The best cash ISAs – March 2026

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 March 2026, it found the best easy-access account allowing penalty-free withdrawals offered 4.66% interest. Savers who don’t need to access their cash can earn up to 4.35% interest by placing it in a one-year or two-year fixed-rate account, while three-year fixed-rate accounts offer up to 4.22%.

The best cash ISAs are currently offering inflation-busting rates of up to 4.66%. 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, of which £8,000 will need to be invested from 2027 under chancellor Rachel Reeves's new ISA reforms.

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However, new data from Investing Insiders suggests that millions of savers could be missing out on returns of up to £13,000 by not switching to a higher-paying cash ISA.

With the current tax year drawing to a close, savers have just weeks to use up their annual ISA allowance. It's a good time to stash your money, as many providers are boosting their rates to attract customers.

We've rounded up the best cash ISA rates currently on the market – take advantage of the top deals before they disappear.

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 4.66% with this type of ISA.

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 4.35% until your fixed term ends.

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 4.35%.

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 4.22%.

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.