All the banks featured here are protected by the Financial Services Compensation Scheme (FSCS), meaning up to £120,000 of your savings are protected should a bank or financial firm go bust.
Easy-access savings accounts are a popular option for savers who want flexibility without sacrificing returns.
These accounts typically offer some of the top savings rates on the market while allowing penalty-free withdrawals, making them well-suited for emergency funds and short-term savings goals.
Currently, the leading easy-access rate is 5% AER from Starling. If you want to lock in rates before they drop any further, you can opt for a one-year fixed savings account instead.
Try 6 free issues of MoneyWeek today
Get unparalleled financial insight, analysis and expert opinion you can profit from.
Start your trial
Sign up for MoneyWeek’s free twice-daily newsletter.
Join more than 165,000 subscribers and keep yourself informed with latest financial news, insights and expert analysis to help you understand what really matters when it comes to your finances.
Join more than 165,000 subscribers and keep yourself informed with latest financial news, insights and expert analysis to help you understand what really matters when it comes to your finances.
Those hoping to maximise their tax-free savings allowance may also want to consider the best cash ISAs.
Latest Videos FromMoneyWeek
Below, we round up the best easy-access savings accounts on the market.
Best easy-access savings accounts
Hanley Economic BS Online Boosted Base Rate Tracker – 4.75% AER
Hanley Economic Building Society is paying a variable interest rate of 4.75%. You can save between £1,000 and £300,000, but only £120,000 of that sum is eligible for FSCS protection. You can open the account online, and interest is paid annually on 31 August.
Zopa Limited Access pot – 4.56% AER
This account from Zopa comes with a 12-month fixed 1.05% bonus. You can save between £1 and £250,000, but only £120,000 is eligible for protection under the FSCS scheme. You can only make three withdrawals every 12 months, and the account can be opened online. Interest is paid monthly.
Cynergy Bank Easy Access Account – 4.55% AER
You can grow your savings with 4.55% interest, which includes a 2% fixed bonus for the first 12 months. This saver can be opened with just £1, and you can save up to £ 1 million. Note that only £120,000 of your money will be protected by the FSCS. You can open this account online, and interest is paid annually.
Chase Saver With Boosted Rate – 4.5% AER
You can earn a 4.5% boosted rate within your first 31 days of opening a Chase saver. It includes an extra 2.25% AER boost for 12 months on top of the standard variable rate. There is no minimum deposit requirement, and you can go up to £3 million. This offer is only available to new customers. Interest is paid monthly, and the account can be opened online.
Saffron BS Online Bonus Saver– 4.49% AER
You can open this saver from Saffron with just £1 and deposit up to £1 million – though it's worth noting that only £120,000 of that sum will be eligible for FSCS protection. The 4.49% rate comes with a fixed 0.67% bonus until 23 September 2027. The account can be funded within 30 days of opening it, which can be done online. Interest is paid monthly or annually.
Post Office Money Online Saver – 4.4% AER
You can earn a boosted rate of 4.4% if you save between £1 and £2 million in this Post Office saver. The rate has a 3.41% bonus after 12 months, and it's also worth noting that only £120,000 of your amount will be protected under the FSCS. You can open this account online. Interest is paid monthly or annually.
OakNorth Bank Easy Access Tracker – 4.35% AER
If you open this OakNorth easy access saver, you can deposit anywhere between £1 and £500,000 – though only £120,000 of your savings will be FSCS protected. The 4.35% rate includes a temporary 1.31% boost for three months. Interest is paid monthly and the account can be managed online.
Cahoot Simple Saver – 4.35% AER
Open this easy-access saver with just £1 and save a maximum deposit of £2 million. But note, you can only earn the variable rate on balances up to £500,000, and only £120,000 of the sum is eligible for protection under the FSCS scheme. You can open this account online. Interest is paid at maturity.
United Trust Bank UTB Limited Access Saver Account – 4.3% AER
UTB is paying a variable rate of 4.3% if you save anywhere between £5,000 and £150,000. Only £120,000 of your balance is eligible for FSCS protection, and you will have 14 days after you submit your application to fund your account. If you make over two withdrawals, your rate will drop to 2.75%. Interest is calculated daily and paid annually on 31 October and at maturity. The account can be opened online.
Oxbury Bank Easy Access Autumn Account – 4.3% AER
Oxbury is paying you 4.3% if you save anywhere between £1,000 and £120,000. You can make same-day withdrawals provided that you do it before 1pm on a working day. You can open this saver online, and interest is paid monthly and at maturity.
Principality Building Society Online Bonus Triple Access – 4.3% AER
Starting with an investment of just £1, this easy-access saver allows you to save up to a maximum of £1 million at 4.3% interest. This rate includes a (variable) bonus of 1.95% for the first 12 months. You can withdraw money from this account three times a year without affecting the interest rate. The account can be opened online.
Tipton & Coseley BS Reward Saver – 4.3% AER
Tipton & Coseley's saver is offering 4.3% on your savings between £1,000 and £100,000. The account only allows four withdrawals per calendar year. Interest is paid annually, and the account can be opened online, in a branch or via post.
thisbank Triple Access Savings Account – 4.28% AER
thisbank's savings account lets customers deposit between £1,000 and £500,000, of which £120,000 is protected under the FSCS. You can make three withdrawals per year, and the account can be opened online. Interest is calculated daily and paid monthly.
How do easy-access savings accounts work?
Easy-access savings accounts let you flexibly save your cash, by making as many withdrawals as you like without incurring a penalty.
You will earn a variable interest rate, which means that the provider can increase or decrease the rate on your savings account as they choose, which is usually the case when the Bank of England cuts the base rate.
If a market-leading account that you opened a few months ago is not offering a good rate anymore, it's worth shopping around regularly to ensure your savings are working as hard as possible.
When can I withdraw money with easy-access savings accounts?
Traditionally, easy-access accounts should give you unlimited and flexible access to your savings.
However, there is now a trend for savings accounts to restrict the number of withdrawals – while still calling the account "easy-access". If you breach the limits, the penalty is normally a loss of interest, or falling onto a lower interest rate.
It means you'll need to look carefully at any restrictions on withdrawals (which could limit the frequency or the amount you take out) before opening an easy-access account.
