Best Cash ISA Rates UK - October 2026
A Cash ISA lets you save up to £20,000 this tax year completely free of UK income tax. With top fixed rates at 5.25% and the Cash ISA allowance dropping to £12,000 for under 65s from April 2027, choosing the right account, and opening it before the rules change, has never mattered more.
Every rate on this page is checked against the provider's own page. We show you the rate, the access terms and the catch.
Top Cash ISA rates right now
Updated 13 October 2026.
William, MoneyHQ deal editor: Fixed rates are currently beating easy access for the first time in a while. If you have cash you genuinely will not need for a year or two, locking in now before April 2027 is worth considering.
| Provider | Rate | Type | Minimum | Catch | Apply |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Shawbrook | 5.25% AER | Fixed for 5 years | £1,000 | Leaving early costs 360 days' interest. Ask for any transfer in when you apply. | Apply |
| Tandem Bank | 5.13% AER | Fixed for 5 years | No minimum | App only. Leaving early costs 365 days' interest. | Apply |
| Castle Trust Bank | 5.12% AER | Fixed for 5 years | £1,000 | Online only. Interest is paid when the fix ends, and leaving early costs 360 days' interest. | Apply |
| Tandem Bank | 5.08% AER | Fixed for 2 years | No minimum | App only, fund within 14 days. To get money out early you close the whole account. | Apply |
| Close Brothers Savings | 5.07% AER | Fixed for 2 years | £10,000 | Your full deposit or transfer instruction has to arrive within 10 days, and taking money out early means closing the account. | Apply |
| Shawbrook | 5.06% AER | Fixed for 2 years | £10,000 | New customers only, with a £10,000 minimum. Ask for any transfer in when you apply. | Apply |
| Castle Trust Bank | 5.04% AER | Fixed for 2 years | £1,000 | Online only. Leaving early costs 180 days' interest. | Apply |
| Skipton Building Society | 5.00% AER | Fixed for 5 years | £1 | Money must arrive by 11 November 2026. No partial withdrawals, and it rolls into a 1-year fix at maturity unless you say otherwise. | Apply |
| Shawbrook | 4.97% AER | Fixed for 1 year | £10,000 | New customers only, with a £10,000 minimum. Ask for any transfer in when you apply. | Apply |
| Castle Trust Bank | 4.95% AER | Fixed for 1 year | £1,000 | Fund it within 14 days of opening. Interest is paid when the fix ends. | Apply |
| Hodge Bank | 4.92% AER | Fixed for 1 year | £1,000 | No ISA transfers in, £1,000 minimum paid in within 14 days, and leaving early means withdrawing the whole balance and paying 90 days' interest. | Apply |
| Zopa | 4.87% AER | Fixed for 1 year | £1 | Breaking the fix early closes the pot and costs 90 days' interest, you can only pay in during the first 30 days, and it is not a flexible ISA. | Apply |
| Tandem Bank | 4.85% AER | Fixed for 1 year | No minimum | App only. Leaving early means closing the account. | Apply |
| Vida Bank | 4.80% AER | Fixed for 1 year | £1,000 | Fixed for one year: taking money out early costs 90 days' interest on the amount withdrawn. | Apply |
| Santander | 4.80% AER | Fixed for 2 years | £500 | One Santander Cash ISA per tax year. The AER assumes money is paid in by 1 November 2026. | Apply |
| Virgin Money | 4.77% AER | Fixed for 1 year | £1 | One Virgin Money Cash ISA per tax year, and its FSCS limit is shared with Nationwide. | Apply |
| Nationwide | 4.70% AER | Fixed for 5 years | £1 | Getting money out early means closing the ISA and paying 300 days' interest, you cannot top it up after opening, and new Nationwide customers must apply in branch. | Apply |
| Chip | 4.60% AER | Easy access, variable | Not stated | The boost lasts 12 months and is for new Chip customers. Closing or transferring out loses interest not yet paid that month. | Apply |
| Nationwide | 4.55% AER | Fixed for 2 years | £1 | Getting money out early means closing the ISA and paying 120 days' interest, you cannot top it up after opening, and new Nationwide customers must apply in branch. | Apply |
| Moneybox | 4.53% AER | Easy access, variable | £500 | Four or more withdrawals in any 12 months from opening, or a balance under £500, drop the rate to 0.75% AER and lose the bonus. | Apply |
| Paragon | 4.40% AER | Fixed for 1 year | £500 | Early withdrawal costs 90 days’ interest | Apply |
| NS&I | 3.80% AER | Easy access, variable | £1 | Not a flexible ISA, you cannot transfer other ISAs into it, and the rate sits well below the best cash ISAs. | Apply |
Sorted by rate, highest first. These are the 22 Cash ISAs we track.
