Easy-access ISAs compared
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Important: This guide provides general information, not personalised financial advice. Financial products, rates and eligibility rules can change, so check the provider’s current terms before applying. Some links are referral links — we may earn a commission. You can check a firm’s details on the FCA Register.
FSCS protects eligible deposits up to £120,000 per person, per authorised institution.
Quick answer
An easy-access cash ISA (sometimes called an instant-access cash ISA) lets you pay in and take money out when you like, with interest that’s free of UK income tax. Rates are variable, so they can go down as well as up.
The detail that matters most after the rate is whether the ISA is flexible. With a flexible ISA you can withdraw and put money back in the same tax year without using up more allowance. With a non-flexible ISA, money you take out can’t be replaced without counting again.
Easy-access ISA rates compared
Figures checked on each provider’s own website on 3 October 2026. Two non-ISA accounts are included for comparison.
| Account | Rate (AER, variable) | Flexible ISA? | Minimum to open | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Zopa Smart ISA — Access ISA pot | 3.25% | Yes | £1 | App-only; withdraw and replace in the same tax year |
| Atom bank Easy Access Cash ISA | 4.25% | No | £0 | App-only; money withdrawn can’t be replaced without using allowance |
| For comparison: Zopa Access pot (not an ISA) | 2.95% | Not an ISA | £1 | Interest counts towards your Personal Savings Allowance |
| For comparison: Atom Instant Saver (not an ISA) | 2.50% | Not an ISA | £0 | Interest counts towards your Personal Savings Allowance |
Rates as of 3 October 2026, taken from each provider’s own website. Variable rates can change at any time and fixed rates can be withdrawn, so check the provider before you apply.
Who it’s for
- Savers who want tax-free interest but might need the money at short notice
- People whose savings interest could go over their Personal Savings Allowance
- Anyone starting to use their ISA allowance before deciding on a fixed term
Who should skip it
These are general points to weigh up, not advice. You may want to look elsewhere if:
- Your interest is comfortably inside your Personal Savings Allowance and a non-ISA account pays more
- You can lock money away for a year or more — a fixed-rate ISA may pay more
- You want long-term growth and can accept investment risk — that’s a different product
Full explanation
A cash ISA works like a savings account, but the interest isn’t taxed. The ISA allowance for the 2026/27 tax year is £20,000 (GOV.UK, checked 4 October 2026).
See also: ISA Allowance Rules Explained: A Simple UK Guide
You can split it between different types of ISA, and since April 2024 you can pay into more than one ISA of the same type in a tax year. The government has announced that from 6 April 2027, people under 65 will be able to put up to £12,000 a year into cash ISAs within the £20,000 overall allowance.
Easy-access ISAs pay a variable rate. That means the provider can change the rate, usually with notice. If you’re comparing, look at the AER — see AER explained — and check whether any part of it is a bonus that ends.
Flexibility is the second big difference. If your ISA is flexible, you could take out £2,000 in June and put it back in September without it counting twice.
If it isn’t, that £2,000 would use up another £2,000 of your allowance. Flexibility only works within the same tax year.
Eligible deposits are protected by the FSCS up to £120,000 per person, per authorised bank or building society. If you hold savings and an ISA with the same banking group, the limit is shared. More in our FSCS protection guide.
Already have a cash ISA elsewhere? Use the ISA transfer process rather than withdrawing the money, or you could lose the tax-free wrapper. Our ISA transfer guide explains how.
The catch
Headline rates sometimes include a temporary bonus that drops off after a set period, leaving a lower rate. Some easy-access ISAs also limit the number of withdrawals or aren’t flexible, so a withdrawal permanently uses up part of your allowance for that tax year. Check whether transfers in from other ISAs are accepted, too.
Never withdraw cash yourself when transferring an ISA — always use your new provider’s official ISA transfer service to preserve your tax-free status.
Compare the current rate and terms on the provider’s own site before you apply.
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Some links in this table are referral links. We may earn a commission if you use them, at no extra cost to you. Rankings are based on our review methodology, not commission.
FAQs
What is an instant-access cash ISA?
It’s another name for an easy-access cash ISA: you can withdraw money when you like, and the interest is free of UK income tax. The rate is usually variable.
What’s the difference between a flexible and non-flexible ISA?
With a flexible ISA you can withdraw and replace money in the same tax year without using extra allowance. With a non-flexible ISA, anything you put back counts as a new subscription.
How much can I put into an easy-access ISA?
The ISA allowance for the 2026/27 tax year is £20,000. That limit covers all your ISAs combined, not each one.
Are easy-access ISA rates fixed?
No. They’re variable and can change. Some headline rates include a temporary bonus, so check how long it lasts.
Can I transfer an old ISA into an easy-access ISA?
Often, yes, but not every provider accepts transfers in. Ask the new provider to arrange the transfer so the money keeps its ISA status.
Is my money protected in a cash ISA?
See Full explanation above.
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