This comparison simply includes all savings accounts.
High Interest Savings Accounts
Why we like it: No minimum monthly funding or monthly fee to maintain the account. Earn up to 15% cashback with Retailer Offers. 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. Bank is registered with the Financial Services Compensation Scheme (FSCS), so any money you keep will be fully protected, up to £85,000
Why we like it: Access to Regular Saver Account paying 1.00% AER/Gross fixed for 12 months 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. Mobile banking app. UK based contact centre. Easy switching with the Current Account Switch Service. Must be 18 or older and UK resident. Get the £100 when switching as a new customer and paying in at least £1,000 within three months of the account opening
Why we like it: Free current account. Pays 0.05% AER interest on balances up to £85,000. Get set up in minutes. Send money abroad: Fast and secure money transfers to bank accounts in 38 countries worldwide. No fees when you pay with your card abroad or withdraw money. Get a spotlight on your spending: See what you’ve spent instantly with real-time payment notifications. 3 month interest holiday on the first £500 of an arranged overdraft. Best British Bank and Best Current Account in 2020 at the British Bank Awards. Awarded 5 stars by Defaqto. Bank is registered with the Financial Services Compensation Scheme (FSCS), so any money you keep will be fully protected, up to £85,000
Why we like it: A bank account that can build credit history. No credit check during sign up. Apply straight from your mobile. Instant online decision. Get your Contactless Debit Mastercard within 3-5 working days. Add Creditbuilder onto your account and it could help build your credit rating at no extra cost. Deposit cash into your account at any Post Office UK branch. Money is available in your account immediately. Manage your account 24/7 from any device with the banking app - get real time balance information, statements, add payees send payments and apply for extras. Automatic payment alerts. UK based Customer Services Team. Your money is protected up to £85,000 by the FSCS (Financial Services Compensation Scheme)
Why we like it: Can be opened by or on behalf of any child up to the age of 18. Debit or cash card available for those aged between 13 and 18. 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 18 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
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: 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: Market leading 1 year fixed rate bond. Register for a free Raisin UK Account to apply for product and receive a cash bonus. Interest paid on maturity. Maximum deposit £85,000. FSCS Protected. Must be UK resident and aged 18 or older. No withdrawals permitted
Why we like it: Market leading 2 year fixed rate bond. Register for a free Raisin UK Account to apply for product and receive a cash bonus. Interest paid on maturity. Maximum deposit £85,000. FSCS Protected. Must be UK resident and aged 18 or older. No withdrawals permitted
Why we like it: Register for a free Raisin UK Account to apply for product and receive a cash bonus. Interest paid on maturity. Maximum deposit £85,000. FSCS Protected. Must be UK resident and aged 18 or older. No withdrawals permitted
Why we like it: Minimum deposit £1,000 - No withdrawals permitted - FSCS Protected
Why we like it: Register for a free Raisin UK Account to apply for product and receive a cash bonus. Interest paid on maturity. Maximum deposit £85,000. FSCS Protected. Must be UK resident and aged 18 or older. No withdrawals permitted
Compare high interest savings accounts
With any savings account, the interest rate you earn makes a big difference to the ongoing value of your money. There are several different options when it comes to high interest savings accounts, so it’s important to understand the various possibilities and work out which one best fits your needs.
Current Accounts
The highest interest rates are often found with current accounts, although these usually only apply up to a certain deposit threshold.
If your savings go over the interest-paying limit on your current account, you will need to move them to a different kind of account to get the maximum return on your money. It’s also worth bearing in mind that some current accounts offer higher rates for a limited time after you sign-up and then drop to a much lower interest rate long term. You may therefore be better placing your money into a different kind of account, with a fixed interest rate, for saving over a longer period.
Fixed Rate Bonds
If you are willing to lock your money away for a fixed term (generally 1-5 years), you can get very attractive rates of interest that are guaranteed for the length of that fixed term. The longer you can go without access to your savings, the better interest rate you will usually be offered.
Because you won’t have access to your savings if you need them, fixed rate bonds are generally best suited to long term saving. They are, however, often a good choice if you have a large lump sum that you wish to see a return on, as the maximum deposits are often as high as £5million.
Regular Savings Accounts
For people who want to build up their savings over time, a regular savings account will usually offer an attractive rate of interest. To qualify, you will need to commit to making a minimum deposit each month and there will usually be a maximum deposit as well, which prevents you from building up your savings too quickly. There will usually also be a yearly limit to how many times you can take money out of your account if you need to.
Because you can only grow your savings pot slowly with a regular savings account, it will take a while before you start seeing any significant returns on your money. However, if you are planning for long term savings, then this can be an attractive option.
Notice Savings Accounts
If you want to be able to access your savings when you need them, but still get a good interest rate, a notice savings account can be a good compromise. This allows you to remove money from your account whenever you want as long as you give your account provider an agreed period of notice first.
In exchange, you will usually be offered a better rate of interest than you would get with an account that gives instant access to your money. Notice periods generally start from around 30 days, but the more notice you are willing to give, the higher rate of interest you will usually receive.
Cash ISAs
Cash ISAs may not necessarily offer the very best rates of interest, but this can be offset by the fact that they allow you to earn tax-free interest on deposits up to a yearly maximum set by the government. That amount is £20,000 for the 2017/18 tax year.
Fixed term cash ISAs will usually offer the best return with similar conditions to fixed rate bonds (i.e. not being able to remove funds before your ISA matures, and receiving higher interest rates the longer the account term).
Instant access cash ISAs give you more flexibility by allowing you to put money in and take it out at your convenience, but the trade-off is that you will usually be offered a lower interest rate that for a fixed term cash ISA.
Find the best high interest savings account for you
The interest rates offered by various brands on their savings accounts vary over time in response to market conditions and consumer demand. This can make finding the best interest rate available at any giving moment a challenge.
Our high interest savings accounts comparison table (above) allows you to easily size up the best deals in the industry to find the right choice for you. That way you can be confident of finding the best savings account for your needs.
