Compare Savings Accounts

Compare the whole savings accounts market so you can find the best high interest savings account for your money no matter how much you have to save. We list all types of account including tax free isas, internet saving, fixed term, instant access and offshore savings.
 CompanyAccountInterestMinimum 1st InvestmentAccess 
 
TypeTermHeadline RatePaid WebBranchTel 
 Promoted Results
ING DirectING Direct Savings AccountEasy Accessn/a2.75%monthly£1yesnoyesING Direct Savings Account
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 Guaranteed rate is for new ING Direct Savings Account customers only
Post OfficePost Office Online SaverInstant Accessn/a2.75%choice£1yesnonoPost Office Online Saver
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SantanderSantander eSaver Issue 2Instant Accessn/a2.75%choice£1yesnonoSantander eSaver Issue 2
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HalifaxHalifax Web Saver ExtraEasy Accessn/a2.6%annually£1yesnonoHalifax Web Saver Extra
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 Exclusive deal - If you are a Halifax main current account customer they will apply an extra 0.20% AER to 2.80% AER
Chelsea Building SocietyChelsea Building Society e-Saver RewardEasy Accessn/a2.6%monthly£1yesnonoChelsea Building Society e-Saver Reward
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 Pays you interest every month that you don't withdraw money, but gives the comfort of easy access if you need it.
NatWestNatWest e-ISACash ISAn/a2.5%monthly£1yesnonoNatWest e-ISA
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 Need to open NatWest Instant Access Account at same time as you apply for ISA.
NatWestNatWest Cash ISA Ex/CCash ISAn/a2%monthly£1yesyesyesNatWest Cash ISA Ex/C
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This product is only available to existing customers.
2% on balances over £50k. Rates start from 0.55%. Bonuses avialable.
NationwideNationwide e-Savings Plus Ex/CEasy Accessn/a2%annually£1yesnonoNationwide e-Savings Plus Ex/C
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This account can only be opened by those with Nationwide's current account - FlexAccount. All transactions are... more
RBSRBS Direct SaverEasy Accessn/a1.5%annually£1yesnonoRBS Direct Saver
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NatWestNatWest e-savingsEasy Accessn/a1%monthly£1yesnonoNatWest e-savings
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HSBCHSBC Online Bonus SaverEasy Accessn/a0.75%monthly£1yesnonoHSBC Online Bonus Saver
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 0.75% on your savings with no withdrawals
VirginVirgin ISAInvestment ISAn/an/an/a£500n/an/an/aVirgin ISA
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 Climate Change ISA - An environmental fund with a difference.
Legal & GeneralLegal & General ISAInvestment ISAn/an/an/a£50n/an/an/aLegal & General ISA
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 Find out more about Legal & General's range of ISAs. Invest online today from just £50 a month or £500 lump sum.
F & CF & C F&C Investment Trust ISAInvestment ISAn/an/an/a£50n/an/an/aF & C F&C Investment Trust ISA
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Hargreaves LansdownHargreaves Lansdown HL Vantage ISAInvestment ISAn/an/an/a£100n/an/an/aHargreaves Lansdown HL Vantage ISA
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Henderson Global InvestorsHenderson Global Investors Henderson Investment Funds ISAInvestment ISAn/an/an/a£50n/an/an/aHenderson Global Investors Henderson Investment Funds ISA
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JPMorgan Asset ManagementJPMorgan Asset Management Investment Trust ISAInvestment ISAn/an/an/a£100n/an/an/aJPMorgan Asset Management Investment Trust ISA
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M&G Financial ServicesM&G Financial Services M&G Stocks & Shares ISAInvestment ISAn/an/an/a£10n/an/an/aM&G Financial Services M&G Stocks & Shares ISA
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Abbey InternationalAbbey International Monthly Offshore Saver Ex/COffshore Term1year10%maturity£250n/an/an/aAbbey International Monthly Offshore Saver Ex/C
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This product is only available to existing customers.
HSBCHSBC Regular Saver Ex/CRegular Saver1year8%maturity£25yesyesyesHSBC Regular Saver Ex/C
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Regular monthly payments must be made into this account by standing order from a HSBC current account. The monthly... more
HalifaxHalifax Children's Regular Saver Ex/CRegular Saver1year6%maturity£10nononoHalifax Children's Regular Saver Ex/C
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This is a children's regular savings account. Regular monthly payments must be made into this account by standing... more
This is a children's regular savings account. regular monthly payments must...
SantanderSantander Super Fixed Rate Monthly Saver Issue 9 Ex/CRegular Saver1year6%maturity£20noyesnoSantander Super Fixed Rate Monthly Saver Issue 9 Ex/C
