Last Updated On 30.09.2026
Finding the best Cash ISA rates can be a useful way to make savings work harder while keeping the interest earned tax-free. With a wide range of easy-access and fixed-term accounts available, the right option will usually depend on how much flexibility a saver needs and how long they are comfortable leaving their money untouched.
Some Cash ISAs focus on convenient access, while others offer higher fixed rates in return for locking money away for a set period. Minimum deposits, transfer rules and interest payment options can also vary between providers.
This guide compares leading Cash ISA providers and explains the main features to consider before choosing an account.
What Are the Best Cash ISA Rates Right Now?
Here is a quick comparison of 10 prominent providers from the latest rate information.
| Provider | Competitive Rate | Cash ISA Type | Minimum Deposit | Transfers In |
| Shawbrook Bank | 5.25% AER | 5-Year Fixed | £1,000 | Yes |
| Kent Reliance | 5.01% AER | 3-Year Fixed | £1,000 | Yes |
| Zopa | 4.87% AER | 1-Year Fixed | £1 | Yes |
| Hodge Bank | 4.88% AER | 1-Year Fixed | £1,000 | No |
| Vanquis Bank | 4.84% AER | 1-Year Fixed | £1,000 | Yes |
| OakNorth Bank | 4.82% AER | 1-Year Fixed | £1 | Yes |
| Charter Savings Bank | 4.81% AER | 1-Year Fixed | £5,000 | Yes |
| Atom Bank | 4.25% AER | Instant Access | £0 | No |
| Leeds Building Society | 4.50% AER | Instant Access | £1,000 | Yes |
| Cynergy Bank | 4.05% AER | Instant Access | £1 | Yes |
These products are not directly comparable because the terms differ. A five-year fixed account should therefore not be judged in exactly the same way as an instant-access ISA.
What Are the Top 10 Cash ISA Providers in 2026?
The following providers offer some of the strongest Cash ISA rates in the supplied market data. Rates, access conditions, minimum deposits and transfer rules differ, so the provider paying the highest AER will not necessarily be the most suitable for every saver.
1. Shawbrook Bank
Shawbrook Bank offers the highest Cash ISA rate in this comparison at 5.25% AER through its 5 Year Fixed Rate Cash ISA Issue 67.
The account is aimed at savers who are comfortable committing their money for a longer period in exchange for a fixed return. A minimum investment of £1,000 is required, and the account can be opened online.
| Detail | Information |
| Provider | Shawbrook Bank |
| Account | 5 Year Fixed Rate Cash ISA Issue 67 |
| Interest Rate | 5.25% AER |
| Minimum Investment | £1,000 |
| Opening Method | Internet |
| Interest Paid | Monthly or Anniversary |
| Transfers In | Yes |
The key attraction is rate certainty. Once the account is opened and funded under its terms, the agreed rate is fixed for the term rather than moving with variable savings rates.
However, a five-year commitment requires careful planning. Money intended for emergencies or near-term spending may be better kept somewhere with easier access.
Shawbrook also appears competitively in the one-year market, where its one-year fixed Cash ISA pays 4.83% AER.
Who could it suit? Savers with at least £1,000 who are prioritising a high fixed return and are confident they will not need regular access to the money.
2. Kent Reliance
Kent Reliance stands out because it offers competitive rates across several Cash ISA terms rather than relying on a single headline product.
Its 3 Year Fixed Rate Cash ISA Issue 4 pays 5.01% AER, while its two-year equivalent pays 5.00% AER. This provides savers with a choice between medium-term commitments without needing to lock money away for five years.
| Detail | Information |
| Provider | Kent Reliance |
| Account | 3 Year Fixed Rate Cash ISA Issue 4 |
| Interest Rate | 5.01% AER |
| Minimum Investment | £1,000 |
| Opening Method | Internet |
| Interest Paid | Monthly or Anniversary |
| Transfers In | Yes |
The three-year product requires a £1,000 minimum investment and accepts transfers from existing ISAs. Kent Reliance also offers a 2-year fixed ISA at 5.00%, a 1-year fixed ISA at 4.86% and an easy-access Cash ISA at 4.24% in the supplied data.
