The best cash ISAs – earn up to 4.55% in April 2026

The best cash ISAs can help you earn up to 4.55% on your cash. We look at the top ISA deals on the savings market.

The best cash ISAs concept
(Image credit: Getty Images)

In brief:

Cash ISAs from less well-known banks and building societies are offering interest rates higher than the current rate of inflation. When MoneyWeek researched rates in April 2026, it found the best easy-access account allowing penalty-free withdrawals offered 4.35% interest. Savers who don’t need to access their cash can earn 4.51% by placing it in a one-year fixed ISA, or 4.55% in a two-year and three-year fixed ISA.

The best cash ISAs are currently offering inflation-busting rates of up to 4.55%. For savers who are happy to lock their money away for a set period, fixed-rate cash ISAs can be a good place to start.

Every adult in the UK gets a £20,000 tax-free Individual Savings Account (ISA) allowance each tax year.

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The best cash ISAs in April 2026

The best easy access cash ISAs

Easy access cash ISAs do what they say on the tin, letting you access your savings without penalty. You can currently earn up to 4.35% with this type of ISA.

Swipe to scroll horizontally

Account

AER

Minimum investment

Flexible ISA?

Notes

Plum Cash ISA

4.35%

£1

No

Open online

Tembo Money Cash ISA

4.3%

£10

No

Open online

Vanquis Bank Triple Access Cash ISA

4.3%

£1,000

No

Open online

The best one-year fixed rate cash ISAs

If you’re happy to lock your cash away without any withdrawals for a year, then you're guaranteed returns of up to 4.51% until your fixed term ends.

Swipe to scroll horizontally

Account

AER

Minimum investment

Notes

Close Brothers Savings Fixed Rate Cash ISA

4.51%

£10,000

Open online

Chetwood Bank HL Active Savings 1 Year Fixed Rate Cash ISA

4.5%

£1,000

Open online

HSBC Fixed Rate Cash ISA

4.5%

£500

Open online, in person or over the phone

The best two-year fixed rate cash ISAs

If you have savings you’re happy to lock away for at least two years, you’ll find rates on cash ISAs of up to 4.55%.

Swipe to scroll horizontally

Account

AER

Minimum investment

Notes

Chetwood Bank HL Active Savings 2 Year Fixed Rate Cash ISA

4.55%

£1,000

Open online

Close Brothers Savings Fixed Rate Cash ISA

4.51%

£10,000

Open online

Santander 2 Year Fixed Rate ISA

4.5%

£500

Open online or in person

The best three-year fixed rate cash ISAs

If you wish to lock away your cash for at least three years, the best fixed rate cash ISAs are offering up to 4.55%.

Swipe to scroll horizontally

Account

AER

Minimum investment

Notes

Chetwood Bank HL Active Savings 3 Year Fixed Rate Cash ISA

4.55%

£1,000

Open online

Close Brothers Savings Fixed Rate Cash ISA

4.53%

£10,000

Open online

Nationwide BS Fixed Rate Cash ISA

4.5%

£1

Open online or in person

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. 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.

However, make sure you're making your money work hard for you, and earning inflation-beating savings rates on your cash.

James McCaffrey of TotallyMoney says: “If you’re sitting on savings, check the rate your provider is paying, and if it’s below 4%, then consider moving your money. It’s as simple as filling out a form, and you can transfer all or part of your savings, with cash ISA transfers taking no longer than 15 days."

We have an ISA guide to help you learn everything you need to know about how they work, how much you can pay in, what investments you can hold, and how to transfer one.

Oojal Dhanjal
Editorial Content Producer

Oojal has a background in consumer journalism and is interested in helping people make the most of their money.

Oojal has an MA in international journalism from Cardiff University, and before joining MoneyWeek, she worked for Look After My Bills, a personal finance website, where she covered guides on household bills and money-saving deals.

Her bylines can be found on Newsquest, Voice.Cymru, DIVA and Sony Music, and she has explored subjects ranging from politics and LGBTQIA+ issues to food and entertainment.

Outside of work, Oojal enjoys travelling, going to the movies and learning Spanish with a little green owl.