Cash ISAs are a tax-efficient way to save money and, just like standard savings accounts, there are different types of cash ISA to choose from. This guide takes a closer look at regular savings cash ISAs.
Compare regular savings ISAs
Table: sorted by interest rate, promoted deals first
Regular savings ISAs enable you to save money on a regular basis in a tax-free savings account. Most regular savings ISAs will have limits on the amount you can pay in each month – you might be required to pay in between £25 and £500, for example. However, this means they can be a useful option if you don’t have a lump sum to invest. Keep in mind that the maximum amount you can pay into an ISA overall is £20,000 for the 2024/2025 tax year.
You’ll usually be required to make a set number of payments per year, and if you miss a payment, you may lose interest. Some regular savings ISAs will allow withdrawals, but others won’t. Some might restrict withdrawals so that you can only make 1 or 2 per year. If you go over this limit, you’re likely to pay a penalty, so make sure you check the terms and conditions carefully.
In return for these restrictions, you’ll usually earn a better rate of interest than you would with an easy access cash ISA, for example.
How to compare regular savings ISAs
When comparing regular savings ISAs, you’ll naturally want to look for the one that has the highest interest rate. But that’s not the only factor you should consider. It’s also important to ask yourself the following questions:
What are the minimum and maximum monthly contributions? Is this something you can comfortably meet?
Can you make withdrawals and if so, how many? Will this be enough for you?
What are the penalties for missing monthly payments or exceeding the withdrawal limit?
How can the account be opened and managed? Is it online only or can you pop into a branch?
By considering the above points, you’ll be able to find the most suitable regular savings ISA for you.
Are regular savings ISAs a good investment?
If you’re comfortable paying a set amount of money into your account each month and you don’t need regular access to your funds, regular savings ISAs can be a good option. What’s more, regular savings ISAs often pay higher rates of interest than easy access ISAs and don’t require you to have a lump sum to invest. Plus, you won’t need to worry about paying tax on any of the interest you earn.
Pros and cons of regular savings ISAs
Pros
Interest rates tend to be higher compared to easy access ISA accounts
You might be able to make a certain number of withdrawals per year
You can pay in small, regular amounts, helping you to get into the savings habit
Cons
There may be penalties for missing monthly payments or exceeding the withdrawal limits
There will be limits on the amount you can pay into the account, and this will likely be below the annual ISA allowance
There’s not a huge number of regular savings ISAs to choose from
An overview of our regular savings ISAs comparison
Rates up to
3.55% AER
Number of accounts
4
Number of brands
4
Minimum monthly contribution
£10
Maximum monthly contribution
£1,667
Opening options
Branch, website, post
Bottom line
If you’re looking to get into the savings habit and are prepared to pay a regular sum of money into a savings account each month, a regular savings ISA could be an option worth exploring. Just make sure you can meet the minimum deposit requirements and check whether there are any withdrawal restrictions before you sign up.
Frequently asked questions
As well as regular savings ISAs, there are also fixed rate ISAs that require you to lock your money away for a set term in return for a better interest rate and easy access cash ISAs that let you access your money whenever you need it.
Yes, as long as the bank or building society you're considering is authorised by the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) or the Prudential Regulation Authority (PRA), it must protect customer deposits under the Financial Services Compensation Scheme (FSCS).
This means that up to £85,000 of your money will be protected per person, per banking institution in the event your bank went bust.
For the 2024/2025 tax year, you can pay up to £20,000 into an ISA. You can save this amount into one type of account or split it across some or all of the different types of ISA (cash, stocks and shares, lifetime and innovative finance ISA).
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Rachel Wait is a freelance journalist and has been writing about personal finance for more than a decade, covering everything from insurance to mortgages. She has written for a range of personal finance websites and national newspapers, including The Observer, The Mail on Sunday, The Sun and the Evening Standard. Rachel is a keen baker in her spare time. See full bio
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