That range makes the provider particularly useful for savers comparing different access periods while wanting to remain with one institution.
Who could it suit? Savers who want rates around 5% but would prefer a two or three-year commitment rather than locking their money away for five years.
3. Zopa
Zopa has the highest one-year fixed Cash ISA rate in the supplied comparison at 4.87% AER.
Its Smart ISA 1 Year Fixed Term ISA pot also has a particularly low minimum investment of just £1. This is considerably lower than many competing fixed accounts requiring deposits of £1,000 or more.
| Detail | Information |
| Provider | Zopa |
| Account | Smart ISA – 1 Year Fixed Term ISA Pot |
| Interest Rate | 4.87% AER |
| Minimum Investment | £1 |
| Opening Method | Mobile App |
| Interest Paid | Monthly |
| Transfers In | Yes |
The account is managed through Zopa’s mobile app and pays interest monthly. Existing ISA money can also be transferred into the account. A one-year term can provide a useful middle ground. It gives savers a fixed rate without requiring the longer commitment associated with two, three or five-year products.
The rate difference between Zopa and several competing one-year ISAs is small, so convenience and minimum-deposit requirements can be important differentiators.
Who could it suit? Savers looking for a competitive one-year rate, particularly those who prefer app-based account management or do not want to meet a £1,000 minimum deposit.
4. Hodge Bank
Hodge Bank offers a competitive 4.88% AER on its 1 Year Fixed Rate Cash ISA, placing it only 0.01 percentage points below the highest one-year rate in the supplied comparison.
The account requires a minimum investment of £1,000 and can be opened online.
| Detail | Information |
| Provider | Hodge Bank |
| Account | 1 Year Fixed Rate Cash ISA |
| Interest Rate | 4.88% AER |
| Minimum Investment | £1,000 |
| Opening Method | Internet |
| Interest Paid | Monthly or On Maturity |
| Transfers In | No |
Savers can choose between receiving interest monthly or at maturity, depending on the account terms available when they apply. The major difference compared with many competing accounts is that transfers from existing ISAs are not accepted according to the supplied data.
That means somebody wanting to move an existing Cash ISA would need to consider another provider, even though Hodge offers one of the strongest one-year rates. For new ISA subscriptions, however, the rate remains highly competitive.
Who could it suit? Savers investing new money who want a strong one-year fixed rate and have at least £1,000 available, but do not need to transfer an existing ISA.
5. Vanquis Bank
Vanquis Bank offers a 4.84% AER one-year fixed Cash ISA, placing it close to the strongest accounts available for this term. The account requires a £1,000 minimum investment and can be opened online. Unlike some competing fixed products, it accepts transfers from existing ISAs.
| Detail | Information |
| Provider | Vanquis Bank |
| Account | 1 Year Fixed Rate Cash ISA |
| Interest Rate | 4.84% AER |
| Minimum Investment | £1,000 |
| Opening Method | Internet |
| Interest Paid | Monthly or Anniversary |
| Transfers In | Yes |
Interest can be paid monthly or on the anniversary, giving savers some choice over how interest is credited. The difference between Vanquis at 4.84% and the leading 4.87% one-year rate is relatively small. On £10,000, a difference of 0.03 percentage points equates to roughly £3 over a year before considering compounding.
Transfer acceptance could therefore matter more to some savers than chasing the final few hundredths of a percentage point.
Who could it suit? Savers with £1,000 or more who want to fix for one year and need the ability to transfer money from an existing ISA.
6. OakNorth Bank
OakNorth Bank combines a competitive 4.82% AER one-year fixed rate with a minimum investment of only £1. Many fixed Cash ISAs require £1,000 or more to open, making OakNorth one of the more accessible fixed options in the supplied comparison.
| Detail | Information |
| Provider | OakNorth Bank |
| Account | Fixed Rate Cash ISA |
| Interest Rate | 4.82% AER |
| Minimum Investment | £1 |
| Opening Method | Internet or Mobile App |
| Interest Paid | Monthly |
| Transfers In | Yes |
The account can be opened and managed digitally through the internet or mobile app, while interest is paid monthly. It also accepts ISA transfers, which means it may work for both new ISA subscriptions and people moving savings from another provider.
