In this regularly updated round-up, This is Money picks our five favourite cash Isas for savers in 2026.

It is essential reading to help you choose a top savings account for your money that can also protect you from tax – 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.

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 2025/26 financial year, starting 6 April 2025 and ending 5 April 2026, the limit is £20,000.

You can transfer Isa money whichever way you wish between an investment account to savings account, whereas previously you could only shift it from saving to investments.

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.

It is possible to switch your current year’s cash Isa if you move the entire amount, but it is 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.

An Isa is worth having, despite the tax-free savings interest allowance of £1,000 a year for basic rate taxpayers and £500 for higher rate taxpayers.

If you’re a basic-rate taxpayer earning 5 per cent interest, having more than £20,000 in savings will tip you into tax, for a higher-rate taxpayer that figure is £10,000 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:  

Trading 212, easy-access, 4.28%*

 – Facts: £1 to open

– Transfers in: Yes

– Flexible: Yes

> Full details at Trading 212*

This is Money says: Trading 212 is the best cash Isa if you’re looking for the top rate at the moment and a true easy-access Isa that doesn’t cut rates for withdrawing money.

The rate includes a 0.68 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.

Atom Bank, easy-access, 4.25%

– Facts: £1

– Transfers in: No

– Flexible: No

> Full details at Atom Bank 

This is Money says: Atom Bank’s Isa doesn’t have a bonus rate that falls away after 12 months so the rate will stay at a variable 4.25 until Atom changes it. Withdrawals are unlimited meaning you won’t be penalised for accessing your money with a rate cut so this account would suit savers looking for a true no-strings attached easy-access Isa.

This Isa can be opened with a deposit starting from £1 and withdrawals are unlimited meaning you won’t be penalised for accessing your money with a rate cut.

The account can be opened by downloading the Atom app and opening an Isa there.

This Isa does not have the benefit of being flexible nor are transfers permitted from other Isas, only funds from the UK current account that is connected to the Atom account, which will be a drawback to some savers with Isa pots to transfer.

Investec Save, one-year fix, 4.3%

– Facts: £1,000 to open

– Transfers in: No

– Flexible: No

This is Money says: Investec Save currently offers the best one-year fixed Isa by interest rate, but bear in mind transfers into the account aren’t supported. You can open the account online.

Investec Save is also offering a 4.15 per cent regular one-year fix, outside of the Isa wrapper – so tax may be due on interest earned.

Aldermore Bank, two-year fix, 4.13%

– Facts: £1,000 to open

– Transfers in: Yes

– Flexible: Yes

This is Money says: If you’re keen to lock away your money for longer to have the certainty of a fixed rate for your savings, Aldermore Bank is currently offering the best two-year fixed rate.

You can apply for and manage the account online. The Isa is flexible, with withdrawals allowed – but subject to a penalty of 180 days’ worth of interest.

The best cash lifetime Isa

Moneybox, Cash lifetime Isa, 4.25%

– Facts: £1 to open

– Transfers in: Yes (not partial transfers)

– Flexible: No

This is Money says: For those aged between 18-39 who are either saving up to buy their first home or towards retirement, this is the best cash Lisa rate on the market – and the top rate on any Isa product available at the moment.

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 1.2 per cent fixed bonus for the first year, making the underlying rate is 3.05 per cent.

Moneybox says that the rate is decreasing to 4 per cent (including the introductory 1.2 per cent bonus) on 2 January 2026.