Best easy access Cash ISA rates
Easy access Cash ISAs let you withdraw your money whenever you need it without losing your tax-free status. They suit savers who want flexibility, an emergency fund, a house deposit you might need quickly, or money you are not ready to lock away for a prolonged period.
The catch with most easy access Cash ISAs is a bonus rate, an introductory uplift that drops after 6-12 months. Always set a calendar reminder to switch when the bonus expires.
| Provider | Rate | Type | Minimum | Catch | Apply |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Chip | 4.60% AER | Easy access, variable | Not stated | The boost lasts 12 months and is for new Chip customers. Closing or transferring out loses interest not yet paid that month. | Apply |
| Moneybox | 4.53% AER | Easy access, variable | £500 | Four or more withdrawals in any 12 months from opening, or a balance under £500, drop the rate to 0.75% AER and lose the bonus. | Apply |
| NS&I | 3.80% AER | Easy access, variable | £1 | Not a flexible ISA, you cannot transfer other ISAs into it, and the rate sits well below the best cash ISAs. | Apply |
The top picks right now:
Chip Smart Cash ISA: 4.60% AER variable
Currently the best easy access rate we track, with an underlying 3.50% variable rate and a 12mth 1.10% bonus for new Chip customers, however you will lose any interest not yet paid if you close the account or transfer out.
Moneybox Cash ISA: 4.53% AER variable
Second best easy access Cash ISA rate we track. Includes a 1.08% bonus for 12 months, drops to 3.45% after.
Up to 3 withdrawals per year without your rate being affected, the fourth withdrawal drops your rate significantly. Minimum £500. Transfers in accepted.
Best fixed rate Cash ISA rates
Fixed rate Cash ISAs lock your money away for a set term in exchange for a guaranteed rate that will not change regardless of what happens to interest rates. They suit savers who will not need the money during the term and want certainty.
The catch: withdrawing early usually costs you a penalty of 60 to 365 days' interest on the fixes we track. Only fix money you are certain you will not need.
Best 1-year fixed Cash ISA rates
A one-year fixed Cash ISA locks your money away for 12 months in exchange for a guaranteed rate that will not change. Best for savers who want certainty and will not need the money until maturity.
The catch: withdrawing early costs you 90 days interest on most accounts. Only fix money you are certain you will not need.
| Provider | Rate | Type | Minimum | Catch | Apply |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Shawbrook | 4.97% AER | Fixed for 1 year | £10,000 | New customers only, with a £10,000 minimum. Ask for any transfer in when you apply. | Apply |
| Castle Trust Bank | 4.95% AER | Fixed for 1 year | £1,000 | Fund it within 14 days of opening. Interest is paid when the fix ends. | Apply |
| Hodge Bank | 4.92% AER | Fixed for 1 year | £1,000 | No ISA transfers in, £1,000 minimum paid in within 14 days, and leaving early means withdrawing the whole balance and paying 90 days' interest. | Apply |
| Zopa | 4.87% AER | Fixed for 1 year | £1 | Breaking the fix early closes the pot and costs 90 days' interest, you can only pay in during the first 30 days, and it is not a flexible ISA. | Apply |
| Tandem Bank | 4.85% AER | Fixed for 1 year | No minimum | App only. Leaving early means closing the account. | Apply |
| Vida Bank | 4.80% AER | Fixed for 1 year | £1,000 | Fixed for one year: taking money out early costs 90 days' interest on the amount withdrawn. | Apply |
| Virgin Money | 4.77% AER | Fixed for 1 year | £1 | One Virgin Money Cash ISA per tax year, and its FSCS limit is shared with Nationwide. | Apply |
| Paragon | 4.40% AER | Fixed for 1 year | £500 | Early withdrawal costs 90 days’ interest | Apply |
The top picks right now, confirmed 13 October 2026:
🥇 Shawbrook Bank: 4.97% AER fixed
Best 1-year fixed Cash ISA rate available right now. Minimum £10,000, higher than most so best for larger savings pots. New customers only. Transfers in accepted at application. 90 days interest penalty to withdraw early. Monthly or annual interest, your choice.
