Tembo Savings logo

Best Cash ISAs rates the UK right now

By
Shahi Sattar, Director of SavingsShahi Sattar, Director of Savings
Last Updated 8 June 2026

Hunting for this year’s stand-out Cash ISA? This guide breaks down everything you need to know, from the types of accounts on offer to the features that give your savings the biggest boost.

BulbIcon

Don’t just look at the rates!

While some providers offer higher rates, they often limit withdrawals or require minimum balances to maintain those rates. Others have competitive rates that may not be table-topping, but have other benefits which are worthwhile, such as fee-free mortgage advice.

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 for first-time buyers: Tembo. Up to 4.05% AER (variable), minimum £10 balance, highly rated customer service with 4.8 Trustpilot score. Particularly suited to first-time buyers who want to combine tax-free savings with fee-free mortgage advice from the UK's Best Mortgage Broker*.
  • Best general easy access cash ISA: For savers focused purely on the highest introductory rate, Trading 212 currently leads the market at 4.76% AER (variable), although this is only available for one year and is not available for transfers from prior tax years.
  • Best 1 Year Fixed Rate ISA: OakNorth Bank. Currently offering the same headline rate of 4.67% AER (fixed) as Secure Trust Bank and Hodge Bank, but with a lower minimum opening balance of just £1. Plus, transfers are accepted, which isn't the case with Hodge Bank.
  • Best 2 Year Fixed Rate ISA: Secure Trust Bank. Table-topping rate of 4.73% AER (fixed), a minimum opening balance of £1,000, highly rated customer service with 4.5 Trustpilot score.
  • Best 3 Year Fixed Rate ISA: Secure Trust Bank. Table-topping rate of 4.67% AER (fixed), a minimum opening balance of £1,000, highly rated customer service with 4.5 Trustpilot score.
  • Best 5 Year Fixed Rate ISA: Castle Trust Bank. Top-of-the-table rate of 4.71% AER (fixed), plus transfers are accepted (unlike Hodge Bank), with a minimum opening balance of £1,000 and a high Trustpilot customer rating of 4.5.

Join the thousands already saving with Tembo

Download the award-winning Tembo app to start saving towards your first home, retirement, or another life milestone with our range of competitive ISA rates and intuitive savings features.

Find out more

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

When looking at the full picture - a competitive interest rate, genuine flexibility, no withdrawal and access to fee-free mortgage advice* - the Tembo Cash ISA is one of the strongest options available. For savers focused purely on the highest introductory rate, Trading 212 currently leads the market at 4.76% AER (variable), although this is only available for one year and is not available for transfers from prior tax years.

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 June 2026. Tax treatment depends on your individual circumstances and may be subject to change in the future.

Best Easy Access Cash ISAs

ProviderInterest rateRate for transfersTrustpilot rating

Tembo Cash ISA

4.05% AER (variable). Drops to 2.80% AER (variable) after 1 year

4.00% AER (variable)

4.8

Trading212

4.76% AER (variable). Drops to 3.60% AER (variable) after 1 year

3.60% AER (variable)

4.6

Moneybox

4.75% AER (variable). Drops to 3.45% AER (variable) after 1 year, 0.75% after 3 withdrawals/yr

4.75% AER (variable). New customers only

4.4

Plum

4.46% AER (variable). Drops to 2.54% AER (variable) after 1 year

4.00% (variable)

4.4

Charter Savings Bank

4.07% AER (variable).

4.07% AER (variable)

4.3

Top easy access cash ISAs:

1. Tembo Cash ISAs

For savers who are saving for their first home, 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.

Earn up to 3x more interest than the Big 4 banks with Tembo's Easy Access Cash ISAs

Get started

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 4.76% 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. MoneyBox Cash ISA

The MoneyBox Cash ISA currently pays an interest rate of 4.75% AER (variable), but this rate is only available for new customers, and only for the first 12 months, after which it drops to 3.45% AER (variable). However, if you withdraw more than 3 times per year, your rate will fall to 0.75%.

4. Plum Cash ISA

Plum's Cash ISA pays 4.46% AER (variable). However, this drops to 2.54% AER (variable) after one year. Plus, if you're transferring across from another provider, you'll get a lower rate of 4.00% AER (variable).

5. Charter Savings Bank Case ISA

Charter Savings Bank's Cash ISA currently offers 4.07% AER (variable), which is the same rate for transfers in.

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 OakNorth Bank, Secure Trust Bank and Hodge Banks are offering the headline rates, although some have higher minimum opening balances than others, and one doesn't accept transfers.

Tembo stands out as one of the strongest all-round options for many savers thanks to its competitive rates, ISA transfer support, excellent customer reviews and additional benefits like fee-free, award-winning mortgage advice*.

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.

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 June 2026. Tax treatment depends on your individual circumstances and may be subject to change in the future.

Best 1 Year Fixed Rate ISAs

ProviderInterest rateMinimum depositTrustpilot rating

OakNorth Bank

4.67% AER (fixed). Transfers accepted

£1

4.8

Secure Trust Bank

4.67% AER (fixed). Transfers accepted

£1,000

4.5

Tembo Cash ISA

4.40% AER (fixed). Transfers accepted.

