Interest rate
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Our best cash ISA rates
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What is a cash ISA?
A cash ISA is a savings account where the interest you earn is tax-free.
In the 2026/27 tax year, you can save up to £20,000 across your ISAs. You can put the full allowance into a cash ISA or split it between different types of ISA.
You can also open and pay into multiple ISAs in the same tax year, as long as your total contributions stay within your annual ISA allowance. Interest you earn doesn’t count towards the allowance – only the money you pay in.
Your ISA allowance resets at the start of each tax year, and any unused allowance can’t be carried over.
🚩 Cash ISA rules are changing from April 2027: the government has announced that the annual Cash ISA limit will fall to £12,000 for people under 65. Those aged 65 and over will continue to have a £20,000 Cash ISA limit, while the overall ISA allowance will remain £20,000.
How do cash ISAs work?
Cash ISAs work in much the same way as ordinary savings accounts. Depending on the account you choose, you might get easy access to your money or agree to leave it untouched for a fixed period in return for a fixed rate.
Eligible savings held with a UK-authorised bank, building society or credit union are protected by the Financial Services Compensation Scheme (FSCS), generally up to £120,000 per eligible person, per authorised firm.
You can split your annual allowance between different types of ISA, including cash ISAs, stocks and shares ISAs, or Lifetime ISAs.
What to consider before opening a Cash ISA
If you don't use your full ISA allowance, you'll lose it
ISA allowances don't roll over from one tax year to the next.
For example, if you paid £5,000 into ISAs last tax year, you don't get to add the unused £15,000 to this year's allowance. You simply get the standard allowance for the new tax year.
Using an ISA can be particularly useful if you expect to pay tax on interest earned outside an ISA.
You can open multiple cash ISAs
You can open and pay into more than one cash ISA during the same tax year.
For example, you could pay into:
an easy access cash ISA and a fixed rate cash ISA
cash ISAs with two different providers
Just remember that all your ISA contributions count towards your overall annual allowance.
If you want to transfer your ISA, don't simply withdraw the money
If you want to move ISA savings to another provider while keeping their tax-free status, use the official ISA transfer process.
Contact the new provider and ask them to arrange the transfer. Check the new account's terms first, as some ISAs don't accept transfers in.
If your cash ISA is flexible, you can replace withdrawals without using up more allowance
With a flexible ISA, you can usually withdraw money and replace it within the same tax year without the replacement using more of your current year's ISA allowance.
If your ISA isn't flexible, money you pay back in will normally count as a new contribution. Check your provider's terms before making a withdrawal.
Compare Cash ISA rates with ordinary savings rates
A Cash ISA gives you tax-free interest, but it won't always offer the highest headline savings rate.
Whether an ISA is worthwhile can depend on the rates available and how much interest you're already earning outside an ISA. If your non-ISA savings interest could exceed your Personal Savings Allowance, the tax-free benefit of a Cash ISA may become more valuable.
Fixed rate accounts can restrict access to your money
Cash ISAs don't usually charge regular account fees, but fixed rate ISAs may impose an interest penalty or other restriction if you withdraw or transfer your money before the fixed term ends.
Check the account terms carefully before locking your money away.
What are the different types of cash ISAs?
There is a wide range of different types of cash ISA available. See which might suit you best:
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Easy access ISA
An easy access Cash ISA lets you withdraw your money when you need it, although individual accounts may have restrictions on the number or type of withdrawals you can make. Interest rates are usually variable, meaning they can rise or fall.
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Regular saver ISA
A regular saver Cash ISA is designed for people who want to pay in money regularly, often subject to a monthly maximum. These accounts can offer competitive rates, but check the deposit and withdrawal rules before applying.
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Junior ISA
Children can save into their own Junior ISA – or JISA – up to the age of 18. The annual maximum savings limit is £9,000. The money is locked away until the child reaches the age of 18.
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Fixed rate ISA
A fixed rate cash ISA pays a set interest rate for an agreed period, often one or more years. It could suit you if you don't need immediate access to your savings, but early withdrawals or transfers may result in a penalty.
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Lifetime ISA
A Lifetime ISA is a UK government scheme allowing individuals under 40 to save for a first home or retirement, offering a 25% bonus on contributions up to £4,000 annually.
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Notice ISA
A notice ISA is a type of savings account where withdrawals require advance notice, typically 30 to 180 days. It offers tax-free interest on savings, providing flexibility with higher interest rates than standard accounts.
What are the pros and cons of cash ISAs?
Saving with a tax-free cash ISA has advantages and disadvantages. Here are some of the main things to consider:
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Pros:
Tax-free interest: you won't pay Income Tax on interest earned within the ISA.
Choice of accounts: options include easy access, fixed rate and notice accounts.
Useful for larger savings pots: particularly if you're already using some or all of your Personal Savings Allowance.
FSCS protection: eligible deposits are generally protected up to £120,000 per eligible person, per authorised firm.
