Best banks and bank accounts in the UK 2026

Our experts trawled through the features and fees of accounts from all the big providers and challengers worth considering, including digital-only banking apps. This guide shows our scores as well as scores from the people who matter most – customers. Find out the top accounts for spending abroad, earning interest on your balance, cashback and more, to help you choose the perfect account. You can also earn money when switching your bank account.

Our 2026 customer satisfaction league table

We asked the customers of banking apps and current accounts 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 Feburary 2026. Learn more about how we conducted our research.

• Customer satisfaction scores methodology

  We asked people who’d used a current account provider within the previous 12 months to rate their satisfaction with the service they received and whether they’d recommend the provider to a friend. Our independent survey of 750 current account customers was carried out in February 2026.

  We have shown the percentage recommended score in the table above and used these ratings to decide the winners of our awards. Where there was a draw on the “would recommend percentage”, we used the overall rating out of 5 as a tie-breaker.

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Our expert says: Banking expert Cathy Hudson explains how to pick the best account

"The bank that’s right for you depends on your priorities and your financial situation. If you’re simply looking for a bank with the best customer satisfaction, Chase, Revolut, and Starling received the highest scores for overall satisfaction, with Chase scoring an impressive 100% ‘would recommend’ score. These are digital-only banks so you would need to make sure this would suit you before choosing one of them.

If it’s interest on your credit balance you’re looking for, Kroo – another digital bank – is one of the few that pays you interest. Although, if that is what interests you, it’s also worth checking out Nationwide’s FlexDirect which pays interest for the first 12 months. Starling is best if you’re spending money abroad, as it doesn’t charge you fees when you’re paying by card or taking cash out overseas and uses Mastercard’s exchange rates.

For those looking to maximise the return on their savings, first direct is a winning option as by taking out its current account you get access to its top-paying Regular Saver account, which lets you save £25 to £300 a month for 12 months. The interest you’ve earned will be paid to you at the end of this period. If you save the maximum £300 a month, at 7% gross AER, you’ll earn around £136.50 at the end of the 12 months."

Cathy Hudson

Money expert

The UK’s best current accounts for 2026 ranked by expert score

• Best all rounder and for overseas spending: Starling Current Account
• Best for extra features: Monzo Current Account
• Best for cashback: Chase Current Account
• Best on the high street: Nationwide Building Society FlexAccount
• Best for payment features: Lloyds Bank Classic Account
• Best for linked savings account: Zopa Bank Biscuit

Finder Score	Account fees	Interest (AER)	Switch service guarantee
Best all rounder and for overseas spending
Finder score 9.8Excellent Starling Current Account	Finder score 9.8Excellent	£0	0%	Yes	Go to site More info Compare product selection Compare	loading	Why we like it Starling offers a high standard of banking with a range of useful features and no monthly fee. Its app is highly rated and very easy to use, with helpful budgeting and payment features such as savings spaces, virtual cards and round-up spare change options. We also really like that there are no transaction fees for overseas spending and no monthly overseas ATM withdrawal limits, making it the perfect travel companion. Pros & cons Pros Split any bill with a tap 24/7 customer support Bill manager & instant alerts Spaces to help manage your money No charge from Starling for card use abroad Cons No branch network No interest on your current account balance Limited product range compared to other banks
Best for extra features
Finder score 9.3Excellent Monzo Current Account Cashback	Finder score 9.3Excellent	£0	0%	Yes	Go to site More info Compare product selection Compare	loading	Why we like it Monzo is bursting with extra features designed to help you manage your money. Beyond the standard suite of budgeting tools - such as automatic categorisation and dedicated Savings Pots - it introduces clever features that solve everyday problems. We’re particularly impressed by its flexible bill-splitting, which allows you to request funds from friends regardless of who they bank with. Plus, for those struggling to save, the 1p Savings Challenge offers a fun, low-pressure entry point into building a nest egg. Pros & cons Pros Easy to set up Good for budgeting and categorising spending Automatic saving feature Fee-free spending abroad Slick app with face login Overdrafts and loans available Cons Free ATM withdrawals outside the EEA limited to £200, £1 fee for depositing cash at PayPoints, Maximum cash deposit of £1,000 every 6 months No rewards program
Best for cashback
Finder score 7.9Great Chase Current Account Cashback	Finder score 7.9Great	£0	0%	Yes	More info Compare product selection Compare	loading	Why we like it Chase’s cashback offer is head and shoulders above the rest, not just in how much you can earn each month, but also because it has no monthly fee. New customers can earn 1% cashback on their debit card spending for the first 12 months, but cashback is capped at £15 a month, and there are conditions on what you can earn cashback on. Chase’s account also comes with free spending and cash withdrawals abroad, and the ability to open extra current accounts in seconds for free. Pros & cons Pros Rewards when you spend Interest when you don't No fees abroad from Chase Cons No branches if you prefer face-to-face banking Can’t deposit cash or cheques into the account Overdrafts not available yet
Best on the high street
Finder score 9.1Excellent Nationwide Building Society FlexAccount	Finder score 9.1Excellent	£0	0%	Yes	More info Compare product selection Compare	loading	Why we like it Nationwide prides itself on its high street presence and is one of our highest-rated accounts when it comes to customer service and account access. But what makes it really stand out is that it pays to be a Nationwide member, literally! Nationwide is one of the only banking providers that gives cash payouts for loyalty. It's made a “Fairer Share Payment” to eligible members for 3 years running, setting a high bar for giving back to its customers. Pros & cons Pros No monthly fee Arranged overdraft available Access to exclusive products such as linked savings account Easy to apply for FSCS protection Cons Interest charged on overdrafts No interest paid on balances Limited account features Withdrawal limit on linked savings account
Best for payment features
Finder score 9.1Excellent Lloyds Bank Classic Account Cashback	Finder score 9.1Excellent	£0	0%	Yes	More info Compare product selection Compare	loading	Why we like it While Lloyds excels at the essentials - such as in-branch cash and cheque deposits and seamless international transfers - it also offers a little extra. Through its Everyday Offers, customers can earn up to 15% cashback at selected retailers, while its Save the Change tool makes saving easy by rounding up everyday purchases. As Lloyds is part of the Lloyds Banking Group, Halifax and Bank of Scotland have many of the same payment features. Pros & cons Pros No monthly fee Earn cashback on spending Overdraft available 24/7 banking FSCS protection Cons Interest charged on overdraft No interest paid on balances Limited account features
Best for linked savings account
Finder score 7.4Great Zopa Bank Biscuit	Finder score 7.4Great	£0	2%	No	More info Compare product selection Compare	loading	Why we like it Zopa’s Biscuit account has a lot to offer, but what stands out is its linked saver, which at the time of writing has the highest rate on the market. You can save up to £300 a month and withdraw anytime you need to, giving you a bit more wiggle room than other regular savers. Biscuit also offers interest on your balance and cashback on bills. So if you’re looking for a current account which gives something back, this is one to check out. Pros & cons Pros Cashback In-credit interest Access to high interest Regular Saver No monthly fees Fee-free debit card Easy-to-use app Cons Overseas cash withdrawals may incur a fee No branches, online only

