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Top savings accounts 2025: where to find the best rates for your cash


Updated on 19 February 2025 | 1 Comment

Millions of savers risk losing money in real terms as savings rates fall while inflation drifts upwards once again. Thankfully, there are still places to move your cash if you want a decent return.

It appears as if savers are in for a tricky time in 2025.

Inflation jumped sharply from 2.5% to 3% in January and is forecast to rise as high as 3.7% this year – well above the Bank of England’s 2% target.

The problem for savers is exacerbated by the fact that savings rates are already falling in response to the recent Base Rate cut.

Thankfully, it's still easy enough to beat inflation – provided you're willing to move your funds.

While loyal savers are often left earning miserly rates of interest, switchers can earn up to 8% on small pots of cash and up to 5.03% on larger sums.

So, let's look at the best rates currently available, starting with regular savings accounts.

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Regular savers: up to 8%

Regular savings accounts have long offered the best rates around.

The catch is they're generally best suited for new savers as they don't allow you to deposit a lump sum upfront.

Instead, you make regular monthly contributions and get the money back with interest after one year.

So, what rates can you get?

Principality Building Society has a brilliant 8% rate on its Regular Saver, but sadly it's only a six-month account and you can't deposit more than £200 a month.

If you'd like to set a little more aside or save for a little longer, First Direct has a 7% regular saver that's fixed for one year and allows deposits of up to £300 per month.

The catch here is that you'll need to have a First Direct current account to qualify. 

If you don't bank with them, it's worth pointing out tit is currently offering a generous £175 bung to new customers.

On top of this, its 1st Account comes with a £250 interest-free overdraft and First Direct regularly tops the tables for customer service.

Cash ISAs: earn up to 5.03%

The Personal Savings Allowance (PSA) has meant that it’s easy to get a tax-free return from your savings even if you don’t use an ISA, though it’s still worthwhile making use of your tax-free ISA allowance.

That’s because any money you put into an ISA will stay tax-free long-term, even if the interest you earn grows beyond the PSA limits.

With the PSA, any interest you earn beyond the £1,000/£500 limit is taxed at your marginal rate.

The best rate on an easy-access Cash ISA right now is from Trading 212, which pays 5.03% AER for a minimum £1 deposit.

Note, you’ll need to open an account online or via the app.

It is also an access Cash ISA, meaning you can take money out and return it in the same tax year.

Current accounts: up to 5%

If you'd like to earn interest on your monthly finances, you can earn a handy 5% for 12 months on balances of up to £1,500 with Nationwide's FlexDirect. 

You’ll also have access to a regular saver paying 6.5% AER for one year if you put away more than £200, falling to 1.75% if you make four or more withdrawals per year.

 The building society is also currently paying a £175 bung to anyone signing up to one of its current accounts, which in truth will be worth far more than the interest you'll earn.

Elsewhere, digital bank Chase pays new customers 5% AER during their first six months – a boost to the bank’s usual 3.5% payment.

Find the best alternatives in our roundup of current accounts that pay in-credit interest 

Best fixed-rate savings: up to 4.6%

For the last couple of years, the best fixed-rate deals were generally those with shorter terms of 12 months or less.

These days, there's not much difference between the shortest- and longest-term bonds, so it all depends how long you want to lock your money away for.

If you're after a shorter-term bond, the best rate we could find is 4.6%, available through Zenith Bank International for six months.

Looking for a longer-term deal to shield against future Base Rate cuts? JN Bank is the current market leader on five-year fixes, paying 4.6% on deposits between £100 and £500,000.

Notice accounts: up to 4.85%

With a notice account, you’ll have access to your cash, as long as you let your provider know in advance that you plan to make a withdrawal.

Typically, these accounts offer more attractive rates than their easy-access equivalents.

The top rate currently comes from Vida Savings, which pays 4.85%, with a 95-day period.

Deposit limits are £50 to £85,000.

Tipton & Coseley Building Society comes in next, paying 4.75% on its 60-day account.

You can deposit between £1,000 and £200,000.

Best easy/instant access savings: up to 4.75%

An easy-access account could be a great choice if you need to get hold of money quickly in the event of an emergency or simply want to access funds regularly.

You can currently bag a rate of 4.75% with Monument Bank on deposits of up to £2 million, although you’ll need to sign in via the app.

Be aware, there is a maximum limit of three withdrawals per year.

If you want to make frequent withdrawals, you could also consider the Post Office Online Saver, paying 4.4% for a minimum £1 deposit.

Best savings rates: where to earn the most interest on your cash

Here's a table with all the top deals for you to compare at a glance.

The account you go for will probably be determined by the amount you have to save and whether you want instant access to your money.

Please note that we've only included the highest-paying account from each category.

Remember, sometimes you'll need to open another account with a provider to access certain savings rates.

Provider

Type

Interest rate

Maximum/minimum deposit

First Direct

Regular saver

7%, fixed for six months

Min: £25 per month

Max: £300 per month

Trading 212

Cash ISAs

5.03%

Min: £1

Zenith Bank Fixed rate (for six months 4.6% Min: £1,000

Max: £2 million

Nationwide

Current account

5% fixed for 12 months

Min: £1,500 a month

Vida Savings

Six-month notice account

4.85%

Min: £5

Max £85,000

Monument Bank

Instant access

4.75%

Min: 4.75%

Max: £2 million

Time to consider investing?

If you're sure you don't need to access your money anytime soon, you'll likely achieve a better return over the long term by investing (five years or more).

If you are comfortable taking on some risk for potentially better returns, you could consider investing in the stock market (capital at risk).

 

 

 

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