it up to £5,000, instantly boosting your deposit savings in a way a Cash ISA simply can’t match.

According to our latest First-Time Buyer Index, the average first-time buyer deposit sits at £42,324. Yet only 17% of first-time buyers are currently using a Lifetime ISA to save for this, meaning the majority are leaving an estimated £3,000–£5,000 in government bonuses on the table.

There are a couple of trade-offs to be aware of. With an easy access Cash ISA, you can access your money whenever you like without penalty, making it more flexible if your plans change.

A Lifetime ISA is more restrictive: you need to be aged 18–39 to open one, and withdrawals for anything other than a first home or retirement come with a 25% penalty. But for most first-time buyers, that restriction is actually what makes it powerful, as it encourages committed saving, with a guaranteed boost from the government to boost your house fund.

*Fee-free mortgage advice is subject to eligibility, terms & conditions can be found here.