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Compare Cash ISAs

Pick the best cash ISA to save your tax free allowance.

Limited Issue Online Easy Access Cash ISA

from Leeds Building Society

Interest Rate (AER) 4.95%
  • Term: Easy Access
  • Interest paid annually
  • Unlimited deposits and withdrawals
  • ISA transfers also allowed in
  • Open and manage online
  • FSCS Protected
  • Must be UK resident and be aged 18 or older

Calculate your interest with this plan

Your savings:
£
You could gain:
£0.00 (per tax year)

30 Day Notice Cash ISA

from Aldermore

Interest Rate (AER) 4.50%
  • Term: Easy Access
  • Early withdrawals are permitted subject to loss of interest equivalent to the notice period
  • Open account with £1000

Calculate your interest with this plan

Your savings:
£
You could gain:
£0.00 (per tax year)

E-ISA Instant Access Cash ISA

from Leeds Building Society

Interest Rate (AER) 2.45%
  • Term: Instant Access
  • Low minimum deposit
  • Interest paid annually
  • Unlimited deposits and withdrawals
  • ISA transfers also allowed in
  • Open and manage online
  • FSCS Protected
  • Must be UK resident and be aged 18 or older

Calculate your interest with this plan

Your savings:
£
You could gain:
£0.00 (per tax year)

1 Year Fixed Rate Cash ISA

from Aldermore

Interest Rate (AER) 5.30%
  • Term: 1 Year

1 Year Fixed Rate Cash ISA

from Leeds Building Society

Interest Rate (AER) 5.05%
  • Term: 1 Year
  • Interest paid annually
  • ISA transfers also allowed in
  • Open online, in branch or by post
  • FSCS Protected
  • Must be UK resident and be aged 18 or older
  • Withdrawals permitted subject to 60 days lost interest

Calculate your interest with this plan

Your savings:
£
You could gain:
£0.00 (per tax year)

2 Year Fixed Rate Cash ISA

from Leeds Building Society

Interest Rate (AER) 5.10%
  • Term: 2 Years
  • Interest paid annually
  • ISA transfers also allowed in
  • Open online, in branch or by post
  • FSCS Protected
  • Must be UK resident and be aged 18 or older
  • Withdrawals permitted subject to 150 days lost interest

Calculate your interest with this plan

Your savings:
£
You could gain:
£0.00 (per tax year)

2 Year Fixed Rate Cash ISA

from Aldermore

Interest Rate (AER) 5.00%
  • Term: 2 Year

3 Year Fixed Rate Cash ISA

from Leeds Building Society

Interest Rate (AER) 4.85%
  • Term: 3 Years
  • Interest paid annually
  • ISA transfers also allowed in
  • Open online, in branch or by post
  • FSCS Protected
  • Must be UK resident and be aged 18 or older
  • Withdrawals permitted subject to 240 days lost interest

Calculate your interest with this plan

Your savings:
£
You could gain:
£0.00 (per tax year)

3 Year Fixed Rate Cash ISA

from Aldermore

Interest Rate (AER) 4.85%
  • Term: 3 Years
  • £1,000 minimum opening balance

Calculate your interest with this plan

Your savings:
£
You could gain:
£0.00 (per tax year)

Cash ISAs

Make sure you get the best deal possible using our cash ISA comparison tables using your 2023 -2024 allowance.

What is a cash ISA?

A cash Individual Savings Account (ISA) is a tax-free savings account which allows you to save up to a set amount of money per financial year without paying any tax on it; you can check the current cash ISA limit by clicking here. To open an account, you must be a UK resident or Crown employee aged 16 or over. You can only have one cash ISA per tax year, but you can also simultaneously have a different type of ISA, known as a stocks and shares ISA.

Benefits of a Cash ISA

There are three key benefits to a cash ISA:

  1. No income tax - you don't pay tax on any interest you earn from the cash in your ISA.
  2. Easy access - if you choose an instant access cash ISA (rather than a fixed-rate cash ISA), it's a convenient way to save at a reasonable interest rate while retaining fast and easy access to your money, should you need it.
  3. Easy transfers - if you find an ISA provider that offers a better deal than your current provider, you can transfer your cash ISA to them.

