The rates on many of the best cash ISAs have disappeared alongside savings accounts after the Bank of England first cut interest rates in August. So you will need to act fast to get the top rates before they get pulled.
The good news is that some cash ISAs are still returning inflation-busting rates above 4.75%, 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.
Subscribe to MoneyWeek
Subscribe to MoneyWeek today and get your first six magazine issues absolutely FREE
Sign up to Money Morning
Don't miss the latest investment and personal finances news, market analysis, plus money-saving tips with our free twice-daily newsletter
Don't miss the latest investment and personal finances news, market analysis, plus money-saving tips with our free twice-daily newsletter
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 |
| Plum ISA | 4.93% | £100 | N |
| Moneybox Cash ISA | 4.92% | £500 | N |
| Trading 212 Cash ISA | 4.9% | £1 | 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 E-ISA | 4.52% | £1 | Open online |
| Castle Trust Bank 1 year Fixed Rate e-Cash ISA | 4.52% | £1,000 | Open online |
| Kent Reliance 1 year fixed rate cash ISA | 4.5% | £1,000 | Open online or in branch |
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 |
| Hodge Bank 2 Year Fixed Rate Cash ISA | 4.4% | £1,000 | Open online |
| Close Brothers 2 Year Fixed Rate Cash ISA | 4.39% | £10,000 | Open online |
| Castle Trust Bank 2 year Fixed Rate e-Cash ISA | 4.38% | £1,000 | Open online |
The best cash ISAs: three-year fixed rate
| Account | AER | Minimum investment | Notes |
| Hodge Bank 3 Year Fixed Rate Cash ISA | 4.37% | £1,000 | Open online |
| UBL 3 Year Fixed Rate Cash ISA | 4.36% | £2,000 | Open online, via post or in branch |
| Shawbrook Bank 3 Year Fixed Rate Cash ISA | 4.34% | £1,000 | 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.