£500

4.8

Hodge Bank

4.67% AER (fixed). Transfers not accepted

£1,000

4.7

Tesco Bank

4.6% AER (fixed). Transfers accepted

£1

4.3

Earn a fixed 4.40% on your savings

Lock your savings away for 12-months with our Fixed Rate Cash ISA and earn 4.40% AER (fixed). Add more funds to lock in for 12 months from the date they're added, at the rate available at the time.

Find out more

Top 1 year fixed rate ISAs:

1. OakNorth

When it comes down to rate alone, OakNorth currently offers one of the market-leading 1 year fixed ISA rates. You can open an account with just £1, and transfers are accepted. They also have an excellent Trustpilot rating.

2. Secure Trust Bank

Secure Trust Bank offers the same competitive interest rate as OakNorth, but with a higher minimum opening balance of £1,000, which may be too high for some customers. Transfers are accepted, and they also have an excellent Trustpilot rating.

3. 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 4.8 Trustpilot score.

4. Hodge Bank

Hodge Bank is also offering a competitive interest rate of 4.67% AER (fixed), but again with a minimum opening balance of £1,000, which may be too high for some. Unlike the other fixed rate ISAs listed above, transfers are not accepted.

5. Tesco Bank

If you're looking for a competitive interest rate from a well-known name, Tesco Bank's 1 Year Fixed Rate ISA might be for you. They have a low opening minimum balance of just £1, and accept ISA transfers from other providers. They are also well rated by customers on Trustpilot with a score of 4.3.

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, Secure Trust Bank, RCI Bank and Hodge Bank are the market leaders on rate, offering 4.73% AER (fixed), 4.72% AER (fixed) and 4.71% AER (fixed) for two years. If you want the familiarity of a well-known name, Lloyds Bank stands out as the strongest choice thanks to its competitive rate and £500 minimum deposit.

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 June 2026. Tax treatment depends on your individual circumstances and may be subject to change in the future.

Best 2 Year Fixed Rate ISAs

ProviderInterest rateMinimum depositTrustpilot rating

Secure Trust Bank

4.73% AER (fixed). Transfers accepted.

£1,000

4.5

RCI Bank

4.72% AER (fixed). Transfers accepted

£1,000

4.5

Hodge Bank

4.71% AER (fixed). Transfers not accepted

£1,000

4.7

Lloyds Bank

4.65% AER (fixed). Transfers accepted.

£500

4.2

Top 2 year fixed rate ISAs:

1. Secure Trust Bank

Secure Trust Bank’s 2 Year Fixed Rate Cash ISA is one of the more affordable options among the top-paying providers, currently offering 4.73% AER (fixed) with a minimum opening balance of £1,000. They are also highly rated on Trustpilot by customers with an average rating of 4.5.

2. RCI Bank

RCI Bank’s 2 Year Fixed Rate Cash ISA is currently offering a competitive rate of 4.72% 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. Hodge Bank

Hodge Bank is now offering a competitive interest rate of 4.71% AER (fixed) on their 2 Year Fixed Rate ISA, but like their 1 Year Fixed Rate ISA this account has a minimum deposit of £1,000 and no transfers are accepted. This may cross this account out as an option 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, Secure Trust Bank stands out as the best all-round option for a 3 Year Fixed Rate ISA, offering a competitive 4.67% AER (fixed) rate, alongside a £1,000 minimum deposit, and ISA transfers are also accepted.

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 June 2026. Tax treatment depends on your individual circumstances and may be subject to change in the future.

Best 3 Year Fixed Rate ISAs

ProviderInterest rateMinimum depositTrustpilot rating

Secure Trust Bank

4.67% AER (fixed). Transfers accepted.

£1,000

4.5

Hodge Bank

4.66% AER (fixed). Transfers not accepted

£1,000

4.7

Castle Trust Bank

4.66% AER (fixed). Transfers accepted

£1,000

4.5

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

At the top end of the market, Hodge Bank's 5 Year Fixed Rate ISA stands out, offering 4.71% AER (fixed), with a £1,000 minimum opening balance. However, this account does not accept transfers in from other providers.

Halifax 5 Year Fixed Rate ISA comes up close second, if you want the reassurance of a big name while earning a competitive interest rate of 4.65% AER (fixed). Unlike Hodge Bank, Halifax has a much lower minimum opening balance of £500, and accepts transfers. However, Halifax is not well rated by customers on Trustpilot, with a poor score of 1.7.

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 June 2026. Tax treatment depends on your individual circumstances and may be subject to change in the future.

Best 5 Year Fixed Rate ISAs

ProviderInterest rateMinimum depositTrustpilot rating

Hodge Bank

4.71% AER (fixed). Transfers not accepted

£1,000

4.5

Castle Trust Bank

4.71% AER (fixed). Transfers accepted.

£1,000

4.5

Halifax

4.65% AER (fixed). Transfers accepted

£500

1.7

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.

Save with the market-leading Cash Lifetime ISA

With the Tembo Cash Lifetime ISA, you'll earn 4.30% AER (variable) on your savings - that's hundreds more in interest towards your house fund over 5 years vs saving with the closest competitor!

Get started
BulbIcon

Withdrawals from a Lifetime ISA for any purpose other than buying a first home (up to a value of £450,000) or for retirement (60+) incur a 25% government penalty, meaning you may get back less than you paid in.

Learn more

See all

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