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Regular monthly payments must be made into this account by standing order. The minimum monthly credit is £20... more
Bank of ScotlandBank of Scotland Children's Regular Saver Ex/CRegular Saver1year6%n/a£10nononoBank of Scotland Children's Regular Saver Ex/C
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For existing customer only.
State Bank of IndiaState Bank of India 5 Year Step Up Fixed Deposit (Step 5) Ex/CFixed Bond5years5.75%annually£1,000nononoState Bank of India 5 Year Step Up Fixed Deposit (Step 5) Ex/C
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To be eligible for this account applicants must also open a seperate savings or current account by post or in ... more
State Bank of IndiaState Bank of India 5 Year Step Up Fixed Deposit Monthly (Step 5) Ex/CFixed Bond5years5.75%monthly£1,000nononoState Bank of India 5 Year Step Up Fixed Deposit Monthly (Step 5) Ex/C
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To be eligible for this account applicants must also open a seperate savings or current account by post or in ... more
NationwideNationwide 4 Year Stepped Rate e-Bond (Year 4) Ex/CFixed Bond4years(29 Jul 2014)5.5%annually£5,000yesnonoNationwide 4 Year Stepped Rate e-Bond (Year 4) Ex/C
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The customer is required to have or open a Flex Account to be eligible for an e-Bond.
SantanderSantander Super Bond Issue 23 Ex/CFixed Bond01 Sep
2011
5.5%choice£1noyesnoSantander Super Bond Issue 23 Ex/C
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Customers must pay the same amount or more into a separate qualifying investment from Santander.
- Qualifying... more
SantanderSantander Super Flexible ISA Ex/CCash ISAn/a5.5%annually£1yesyesyesSantander Super Flexible ISA Ex/C
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Available to customers who fund a new or existing qualifying investment product. The amount credited to investment... more
NationwideNationwide 4 Year Stepped Rate e-Bond (Year 4) Monthly Ex/CFixed Bond4years(29 Jul 2014)5.48%monthly£5,000yesnonoNationwide 4 Year Stepped Rate e-Bond (Year 4) Monthly Ex/C
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The customer is required to have or open a Flex Account to be eligible for an e-Bond.
Norwich & Peterborough Building SocietyNorwich & Peterborough Building Society Family Regular SaverOffshore Instant Accessn/a5%n/a£1n/an/anoNorwich & Peterborough Building Society Family Regular Saver
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Norwich & Peterborough Building SocietyNorwich & Peterborough Building Society Family Regular SaverRegular Savern/a5%annually£1yesyesyesNorwich & Peterborough Building Society Family Regular Saver
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Only available to customers who have dependent children (age up to 16 or 18 if in full time education).
Norwich & Peterborough Building SocietyNorwich & Peterborough Building Society Gold Savings Acc Ex/CRegular Saver1year5%annually£20yesyesnoNorwich & Peterborough Building Society Gold Savings Acc Ex/C
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This account is only available to customers who have a Norwich & Peterborough Gold Current Account which they credit... more
Bath Investment & Building SocietyBath Investment & Building Society Future BuilderInstant Accessn/a5%annually£1noyesnoBath Investment & Building Society Future Builder
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BarclaysBarclays Monthly SaverOffshore Instant Accessn/a5%n/a£1n/an/ayesBarclays Monthly Saver
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First DirectFirst Direct Regular Saver Ex/CRegular Saver1year5%maturity£25yesnoyesFirst Direct Regular Saver Ex/C
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Regular monthly payments between £25 - £300 to be made by standing order. The standing order can be... more
SantanderSantander First Home Saver (Special Issue 1)Regular Saver25years5%annually£100noyesnoSantander First Home Saver (Special Issue 1)
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Regular monthly payments must be made into this account. The minimum monthly credit is £100, the maximum... more
SantanderSantander Youth Plus 11 - 15 Account Ex/CInstant Accessn/a5%monthly£1yesyesyesSantander Youth Plus 11 - 15 Account Ex/C
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To be eligible to receive interest the Customer must pay into their account at least once a month and their guardian... more
Principality Building SocietyPrincipality Building Society Birthday Regular Saver BondRegular Saver1year5%maturity£20noyesnoPrincipality Building Society Birthday Regular Saver Bond
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This product will only be available in one branch at a time. This will change on a two week basis, full details... more
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Savings Accounts Explained

Find the savings account that will work for you and your money - we explain how.

