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Compare our best current accounts

Weigh up the features, fees and interest rates of some of the best current accounts to see if you could switch to a better deal.

  • Compare current accounts from trusted banks
  • Use the Current Account Switch Service
  • Apply in minutes
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Compare current accounts from leading providers

You'll only find results from genuine companies. Our data experts check each company before we add them to our comparisons.

thinkmoney
Santander
NatWest
Royal Bank of Scotland
Starling Bank
CardOneMoney
Suits Me
Barclays
Virgin Money
TSB

How to compare current accounts

Compare bank accounts

Use our table to find a bank account that offers all the features you need plus low fees.

Check the eligibility

Make sure you fit the eligibility criteria for your chosen current account and have your proof of ID and address ready.

Apply for the account

Click "View deal" and fill out the application form on the provider's website with your personal details.

Current account deals

10 results found, sorted by lowest account fee. How we order our comparisons.
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Switch for 20K Virgin Points + cashback. T&C apply.
Virgin Money M Plus Account
Account fee & requirements
No monthly fee
Arranged overdraft
19.9% EAR variable
Interest rate
2.02% AER (on up to £1,000)
Virgin Money M Plus Account
Switch to the M Plus Account and receive 20,000 Virgin Points to redeem via Virgin Red to spend on a wide range of exciting rewards, ranging from everyday treats to flights to New York. Terms apply.
Cashback on everyday spending. Terms apply. Earn interest of 2.02% AER/2.00% Gross (variable) on your current account balance up to £1,000. Also earn 1.56% AER/1.55% Gross (variable) on your easy access linked savings account balance up to £25,000.
Representative Example: If you use an arranged overdraft of £1,200 you will be charged 19.9% APR Representative/EAR variable. Subject to financial status.
Rate Tiers
Gross rateGross rateAER rateAER rate
Excluding bonusIncluding bonusExcluding bonusIncluding bonus
£12%2%2.02%2.02%
£1,0010%0%0%0%
Eligibility
Maximum AgeUnlimited
Maximum InvestmentUnlimited
Minimum Age18 years
Permanent UK Resident
View deal
Receive £150 for switching. T&Cs apply.
First Direct 1st Account
Account fee & requirements
No monthly fee
Arranged overdraft
£250 interest free, then 39.9% EAR variable
Interest rate
0% AER
First Direct 1st Account
To qualify, switch using the Current Account Switch Service, deposit £1000 within 3 months of account opening.  New customers only that have not opened a HSBC account on or after 1 Jan 2019.
Representative Example: £250 interest and fee free overdraft, subject to status. If you then use an arranged overdraft of £1,200 you will be charged 39.9% EAR variable. Representative APR: 30.5%.
Rate Tiers
Gross rateGross rateAER rateAER rate
Excluding bonusIncluding bonusExcluding bonusIncluding bonus
£10%0%0%0%
Eligibility
Maximum AgeUnlimited
Maximum InvestmentUnlimited
Minimum Age18 years
Permanent UK Resident
View deal
Starling Bank Current Account
Account fee & requirements
No monthly fee
Arranged overdraft
£8.54 buffer, then 15% EAR variable
Interest rate
0.05% AER (on up to £85,000)
Starling Bank Current Account
Representative Example: If you use an arranged overdraft of £1,200 you will be charged 15% APR Representative/EAR variable. Subject to financial status.
Rate Tiers
Gross rateGross rateAER rateAER rate
Excluding bonusIncluding bonusExcluding bonusIncluding bonus
£10.05%0.05%0.05%0.05%
£85,0010%0%0%0%
Eligibility
Maximum AgeUnlimited
Maximum InvestmentUnlimited
Minimum Age18 years
Permanent UK Resident
View deal
NatWest Select Account
Account fee & requirements
No monthly fee
Arranged overdraft
39.49% EAR variable
Interest rate
0% AER
NatWest Select Account
To apply you need to be 18+ and a UK resident. No monthly fee. Over 18s only and account eligibility criteria applies.
Representative Example: If you use an arranged overdraft of £1,200 you will be charged 39.49% APR Representative/EAR variable. Subject to financial status.
Rate Tiers
Gross rateGross rateAER rateAER rate
Excluding bonusIncluding bonusExcluding bonusIncluding bonus
£10%0%0%0%
Eligibility
Maximum AgeUnlimited
Maximum InvestmentUnlimited
Minimum Age18 years
Permanent UK Resident
View deal
Santander Everyday Current Account
Account fee & requirements
No monthly fee
Arranged overdraft
