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This comparison simply includes all savings accounts.

first direct
1st Account first direct
Open With £1
Account Type Current Account
Features Get £175 to switch & 7% on regular savings

Why we like it: SPECIAL OFFER - Get £175 when you switch to a First Direct 1st Account. You also get access to a 7% AER/gross fixed for 12 months Regular Saver Account if saving between £25 and £300 a month (up to £3,600 per year). £250 interest-free overdraft (subject to status). No minimum monthly funding and no monthly account fee. No first direct fees for when spending abroad, withdrawing cash from the UK or when making a debit card payment in a foreign currency in the UK. Mobile banking app. UK based contact centre. For the £175 switching cash offer you need to open a 1st Account, switch your everyday banking to us using the Current Account Switch Service and pay in at least £1,000 within three months of opening the account. This offer is only available to new First Direct customers, or HSBC customers who haven't opened an account since 1 January 2020

Santander
Everyday Current Account Santander
Open With £1
Account Type Current Account
Features Fee FREE Account every day banking needs

Why we like it: No minimum monthly funding or monthly fee to maintain the account. Get cashback, vouchers, prize draws and other offers personalised to you when you use Santander Boosts (you must have a personal Santander debit or credit card, be 18 years or over and be registered for Online and Mobile Banking). Stress-free account switching in 7 days with the Current Account Switch Service. £300 ATM withdrawal per day, Arranged Overdraft facility (subject to status). Online and Mobile Banking with text and email alerts. Must be 18 or older and live in the UK permanently. 39.94% EAR overdraft charge.

Santander
Edge Current Account Santander
Open With £500
Account Type Current Account
Features Monthly cashback and access to 7% savings account

Why we like it: Earn 1% cashback every month on selected household bills paid by Direct Debit, capped at up to £10 each month and 1% cashback every month on supermarket and travel spend when you use your debit card, capped at £10 each month. Access to Santander Edge Saver with 7.00% AER / 6.78% gross (variable) interest up to £4,000 with 2.50% AER / 2.47% gross (variable) bonus rate for the 12 months from opening. Get cashback, vouchers, prize draws and other personalised offers when you use Santander Boosts (must have a personal Santander debit or credit card, be 18 years or over and be registered for Online and Mobile Banking). No fees or charges for international payments or CHAPS payments. Arranged overdraft interest rate of 39.94% APR/EAR (variable). For cashback offer you must pay a minimum of £500 into your account each month, have 2 active Direct Debits, be over 18 and live in the UK permanently. Paper-free account. £3 monthly fee

Starling Bank
Mobile App Bank Account Starling Bank
Open With £0
Account Type Mobile Bank Account
Features Fee FREE Account Pays 0.05% AER

Why we like it: Free current account. Pays 0.05% AER interest on balances up to £85,000. Get set up in minutes. Which? Banking Brand of the Year 2023

Chase
Current Account Chase
Open With £0
Account Type Current Account
Features 1% cashback on your everyday debit card spending for your first 12 months. Cashback exceptions and limits apply. Plus access to a 4.1% AER easy access saver account

Why we like it: Earn 1% cashback on your everyday debit card including contactless spending. Available for your first 12 months for new customers. Max £15 per month. Cashback exceptions apply. Access to a Chase saver account paying 4.1% AER (4.02% gross) variable. Interest earned daily and paid monthly. Easy access to your money with no minimum opening balance. 5% interest on a round up account- choose to round up your spending to the nearest £1 and you'll get 5% AER (4.89% gross) variable interest on your round up account, paid monthly. Zero fees from Chase when you use your Chase debit card, both at home and away. No ATM fees applied by Chase. Open extra current accounts in seconds, for free. Use them to spend from, pay bills with Direct Debits, budget, and set aside money in the way that works best for you. Must be 18+, be a UK resident and have a smart phone and UK mobile number. No account opening fees and no monthly fee. No minimum monthly funding. In-app card control - you decide how and where your card works. You can stop it from making contactless or gambling payments, from working abroad, or from making cash withdrawals. Numberless card - your card details are stored in the app, so no one can see them but you. 24/7 customer support- either over the phone or by in app messaging

Santander
Edge Up Current Account Santander
Open With £1500
Account Type Current Account
Features 3.50% AER Interest on balances up to £25,000