Its rate is slightly below the highest one-year account, but the combination of a £1 opening requirement and transfer support gives it a different appeal. For smaller savers, that flexibility can matter more than a marginally higher headline rate elsewhere.
Who could it suit? Savers looking for a one-year fixed Cash ISA with a very low opening requirement, digital management and support for existing ISA transfers.
7. Charter Savings Bank
Charter Savings Bank offers the highest instant-access Cash ISA rate in the supplied comparison at 4.26% AER through its Easy Access Cash ISA Issue 82.
It requires only £1 to open and accepts transfers from existing ISAs, giving it a combination of competitive interest and flexibility.
| Detail | Information |
| Provider | Charter Savings Bank |
| Account | Easy Access Cash ISA Issue 82 |
| Interest Rate | 4.26% AER |
| Minimum Investment | £1 |
| Opening Method | Internet |
| Interest Paid | Monthly or Anniversary |
| Transfers In | Yes |
The account can be opened online, with interest available monthly or on the account anniversary. Charter Savings Bank also performs strongly in the supplied provider data, with an 82% customer score and 90% interest-rate score.
Its one-year fixed Cash ISA pays 4.81% AER, although that account requires a much larger £5,000 minimum deposit. The easy-access account is likely to be more relevant for people who want to maintain flexibility rather than maximise the rate through a long-term fix.
Who could it suit? Savers who want a competitive easy-access Cash ISA, a low £1 opening requirement and the ability to transfer an existing ISA.
8. Atom Bank
Atom Bank offers an Easy Access Cash ISA paying 4.25% AER, only 0.01 percentage points below the highest instant-access rate in the supplied market information.
One of its standout features is the £0 minimum investment, removing the initial deposit requirement found with many other accounts.
| Detail | Information |
| Provider | Atom Bank |
| Account | Easy Access Cash ISA |
| Interest Rate | 4.25% AER |
| Minimum Investment | £0 |
| Opening Method | Mobile App |
| Interest Paid | Monthly |
| Transfers In | No |
The account is app-based and pays interest monthly. Its biggest limitation is that ISA transfers are not accepted. This means it is more relevant to people making new ISA subscriptions than savers looking to move an existing Cash ISA.
The rate itself is highly competitive. A difference of 0.01 percentage points compared with a 4.26% account represents only around £1 per year on a £10,000 balance. As a result, account-management preferences may carry more weight than the tiny rate difference.
Who could it suit? New ISA savers wanting instant access, no minimum opening requirement and mobile-first account management.
9. Leeds Building Society
Leeds Building Society offers 4.50% AER through its Online Access Cash ISA Issue 22. The rate is lower than those offered by Charter Savings Bank and Atom Bank in the supplied instant-access comparison, but the account accepts transfers from existing ISAs.
| Detail | Information |
| Provider | Leeds Building Society |
| Account | Online Access Cash ISA Issue 22 |
| Interest Rate | 4.50% AER |
| Minimum Investment | £1,000 |
| Opening Method | Internet |
| Interest Paid | Yearly |
| Transfers In | Yes |
A minimum investment of £1,000 is required, and the account is opened online. Interest is paid yearly. Leeds Building Society also records a 77% customer score and an 87% interest-rate score in the provider information supplied.
For some savers, provider experience and transfer support may carry additional weight alongside the headline rate. However, the £1,000 minimum means it is less accessible than easy-access alternatives allowing accounts to be opened with £1 or no minimum investment.
Who could it suit? Savers with at least £1,000 who want an easy-access ISA, need transfer support and value a building society option.