🥈 Castle Trust Bank: 4.95% AER fixed
Second best 1-year fixed rate. Much lower minimum at £1,000. Transfers in accepted at application. 90 days interest penalty. Interest paid at maturity only. Open online or via app.
🥉 Hodge Bank: 4.92% AER fixed
Third best 1-year fixed rate. Minimum £1,000. Does not accept ISA transfers in. 90 days interest penalty. Monthly or maturity interest available.
Virgin Money: 4.77% AER fixed
Lower rate but minimum just £1. Transfers in accepted. Shorter 60 days interest penalty, lower than most providers. Monthly or annual interest, annual paid on 5 August. Matures 24 October 2027.
Best 2-year fixed Cash ISA rates
A two-year fixed Cash ISA offers a higher rate than 1-year fixes in exchange for locking your money away for longer. With the Cash ISA allowance dropping to £12,000 from April 2027, locking in your full £20,000 now at a guaranteed rate for 2 years makes the most of this year's allowance, and the new rules will not affect money already saved.
The catch: 2-year fixes charge 90 to 180 days' interest as an early withdrawal penalty on the fixes we track. That can be up to 6 months of interest. Only fix money you are genuinely certain you will not need before maturity.
| Provider | Rate | Type | Minimum | Catch | Apply |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tandem Bank | 5.08% AER | Fixed for 2 years | No minimum | App only, fund within 14 days. To get money out early you close the whole account. | Apply |
| Close Brothers Savings | 5.07% AER | Fixed for 2 years | £10,000 | Your full deposit or transfer instruction has to arrive within 10 days, and taking money out early means closing the account. | Apply |
| Shawbrook | 5.06% AER | Fixed for 2 years | £10,000 | New customers only, with a £10,000 minimum. Ask for any transfer in when you apply. | Apply |
| Castle Trust Bank | 5.04% AER | Fixed for 2 years | £1,000 | Online only. Leaving early costs 180 days' interest. | Apply |
| Santander | 4.80% AER | Fixed for 2 years | £500 | One Santander Cash ISA per tax year. The AER assumes money is paid in by 1 November 2026. | Apply |
| Nationwide | 4.55% AER | Fixed for 2 years | £1 | Getting money out early means closing the ISA and paying 120 days' interest, you cannot top it up after opening, and new Nationwide customers must apply in branch. | Apply |
The top picks right now on 13 October 2026:
🥇 Tandem Bank: 5.08% AER fixed
Best 2-year fixed Cash ISA rate available. No minimum deposit. Transfers in accepted. 180 days interest penalty to withdraw early. Interest paid monthly. Open via app only.
🥈 Close Brothers: 5.07% AER fixed
Second best 2-year fixed rate. Minimum £10,000. Transfers in accepted. 150 days interest penalty. Interest paid annually and at maturity.
🥉 Shawbrook Bank: 5.06% AER fixed
Third best 2-year fixed rate. New customers only. Minimum £10,000, higher minimum than most, best suited to larger savings pots. Transfers in accepted at application. 90 days interest penalty. Monthly or annual interest options.
Big name option: Santander, 4.80% AER fixed
Minimum £500. Transfers in accepted. 120 days interest penalty. Open online, in the app or in branch. Interest paid yearly and at maturity, 1 November 2028.
Best 5-year fixed Cash ISA rates
A five-year fixed Cash ISA offers the highest available rates right now, with the best paying 5.25% AER. Best for savers who want to lock in a top rate for the long term and are confident they will not need the money before maturity.
The catch: 5-year fixes carry the heaviest withdrawal penalties, typically 360 to 365 days of interest. That is a full year of interest lost on early withdrawal. Only consider a 5-year fix if you are certain you will not need the money.
| Provider | Rate | Type | Minimum | Catch | Apply |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Shawbrook | 5.25% AER | Fixed for 5 years | £1,000 | Leaving early costs 360 days' interest. Ask for any transfer in when you apply. | Apply |
| Tandem Bank | 5.13% AER | Fixed for 5 years | No minimum | App only. Leaving early costs 365 days' interest. | Apply |
| Castle Trust Bank | 5.12% AER | Fixed for 5 years | £1,000 | Online only. Interest is paid when the fix ends, and leaving early costs 360 days' interest. | Apply |
| Skipton Building Society | 5.00% AER | Fixed for 5 years | £1 | Money must arrive by 11 November 2026. No partial withdrawals, and it rolls into a 1-year fix at maturity unless you say otherwise. | Apply |
| Nationwide | 4.70% AER | Fixed for 5 years | £1 | Getting money out early means closing the ISA and paying 300 days' interest, you cannot top it up after opening, and new Nationwide customers must apply in branch. | Apply |
The top picks right now, confirmed 13 October 2026:
🥇 Shawbrook Bank: 5.25% AER fixed
Best fixed rate Cash ISA of any term available right now. Minimum £1,000. Transfers in accepted at application. 360 days interest penalty for withdrawing. Monthly or annual interest options available.