Why we like it: 3.50% AER/3.45% gross (variable) on balances up to £25,000. 1% cashback (up to £15 a month) on selected household bills when you pay by Direct Debit. 1% cashback (up to £15 a month) at supermarkets and on travel costs when you use your debit card (exclusions apply). Make international payments with no extra fees (the bank receiving the payment may still apply charges). There's also no charge for making CHAPS payments from this account. No fees for using Santander Edge Up debit card to withdraw cash and make payments outside the UK in the local currency. Get cashback, vouchers, prize draws and personalised offers with Santander Boosts , free rewards service. Online and Mobile Banking available with text and email alerts. Must be 18 or older and live in the UK permanently. £5 monthly fee for maintaining the account that will automatically be taken from the account each month. Must pay a minimum of £1,500 into the account each month. Must have 2 active Direct Debits. Arranged overdraft facility (subject to status). If you use an arranged overdraft you’ll be charged an interest rate of 39.94% APR / EAR (variable). Online and Mobile Banking available with text and email alerts

Santander
123 Mini Current Account Santander
Open With £0
Account Type Childrens Current Account
Features Children 17 or under 3% AER Interest (T&Cs)

Why we like it: Can be opened by or on behalf of any child up to the age of 17. Debit or cash card available for those aged between 13 and 17. Monthly interest. No monthly fee. For children under age 13, the account must be opened in trust and managed by an adult (trustee). If you’re aged between 13 and 17 years old and live permanently in the UK you can apply online by telephone or in branch. No overdraft facility. 1% interest on the entire balance once the balance is £100, 2.00% AER/1.98% gross (variable) on the entire balance once the balance is £1,500, 3.00% AER/2.96% gross (variable) on the entire balance once the balance is £1,500 or over (up to a maximum of £2,000). Bank is registered with the Financial Services Compensation Scheme (FSCS), so any money you keep will be fully protected, up to £85,000

Santander
Student Bank Account Santander
Funding required (each academic term) £500
Account Type Student Bank Account
Features Free 4-year Railcard worth £100

Why we like it: A free 4-year Santander 16-25 Railcard worth £100 plus a total average saving of £636 (average saving of £159 per year). An interest-free and fee-free Arranged Overdraft, up to £1,500 in years 1-3, then up to £2,000 if you stay on to year 5. Get cashback, vouchers, prize draws and other offers personalised to you when you use Santander Boosts (you must have a personal Santander debit or credit card, be 18 years or over and be registered for Online and Mobile Banking). No monthly account fee. Must be over 18 and live in the UK permanently Must be studying or are about to begin an undergraduate course that is at least 2 years in length, or level 4 to 7 apprenticeship. If you’re about to begin your course, you must have an ‘unconditional’ or ‘confirmed conditional’ offer (i.e. you have your exam results) before you apply. You must pay in at least £500 every 4 months and must not already have an existing Santander current account. If you do, you’ll need to transfer it

Revolut
Mobile App Bank Account Revolut
Maximum Monthly Fee £12.99
Account Type Mobile Current Account
Features Set Up & Manage Current Account From Your Phone

Why we like it: SPECIAL OFFER: 3 months of free Revolut Premium trial instead of a cash award. Open a current account in minutes direct from your phone and receive bank card. Set budgets, get instant spending notifications, and see weekly insights to keep your spending on track. Earn rewards on travel, retail, restaurants and more. Spend abroad in over 150 currencies at the Real (interbank) exchange rates with no hidden fees. Transfer money abroad in 30+ currencies with the interbank exchange rate, with a small 0.5% fee for anything above £1,000 each month. Get paid up to 0.40% AER interest on your GBP funds. No minimum amounts. Deposit and withdraw your money whenever you want. 7x better than the banks at stopping card fraud. 0.5% fee for any international spending or transfers above £5,000 each month. 2% fee for international ATM withdrawals of more than £200 per month. Monthly fee of £0, £2.99, £6.99 or £12.99 depending on account features

Monese
Classic Mobile App Bank Account Monese
Monthly Account Fee £5.95
Account Type Mobile Bank Account
Features Fast Free Payments to 31 countries

Why we like it: Open a GBP and EUR current account using your mobile in minutes, with no credit checks and no proof of address required. Track your account activity in real-time, get an overview of your monthly outgoings, set budgets and set your savings aside from your day-to-day spending. Get instant updates on your mobile whenever you receive or spend money. Add money to your account instantly by debit card or bank transfer. Spend on your Monese card worldwide with no fee and make ATM withdrawals with fee-free limits with money-saving exchange rates. Send money to your contacts and request payments from them. You can also save when you transfer money abroad (from 0.5% fee) at the wholesale currency exchange rate. Transfers between Monese accounts are also free and instant. You can use your Monese app in any one of 12 languages. Accident, sickness, unemployment protection, hospital stay and purchase protection all available

Go Henry
Go Henry Kid's Bank Account Go Henry
Open With £0
Account Type No fixed term
Features Pre-paid Debit Card & financial education app