10. Cynergy Bank
Cynergy Bank offers 4.05% AER through its Online ISA Issue 67. While this is not the highest instant-access rate in the supplied data, the account combines a low £1 minimum investment, digital account management and support for ISA transfers.
| Detail | Information |
| Provider | Cynergy Bank |
| Account | Online ISA Issue 67 |
| Interest Rate | 4.05% AER |
| Minimum Investment | £1 |
| Opening Method | Internet or Mobile App |
| Interest Paid | Yearly |
| Transfers In | Yes |
The account can be opened through online banking or a mobile app, making it suitable for customers who prefer digital account management.
Interest is paid annually rather than monthly. Its transfer support is an important distinction when compared with Atom Bank, which offers a slightly higher rate but does not accept transfers in according to the supplied information.
The £1 minimum also makes Cynergy more accessible than some alternative easy-access accounts requiring £1,000.
The gap between 4.15% and the highest 4.26% easy-access rate is 0.11 percentage points, equal to approximately £11 per year on £10,000 if the rates remained unchanged.
Who could it suit? Savers who want digital access, a low minimum deposit and the ability to transfer existing ISA savings without committing to a fixed term.
Are There Other Cash ISA Rates Worth Knowing?
Two additional accounts from the supplied market data are worth noting.
| Provider | Account | Rate | Minimum |
| Hampshire Trust Bank | Online Easy Access Cash ISA Issue 10 | 4.06% AER | £1 |
| UBL UK | 4 Year Fixed Rate Cash ISA | 3.91% AER | £2,000 |
Hampshire Trust Bank accepts ISA transfers and pays interest on the account anniversary.
UBL UK’s four-year account accepts transfers and offers several interest-payment options including monthly, quarterly, anniversary and maturity.
Which Cash ISA Is Best for Different Savings Needs?
The most suitable account depends heavily on how the money will be used.
| Saving Goal | Leading Option From This Comparison |
| Highest Headline Rate | Shawbrook Bank 5-Year Fix |
| 3-Year Fixed Saving | Kent Reliance |
| 2-Year Fixed Saving | Kent Reliance |
| 1-Year Fixed Saving | Zopa |
| Instant Access | Charter Savings Bank |
| £1 Minimum Fixed ISA | Zopa or OakNorth |
| No Minimum Easy Access | Atom Bank |
| Easy Access With Transfers | Charter Savings Bank |
Someone building an emergency fund may place more value on easy access, while money that definitely will not be needed for several years may be better suited to a fixed term.
Is a Cash ISA Better Than a Normal Savings Account?
A Cash ISA’s main attraction is that interest earned within the ISA is tax-free.
Ordinary savings accounts may sometimes offer competitive or higher rates, but interest outside an ISA can become taxable.
For 2026/27, the Personal Savings Allowance is generally:
| Income Tax Position | Personal Savings Allowance |
| Basic-Rate Taxpayer | £1,000 |
| Higher-Rate Taxpayer | £500 |
| Additional-Rate Taxpayer | £0 |
At an interest rate of around 5%, £20,000 would produce approximately £1,000 of annual interest.
Higher-rate taxpayers could reach their £500 allowance with approximately £10,000 earning 5%.
It is therefore sensible to compare the best savings interest rates alongside Cash ISA rates before deciding where to hold savings.
How Much Can You Put Into a Cash ISA in 2026/27?
The overall ISA allowance for the 2026/27 tax year is £20,000. Under the current rules, an eligible saver can use the entire £20,000 allowance for Cash ISA subscriptions if desired. Unused allowance expires at the end of the tax year and cannot normally be carried into the following year.
That makes 5 April 2027 an important deadline for anyone who still has unused 2026/27 ISA allowance.
What Changes to Cash ISAs From April 2027?
From 6 April 2027, the annual Cash ISA subscription limit will fall to £12,000 for people aged under 65. The overall ISA limit will remain £20,000. People aged 65 or over will retain a £20,000 Cash ISA limit.
| Rule | 2026/27 | From April 2027 |
| Overall ISA Limit | £20,000 | £20,000 |
| Cash ISA Limit Under 65 | £20,000 | £12,000 |
| Cash ISA Limit Age 65+ | £20,000 | £20,000 |
Restrictions will also apply to certain transfers from non-Cash ISAs into Cash ISAs under the new regime.
How Do You Transfer a Cash ISA Correctly?
