Compare the best cash ISAs which could help you earn returns as interest on money you save. Check for ISA interest rates that beat both inflation and the recently updated Bank of England base rate so you know the money you save really is growing.
| Best Cash ISAs | Description | Rate | Rate vs Current Inflation (3.3%) |
Rate vs Bank of England Base (3.75%) |
Transfers In and Out | Security | Get Account |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
 Nationwide |
Earn 4.35% fixed interest for 12 months; No withdrawals allowed (account will close). | 4.35% | 1.05% | 0.60% |  |
FSCS protection up to £120,000. FCA regulated. | Open Account |
| Choose between 1, 2, 3 or 5-year fixed rate cash ISAs. The best rate of 4.35% is available on the 1-year fixed ISA (2-year pays 4.40%, 3 and 5-year pay 4.50%). Early access closes the ISA and charges 60 days’ interest. At maturity, funds move to an instant access ISA. 18+ UK residents only. | |||||||
 Moneyfarm |
Flexi-access Cash ISA with 4.32% boosted rate (3.80% standard + 0.52% boost) for year one; up to 3 withdrawals per year. | 4.32% | 1.02% | 0.57% | |
FSCS protection up to £120,000. FCA regulated. | Open Account |
| Boosted rate of 4.32% applies for year one (new customers, minimum £500, max 3 withdrawals per year). Standard rate 3.80%, drops to 3.50% after year one. Daily interest, flexible transfers. 18+ UK residents. | |||||||
 Plum |
Earn 4.31% with a base rate plus a 1.77% 12-month bonus. | 4.31% | 1.01% | 0.56% | |
FSCS protection up to £120,000. Split between Lloyds Bank and Citibank. | Open Account |
| The Plum Cash ISA rate of 4.31% includes a 1.77% bonus fixed for 12 months. Minimum £1 deposit, with rate penalties if balance falls below £100. Withdrawals limited to 3 in any 12-month period. 18+ UK residents only. | |||||||
 Post Office |
1-year Fixed Rate ISA currently paying 4.30%. | 4.30% | 1.00% | 0.55% | |
FSCS protection up to £120,000. FCA regulated. | Create Account |
| 1-year fixed ISA with minimum £500 deposit. Transfers accepted. 18+ UK residents only. | |||||||
 Paragon Bank |
14-month fixed Cash ISA with a rate of 4.30%. | 4.30% | 1.00% | 0.55% | |
FSCS protection up to £120,000. FCA regulated. | Create Account |
| 14-month fixed-rate ISA; accepts transfers in. Limited access during the fixed term. 18+ UK residents only. | |||||||
 Virgin Money |
Virgin Money’s 1-year Fixed E-ISA offers a rate of 4.22%. | 4.22% | 0.92% | 0.47% | |
FSCS protection up to £120,000. Online and app access. | Create Account |
| Fixed for 1 year; early withdrawals charge the equivalent of 60 days’ interest. 18+ UK residents only. | |||||||
 Moneybox |
Earn 4.00% with a 0.55% bonus for the first 12 months; limited to 3 withdrawals per year. | 4.00% | 0.70% | 0.25% | |
FSCS protection up to £120,000. FCA regulated. | Open Account |
| Minimum £500 opening deposit. Includes a 0.55% bonus for 12 months, after which the rate drops to 3.45%. 3 withdrawals allowed per 12 months. 18+ UK residents only. | |||||||
 Trading212 |
Easy-access Cash ISA with a rate of 3.60% and daily interest; rate tracks the BoE base rate. | 3.60% | 0.30% | -0.15% | |
FSCS protection up to £120,000. FCA regulated. | Open Account |
| Standard rate tracks the BoE base rate minus 0.15%. Open in minutes with £1 minimum deposit. Supports multiple currencies. 18+ UK residents. | |||||||
 Chip |
Easy-access Cash ISA offering 3.55% variable rate tracking the BoE base rate. | 3.55% | 0.25% | -0.20% | |
FSCS protection up to £120,000 via ClearBank. | Create Account |
| Variable rate tracker (BoE base rate minus a set margin). Rate adjusts when BoE rate changes. Easy access with no ISA penalty on withdrawals. 18+ UK residents only. | |||||||
Updated on 22/04/2026
Cash ISAs are a fantastic way to save money for a short term period and earn a consistent interest rate on your balance.
What should you consider when choosing a cash ISA?
Consider what you value most before you choose a cash ISA product to save into. Here are some of the most important considerations when choosing a savings product:
Cash ISAs can be the perfect option if:
- you want a guaranteed rate of return on your savings
- you need access to your money (although some accounts are “fixed” or limit withdrawals)
- you have a savings balance of up to £20,000 to save
- you haven’t yet used your £20,000 ISA allowance this financial year (2025 – 26 financial year 06th April 2025 – 05th April 2026).
You may prefer an alternative product type, like an investment account or stocks and shares ISA if:
- you’re willing to risk short to medium term losses for longer term growth
- you’re unlikely to need the money soon
- you’ve already used your ISA allowance but have more money to save or invest (a general investment account could work here)
- you’re looking for greater returns than cash ISAs can offer
- you’ve already paid your entire £20,000 allowance into either a cash ISA or a stocks and shares ISA this financial year.
It isn’t just about getting the best cash ISA savings rate but also about:
- access to withdraw your money when you need to
- how you can use, pay into, withdraw from and manage your account (online has largely replaced in-branch account options).
