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Savings accounts

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Compare savings accounts with MoneySuperMarket

MoneySuperMarket can help you compare several accounts all in one place

  • Browse our providers

    Just click the button below to see a list of all our savings accounts, ordered by highest interest rate. 

  • Filter and sort

    Use our filters to narrow down your options by what’s most important to you, whether it’s interest rate or deposit amount

  • Click through to provider

    When you find the account you want, click straight to the provider to complete your application online today.

What are the different types of savings account?

A savings bank account is a type of deposit account held by a bank, building society or other financial institution. You can put money into your savings account as a lump sum or regularly and you’ll earn interest on your balance. There are different types of account and some have limits on deposits and withdrawals. 

How to choose the best savings account

There are a range of things to consider when thinking about what type of savings account is right for you and your goals:

  • 1

    Match the account to your savings goal

    Setting a savings goal can help you decide which savings account would suit you best. If you’re saving for a new kitchen or a holiday, an easy access account will mean you can get your cash without penalty. For long-term savings, a fixed rate account will usually pay more interest, for example. 

  • 2

    Consider how much you want to save

    How much you’re looking to save will affect which savings account suits you best. Regular savings accounts require you to put away a set amount of money every month. If you don’t make the minimum payment into your account, your account may be closed or your rate falls. ISAs have a £20,000 annual cap on the amount you can save each year. 

  • 3

    What level of access do you need?

    Different savings accounts will have varying rules on withdrawals. Usually, the tighter these rules, the higher the interest rate you’ll earn on your savings. Easy access accounts allow you to withdraw your money whenever you like without incurring a penalty – but they do come with lower interest rates than fixed-rate savings accounts.

  • 4

    Look for features and perks you’ll use

    Savings accounts come with different features. Online banking should make it easy to move money from your current account to a savings account. But are you happy with a web or app account or do you want branch access? Some accounts offer incentives, such as free insurance, rail cards or higher introductory interest rates when you sign up.

What is the best savings interest rate?

Savings rates fluctuate over time depending on several factors. The savings rate you can achieve on your cash will depend on a variety of things, including:

  • The Bank of England base rate. The base rate* is the interest rate the Bank of England charges when it lends money to other UK banks - so it acts as a benchmark for interest rates across the country. Savings providers use this rate as a reference point for what they’ll offer you through a savings account

  • The savings account term. As a general rule, the longer you can tie up your money in a fixed rate savings account, the higher the interest rate you’ll earn. Although with interest rates at historic lows this is not always the case – so check the terms and conditions of different accounts. Some easy access account pay higher initial interest rates than some fixed rates, for example

  • The policy of your savings provider. Some banks and building societies will offer savings rates above the Bank of England base rate to attract new savers. You may be able to take advantage of ‘special offer’ rates, but make a note of when any rates end so you can move to a better paying account 

* At the time of writing (February 2023), the base rate stands at 4%

savings interest rate graph

How many savings accounts can I have?

You can have as many savings accounts as you like and won't negatively affect your credit rating. Having multiple savings accounts has its advantages. It can help you: 

  • Meet your savings goals

    You can lock some money away in accounts with higher interest rates such as fixed rate bonds, perhaps saving for a child or your retirement, while having another pot of savings in an easy access account can be useful for emergencies

  • Take advantage of perks

    Savings accounts might offer incentives such as introductory rates and bonuses or free insurance when you sign-up. While it may not be the first reason to choose a savings account it can be a beneficial added extra

  • Protect your money

    Savings are covered up to £85,000 per person per banking group under the Financial Services Compensation Scheme. If you have a lump sum to save, splitting it between more than one account gives added protection. 

Victoria Russell

Our expert says

"

Putting your money into savings can make it work harder for you than leaving it in a current account. While the returns might not be as high as with investments, most savings come with almost no risk. There are several options from easy access to fixed rate bonds and if you’re prepared to lock your money away for a longer period, you can often secure higher rates of interest.

"
- Victoria Russell, Personal Finance Expert

Reporting savings scams

We’re aware some fraudsters are trying to use the MoneySuperMarket brand to trick consumers into handing over money or financial details, by offering fake ISA and savings products with eye-catching rates. The best way to stop these scams is to report them. 

How do I report an ISA scam?

Check out our tips on how to keep you and your family safe from scams.

Phone Action Fraud on 0300 123 2040 to report fraud

Why compare savings accounts with MoneySuperMarket?

  • It’s quick and easy

    Give us a few minutes to tell us about yourself and what sort of account you'd like. We'll search the market and show you our best accounts in seconds

  • Compare from a range of providers

    We'll track down savings accounts from household-name providers, who are covered by the Financial Services Compensation Scheme. So you can be assured your money is safe

  • Start saving right away

    It only takes a few minutes to open a new savings account. Which means you can start getting better returns on your money right away

Savings accounts are a good place to keep your cash safe and secure – even if interest rates aren’t particularly high. The longer you can lock your money away, in general, the higher the rate you’ll earn on your money. You may be able to find higher interest rates on deposits – for example in some high interest current accounts – but there are typically maximum limits on the money you can earn interest on.

Investing in equities offers the potential to earn higher returns than a savings account – but with stock market investing your initial capital will be at risk (the value of your investment can go up and down), which is not the case in a savings account.

While there is no limit to how much you can save, be aware if you have savings worth more than £85,000 you should not hold them all with the same savings provider. The Financial Services Compensation Scheme (FSCS) will cover you up to £85,000 (for FCA regulated firms) should your savings provider run into difficulties. But this is the maximum amount covered per person per banking group. 

If you’re looking for a savings account that can give you maximum interest, a fixed-term savings account may be your best option. Fixed-term savings accounts generally will offer higher interest rates than easy-access savings accounts, as you’ll be committed to locking away your money for a fixed period, such as one year, two years or three year, for example. With a fixed-term savings account, you’ll be given a fixed interest rate so you know exactly what interest you’ll gain, unlike other savings accounts which offer variable rates.

If you’re just looking to deposit your money somewhere safe, you could keep your savings in your regular current account

If you want to put money away so it can grow, you might also consider investing in stocks and shares ISA rather than keeping it in a savings account. But bear in mind that investing carries higher risk, as there is a chance you could lose money on your investment. 

All UK-regulated savings accounts and cash ISAs offered by banks, building societies and credit unions are covered by the Financial Services Compensation Scheme (FSCS).

This means if your bank collapses and you lose your money, you can claim back up to £85,000 per person, per financial institution. 

Different types of saving accounts can come with different deposit limits. Tax free ISAs have a maximum amount of money you can deposit into your account each year, for example and this can change annually. For other types of savings account, the maximum deposit allowed may vary depending on the provider and the type of account. All UK savers have an amount of savings interest they can earn each tax year free of tax. This is known as the personal savings allowance

The short answer is no. Although it's worth noting that to take advantage of incentivised savings account offers that some banks offer, you'll typically need to undergo a credit check. And that in the event that you apply for multiple bank accounts in a short period, this can have a negative impact on your credit score.

When the Bank of England hikes the base rate, the usual knock-on effect is that banks and building societies increase interest rates on savings accounts.

However, in practice most banks have recently been slow to pass on increases to their customers. So while at the time of writing (February 2023), the base rate stands at 4%, some high-street banks are still paying as little as 0.5% on some instant-access 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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