39.94% EAR variable
Interest rate
0% AER
Santander Everyday Current Account
A simple and straightforward current account, with no monthly fee.
You’re over 18 and live in the UK permanently.
Representative Example: If you use an arranged overdraft of £1,200 you will be charged 39.94% APR Representative/EAR variable. Subject to financial status.
Rate Tiers
Gross rateGross rateAER rateAER rate
Excluding bonusIncluding bonusExcluding bonusIncluding bonus
£10%0%0%0%
Eligibility
Maximum AgeUnlimited
Maximum Investment£2,000,000
Minimum Age18 years
Permanent UK Resident
View deal
TSB Spend & Save
Account fee & requirements
No monthly fee
Arranged overdraft
39.9% EAR variable
Interest rate
0% AER
TSB Spend & Save
Earn up to £30 cashback - £5 per month for 6 months, making 30 debit card payments per calendar month (direct debits/withdrawals excluded)*. Saving Pots, Save the Pennies and Auto Balancer features.
UK residents only, 18+.
Representative Example: If you use an arranged overdraft of £1,200 you will be charged 39.9% APR Representative/EAR variable. Subject to financial status.
Rate Tiers
Gross rateGross rateAER rateAER rate
Excluding bonusIncluding bonusExcluding bonusIncluding bonus
£10%0%0%0%
Eligibility
Maximum AgeUnlimited
Maximum InvestmentUnlimited
Minimum Age18 years
Permanent UK Resident
View deal
Royal Bank Select Account
Account fee & requirements
No monthly fee
Arranged overdraft
39.49% EAR variable
Interest rate
0% AER
Royal Bank Select Account
To apply you need to be 18+ and a UK resident. No monthly fee. Over 18s only and account eligibility criteria applies.
Representative Example: If you use an arranged overdraft of £1,200 you will be charged 39.49% APR Representative/EAR variable. Subject to financial status.
Rate Tiers
Gross rateGross rateAER rateAER rate
Excluding bonusIncluding bonusExcluding bonusIncluding bonus
£10%0%0%0%
Eligibility
Maximum AgeUnlimited
Maximum InvestmentUnlimited
Minimum Age18 years
Permanent UK Resident
View deal
Get £170 when you switch to HSBC Advance. T&C’s apply.
HSBC Advance
Account fee & requirements
No monthly fee
Arranged overdraft
£25 interest free, then 39.9% EAR variable
Interest rate
0% AER
HSBC Advance
Representative Example: £25 interest and fee free overdraft, subject to financial status. If you then use an arranged overdraft of £1,200 you will be charged 39.9% EAR variable. Representative APR: 38.9%.
Rate Tiers
Gross rateGross rateAER rateAER rate
Excluding bonusIncluding bonusExcluding bonusIncluding bonus
£10%0%0%0%
Eligibility
Maximum AgeUnlimited
Maximum InvestmentUnlimited
Minimum Age18 years
View deal
Santander 123 Lite Current Account
Account fee & requirements
£2 per month, pay in £500+ per month
Arranged overdraft
39.94% EAR variable
Interest rate
0% AER
Santander 123 Lite Current Account
Earn up to 3% cashback every month on selected Household bills paid by Direct Debit.
You’re over 18 and live in the UK permanently.
Representative Example: If you use an arranged overdraft of £1,200 you will be charged 39.94% APR Representative/EAR variable. Subject to financial status.
Rate Tiers
Gross rateGross rateAER rateAER rate
Excluding bonusIncluding bonusExcluding bonusIncluding bonus
£10%0%0%0%
Eligibility
Maximum AgeUnlimited
Maximum InvestmentUnlimited
Minimum Age18 years
Minimum Monthly Credit£500
Permanent UK Resident
View deal
TSB Spend & Save Plus
Account fee & requirements
£3 per month
Arranged overdraft
£100 interest free, then 39.9% EAR variable
Interest rate
0% AER
TSB Spend & Save Plus
Earn up to £60 cashback annually: £5 per month, ongoing with 30 debit card payments per calendar month on opening a new Spend & Save Plus account or changing an existing TSB account. Interest-free overdraft up to £100.
UK residents only, 18+.
Representative Example: £100 interest and fee free overdraft, subject to financial status. If you then use an arranged overdraft of £1,200 you will be charged 39.9% EAR variable. Representative APR: 40.1%.
Rate Tiers
Gross rateGross rateAER rateAER rate
Excluding bonusIncluding bonusExcluding bonusIncluding bonus
£10%0%0%0%
Eligibility
Maximum AgeUnlimited
Maximum InvestmentUnlimited
Minimum Age18 years
Permanent UK Resident
View deal

We are classed as a credit broker for consumer credit, not a lender.

Our services are provided at no cost to you. We may receive a commission from the companies we refer you to, but this does not affect what you will pay for the product you choose.

Compare another type of current account

What is a current account?