How much tax can I save with a cash ISA?

The good news is that whatever your tax bracket, you'll pay 0% tax on any savings held in a cash ISA. Compare this to the usual tax rates on savings:

If you're a basic rate taxpayer...you would usually pay 20% tax on interest earned from savings.

If you're a higher-rate taxpayer...you would usually pay a 40% tax on interest earned from savings.

If you pay tax at the additional higher rate...you would usually pay 50% tax on interest earned from savings.

If you pay the 'savings rate' of tax for savings...you would usually pay a 10% tax on interest earned from savings.

Using your cash ISA allowance can save you money by allowing you to keep 100% of any interest you earn.

The above information gives you a general idea of what you could save - remember that it depends on your circumstances and may be subject to change.

Can I transfer a cash ISA?

It depends on your circumstances. If you've got some money saved as a lump sum from a previous tax year, you'll usually be permitted to transfer this from one cash ISA to another, or to a stocks and shares ISA. This transfer shouldn't affect your ISA investment allowance for the current tax year.

Which type of cash ISA is right for me?

An instant access cash ISA might be the right choice for you if...

  1. You want a good rate of interest, plus the ability to get hold of your money quickly if necessary.
  2. You want to take advantage of your annual tax-free savings allowance but only have a small amount to deposit - instant access ISAs can be opened from as little as £1.
  3. You want to be paid regular interest - instant access ISAs usually offer monthly or quarterly interest.

A fixed-rate cash ISA might be right for you if...

  1. You are happy to put your money aside for a set period - this usually allows you to accrue a higher interest rate than you might get with an instant access cash ISA.
  2. You want to take advantage of your tax-free savings allowance and have a lump sum to deposit.

Use our services to help you choose

Like any investment option or financial service, it's essential to research your options before committing to a cash ISA. You might find our services useful for the following:

Comparing cash ISAs, including instant access ISAs and fixed-rate ISAs

Comparing cash ISAs with other savings options

Top tips for making the most of your cash ISA

  1. You can only have one type of cash ISA in each financial year, so research your options carefully. Whether you choose a fixed-rate or instant access cash ISA, consider your savings goals beforehand to help you determine what's right for you.
  2. Remember that you can't carry your tax-free allowance from one financial year to the next - so if you've got enough cash to hit your limit, stash it in an ISA.
  3. Because a cash ISA operates on a year-long basis, it's an excellent way to try your hand at saving without committing yourself to anything long-term. It's also a great way to save for a specific event like a wedding, holiday, or starting a family.
  4. Once you've set up your cash ISA, ensure you still keep an eye on the interest rates available from other providers. You can usually switch cash ISA providers without incurring any charge.
  5. To make life easier, set up a direct transfer from your current account into your cash ISA to ensure that you put aside a certain amount each month without fail.
  6. Don't forget that you've got the option of opening a stocks and shares ISA. For more on this, see our page on stocks and shares ISAs.
James Caldwell
Edited by James Caldwell - ISA.co.uk

Frequently Asked Questions

For Cash or Stocks and Shares ISAs, yes, although some Cash ISAs may charge a fee or void your interest if you surrender your policy before the fixed term has ended.

No, ISA stands for Individual Savings Account and must be solely owned for tax purposes.

ISA accounts are authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA). This means that all ISA providers are covered by the Financial Services Compensation Scheme (FSCS) for up to £85,000 if they go out of business.

Please note that this may not apply to the underlying holdings within a Stocks and Shares ISA, and will not cover standard investment losses. 

Yes, you can transfer your Cash ISA into a Stocks and Shares ISA by completing a paper form with your new provider.

A child can have one Junior Cash ISA and one Junior Stocks and Shares ISA. You cannot exceed the annual allowance of £9,000 between these two accounts combined. They can also only have one of each type of account.

Important Risk Information:

Capital at risk. Tax treatments depend on your individual circumstances and may change. The value of investments can go down in value as well as up, so you could get back less than you invest. It is therefore important that you understand the risks and commitments. This website aims to provide information to help you make your own informed decisions. It does not provide personal advice based on your circumstances. If you are unsure of how suitable an investment is for you, please seek personal advice.