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Cons:
Annual contribution limits: how much you can pay into ISAs each tax year is restricted.
The best rate may be elsewhere: ordinary savings accounts can sometimes offer higher headline rates.
Access can be restricted: fixed rate and notice ISAs may penalise or delay withdrawals.
Variable rates can fall: the return on a variable-rate ISA can change over time.
How to choose the best cash ISA
The right Cash ISA depends on when you might need your money and the return you're looking for. An easy access ISA could suit you if flexibility matters. A fixed rate ISA may offer greater certainty over your return, but you'll usually have less freedom to withdraw your money. Other things to consider include:
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Customer service
You can check ISA providers’ customer service score on TrustPilot. It’s a good idea to ensure the customer helplines’ opening hours suit you, too.
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Access to your money
Check how and when you can make withdrawals. Some accounts offer unrestricted access, while others require notice or apply penalties.
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Eligibility and account management
Some accounts may only be available to certain customers or require you to open and manage them online or through an app.
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Minimum and maximum deposits
Check how much you need to open the account and whether there is a limit on how much the provider will accept.
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Bonuses and introductory rates
Some accounts offer a temporary bonus rate. Check when it ends and what rate you'll receive afterwards.
Got a savings goal in mind? Use our calculator to help you get there
Whether it's working out how much you need to save towards a near-term goal, or figuring out how much interest you'll earn, our savings interest calculator can help you meet your savings goals.
Cash or investment ISA?
Choosing between a Cash ISA and an investment ISA depends largely on your goals, timeframe and attitude to risk.
With a Cash ISA, your money isn't exposed to stock-market movements and the interest you earn is tax-free.
A stocks and shares ISA offers the potential for higher long-term returns, but the value of your investments can rise and fall.
If you invest, you could get back less than you put in.
If you're likely to need the money in the short term or don't want to take investment risk, cash may be more appropriate. Investing is generally better suited to longer-term goals where you're comfortable with fluctuations in value.
How do I access or withdraw my money?
How you access your money depends on the Cash ISA you choose. Depending on the provider, you may be able to make withdrawals online, through an app, over the phone or in a branch.
You can withdraw money from an ISA without the interest already earned losing its tax-free status. However, your account may have withdrawal limits, notice periods or penalties, so check its terms first.
If your ISA is flexible, you can generally withdraw money and replace it within the same tax year without the replacement reducing your remaining allowance.
Our expert says…
Is a cash ISA right for me?
Cash ISAs offer a safe home for your savings along with tax-free returns. And in the wake of changes to ISA rules that let you open multiple cash ISAs in a single year, they’re now much more flexible than they used to be, too. This makes them a sound choice for anyone who doesn’t want to take the risk of investment.
You also have a choice of cash ISAs depending on how long you’re prepared to tie up your money. our top-paying one-year ISA offering a very appealing rate of 4.60%
^ , but generally the longer you can lock your money away, the greater the return.
Kara Gammell Personal Finance & Insurance Expert
How to compare cash ISA accounts with MoneySuperMarket
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Browse our providers
Use the button below to browse the Junior stocks and shares ISA providers available through MoneySuperMarket.
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Compare and choose
Compare accounts from participating Junior ISA providers, including their investment options, fees and other key features.
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Click through to provider
When you find a Junior ISA that suits your needs, click through to the provider to find out more and apply.
What are the alternatives to cash ISAs?
If a cash ISA account isn’t right for you, consider one of these options:
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Regular saver account
You’ll usually have to save a minimum amount each month, such as £150, to earn the agreed interest rate. But rates tend to be high and you could soon build up a lump sum
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Fixed rate bonds
A fixed rate savings bond could offer higher returns than an easy access account, but you’ll have to lock your money away for a period, often between one and 5 years
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Easy access saver
Easy access savers are a simple way to start saving money, often from as little as £1, and don't penalise you for withdrawing money
More savings guides
Reporting ISA scams
We’re aware that some fraudsters are trying to use the MoneySuperMarket brand to trick consumers into handing over money or financial details, by offering fake ISA products with eye-catching rates.
The best way to stop these scams is to report them.
How do I report an ISA scam?
If you think you’ve been contacted by a fraudster, please stop all communication with them and report it to Action Fraud.
If it’s someone impersonating MoneySuperMarket, please contact our customer services team.
Check out our tips on how to keep you and your family safe from scams.
Comparing savings accounts
You can compare savings accounts using a number of factors. These include the interest rates they offer as well as how long the rate will last, the amount you might need to deposit in order to open the account, and how you can access the account. Once you’ve decided which account you want, simply click through and you’ll be taken to the provider’s website.
Not sure what type of account to go for? Our Savings Decision Tree can help you decide.
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Reviewed on 14 Aug 2026 by
Accurate as of 13 August 2026.
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Accurate as of 13 August 2026.
