Monzo

Here's a practical rundown of the best savings accounts in the UK right now, based on current market data (rates as of early September 2026 — always double-check before opening, as these change frequently).

1. Easy Access Savings Accounts

Best if you want your money available anytime with no penalties.

• Chase UK – Chase's savings account pairs a competitive easy-access rate with 1% cashback on everyday spending, offering around 4.75% AER on instant-access savings with no notice period required. It's popular because it combines a slick app-based current account with savings in one place.
• Monzo – Monzo's Savings Pot makes saving effortless with round-up features and automatic pot rules, offering around 4.60% AER on easy-access savings, though the best rates require a Monzo Plus or Premium subscription.
• Overall, as of 2 September 2026, the highest UK savings account rates range from 4.40% AER to 8.00% AER across easy access, notice, fixed rate and regular saver accounts.

2. Regular Saver Accounts

If you can commit to saving a set amount monthly, these often beat easy-access rates.

Regular saver accounts currently offer the highest headline savings rates in the UK market, though they usually require customers to save regularly over a specified term, often limit monthly deposits, and may require you to already have a current account with the provider. Big high-street banks (like Nationwide, Santander, and NatWest) frequently run these as loyalty perks for existing current account holders — worth checking your own bank first.

3. Cash ISAs (tax-free savings)

• Trading 212 Cash ISA – A popular newer entrant, currently offering 4.61% AER variable, combining a 3.60% AER variable tracker rate plus a 1.01% bonus for the first 12 months on current tax year contributions, with flexible withdrawals and no account fees.

4. Notice & Fixed-Rate Accounts

Good for money you won't need for a while, in exchange for a better rate.

• Notice accounts (e.g. 90-day notice): These suit savings above your emergency fund that you won't need urgently — for example, moving £10,000 into a 90-day notice account paying 4.9% AER can earn noticeably more than the same money sitting in an easy-access account.
• Fixed-rate bonds: These lock your money away for a set term (6 months to several years) in exchange for a guaranteed interest rate — you get certainty, but no flexibility. The benefit is that if the Bank of England cuts rates further, your fixed account keeps paying the rate you agreed to at the start.

5. Trusted "Old Reliable" Brands

For savers who prioritise stability over chasing the top rate: many savers prefer Chase UK or Marcus by Goldman Sachs UK for flexibility, while building societies like Nationwide Building Society and Yorkshire Building Society remain excellent choices for long-term stability.

Practical Tips

• Cash savings up to £85,000 per person per institution are protected by the FSCS, so it's safe to spread money across different providers if you have larger sums.
• Most basic-rate taxpayers pay no tax on savings interest at all thanks to the Personal Savings Allowance, though high earners with large savings pots may benefit more from an ISA wrapper.

Since you’re in the UK, the “best” savings account depends on what you’re saving for and how easily you need access. Rates change frequently, so always double-check before applying. But these are the brands and products that are genuinely popular and consistently near the top:

🏦 Easy Access Savings – for everyday savers

These let you withdraw whenever you want, though some have limits.

• Chip (Flexible Easy Access) – very popular app-based account. Often has one of the highest easy-access rates. No withdrawal limits on the main account.
• Marcus by Goldman Sachs – one of the most widely used in the UK. Straightforward easy access, no fees, and a good reputation. Rates are usually competitive, if not always the absolute top.
• Chase UK (Saver Account) – popular because it’s tied to the Chase current account. Easy to build up round-ups and sweeping money into a linked 1.5%+ saver (variable).
• Monzo (Saving Pots / Instant Access) – massively used, especially if you already bank with Monzo. Rates aren’t the highest, but the app experience is excellent.
• Nationwide Building Society – the UK’s biggest building society. Their smart limited-access and instant-access accounts are very popular, especially among existing customers.

🏦 Cash ISAs – for tax-free interest

You can save up to £20,000 per tax year and never pay tax on interest.

• Moneybox Cash ISA – extremely popular with younger savers. App-based, has a “Lifetime ISA” option too, and their easy-access Cash ISA is often top-rate.
• Trading 212 ISA – popular because they pay interest on uninvested cash, often with a very competitive variable rate.
• Virgin Money (Cash ISA) – a solid high-street choice. They often have decent easy-access and fixed-rate ISAs.
• Barclays / Lloyds / HSBC – all offer easy-access ISAs, but their rates are rarely the best. Still, millions use them for convenience.

🏦 Fixed-Rate Bonds – for money you don’t need for 1–5 years

Usually pay the highest guaranteed interest.

• Atom Bank – app-only, but offers some of the best fixed-rate bonds in the UK. You name your bond, choose your term.
• Paragon Bank – consistently competitive on fixed-term savings.
• Raisin UK (not a bank, but a savings platform) – lets you access fixed-rate savings from lots of smaller banks (e.g. Al Rayan, Shawbrook, Cynergy Bank) all in one place. Very popular for rate-chasing.
• HSBC / Santander / Nationwide – all offer fixed-rate savings, but their high-street convenience usually means slightly lower rates.

🏦 Notice Accounts – if you can wait 30–120 days for withdrawal

• Leeds Building Society – their notice accounts are popular and often near the top of comparison tables.
• Coventry Building Society – also has good notice accounts and is a trusted name.
• Aldermore – competitive, easy to manage online.

💡 Key tips before you pick

• Use FSCS protection – make sure the provider is covered by the Financial Services Compensation Scheme (up to £85,000 per person per bank). This is essential.
• Check if it’s easy access, limited access, or no access – some “easy access” accounts only let you make 3 withdrawals a year.
• Look at the AER – that’s the annual equivalent rate, which tells you what you’ll actually earn.
• Check bonus rates – some accounts pay an attractive rate for the first 12 months, then drop dramatically. Transfer if that happens.
• Compare on – MoneySavingExpert, Moneyfacts, or Compare the Market.

✅ My short recommendation

If you want a genuinely popular, solid, everyday easy-access saver right now, look at:

1. Chip – usually pays the best easy-access rate.
2. Marcus – reliable, trusted, no gimmicks.
3. Moneybox Cash ISA – if you want tax-free interest.

But don’t open an account purely off this. Rates change weekly, so check MoneySavingExpert’s “savings” charts for today’s best buys. They list the actual accounts people switch to and use most.