🥈 Tandem Bank: 5.13% AER fixed
Second best 5-year fixed rate. No minimum deposit. Transfers in accepted. 365 days interest penalty. Interest paid monthly. Open via app only.
🥉 Castle Trust Bank: 5.12% AER fixed
Third best 5-year fixed rate. Minimum £1,000. Transfers in accepted at application. 360 days interest penalty. Interest at maturity only. Open online or via app.
Big name option: Skipton Building Society, 5.00% AER fixed
Minimum just £1. Transfers in accepted. 365 days interest penalty. Widest range of opening options: online, app, post, branch or phone. Monthly or annual interest available.
Payments and transfers in must arrive by 11 November 2026, and at maturity it rolls into a new 1-year fixed Cash ISA unless you tell Skipton otherwise.
Cash ISA or savings account: which is right for you?
The answer depends on how much interest you earn and how you are taxed, not simply which account pays the higher headline rate.
Your Personal Savings Allowance:
Most UK taxpayers get a Personal Savings Allowance, a tax-free amount of savings interest each year before income tax applies.
- Basic rate taxpayers (20%) get £1,000 tax free interest per year
- Higher rate taxpayers (40%) get £500 tax free interest per year
- Additional rate taxpayers (45%) get no Personal Savings Allowance at all
If your other income is low, the starting rate for savings can let you earn up to £5,000 more interest tax-free; it is used up once your other income reaches £17,570. From 6 April 2027, tax on savings interest above these allowances rises to 22%, 42% and 47%.
When a Cash ISA beats a savings account:
- You are a higher or additional rate taxpayer with significant savings
- Your interest earnings exceed your Personal Savings Allowance
- You want to protect future interest from tax as rates potentially rise
- You want your savings to stay tax free: money inside an ISA stays tax free for as long as it stays in an ISA
When a savings account might beat a Cash ISA:
- You are a basic rate taxpayer with smaller savings unlikely to exceed £1,000 interest per year
- The savings account rate is significantly higher than the best Cash ISA rate
- You need maximum flexibility, some Cash ISAs limit withdrawals
Check exactly how much tax you pay on your current savings using MoneyHQ's free tax on savings checker.
Cash ISA rules: what you need to know
The annual allowance:
You can save up to £20,000 in a Cash ISA in the current 2026 to 2027 tax year. This is your ISA allowance, a limit that resets every 6 April. Any allowance you don't use by 5 April is lost, it can't be carried forward.
Major change coming April 2027:
The Cash ISA allowance is dropping from £20,000 to £12,000 for under 65s from 6 April 2027. If you are 65 or over, or turn 65 during the tax year, you keep the full £20,000 allowance. The remaining £8,000 can go into a Stocks and Shares ISA or other ISA type.
Under 65s will also no longer be able to transfer from a Stocks and Shares ISA into a Cash ISA, and interest paid on cash held inside a Stocks and Shares ISA will carry a 22% charge.
This makes using as much of this year's full £20,000 Cash ISA allowance as possible, before April 2027, a genuinely important financial decision for anyone saving more than £12,000 a year.
Check how much of your 2026 to 2027 ISA allowance you have left using MoneyHQ's free ISA allowance tracker.
More than one Cash ISA per tax year:
Since April 2024 you can pay into more than one Cash ISA in the same tax year, as long as the total stays within your £20,000 allowance. You can hold multiple Cash ISAs from previous years, and money already saved keeps its tax-free status. Some providers, including Santander, Virgin Money and Hodge, only let you pay into one of their own Cash ISAs each tax year.
Flexible vs non-flexible Cash ISAs:
A flexible Cash ISA lets you withdraw money and replace it in the same tax year without it counting against your allowance again, as long as it goes back into the same account. A standard Cash ISA does not, once withdrawn, that allowance is gone for that tax year. Always check whether an ISA is flexible before withdrawing.