An ISA should normally be moved through the official transfer process rather than by withdrawing the money personally.
The basic process is:
- Choose A New Provider: Make sure it accepts ISA transfers
- Check Existing Terms: Look for fixed-term exit penalties
- Start The Transfer: Request it through the new provider
- Keep The Money Inside The ISA Process: Do not simply withdraw and redeposit it
- Confirm Completion: Check that the balance reaches the new account
Transfer policies matter because some leading accounts, including the Atom Bank easy-access account and Hodge Bank fixed ISA in the supplied data, do not accept transfers.
How Safe Is Money in a Cash ISA?
Eligible savings with UK-authorised banks, building societies and credit unions are generally protected by the FSCS up to £120,000 per eligible person, per authorised firm. The limit increased from £85,000 on 1 December 2025.
Different banking brands can share the same authorisation, so large savers should check the underlying banking licence rather than assuming every brand receives a separate £120,000 limit.
What Should Business Owners and Directors Consider?
Cash ISAs are personal savings accounts. A company’s money cannot simply be moved into a director’s personal ISA to gain tax-free treatment. They can still be useful once money legitimately forms part of an individual’s personal savings.
This can be particularly relevant for:
- Higher-Rate Taxpayers: Who generally have a £500 Personal Savings Allowance
- Additional-Rate Taxpayers: Who receive no Personal Savings Allowance
- Directors With Large Personal Cash Balances: Who may generate significant taxable savings interest
- Sole Traders: Who need to distinguish operating cash from longer-term personal savings
Tax-free ISA interest can therefore become increasingly useful as personal taxable savings grow.
Could Cash ISA Rates Change?
Yes. Variable Cash ISA rates can change at any time, while new fixed-rate issues can be launched or withdrawn. The Bank of England held Bank Rate at 3.75% in September 2026.
Savings rates are influenced by Bank Rate, expectations about future rates and competition between providers, so Cash ISA rates do not always move at exactly the same time or by the same amount.
What Should You Check Before Choosing a Cash ISA?
Before opening an account, compare:
- AER: Check the actual annual equivalent rate
- Access: Decide whether the money could be needed early
- Fixed Term: Longer terms can restrict flexibility
- Minimum Deposit: Requirements vary substantially
- Transfers In: Not every provider accepts existing ISA money
- Interest Frequency: Monthly and annual options may differ
- Opening Method: Some accounts are app-only or online-only
- FSCS Protection: Check which authorised institution holds the money
The strongest account is the one whose rate and conditions fit the purpose of the savings, rather than simply the product with the largest headline percentage.
Conclusion
The best Cash ISA rates in the supplied comparison reach 5.25% AER as of 28 September 2026. Shawbrook Bank provides the highest listed long-term rate at 5.25%, while Kent Reliance offers 5.00% over two years and 5.01% over three years. Zopa leads the one-year accounts at 4.87%, and Charter Savings Bank offers the highest listed instant-access rate at 4.26%.
Savers should still compare access, transfers, minimum deposits and protection before choosing an account.
The April 2027 ISA reforms also make the current tax year significant, particularly for under-65s who will face a new £12,000 annual Cash ISA subscription limit from 6 April 2027.
FAQs
What Is the Highest Cash ISA Rate Right Now?
The highest rate in the supplied 28 September 2026 comparison is 5.25% AER from Shawbrook Bank on a five-year fixed Cash ISA.
What Is the Best Instant-Access Cash ISA Rate?
Charter Savings Bank offers the highest instant-access rate in the supplied comparison at 4.26% AER.
What Is the Best 1-Year Cash ISA Rate?
Zopa leads the supplied one-year fixed comparison at 4.87% AER.
How Much Can I Put Into a Cash ISA in 2026/27?
Eligible adults can currently use up to the £20,000 overall ISA allowance for Cash ISA subscriptions during 2026/27.
What Happens to the Cash ISA Limit in 2027?
From 6 April 2027, the annual Cash ISA subscription limit falls to £12,000 for people under 65, while the overall ISA limit remains £20,000.
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