COMPARE

Compare the things that matter.

A comparison is useful only when the comparison is meaningful.

Two products can have completely different specifications even when their prices appear similar.

Infinity Queen comparisons focus on the factors that can make a real difference to consumers.

WHAT WE COMPARE

BANKING

Compare accounts based on features, costs, interest, accessibility and suitability.

BROADBAND

Compare price, speed, contract terms, flexibility and alternatives such as mobile broadband.

CARS

Compare purchase price, running costs, practicality, technology and long-term value.

HOUSEHOLD PRODUCTS

Compare price, quality, functionality and alternatives.

SERVICES

Look beyond the advertised monthly price and consider the complete cost and contract.

OUR COMPARISON PRINCIPLE

PRICE IS ONLY ONE PART OF VALUE.

We consider:

Price + Quality + Features + Convenience + Running Costs + Flexibility

The importance of each factor depends on the product and the consumer.

BEFORE YOU CHOOSE

Always check the provider's current terms, pricing and availability before purchasing.

A comparison published today may not remain accurate indefinitely.

Our guides are intended to help you make a more informed decision — not to replace your own assessment.

Best Savings Accounts in the UK: Where Can You Earn the Most Interest?

Last checked: 30 August 2026

If you have money sitting in a current account or an old savings account, it is worth checking what interest you are actually earning.

Savings rates can differ substantially between providers, and the account paying the highest rate is not necessarily the right choice if you need immediate access to your money.

For August 2026, some of the most competitive rates we found include fixed-rate savings reaching 5.00% AER, while leading fixed Cash ISAs are offering rates around 4.50%–4.70% tax-free.

Our quick verdict

Best high-rate fixed saver: Atom bank

Atom bank currently advertises a 5.00% AER fixed rate for five years, with a minimum deposit of £50 and maximum deposit of £100,000.

The major drawback is access: withdrawals are not permitted during the five-year fixed term. The account is available to UK residents aged 18 or over and is managed through the Atom app.

Best suited to: someone who can genuinely leave the money untouched for five years.

Best government-backed fixed option: NS&I

NS&I's Guaranteed Growth Bonds currently offer up to 4.85% gross/AER fixed for five years.

The minimum investment is £500 and the maximum is £1 million per issue. The money cannot normally be withdrawn before the bond matures.

NS&I products are backed by HM Treasury rather than relying on the normal FSCS deposit-protection arrangement.

Best suited to: savers who prioritise government backing and are comfortable locking money away.

Best mainstream fixed Cash ISA option: Nationwide

Nationwide currently offers fixed Cash ISAs from 4.50% for one year to 4.70% for five years, with the interest tax-free.

The latest rates took effect on 26 August 2026.

Best suited to: savers who want tax-free interest and are prepared to fix their money.

Best flexible boosted option: Chase

Chase currently advertises a 4.50% AER variable boosted saver rate, comprising a 2.25% fixed boost on top of its standard variable rate for the relevant offer period.

Because this is a boosted variable-rate offer, you should check the current eligibility requirements and the duration of the boost before opening the account.

Best suited to: people who want greater flexibility than a multi-year fixed account and are comfortable with a variable rate.

Comparison: selected competitive savings options

ProviderAccount / typeCurrent rateAccessMinimumMaximumKey pointAtom bank5-Year Fixed Saver5.00% AERNo withdrawals during term£50£100,000Highest rate in this selectionNS&I5-Year Guaranteed Growth Bond4.85% AERNo access until maturity£500£1m per issueGovernment-backedNationwide5-Year Fixed Cash ISA4.70% AERFixed termCheck product termsCheck product termsTax-free interestNationwide1-Year Fixed Cash ISA4.50% AERFixed termCheck product termsCheck product termsTax-free interestChaseBoosted Saver4.50% AER variableFlexibleCheck current termsUp to £3m advertisedRate includes a fixed boost

Atom's 5.00% rate, deposit limits and withdrawal restrictions are stated by Atom itself.

