Enter your balance and up to 5 savings rates — see total interest earned over 1, 2 and 5 years side by side. Instantly identify the best account and see exactly how much more it earns.
| Rate | 1yr Net | 2yr Net | 5yr Net | Balance (5yr) | vs Best |
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UK savings rates change constantly, driven by Bank of England base rate decisions, competition between providers and introductory promotional rates that expire. A rate that was market-leading 12 months ago may now be 1% below the best available — a difference worth hundreds of pounds annually on a significant balance. This tool takes any set of rates and shows the exact pound difference, making the case for (or against) switching instantly.
UK savings rates are set by individual banks and building societies, influenced primarily by the Bank of England base rate. In 2026, the base rate sits at approximately 4.25–4.75%, and savings rates cluster in the 4–5.5% AER range depending on account type and term. Challenger banks and building societies typically offer 0.3–0.8% more than major high-street banks for equivalent products — because they compete on rate rather than branch networks.
Some accounts offer a high introductory rate for 12 months, then revert to a lower standard rate. Always check the standard variable rate (SVR) when comparing accounts. A 6% account with a 12-month intro rate may pay 2.5% from month 13 — less than a 4.5% fixed account over the same period.
Always verify new providers are FSCS-protected before transferring. The FSCS register is at fscs.org.uk. Protection is £85,000 per person per authorised institution. Some accounts labelled as "UK" are branches of European banks with EEA deposit protection, which may be less straightforward to claim.
The most comprehensive comparison sites are MoneySavingExpert (moneysavingexpert.com/savings), MoneySupermarket and This is Money for rates tables. For Cash ISAs specifically, check the provider directly as some do not appear on aggregators. NS&I (government-backed) accounts are worth including for large balances where the FSCS £85,000 limit is a concern.
Easy-access rates can change at any time — most providers give 14 days notice for reductions. Fixed-rate bonds are locked in once opened. After Bank of England base rate decisions (typically 8 times per year), savings rates across the market typically move within 2–4 weeks. Set up rate alerts on comparison sites or check your account's current rate once every 3–6 months against the market.
Almost always yes for meaningful balances. On £15,000: 0.5% more = £75 extra in year one, growing with compounding. Over 5 years: over £400 more. Switching an easy-access account takes 15–30 minutes. At £400 over 5 years, that is a very high hourly rate for a simple admin task — and it is completely risk-free.