Why we like it: Which? Recommended Savings Provider. No notice period. Deposit from £100. Interest paid monthly or annually. Apply in minutes. Your eligible deposits with RCI Bank UK Limited are protected up to a total of £85,000 by the Financial Services. Compensation Scheme (FSCS)
Why we like it: Instant access to your savings. Unlimited deposits and withdrawals. Interest paid monthly, either to a linked current account, or adding it to your Online Flexi Saver account. Easy application process, you just need a UK mobile phone and UK driving licence or passport. Manage account online. Maximum balance £250,000. Must be aged 18 or older and have a UK address. Must have a linked UK current account. Your eligible deposits with Investec Bank are protected up to a total of £85,000 by the Financial Services Compensation Scheme (FSCS)
Why we like it: Save from £1. Unlimited payments and withdrawals. Interest paid annually. Open in a single or a joint name. Maximum deposit £500,000. Open and manage account online. FSCS Protected. Must be UK resident. Must be aged 16 or older
Why we like it: Unlimited payments and withdrawals. Interest paid annually. Open in a single or a joint name. Maximum deposit £250,000. FSCS Protected. Winner of Platinum Feefo Trusted Service Award in 2024. Must be UK resident and be aged 18 or older
Why we like it: Choose monthly or annual interest payments. Unlimited deposits and withdrawals. 24/7 access to your savings. Open and manage online. After 12 months the rate will revert to the underlying rate, currently 1.45% gross/AER variable. Post Office Online Saver is provided by Bank of Ireland UK. Must be UK resident. Must be aged 18 or older. FSCS protected
Why we like it: The interest rate tracks the Bank of England (BoE) Base Rate. Interest is calculated on the minimum daily balance and applied to the account on the first day of every subsequent month. Open and manage account online. Your eligible deposits are protected up to £85,000 by the Financial Services Compensation Scheme. The maximum deposit you may pay into any one OakNorth Account is £500,000. The maximum amount (excluding the interest) that you will be allowed to hold on deposit with OakNorth Bank across multiple accounts is also £500,000. Unlimited withdrawals, subject to 95 days notice. Available to individuals, aged 18 or over, who are UK residents
Why we like it: Unlimited deposits and withdrawals. Interest paid monthly: can be added to your Notice Saver or paid to your linked account. Easy application process, you just need a UK mobile phone and UK driving licence or passport. Manage account online. Maximum balance £250,000. Withdrawals subject to 90 days notice. Must be aged 18 or older and have a UK address. Must have a linked UK current account
Why we like it: All funds deposited into the RCI Bank E-Volve Savings 14 Day Notice Account will be used to fund pure electric vehicles and charging facilities. Interest paid monthly or annually. Manage account online. UK-based support, seven days a week. Which? Recommended Savings Provider. Unlimited withdrawals subject to 14 days notice. Must be UK resident. Must be aged 18 or older. Your eligible deposits with RCI Bank UK Limited are protected up to a total of £85,000 by the Financial Services Compensation Scheme (FSCS)
Why we like it: 3 penalty-free withdrawals in a 12 month period. 3.82% AER (variable tracker) + 0.68% AER 12 month boost. 3.75% gross variable tracker. Interest paid monthly. Deposit and withdraw almost instantly. No fees or charges for holding account. FSCS eligible on your deposits. After 3 withdrawals within a 12 month period the rate will revert to either 3.40% AER (variable tracker with boost applied) or 2.72% AER (variable tracker) for the remainder of the 12 month period since opening the account. Must be UK resident. Must be aged 18 or older
Why we like it: Interest paid on maturity. Automatic repayment to your linked account. Maximum deposit £250,000. FSCS Protected. Must have a UK residential address and be aged 18 or older. No withdrawals permitted
With so many different easy-access savings accounts to choose from, it pays to shop around. We offer a selection of leading UK instant access accounts.
Many savings accounts have below-inflation interest rates, which means people's savings are being eroded in real terms. While many savings accounts are on the market, many do not offer much of a financial advantage as they offer interest that only matches the base rate set by the Bank of England. We help you compare a selection of some of the best interest-paying accounts.
A good instant-access savings account will offer flexible withdrawal facilities for savers looking to access their money regularly while combining these with a good interest rate.
If you are happy to lock your money away for a fixed term, fixed rate bonds or notice accounts offer better long-term rates of interest; such accounts generally do not allow savers to take money out until the bond has matured or provide restrictions on withdrawals and may apply penalties. The ability to access funds at short notice can be very helpful.
Surprisingly some of the best-paying interest accounts available are current accounts. While many current accounts pay no interest, some pay up to 7% interest (First Direct). Switching to a new current account is much quicker than it used to be. In September 2013 "7 Day Switching" was introduced - as long as your existing bank is signed up, moving your account should be painless. For the latest current account deals, use the dropdown menu and select high interest current accounts.
In the last few years, we have seen the emergence of Peer to Peer accounts, providing a way for savers to earn high levels of interest as high as 7%. Often referred to as crowd funding peer to peer websites bring together borrowers looking to get low rates on loans with savers looking to get a higher return on their savings. The Financial Conduct Authority regulates peer-to-peer. For the latest peer-to-peer deals, use the dropdown menu and select peer-to-peer.
Fixed Rate Bond Alternatives
Growth Deposit Plan
Potential 15.5% after 3 years
Target return - 15.5% if the FTSE 100 has risen by any amount at the end of the 3 year term
Capital protected
Available for cash ISAs, ISA Transfers & direct investments
Important Information:This is a structured deposit plan and is capital protected. There is a risk that the company backing the plan or any company associated with the plan may be unable to repay your initial investment and any returns stated. In this event, you may be entitled to compensation from the Financial Services Compensation Scheme (FSCS), depending on your individual circumstances. In addition, you may not get back the full amount of your initial investment if the plan is not held for the full term.