Why we like it: Children’s pre-paid debit card account. Can be opened on behalf of any child from the age of 6 to 18. With the GoHenry prepaid debit card and app, kids learn how to budget—and grow to understand the difference between wants and needs by spending wisely. Parents can help guide their progress with real-time updates, customisable controls and more. Kids and teens can gain skills in the app, learning about investing, credit and more. Then apply their knowledge with their real money. Now with new lessons for kids aged 12+. 92% of parents say their kids are more money confident since joining GoHenry. Choose from 45+ card designs—and personalise it with your child’s first name, too. Covered by your account’s FSCS protection up to £85,000. 30 days free, then £2.99/month. No overdraft facility

NatWest
NatWest Rooster Money Child's Bank Account NatWest
Open With £0
Account Type No fixed term
Features Kids' prepaid debit card and pocket money app

Why we like it: Children's pre-paid bank account. Can be opened on behalf of any child 3 years. Debit card available for the child from ages 6 to 17, with Pocket Money app. Set up with real or virtual money. Keep track of spending. Unlock extra features like Chore Manager - teach your kids the importance of earning money. Great for teaching kids good money habits from a young age. Manage all pocket money in one place. Help your kids make spending decisions when out & about. A child friendly interface that empowers and encourages kids to engage with their money. Safe and secure card. You’re still the primary account holder, so you are covered by your account’s FSCS protection up to £85,000. Monthly fee's start from zero to £1.99 per month. No overdraft facility

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When to switch current accounts

Many people do not realise the benefits they can receive by changing their current account – whether to a different one with the same bank or building society, or a new provider altogether.

Different current accounts can offer significantly different rates of interest and other benefits, which can make switching a good idea. Switching your current account is now relatively straightforward and hassle-free thanks for the Current Account Switch Service (more on which below).

Many current accounts allow you to:

  • Earn attractive rates of interest on your savings
  • Get cashback on household bills
  • Receive other benefits, such as free insurance or anti-virus software

It is worth regularly checking to see whether you can find a better deal, especially if your circumstances have changed since you opened your current account e.g. you now tend to be in credit rather than in your overdraft, or you have moved from rented accommodation to owning your own home.

Current Account Switch Service

The Current Account Switch Service makes changing current accounts fast, simple and stress-free. It covers 99% of UK current accounts, so chances are both the account you have now and the one you want to move to will be eligible.

All you have to do is ask your new bank or building society to move your old account using the Current Account Switch Service. They will then handle the whole process of moving your account over on a date of your choosing, preserving all of your existing Direct Debits and standing orders.

This means you don’t have the hassle of cancelling all your payments and restarting them from your new account, saving you time and ensuring you don’t miss any payments.

Find the best current accounts to switch to

If you are thinking of changing your current account, make sure to compare what is currently available from all the top providers. The current account comparison tool at the top of this page lets you quickly and easily compare deals from all the leading banks and building societies.

Three of the most popular current accounts right now, offering great interest rates and benefits are:

Santander Everyday Current Account - £175 cashback for switching

Switch to the Santander Everyday Current Account and you will receive £175 cashback. You have to complete a full switch to a Santander Everyday Current Account within 60 days, set up 2 Direct Debits, pay in £1,000 and log into Online or Mobile Banking.

Nationwide FlexDirect Current Account - £100 for switching

Nationwide offer £100 for switching to their FlexDirect Account, or £125 if already a Nationwide member. To qualify you must complete full switch online to the account from another building society or a bank, and make sure you switch over 2 Direct Debits as part of your switch. 

First Direct 1st Account - £175 cash switching bonus, or £20 for opening without switching 

First Direct 1st Account offer a £175 incentive for switching to their 1st Account, or £20 for opening account without switching. You will need to switch your everyday banking to First Direct using the Current Account Switch Service, and you will have to pay in at least £1,000 during the first three months you hold the account.

Santander 123 Current Account - £175 cashback for switching

Santander are offering a £175 cashback incentive to switch to their 123 Current Account. To qualify you must complete a full switch to a Santander Everyday Current Account within 60 days, set up 2 Direct Debits, pay in £1,000 and log into Online or Mobile Banking.

Nationwide FlexPlus Current Account - £100 for switching

If you switch to the Nationwide FlexPlus current account they will pay you £100 (or £125 if already a Nationwide member). To qualify you must complete full switch online to the account from another building society or a bank, and make sure you switch over 2 Direct Debits as part of your switch. 

Santander 123 Lite Current Account - £175 cashback for switching

Santander also offer a £175 cashback bonus if you switch to their 123 Lite Current Account. Again, to qualify you must complete a full switch to a Santander Everyday Current Account within 60 days, set up 2 Direct Debits, pay in £1,000 and log into Online or Mobile Banking.

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Simplysavingsaccounts.co.uk is a trading style of Fair Investment Company Ltd.

We've been comparing savings and current accounts for many years so you can trust you're in good hands.