Best easy access savings account
Best savings accounts for March 2026
Looking for a new home for your savings? We check the full UK market daily to find the top rates available on the most popular types of account.
Best easy access savings account
Best for most savers
Tembo Lloyds Bank - HomeSaver (4.75% AER)
Some top-rate accounts can come with strings attached (like “existing customers only” or “additional account necessary”), but this one is more or less open to all. The Tembo Lloyds Bank - HomeSaver offers 4.75% AER. You can open the account with as little as £10.
Best overall… IF you’re eligible!
The Santander Edge saver (Issue 3) offers 6% AER on balances up to £4,000 and 0% AER thereafter. You can open the account with as little as £1. Please note that you'll need to be an existing customer to apply.
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What do I need to know about easy access savings accounts?
If you want an account that allows you to withdraw your money whenever you need to, you'll need to look for an easy access savings account. In fact, experts recommend that everyone has some form of easy access savings that they can get hold of in an emergency as part of an emergency fund. These accounts can also be a good option if you're just starting to save.
Many accounts can be opened with as little as £1, and you can top up funds as and when you're able to. However, interest rates won't be as competitive as some savings accounts and the rate is usually variable so it can change at any point.
Pros
- Can be opened with as little as £1
- You can access your funds whenever you need to
- You can add to your funds as and when
Cons
- Interest rates are variable
- Won't offer the most competitive rates on the market
CompareEasy access savings accounts
Best fixed savings account
Best 1-year fixed-rate bond
The Union Bank of India (UK) Ltd 1 Year Union Premier Bond offers 4.45% AER. You’ll need to open the account with a minimum of £1,000.
Best fixed-rate bond overall
The Market Harborough Building Society Fixed Term Bond10 (03.07.2029) offers 4.75% AER. You’ll need to open the account with a minimum of £5,000.
See more fixed bond terms
What do I need to know about fixed savings accounts?
With a fixed rate savings account, you agree to lock your money away for a term of anywhere between 6 months and 5 years in return for a more competitive, fixed interest rate. The longer you're prepared to lock your funds away, the higher your interest rate will be – but keep in mind that if external rates rise, you won't see any benefit.
Fixed rate accounts can be a good option if you have a lump sum of cash that you want to earn interest on and you won't need to access for a while – you won't usually be able to top up your money during the term or withdraw it without paying a penalty.
Pros
- Good if you have a lump sum to invest
- Fixed rate of interest
- Choose how long you want to tie up your funds
Cons
- You won't usually be able to top up your funds
- You won't usually be able to access your money during the term
- Longer fixed rates can be riskier if rates rise
CompareFixed-rate savings accounts
Best notice savings account
Tembo Barclays - Tembo Cash Lifetime ISA (4.5% AER)
The Tembo Barclays - Tembo Cash Lifetime ISA offers 4.5% AER. You can open the account with as little as £1.
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What do I need to know about notice savings accounts?
Notice savings accounts are half way between an easy access account and a fixed rate account. They can be a good option if you don't want to tie up your funds for long, but also don't need to access them immediately.
Notice accounts often offer better rates than easy access accounts, but require you to give notice before you can access your funds. How much notice you need to give will depend on the account – for example, you might need to give 30 days' notice, 60 days, 90 days or 180 days. Usually, the more notice you need to give, the better the interest rate you'll get. Interest rates are typically variable.
Pros
- You can still access your savings, provided you give notice
- Interest rates are higher compared to easy access accounts
- You won't necessarily need a large deposit to open the account
Cons
- Interest rates are variable so they can change at any point
- You won't be able to easily access your funds in an emergency
CompareNotice savings accounts
Best cash ISA
The XTB Limited Flexible Cash ISA offers 6% AER. You can open the account with as little as £1.
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What do I need to know about cash ISAs?
Thanks to the personal savings allowance, which allows basic rate taxpayers to earn up to £1,000 in savings interest without paying tax (£500 for high rate taxpayers), the tax-free wrapper offered by cash ISAs is no longer so important.
However, if you can find a particularly competitive option, cash ISAs are still worth considering. You can pay up to £20,000 into any combination of ISAs each tax year, but you can only pay money into one cash ISA. As with other savings accounts, you can choose from easy access and fixed rate options. If you have money to move from an existing ISA, look for one that allows transfers in.
Pros
- Choose between easy access and fixed rate options
- ISA income does not count towards your personal savings allowance which can be useful if you're likely to exceed your allowance
- Many accounts can be opened with just £1
Cons
- You can only pay in up to £20,000 a year
- Tax-free wrapper is no longer so important
CompareCash ISAs
Best regular savings account
Best for most savers
Some top-rate accounts can come with strings attached (like “existing customers only” or “additional account necessary”), but not this one. The Hanley Economic Building Society 1 Year Branch Smart Saver offers 6.3% AER. You can open the account with as little as £25.
