Loading Cash ISA accounts…How we compare

Less guesswork. More clarity.

A transparent comparison, built around your deposit and access needs.

01 · YOUR INFORMATION

Start with the things that matter to you

Enter the amount you want to place in a Cash ISA, choose instant access, a notice account or a fixed term, and tell us if you’re transferring an existing ISA.

New contributions assume you have enough unused ISA allowance. The total ISA allowance for 2026/27 is £20,000. Existing ISA money moved using a provider’s transfer process is treated separately from new contributions. We do not check your age, residency, other ISA subscriptions or provider application requirements.

Check the current ISA rules on GOV.UK

02 · DETERMINISTIC CALCULATIONS

Turn percentages into pounds

For a rate that stays the same for a full year, estimated interest is your deposit multiplied by the annual equivalent rate.

£20,000 × 4.65% = £930 estimated interest

AER already reflects annual compounding. We do not divide AER by 12 and compound it again. Where a bonus expires or a stated rate changes during the year, we calculate each period using its effective annual rate and duration, then combine the periods.

For effective annual rates, each period uses (1 + AER ÷ 100) raised to the fraction of the 12-month calendar horizon. For accounts explicitly marked as simple interest, period interest is added without compounding. The data must match the provider’s actual interest terms.

Estimates assume the full deposit stays in place, interest is retained or reinvested, and no further money is added. Variable rates are assumed unchanged except for stated rate changes and bonuses. Values are rounded to the nearest penny at the end.

03 · INDEPENDENT RANKING

The highest estimated return comes first

Accounts are excluded if they are inactive, outside your deposit limits, do not match your access type or fixed term, or do not accept a requested ISA transfer. Accounts restricted to existing customers are excluded because we cannot establish that eligibility from the form.

Eligible accounts are sorted by estimated interest over 12 months. Ties are ordered by provider name, then account ID. Affiliate links, commission and provider relationships play no role in this calculation.

A fixed account lasting more than 12 months remains a longer commitment. Its estimated first-year balance is not a maturity value you can withdraw without potential penalties. Notice periods, funding windows and early withdrawal rules appear in the account details.

AI research with human sample checks

We use AI to gather rates and account conditions from provider websites. A human checks a sample against the original provider information to help spot errors. Sample checks do not cover every account or detail. Source links and research dates are recorded in account details.

Before you apply

Our comparison covers the accounts we list and may not include every Cash ISA. AI can misread information, and human sample checks can miss mistakes. Rates and availability can change. Always check the provider’s latest rate, bonus conditions, eligibility and full terms, and do your own research before opening an account.

How estimates work

Estimates use the published AER with interest retained and assume your balance stays constant, with no further deposits or withdrawals. Withdrawal charges, monthly interest paid away and provider funding decisions can affect your actual return. We adjust for a bonus expiry only when the bonus rate and its end date or duration are recorded. Unknown bonus terms are left unverified.

Cash ISA Finder provides comparison information rather than personalised financial advice. We may earn a commission through certain links. This does not affect how accounts are ranked.

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