UK ISA Comparison
Individual Savings Accounts (ISAs) let you save or invest without paying tax on interest or investment growth.
- You can put up to £20,000 in total across all ISA types in the current tax year (2026/27).
- Confirmed at the Autumn Budget 2025: from 6 April 2027 the cash ISA allowance for under-65s falls to £12,000 (over-65s keep £20,000).
- The overall £20,000 ISA allowance is unchanged, so the remainder must go to other ISA types (e.g. stocks & shares). The 2026/27 tax year is the last in which most savers can put the full £20,000 into cash.
- Four main types: Cash ISA (Easy Access & Fixed Rate), Stocks & Shares ISA, Lifetime ISA (Cash & S&S, for first-time buyers or retirement), and Innovative Finance ISA.
Rates and terms change often. Check with the provider before opening anything.
Compare providers
Trading 212
Visit provider →Flexible ISA. 3.6% variable + 12-month 0.91% new-customer bonus (promo-code offers up to ~4.63% exist). Transfers from prior tax years earn only 3.6%.
Plum
Visit provider →2.54% base + 12-month 1.9% new-customer bonus; transfers in get a lower ~4.0%. Must keep account 12 months to receive bonus.
Chip
Visit provider →Top pick for transfers in. 3.75% variable (tracks BoE base rate) + 12-month 0.67% new-customer bonus.
Bank of Ireland UK
Visit provider →0.9% variable + 12-month 3.31% bonus; rate collapses after year 1. Accepts transfers.
Post Office
Visit provider →0.9% variable + 12-month 3.26% bonus.
Cynergy Bank
Visit provider →Straightforward no-gimmick rate. No intro bonus. Accepts transfers.
Virgin Money
Visit provider →Accepts transfers.
Last updated: July 2026. Rates and terms are indicative. Check with the provider before acting. No affiliate links.
ISA projection tool
Compare returns for Cash vs Stocks & Shares ISA. Assumes rates stay constant. For illustration only.
Tax band (for PSA comparison)
Cash ISA
£19,551
Interest: £2,551 · Tax-free
Stocks & Shares ISA
£21,332
Growth: £4,332 · Tax-free
Personal Savings Allowance: basic-rate taxpayers can earn £1,000/year interest tax-free outside an ISA (higher rate £500, additional rate £0). In a normal savings account at the same rate you'd pay roughly £0 more tax over this period. For stocks & shares held outside an ISA, gains above the £3,000 annual CGT allowance are taxed at 18% (basic) or 24% (higher/additional), indicatively £240 if these gains were realised in one go. Rough illustration only, not advice.
Key information
ISA allowance
£20,000 total across all ISA types in the current tax year. Confirmed at Autumn Budget 2025: from 6 April 2027 the cash ISA cap for under-65s falls to £12,000; the overall £20,000 allowance stays, with the remainder going to other ISA types. Over-65s are exempt and keep a £20,000 cash allowance.
FSCS protection
Cash: up to £120,000 per institution (or £85k for some schemes). Investments: up to £85,000. Check your provider for details.
Flexible ISAs
With a flexible ISA, you can withdraw and replace money in the same tax year without it counting again towards your allowance. Check your provider’s terms.
Transferring ISAs
Always transfer via your new provider so the money stays inside the ISA. Transferring to a bank account and re-depositing uses up allowance.
Tax year deadline
Use your allowance by 5 April 2027 for the current tax year. Unused allowance cannot be carried forward.
Which ISA is right for me?
Answer a few questions to get a steer (not advice).
What’s your main goal?
ISA frequently asked questions
- How much can I put in an ISA in 2026/27?
- You can save up to £20,000 in total across all ISA types in the 2026/27 tax year (6 April 2026 to 5 April 2027). Up to £4,000 of that can go into a Lifetime ISA. Unused allowance cannot be carried forward to the next tax year.
- What is changing for cash ISAs in April 2027?
- Confirmed at the Autumn Budget 2025: from 6 April 2027, savers under 65 can put at most £12,000 per year into cash ISAs. The overall £20,000 ISA allowance is unchanged. The remainder must go into other ISA types such as stocks & shares. Over-65s keep the full £20,000 cash allowance. Existing balances are unaffected, and 2026/27 is the last tax year most savers can put the full £20,000 into cash.
- Are ISAs protected if a provider goes bust?
- Cash ISAs held with UK-authorised banks and building societies are protected by the Financial Services Compensation Scheme (FSCS) up to £120,000 per person per firm (the limit was raised from £85,000 on 1 December 2025). For stocks & shares ISAs, FSCS covers up to £85,000 if the platform fails, but investment losses themselves are not covered.
- How does the Lifetime ISA bonus work?
- The government adds a 25% bonus on up to £4,000 saved per tax year (a maximum of £1,000 per year). You must be aged 18-39 to open a Lifetime ISA. Withdrawals are penalty-free only when buying a first home up to £450,000 or from age 60. For any other withdrawal, a 25% penalty applies, which can mean you get back less than you paid in.
- Can I pay into more than one ISA in the same tax year?
- Yes. Since April 2024 you can open and pay into multiple ISAs of the same type in the same tax year (Lifetime ISAs excepted, only one per year), as long as your total contributions stay within the £20,000 annual allowance. Some providers have their own restrictions.
- Cash ISA or stocks & shares ISA: which is better?
- Neither is universally better. Cash ISAs suit shorter time horizons (under around five years) and carry no risk of nominal loss. Stocks & shares ISAs have historically delivered higher returns over long periods, but values can fall. This is not financial advice. The right choice depends on your goals, timeframe and attitude to risk.
Related guides
Important
This comparison is for information only and is not financial advice. Rates, terms and eligibility change often. Confirm everything with the provider before opening an account. We do not use affiliate links or get paid to feature providers.
Tax treatment depends on your circumstances. ISA eligibility and allowances are subject to HMRC rules. Investments can go down as well as up.