Best overall… IF you’re eligible!
The First Direct Regular Saver offers 7% AER. You can open the account with as little as £25. Please note that you'll need to be an existing customer to apply.
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What do I need to know about regular savings accounts?
Regular savings accounts can be a good option if you're just starting to get into the savings habit or if you have a particular savings goal in mind. These accounts require you to pay in a set amount each month – say between £25 and £300 – for 12 months, and you'll earn a fixed amount of interest on that money.
You won't usually be able to access your funds during the 12-month period and once it's up, your account will close and your savings will usually be moved to an easy access account. Note that with some regular savings accounts, you'll need to open a current account with that particular bank or hold another financial product with it to qualify.
Pros
- Easy way to save on a regular basis
- Fixed rate of interest
- Interest rates can be competitive
Cons
- Account only lasts for 12 months
- You won't usually be able to access your funds during that time
- Limit to how much you can pay in
CompareRegular savings accounts
Best lifetime ISA
Moneybox Cash Lifetime ISA (4.6% AER)
The Moneybox Cash Lifetime ISA offers 4.6% AER. You can open the account with as little as £1.
What do I need to know about lifetime ISAs?
If you're aged between 18 and 39, you can open a Lifetime ISA. This is a longer-term tax-free savings account that gives you a government bonus of 25% of the money you put in, up to a maximum of £1,000 a year.
You'll be able to save up to £4,000 a year, which forms part of your overall annual ISA limit, and you can continue to pay into your ISA until you reach the age of 50. However, you can only withdraw your money after 12 months if you use it to help pay for your first property or after you turn 60 if you intend to use it for your retirement. If you withdraw the money for any other purpose (unless you're terminally ill), you'll face a 25% penalty.
Pros
- Earn tax-free interest on your savings
- Government bonus available
- Available as a cash ISA or stocks and shares ISA
Cons
- You can only withdraw your funds under specific circumstances
- Only available for those aged between 18 and 39
CompareLifetime ISAs
Which are the best savings accounts at the moment?
Our best savings accounts are the highest interest rates available for each type of account we specify. To get the latest rates, we use Moneyfacts data, which covers nearly the full market of savings products and is checked and updated daily. We don’t include accounts from private banks.
All the accounts in our list have savings protection – for most, this is the Financial Services Compensation Scheme (FSCS). Other schemes include that of NS&I, which is 100% backed by HM Treasury, and the Gibraltar Deposit Guarantee Scheme.
- Best easy access savings account 6% Santander
- Best fixed-rate savings account 4.75% Market Harborough Building Society
- Best notice savings account 4.5% Tembo
- Best cash ISA 6% XTB
- Best regular savings account 7% first direct
- Best lifetime ISA 4.6% Moneybox
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High interest current accounts
Believe it or not, some current accounts pay higher rates of interest compared to some savings accounts. What’s more, because it’s a current account you’ll be able to access your money whenever you need to. However, the downside is that the amount of money you can earn interest on will be limited and in some cases, the rate drops after a year. Banks also offer fantastic signup offers when you close down your current account and switch to a new one.
Pros
- Interest rates can be competitive.
- Easy access to your money.
- You may benefit from other perks such as cashback for switching.
Cons
- The amount of money you can earn interest on is limited.
- You might need to meet certain criteria to qualify (e.g. setting up direct debits or paying in a set amount each month).
Auto-savings apps
Auto-savings apps help you squirrel away some of your cash without you noticing. This could be done through working out how much you can afford to save each week and automatically transferring that amount into a separate savings account. Or your purchases might be rounded up to the nearest £1 and the difference moved to a savings pot. This can be a great option if you’re struggling to get into the savings habit or you regularly forget to put money aside.
Pros
- Easy way to help you save
- You can opt to save less or withdraw the funds if you need to
Cons
- You won't always earn a high interest rate on your savings
- You won't necessarily be saving a huge amount
Premium bonds
Premium bonds are a savings product from National Savings and Investments (NS&I) and give you the chance of winning between £25 and £1 million (tax-free) each month instead of earning interest. You will need to invest at least £25 and you can keep buying bonds until you reach a maximum holding level of £50,000.
Pros
- There's the potential to win big.
- There's no investment risk – they are government backed so you won't lose your money.
- Winnings are tax-free.
Cons
- There's the risk you won't win anything.
- You won't get a regular income.
Sharia savings accounts
Islamic savings accounts must follow the rules and laws of Islam or Sharia law and be guided by Islamic economics. Islamic savings accounts do not pay interest, but instead, you’ll be promised a return on the money saved, called an “expected profit rate”.
The money kept in an Islamic bank account must be ring-fenced and cannot be used for non-Sharia approved activities. This means money will not be lent to businesses that provide goods or services such as alcohol, tobacco or gambling.