Shocking as it sounds your savings could actually be losing you money by paying you a rate of interest that’s below inflation. For this reason, if you haven’t kept an eye on the return you’re getting, it could well be time to move your hard earned cash to a more profitable home. However, deciding to move is the easy part, choosing an account can be more tricky.

There are such an enormous range of savings accounts available now that knowing which is right for you isn’t always easy. So, to make things a whole lot simpler, we explain the three essential questions that you need to ask when looking for the best place to stash your cash.

Where can I get the best return?

This is always the most important question to ask and while it may seem like an obvious one, the answer isn’t always as straight forward as it may seem. Getting the best return isn’t always about picking the highest interest rate as, once tax is factored in and bonuses expire, a great account can soon turn into a mediocre one.

If you’re a tax payer at least 20% of any interest you earn on your money will go straight to the tax man (40% of it if you pay your tax at higher rate). The only relief your savings get from this deduction are when they are ‘hidden’ in an ISA. You can save up to £5,100 a year in a Cash ISA (£10,200 in total including stocks and shares) and, as interest is paid tax free, this is the first place you should look to save as great returns are available.

In the past many people found ISAs inaccessible as the regulations that surrounded them were confusing (to say the least). However, as of 6th April 2008 they have been simplified so that now there is really no excuse not to take advantage of the tax free saving benefits these accounts offer. For more information on finding an ISA account that’s right for you click here

In general, regular savings accounts are often the next best place for your money as they often feature headline grabbing rates that banks and building societies use to lure in new customers. However, while this type of account can give you a really good return they usually come with a whole plethora of restrictions that govern how much you can pay in and how you can access your money so it pays to do your research first. For more on the benefits and drawbacks of regular savers click here

Bonds and fixed term accounts usually offer a better return than their instant access counter parts and really attractive rates of interest are available for those who don’t mind tying their money up for a while. However, this type of account is only ever worth considering if you are confident that you won’t need to access your money as it’s likely that interest penalties will be applied if you need to make a withdrawal mid term.

Instant access accounts are next in line and tend to be a much more flexible option as you can get to your money as and when you need it. Look for the highest interest rate possible but keep an eye out for bonuses that inflate the interest rate for a short while and then drop.

If you’re happy to move your money regularly then chasing bonus rates can be a very profitable pastime. However, if this sounds like too much effort then an account that pays a consistently high rate of interest is likely to be more suitable. Accounts that offer rate guarantees are also a very good bet as they give you the confidence that your money is getting a good return until a certain date in the future.

What kind of access do I need?

While interest rates are an undoubtedly important part of choosing a home for your money, it’s also important to find an account that’s going to let you access your money in a way that suits you.

Fixed term options do often offer the best returns (and tend to be available in anything from 6 month to 5 year terms). However, if you are likely to need your money at all during the specified time frame then it’s unlikely that this type of account will be worth your while as the interest penalties typically associated with mid-term withdrawal will outweigh any benefit earned from the higher rate.

For this reason, high interest, instant access accounts are usually a good bet if you need to be flexible with your funds. Both taxable and tax-free accounts are available with instant access so you will be spoilt for choice and should base your decision largely on interest rates when comparing them.

In addition to this, you’ll also need to consider how you want to access your money. If you’re friendly with your computer then an online account is likely to be convenient and providers often offer the best returns over the internet. However, if you value a branch based service then this is something to look out for too as, while maximising your savings is about getting the best return on your money, it’s only worth it if you have an account that you feel comfortable operating.

Do I need an income from my savings?

Many accounts only pay interest annually, either on the anniversary of account opening or on some other pre-specified date. However, others allow you to take income from your investment on a monthly basis. Some accounts on the other hand offer both options so that you have the flexibility to choose without compromising on getting the type of account you want.

If you’re likely to need a monthly income from your money then this is definitely an important feature to consider when comparing accounts.

What now?

Once you’ve figured out what type of savings account is going to work for you it’s simply down to finding an account that matches your criteria, something that using our handy comparison tables should only take a few minutes at most.

However, it doesn’t stop there. While it’s tempting to sit back and relax once you’ve made sure that your money is working hard you shouldn’t get too comfortable as accounts do change and interest rates do drop. By keeping an eye on the return your account is providing and strategically switching when it stops giving you the best deal, you can make sure that your savings continue to grow as fast as they possibly can indefinitely.

A-Z Savings Account Companies

View our full A to Z list of all savings companies.