A current account lets you carry out everyday banking transactions. This includes:

  • having your salary deposited

  • withdrawing cash

  • making payments

  • setting up Direct Debits

  • arranging standing orders

Different types of current accounts

Online current account

An online bank account allows you to manage your money online. Most traditional high street banks offer some form of online banking, but there are also new app-based (or digital-only) banks that don't have any physical branches. These banks exist only as an app on your smartphone. Their accounts allow you to conduct most typical banking transactions.

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Packaged current account

A packaged current account has all the usual features you would expect from a current account but with some extra benefits besides. Typically this includes things like free breakdown cover or mobile phone or travel insurance. Other popular rewards include discounts when you buy from particular shops or go to certain restaurants. In most cases, you'll be charged a fee to use these accounts.

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High-interest current account

With these accounts, interest is paid on your balance based on the annual equivalent rate (AER) of interest. Often these accounts require you to deposit a set amount of money every month. There's typically a limit to the amount of money these accounts will pay interest on.

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Joint accounts

This is a current account that you open jointly with a partner, family member or friend. All the account holders can withdraw money or pay into the account. This may be useful if you share bills and want to have a single account from which to pay them.

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How to apply for a current account

Applying for a current account is simple. You just have to provide documents to prove your identity and address. Here are the most common documents you can use:

Proof of identity

  • passport

  • driving licence

Proof of address

  • council tax bill

  • utility bill

  • a bank statement

  • tenancy agreement

Proof of immigration status

If you are not a UK citizen, you may also be required to show your visa status and a letter from your university or employer.

Where to apply

You can apply for a current account at a bank or building society online, in a branch, by phone or by post. You can also use the Current Account Switch Service to swap over to a new current account at the same time as you close your existing account. Some deals even give you a cash reward for doing this.

What is the Current Account Switch Service?

Most banks subscribe to what is called the Current Account Switch Service (CASS). This free service makes it easy for anyone with a UK current account to switch to a new one. The account's provider takes care of the whole process for you. This includes:

  • opening a new current account

  • moving your balance

  • switching Direct Debits and standing orders

  • closing your old current account

The Current Account Switch Guarantee means that if anything goes wrong, you'll be refunded any interest and charges on both accounts.

Switching current accounts couldn't be easier. Here's a list of banks and building societies on the Current Account Switch Service.

What features might different current accounts have?

  • Overdrafts: these let you borrow money using your current account. Your balance is then negative until you pay it back. Compare current accounts that offer overdrafts.

  • Interest: the best current accounts give you monthly or yearly interest on your balance, but you only earn interest when you have money in your account. Compare current accounts that pay interest.

  • Rewards: this refers to rewards, like cashback, which you get for using your debit card or paying bills from your current account. Compare current accounts that pay rewards.

  • Add-ons: these are optional extras, such as breakdown cover or travel insurance, that you can choose to include as part of your account.

Salman Haqqiquotation mark
Your current account is the most fundamental part of your personal finances, which is why it's important to know exactly what your needs are before you pick one. ”
Salman Haqqi, Personal Finance Editor

Find the best current accounts for your needs

Sometimes, the best current account for you might be specifically designed for your situation. Here are some of the types of current accounts that you might like to consider:

FeatureBasic current account Joint current account Business current account
Ideal for everyday needs without credit check partner, housemate or family member sole traders, companies, charities
Overdraft Not included Arranged Not included
InterestsNoUp to 3% AER No
Monthly fee NoNoYes
ATM withdrawal per day Up to £300 up to £300 up to £500
Online & Mobile banking Yes Yes Yes
More information Compare basic current accountCompare joint current accountCompare business current account

Find the best current accounts for teenage or students

If you're a student, or under 18 year olds, you can still get a current account. You'll be able to pay money in, make payments by card in person or online, and set up automatic payments for bills.

Featurestudent current account under 18 current account
Ideal for studentteenage or young child
Overdraft ArrangedNot included
Interests Up to 3% AER Up to 3% AER
Monthly fee NoNo
ATM withdrawal per day IncludedNot included
Online & Mobile banking Up to £300 Up to £100
More information Compare student current accountCompare under 18 current account

Here's how to work out which current account is best.

Current account FAQs

About our current accounts comparison

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Why compare current accounts with money.co.uk?

Comparing current accounts could save you money on overdrafts, get you cashback on bills or see you paid more interest on positive balances. Our multiple award-winning comparison service helps make sure you get the best deal possible based on your individual circumstances. Our aim is to provide you with the most up-to-date information, as well as useful tools and calculators so to help you make life's most important decisions and take control of your money.

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We have always aimed to provide the best possible services to bridge the gap between our users and our clients. Over the years, we have been thrilled to be recognised by various prestigious bodies and organisations for those efforts.

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Last updated: 28 June 2022