Pros
- More ethical way to bank.
- Expected profit rates on savings accounts can be competitive.
- Open to all.
Cons
- Fewer banks to choose from.
Best banks for savings customer satisfaction in 2026
We asked the account holders of savings providers featured in this table whether they’d recommend it to a friend and we’ve ordered the table by the percentage score. Our independent survey was carried out in February 2026. You can learn more about the research here.
| Brand | Customers who’d recommend | Details |
|---|---|---|
| Lloyds Bank | 97% | Lloyds Bank is described as a reliable and secure provider for savings. Reviewers highlight the ease of setup and the convenience of its internet banking. |
| Nationwide | 97% | Highly regarded for its ethical approach, Nationwide offers a wide range of reliable products. Customers value the secure app and the brand’s professional service. |
| Plum | 97% | Plum is praised for its automatic saving features and user-friendly app. Customers find the platform an effective and straightforward way to manage their money. |
| RCI Bank | 97% | RCI Bank is recommended for its competitive interest rates and clear notifications. Reviewers find the platform simple to use and the service very responsive. |
| Aldermore | 93% | Aldermore is praised for its high, competitive interest rates. Customers also value the straightforward account management and helpful customer service. |
| Yorkshire Building Society | 93% | Yorkshire Building Society is highly regarded for its market-leading interest rates and secure service. Customers value the professional staff and clear communication. |
| Moneybox | 93% | Reviewers highly recommend the Moneybox app for its ease of use and helpful trackers. The platform is noted for providing competitive rates across different products. |
| Ford Money | 93% | Known for competitive rates and secure online banking, Ford Money is highly trusted. Customers often mention its reliable service and efficient account management. |
| Atom Bank | 93% | Customers love Atom Bank for its competitive rates and stress-free, easy-to-use app. The setup process is consistently described as quick and simple. |
| Marcus | 90% | Marcus by Goldman Sachs is frequently commended for its competitive interest rates and reliable app. Users appreciate the simplicity of the account setup and transfers. |
| HSBC | 90% | Customers value HSBC for being a safe and stable place for their savings. Reviews consistently mention the helpful staff and the bank’s reliable service. |
| Starling Bank | 90% | Starling Bank is noted for its organised approach and ease of use. Customers value how simple it is to link savings to their current accounts. |
| Shawbrook | 90% | Consistently praised for competitive interest rates, Shawbrook provides an easy-to-navigate website. Reviewers also appreciate the clear updates and the simple account maturity process. |
| Leeds Building Society | 87% | Leeds Building Society is commended for its competitive interest rates and helpful customer service. Users also find the website straightforward and easy to navigate. |
| Chip | 87% | The Chip app is frequently described as a great tool for saving with competitive interest rates. Users also appreciate the simple setup and secure experience. |
| Zopa | 87% | Zopa earns praise for its competitive interest rates and user-friendly mobile app. Customers appreciate the flexibility to access their funds easily when required. |
| Monument | 87% | Monument is valued for its impressive app and competitive interest rates. Reviewers frequently describe the brand as reliable and its customer service as efficient. |
| Barclays | 83% | Barclays offers a wide variety of easily accessible savings accounts. Savers highlight the brand’s excellent reputation and the quality of its mobile app. |
| NatWest | 83% | NatWest provides a reliable experience with an app that makes managing savings simple. Reviewers appreciate the helpful updates and the brand’s trustworthy reputation. |
| Virgin Money | 83% | Virgin Money is frequently cited as a safe and secure bank with competitive rates. Savers appreciate the instant access and the brand’s straightforward approach. |
| Santander | 80% | Santander is described as a reliable brand with a straightforward, easy-to-use app. Many customers value the helpful service and the variety of savings options. |
| Halifax | 80% | Halifax is valued for its easy-to-use platform and specific savings products for children. Many long-term customers appreciate the brand’s reliability and straightforward transfers. |
| Post Office | 80% | Straightforward and helpful, the Post Office offers easily accessible savings products. Long-term customers appreciate the reliable service and the ability to manage accounts. |
| Chase | 77% | Users find Chase provides excellent instant access rates and helpful customer service. The app makes managing different savings pots simple and efficient. |
| TSB | 77% | TSB is valued for its helpful customer service and easy-to-navigate mobile app. Customers find the brand a reliable and trustworthy choice for their savings. |
We show offers we can track - that's not every product on the market...yet. Unless we've said otherwise, products are in no particular order. The terms "best", "top", "cheap" (and variations of these) aren't ratings, though we always explain what's great about a product when we highlight it. This is subject to our terms of use. When you make major financial decisions, consider getting independent financial advice. Always consider your own circumstances when you compare products so you get what's right for you. Most of the data in Finder's comparison tables is provided by Defaqto. In other cases, Finder has sourced data directly from providers.
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