NS&I's current rates show 4.82% for one-year Guaranteed Growth Bonds and 4.85% for five-year bonds, with a £500 minimum and £1 million maximum per issue.

Nationwide's latest product documentation confirms 4.50%, 4.55%, 4.65% and 4.70% rates for its one-, two-, three- and five-year fixed Cash ISAs respectively.

Chase's current boosted-rate information states 4.50% AER variable, with a 2.25% fixed boost incorporated into the offer.

What does 5% actually earn?

A high interest rate sounds impressive, but the amount of money you have saved matters just as much.

For illustration, at a hypothetical 5.00% AER:

£5,000 → approximately £250 interest over one year

£10,000 → approximately £500 interest over one year

£20,000 → approximately £1,000 interest over one year

Actual interest will depend on the account, compounding, timing of deposits and withdrawals and the provider's terms.

Fixed vs easy access: which is better?

A 5% fixed account is not automatically better than a 4.5% easy-access account.

Consider what you need the money for.

Choose easy access if:

  • You may need the money unexpectedly

  • You are building an emergency fund

  • You want flexibility

  • You expect interest rates to change

  • You don't want to pay a penalty for accessing your money

Consider a fixed account if:

  • You know you will not need the money during the fixed term

  • You want certainty about the rate

  • You are comfortable locking the money away

  • The rate is sufficiently attractive compared with flexible alternatives

The FCA has repeatedly highlighted the importance of consumers checking whether their existing savings account still offers good value and comparing alternative products.

Don't forget Cash ISAs

A Cash ISA can be particularly useful for people who are likely to pay tax on their savings interest.

The standard ISA subscription limit for the 2026/27 tax year is £20,000, and ISA interest is tax-free.

There is also an important upcoming change.

From 6 April 2027, the annual Cash ISA limit for people under 65 is scheduled to become £12,000, while the overall ISA limit remains £20,000. People aged 65 and over will retain a £20,000 Cash ISA limit.

That means savers should pay attention not only to today's interest rate but also to the tax treatment of their savings.

How safe is your money?

For eligible deposits held with UK-authorised banks, building societies and credit unions, the Financial Services Compensation Scheme currently protects deposits up to £120,000 per eligible person, per authorised firm.

The limit increased from £85,000 to £120,000 on 1 December 2025.

The important phrase is per authorised firm, not necessarily per brand.

If two banking brands operate under the same banking authorisation, your deposits may count towards the same £120,000 limit.

Always check the relevant FSCS protection before placing a large amount of money with a provider.

Our Infinity Queen conclusion

There isn't one savings account that is best for everybody.

If you want the highest fixed rate among the products we checked, Atom bank's 5.00% five-year Fixed Saver stands out.

If government backing is your priority, NS&I's five-year Guaranteed Growth Bond offers 4.85%.

If you want a tax-free fixed return, Nationwide's five-year Cash ISA currently offers 4.70%.

If flexibility matters more than locking your money away, a variable account such as Chase's boosted saver may be more appropriate — but check the boost conditions carefully.

The most important question isn't:

"Which account has the highest rate?"

It is:

"Which account gives me the best combination of return, access, tax treatment and security for the money I have?"

That is the comparison that matters.

Important information

Rates and account terms can change. The information above was checked on 30 August 2026 and should be treated as a snapshot rather than a guarantee of future availability.

Infinity Queen provides general information for educational purposes and does not provide personalised financial advice.

Before opening an account, check the provider's current rate, eligibility requirements, terms and FSCS or other applicable protection directly with the provider.

 

Account Rate Term Access Best for 

Atom 5-Year Fixed Saver5.00%5 yearsNo withdrawalsMaximum fixed rate

NS&I Guaranteed Growth Bond4.85%5 yearsNo withdrawalsGovernment backing

Nationwide 5-Year Cash ISA4.70%5 yearsFixedTax-free savings

Nationwide 1-Year Cash ISA4.50%1 yearFixedShorter tax-free term

Chase Boosted Saver4.50% variableVariableFlexibleAccess + competitive rate

Primary sources