The best cash ISAs – October 2024
The best cash ISAs can help you make the most of your tax-free savings. Here are the top easy-access and fixed ISA rates to grow your money
The rates on many of the best cash ISAs have disappeared alongside savings accounts after the Bank of England announced its first interest rate cut in August. So you will need to act fast to get the top rates before they get pulled.
The good news is that cash ISAs are still returning above 5%, so it's worth checking if you're making full use of your £20,000 ISA allowance.
A stocks and shares ISA is a good option for long-term savings, but a cash ISA may make good sense for short-term savings.
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To help you, we have rounded up the best cash ISA rates on the market today.
The best cash ISAs: easy access
Easy access cash ISAs do what they say on the tin, letting you access your savings without penalty.
ACCOUNT | AER | MINIMUM INVESTMENT | FLEXIBLE ISA |
Trading 212 Cash ISA | 5.1% | £1 | Y |
Plum Cash ISA | 4.92% | £1 | N |
Paragon Bank Double Access Cash ISA | 4.87% | £1,000 | Y |
The best cash ISAs: one-year fixed rate
If you’re happy to lock your cash away without any withdrawals for a year, then you're guaranteed that return for one year until your fixed term ends.
ACCOUNT | AER | MINIMUM INVESTMENT | NOTES |
Virgin Money 1 Year Fixed Rate Cash ISA Exclusive | 4.61% | £1 | Open online or in branch |
Castle Trust Bank 1 Year Fixed Cash ISA | 4.56% | £1,000 | Open online |
Charter Savings Bank 1 Year Fixed Rate Cash ISA | 4.53% | £5,000 | Open online |
The best cash ISAs: two-year fixed rate
If you have savings you’re happy to lock away for at least two years, you’ll find rates on cash ISAs in the 4% region.
ACCOUNT | AER | MINIMUM INVESTMENT | NOTES |
United Trust Bank 2 Year Fixed Cash ISA | 4.42% | £5,000 | Open online |
Hodge Bank 2 Year Fixed Rate Cash ISA | 4.41% | £1,000 | Open online |
Cynergy Bank 2 years fixed rate | 4.1% | £500 | Open online |
The best cash ISAs: three-year fixed rate
ACCOUNT | AER | MINIMUM INVESTMENT | NOTES |
UBL UK 3 Year Fixed Rate Cash ISA | 4.31% | £2,000 | Open online, via post or in branch |
Secure Trust Bank 3 Year Fixed Rate Cash ISA | 4.26% | £1,000 | Open online |
Cynergy Bank 3 years fixed rate | 4% | £500 | Open online |
What you need to know about the best cash ISAs
When choosing a cash ISA, there are two main factors to look out for: how long you are comfortable locking your cash up for and the interest rate.
- Easy access ISA accounts allow you to withdraw funds without incurring a penalty.
- Fixed-rate cash ISAs offer a fixed rate of return – usually higher the longer you are prepared to lock your money away. But note: if you withdraw money before the end of the term, then you are likely to be penalised, usually with a reduction in the rate of interest.
Generally speaking, the longer you leave the money untouched, the more interest you can earn. Many ISAs are classed as ‘flexible’, meaning you can replace any funds you withdraw in the same tax year without affecting your annual ISA allowance – which is currently £20,000.
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Vaishali has a background in personal finance and a passion for helping people manage their finances. As a staff writer for MoneyWeek, Vaishali covers the latest news, trends and insights on property, savings and ISAs.
She also has bylines for the U.S. personal finance site Kiplinger.com and Ideal Home, GoodTo, inews, The Week and the Leicester Mercury.
Before joining MoneyWeek, Vaishali worked in marketing and copywriting for small businesses. Away from her desk, Vaishali likes to travel, socialise and cook homely favourites
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