Greatest money Isa charges: Our choose of the 5 high offers

Products featured in this article are independently selected by This is Money’s specialist journalists. If you open an account using links which have an asterisk, This is Money will earn an affiliate commission. We do not allow this to affect our editorial independence.

A cash Isa is a really important part of your personal finances, as otherwise you could lose a big chunk of your interest to tax.

In this regularly updated round-up, This is Money picks our five favourite cash Isas for savers from all those currently on the market.

It is essential reading to help you choose a top savings account for new cash isa money and transfers – and we detail the top easy access and fixed rate cash Isa deals.

This top Isa round-up has been keeping our readers updated on the best savings deals since 2014 and is kept up-to-date weekly. Bookmark it for the very latest developments.

> Check all the top cash Isa rates in our savings tables

How an Isa works and why you should have one

Each year in April, savers are given a fresh Isa allowance that qualifies for tax-free interest.

For the 2026/27 financial year, starting 6 April 2026 and ending 5 April 2027, the limit is £20,000. From April 2027, the limit for cash Isas will fall to £12,000 for under 65s.

You can transfer Isa money between a stocks and shares Isa and a cash Isa savings account and vice-versa. But again the rules change from April 2027, at which point stocks to cash transfers will be barred.

Cash Isa rates have been rising, along with non-tax free rates. It is worth opening one to shield money away from the taxman, especially with rates moving upwards.

You can also transfer an old Isa for better returns. If you have a sizeable pot, this can often be more lucrative than tracking down the best rate for new money. Read more in our guide to Isa saving.

It’s possible to switch your current year’s cash Isa if you move the entire amount, but it’s far simpler to get your choice right in the first place.

Get an Isa to beat savings tax 

Higher rates have dragged more people into the savings tax net, meaning a cash Isa’s shelter is even more valuable. 

Even though there’s a tax-free savings allowance of £1,000 a year for basic rate taxpayers and £500 for higher rate taxpayers, and Isa is still worth having. 

If you’re a basic-rate taxpayer earning 5 per cent interest, having more than £20,000 in savings will tip you into tax. That figure is £10,000 for a higher-rate taxpayer and if you are in the 45p tax bracket, you get no savings allowance at all.

You may also want to look into a stocks and shares Isa. Read about how to choose the best stocks and share Isa.

Our five favourite Isas:

 – Facts: £1 to open

– Transfers in: Yes (bonus rate only applies to this tax year’s contributions)

– Flexible: Yes

> Full details at Trading 212* 

This is Money says: Trading 212 has consistently offered one of our favourite cash Isas because it usually sits near the top of our rate table, it accepts transfers and has a low minimum deposit. 

The rate includes a 0.96 per cent bonus rate which lasts for 12 months for new customers, after which it falls to 3.6 per cent. Use this special This is Money Trading 212* link to secure it.

Existing customers can earn 3.6 per cent with interest paid monthly. 

The Isa is competitive because it has a good underlying rate, no withdrawal limits and is flexible.

Trading 212 will also apply the boosted rate to contributions made this tax year when transferring an Isa from another provider – previous tax year contributions receive the lower rate.

The account can only be opened by downloading Trading 212’s app. There are no limits to how many times you can withdraw your money and Trading 212 will not reduce your interest rate for accessing your money.

Trading 212’s Isa is a flexible Isa which is a big benefit to savers with the financial fire power to max out their Isa limit each year. 

Any cash deposited with the Trading 212 cash Isa is fully FSCS protected, as are all of the accounts in this list. Funds in the Trading 212 Isa are held in partner bank accounts with Barclays, NatWest and JPMorgan, so they’re FSCS protected with these providers.

Customers are able to see the percentage of their cash held at each bank is in the interest on the cash tab in the Trading 212 app.

It means if you already have money in Barclays, NatWest or JPMorgan, you’ll need to be careful not to breach the £120,000 limit if you put money away with Trading 212.

Read our Trading 212 review to find out how it performs as an investment platform. 

 – Facts: £1 to open

– Transfers in: Yes (but must transfer to its stocks and shares Isa first)

– Flexible: No

> Full details at Hargreaves Lansdown*

This is Money says: Hargreaves Lansdown has hiked the rate on its easy-access cash Isa to 4.52 per cent, which shoots it to near the top of our savings tables. 

It’s positive that the rate is straightforward, with no 12-month boosted rate to contend with. However keep in mind that it’s a variable rate and Hargreaves Lansdown can lower it at its discretion.

There’s a quirk to transfers that means you can’t transfer directly into the cash Isa, and instead you must transfer to its stocks and shares Isa first. Then you need to open the cash Isa with £1 and shift the money over, but this means you’re out of luck if you’ve already used this year’s Isa allowance and want to transfer.

This caveat, plus the fact it’s not a flexible Isa, means it’s not quite our favourite account despite a leading rate.

Your money is FSCS protected up to £120,000, as are all accounts in this list.

– Facts: £1 to open

– Transfers in: Yes

– Flexible: No

> Full details at Oaknorth Bank

This is Money says: Oaknorth Bank is a digital challenger bank that’s currently offering a top rate on a one-year fixed Isa.

We like that there’s a low minimum deposit and transfers are accepted. You’re also able to withdraw money subject to charges. Oaknorth Bank charges a penalty of 90 days worth of interest on the amount withdrawn. 

– Facts: £1 to open

– Transfers in: Yes

– Flexible: No

> Full details at Coventry BS

This is Money says: Coventry BS is a more well-known name than some other providers on this list, warranting its inclusion along with the low £1 minimum deposit.  Slightly higher rates are available elsewhere however, for example Close Brothers is offering 4.76 per cent. 

Unlike other providers you aren’t able to access the money early. You must close the account completely to do so, and you’ll need to pay a penalty of 180 days’ interest on the account balance.

The best cash lifetime Isa

– Facts: £1 to open

– Transfers in: Yes (not partial transfers)

– Flexible: No

> Full details at Moneybox

This is Money says: For those aged between 18–39 who are either saving up to buy their first home or towards retirement, Moneybox has consistently offered a top rate on its lifetime Isa.

Save up to £4,000 each tax year and get a 25 per cent government bonus. The deal is only available through its app. 

The rate includes a 1.45 per cent fixed bonus for the first year, making the underlying rate 2.8 per cent.

SAVE MONEY, MAKE MONEY

Up to £250 cashback

Up to £250 cashback

2.5% cashback when investing at least £200

4.56% cash Isa

4.56% cash Isa

Trading 212: 0.96% fixed 12-month bonus

£200 Sipp cashback

£200 Sipp cashback

Fund a pension with at least £20,000

Up to £150 cashback

Up to £150 cashback

Open a savings account with at least £5,000

Welcome bonus

Welcome bonus

Get up to £200 when you invest £100

Affiliate links: If you take out a product This is Money may earn a commission. These deals are chosen by our editorial team, as we think they are worth highlighting. This does not affect our editorial independence. Terms and conditions apply on all offers.