How Cash ISA transfers work:
You can transfer an existing Cash ISA to a new provider without losing your tax-free status. This is called an ISA transfer and must be done through the new provider, never withdraw and redeposit, as this loses the tax-free wrapper. Most providers accept transfers in, always check before opening.
How to open a Cash ISA
- Check how much ISA allowance you have left. Use MoneyHQ's ISA allowance tracker to see exactly how much of the £20,000 you have already used this tax year.
- Decide on easy access or fixed. If you need flexibility, choose easy access. If you are certain you will not need the money for 1 or 2 years, a fixed rate will almost certainly pay more right now.
- Compare rates at MoneyHQ. Use the tables above or go to MoneyHQ.uk/savings to compare every Cash ISA we track. Filter by type, rate and access to find the right fit.
- Check the catch. Every account on MoneyHQ shows the catch next to the rate: bonus rate expiry, withdrawal limits, minimum deposits. Read it before applying.
- Apply directly with the provider. Most Cash ISAs open in minutes online or via an app. Have your National Insurance number ready, you will need it for any ISA application.
How we check Cash ISA rates
MoneyHQ checks Cash ISA rates against each provider's own page. Every rate shown includes the type, variable, fixed or notice, the access terms, the minimum deposit and the catch. Where a rate includes a bonus, we show when it expires and what it drops to.
We source rates directly from provider websites. Where we see a rate change, we update the page.
We don't earn from any Cash ISA on this page. If that changes, it never affects the order.
Rates correct on 13 October 2026. Always check directly with the provider before opening an account.
Sources
- Provider rate pages
- FSCS protection checker
- HMRC ISA guidance
- HMRC Cash ISA allowance changes 2027
Last reviewed .
Frequently asked questions about Cash ISA rates
What is the best Cash ISA rate right now?
The best easy access Cash ISA rate we track right now is 4.60% AER from Chip, though this includes a bonus rate that drops after 12 months. The best fixed rate Cash ISA is 5.25% AER from Shawbrook, fixed for 5 years. The table above shows the current best rates, checked 13 October 2026.
Can I have more than one Cash ISA?
Yes. Since April 2024 the rules changed, you can now open and pay into multiple Cash ISAs in the same tax year. For example, you could hold an easy access Cash ISA and a fixed rate Cash ISA at the same time and contribute to both within the same tax year. The total you pay in across all ISA types combined still cannot exceed your £20,000 annual allowance.
What happens to my Cash ISA after April 2027?
Money already saved in your Cash ISA before April 2027 keeps its tax-free status for as long as it stays in an ISA, it is not affected by the rule change. The change only affects how much new money you can put in each year, dropping from £20,000 to £12,000 for under 65s. This makes maxing out your 2026 to 2027 allowance before 5 April 2027 a priority for many savers.
Can I transfer my Cash ISA to a better rate?
Yes, and you should if your current rate has dropped significantly. Contact your new provider and request an ISA transfer. They handle the process. Never withdraw and redeposit, this loses the tax-free wrapper on your savings. (Some providers may not accept transfers in, so worth checking prior, and a fixed rate ISA may charge its penalty to transfer out.)
Is my Cash ISA money safe?
Cash ISAs from UK banks and building societies are protected by the Financial Services Compensation Scheme up to £120,000 per person per institution. Some brands share one banking licence and so share one limit, such as Virgin Money and Nationwide. Always check that your provider is FSCS protected before opening an account.
Do I pay tax on Cash ISA interest?
No, interest earned inside a Cash ISA is completely free of UK income tax. That is the entire point of the ISA wrapper. You do not need to declare Cash ISA interest on a self-assessment tax return.
What is a flexible Cash ISA?
A flexible Cash ISA allows you to withdraw money and replace it in the same tax year without it counting against your annual allowance again. Many Cash ISAs are not flexible, always check before making a withdrawal if preserving your allowance matters.
What is the Cash ISA allowance for 2026/27?
The Cash ISA allowance for the current 2026 to 2027 tax year is £20,000. This drops to £12,000 for under 65s from 6 April 2027. The overall ISA allowance stays at £20,000, the remaining £8,000 can go into a Stocks and Shares ISA or other ISA type.
Can I open a Cash ISA if I already have a Stocks and Shares ISA?
Yes, you can hold both types of ISA at the same time. Your total ISA contributions across all types must not exceed £20,000 in a single tax year.