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Which factors are most important in a bank account?

As part of our customer satisfaction survey, we received feedback from customers on the elements they value most when banking. Below, you can see the results of this analysis, highlighting the most important factors when you’re looking for the best bank account.

What is the average number of bank accounts per person?

The average person in the UK has 1.8 current accounts in 2025 according to Finder research. More than half of UK adults (53%) have 2 or more personal bank accounts – an estimated 28.7 million people – compared to 46% of people in 2020. However, 2.8% of Brits do not currently have a personal bank account in their name, an estimated 1.5 million people.

Bottom line

There are plenty of good deals available if you’re looking to switch account, whatever you want from your bank or banking provider. Just make sure you consider your needs before choosing one. Some of the newer digital-only banks are among the best for customer satisfaction so if you’re happy to only do your banking online or through an app, with no branches offering face-to-face help, these are definitely worth a look.

Frequently asked questions

• Which is the safest bank account?

  Safety is a common concern among banking customers, especially for online banking. If you’re keen to discover which banks offer the best safety precautions, check out our guide to the safest banks.

• How to choose the best bank account?

  Here are the main factors you’ll want to consider when choosing your banking account.

  • Branch access. If you would like assistance from staff in a local branch, you may base your decision on which banks have branches near your home or workplace.
  • Interest rates. It’s worth comparing which banks offer the best interest rates on in-credit balances, and maybe which ones offer the most generous overdrafts.
  • Incentives. A lot of banks offer “packaged” accounts, which come with gadget insurance, travel insurance, breakdown cover and other incentives. However, these also come with a monthly account fee.
  • Customer service. There are plenty of surveys out there that rate the customer service delivered by the best banks.
  • Other financial products. Some banks offer better mortgage/credit card/savings deals to their current account holders, so bear this in mind if you’re looking for other financial products.
  • Switching incentives. Banks from time to time offer switching incentives to close down your old account and switch to a new one. It may be worth browsing the latest switching bonuses on offer which can include rewards of £100 or more.

• Which banks currently offer switching deals?

  Current switching deals

  Below we have listed the latest switching deals on the market. This list is checked regularly and was last updated on 25 March 2026.

  • NatWest – Select & Reward accounts - £150 when you switch
  • Royal Bank of Scotland – Select & Reward accounts - £150 when you switch
  • The Co-Operative Bank – Current Account - Up to £175 when you switch
  • Santander – Everyday & Edge accounts - £200 switch bonus
  • Lloyds Bank – Club Lloyds – Get up to £200
  • first direct – 1st account – Get up to £175

  For more information about how to switch, head over to our switching deals guide.

• How often can I switch bank account?

  You can switch as often as you like, which you might want to do to get a better service or more credit interest, for example. If you’re doing it to get the switching rewards, you can only get it once from some banks. Others will give it to you again if a number of years have passed since the last time.

• Which are the best bank accounts for savings?

  When you’re choosing a savings account, your main consideration will be the amount of credit interest you’ll get. You can find the best accounts with our savings comparison table.

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To make sure you get accurate and helpful information, this guide has been edited by Liz Edwards and reviewed by Katherine Denham, a member of Finder's Editorial Review Board.

Written by

Kate Steere

Editor

Kate Steere is an editor and money expert at Finder, specialising in banking, savings and fintech. She has previously written for The Motley Fool UK and Fitch Solutions, where she covered a wide range of personal finance topics and kept a close eye on market trends. Kate has a Bachelor of Arts in Modern History from the University of East Anglia. When not working, she can usually be found curled up with a good book or heading out for a run. See full bio

Kate's expertise

Kate has written 170 Finder guides across topics including:

• Banking
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