- beating the rate of inflation (if you can) because inflation erodes the value of your money if you’re saving at or below this rate you’re technically losing money
- the base rate of interest, if you have a tracker mortgage or are borrowing money, you may be better off putting the money towards paying down your debts.
Cash ISAs Compared
Generally, cash ISA savings products are designed to help you earn interest on the money you deposit while offering access to the money you have saved when you need it.
Cash ISAs that allow unrestricted access to your money are called easy access or instant access ISAs.
Other types of cash ISA can reward you, often with higher interest rates (and therefore better returns on the balance you deposit, but not always!), when you agree to lock your money away for fixed period of time.
These types of ISAs are called fixed rate cash ISAs.
Popular terms available for fixed rate cash ISAs include:
| Term | Interest Rate | Number of Years |
|---|---|---|
| 1 year | 4.30% | Money locked away for 1 year |
| 2 years | 4.50% | Money locked away for 2 years |
| 3 years | 4.75% | Money locked away for 3 years |
| 5 years | 5.00% | Money locked away for 5 years |
For example, if you’re solely interested in earning the best interest rate and don’t need the money for at least 12 months, you can factor in fixed rate cash ISA savings into your comparison.
Sometimes, the rate of return you’ll get for locking money away can be higher if you agree to a longer term of no or restricted access to your deposit.
Our table, for example purposes only, details how a provider might incentivise longer fixed term cash ISA deposits with higher rates for longer terms.
If you may need the money soon, then choosing an account which doesn’t limit your withdrawals and doesn’t issue interest penalties for making a withdrawal would best suit you.
How to use our Cash ISA comparison table
We’ve picked some of the best ISA providers who offer Cash ISA savings options and consolidated details of their products into our table.
We’ve included essential details like:
- the interest rate you can earn on your money
- the current rate of inflation (which is the rate at which your savings are eroded by continually rising prices)
- the Bank of England base rate of interest (which can affect the cost of borrowing, like your mortgage or loans)
- Security, FCA (Financial Conduct Authority) and FSCS (Financial Services Compensation Scheme) regulation and protections
- Minimum account deposits, withdrawal limits, access types and any other information
The Bank of England dropped the base rate of borrowing from 4.00% to 3.75% on Monday 22nd December 2025.
The Best ISA Rate?
Right now, the best cash ISA rate account is provided by Nationwide a long established Building Society.
The Nationwide are offering some great rates, which can be even better if you’re will to lock your savings away in a fixed rate ISA.
- 5 year fixed rate cash ISA – 4.50% AER
- 3 year fixed rate cash ISA – 4.50% AER
- 2 year fixed rate cash ISA – 4.40% AER
- 1 year fixed rate cash ISA – 4.35% AER
These interest rates are available online or in branch, which is good news for those who prefer to handle their savings in person and like to visit a local branch.
Nationwide are part of the Financial Services Compensation Scheme, meaning your deposits are protected up to £120,000. If you exceed this, your money could be at risk if Nationwide go bust.
| Best Cash ISAs | Rate | Rate vs Current Inflation (3.3%) |
Rate vs Bank of England Base (3.75%) |
Get Account |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Nationwide |
4.35% | 1.05% (3.3%) |
0.60% (3.75%) |
Open Account |
Moneyfarm |
4.32% | 1.02% (3.3%) |
0.57% (3.75%) |
Open Account |
 Plum |
4.31% | 1.01% (3.3%) |
0.56% (3.75%) |
Open Account |
Post Office |
4.30% | 1.00% (3.3%) |
0.55% (3.75%) |
Create Account |
Paragon Bank |
4.30% | 1.00% (3.3%) |
0.55% (3.75%) |
Create Account |
Virgin Money |
4.22% | 0.92% (3.3%) |
0.47% (3.75%) |
Create Account |
Moneybox |
4.00% | 0.70% (3.3%) |
0.25% (3.75%) |
Open Account |
Trading212 |
3.60% | 0.30% (3.3%) |
-0.15% (3.75%) |
Open Account |
Chip |
3.55% | 0.25% (3.3%) |
-0.20% (3.75%) |
Create Account |
Rise of the Fixed Rate ISAs?
As the Bank of England lowers the base rate of interest, fixed rate ISAs can become a better option. A fixed rate of interest means your returns are protected from further interest rate drops.
Larger and more well-established banking organisations can offer competitive interest rates on fixed term ISAs so they can be worth considering, even though they are are less convenient.
As interest rates decline, more immediate and instant access ISA savings products tend to drop their rates faster and further because of the ease of withdrawals.
Fixed rate ISA accounts are great, if you can guarantee you won’t need the money for the term.
You’ll need to weigh up how much being able to access your money is worth to you in missed interest.
As rates drop, consider switching to the best easy access ISA rate to help ensure you maximise your savings returns.
Other ISA Facts
Remember:
- you must be a UK resident to open an ISA
- you’ll need to prove your identity
- you’ll need to provide your National Insurance Number
- you have a maximum of £20,000 to contribute to an ISA each financial year
- FSCS protections are limited up to £120,000 as of December 1st 2025 but can be shared between banks, check the details of your new account provider carefully if you’re:
- exceeding £120,000
- you already have deposits invested in another account with them
- they share a banking licence with another provider or bank
Cash ISA FAQs
Where are the high street banks in your comparison table?
We don’t tend to include ISA rates from high street banks like Lloyds or Halifax because their rates are simply just too low.
For example, the Nationwide Fixed Rate Cash ISA pays 4.00% and applies interest rate penalties if you withdraw your money early before the fixed term ends.
The best Lloyds cash ISA rate is a fixed deal at 3.25%.