Compare our best current accounts

See if you could switch to a better current account by comparing features, fees and interest rates in our pick of the best current accounts available right now.

Switch incentive deals

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first direct 1st Account

Get £175 when you switch to a first direct 1st Account current account. T&Cs apply.

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Current account deals

10 results found, sorted by switching incentive amount. How we order our comparisons.

Get £175 when you switch to a first direct 1st Account current account. T&Cs apply.

first direct 1st Account

Account fee & requirements

No monthly fee

Arranged overdraft

£250 interest free, then 39.9% EAR variable

Interest rate

0% AER

Complete a full switch using the Current Account Switch Service, including at least 2 Direct Debits or standing orders. Then deposit £1,000, make 5+ debit card payments, and log on to digital banking, all within 45 days of your account opening. New customers only, who haven’t previously held a first direct product. T&Cs apply.

For customers with an offset mortgage linked to a 1st Account, the interest-free limit will not apply

More Information

Rate Tiers

	Gross rate	Gross rate	AER rate	AER rate
	Excluding bonus	Including bonus	Excluding bonus	Including bonus
£1	0%	0%	0%	0%

Eligibility

Maximum Age	Unlimited
Maximum Investment	Unlimited
Minimum Age	18 years
Permanent UK Resident

NatWest Select Account

Account fee & requirements

	Gross rate	Gross rate	AER rate	AER rate
	Excluding bonus	Including bonus	Excluding bonus	Including bonus
£1	0%	0%	0%	0%

Eligibility

Maximum Age	Unlimited
Maximum Investment	Unlimited
Minimum Age	18 years
Permanent UK Resident

Chase Current Account

Account fee & requirements

Access to round-up account with 5% AER (4.89% gross) variable interest rate, paid monthly. Round-up balance transfers to elected Chase account on anniversary of account opening. T&Cs apply.

More Information

Rate Tiers

	Gross rate	Gross rate	AER rate	AER rate
	Excluding bonus	Including bonus	Excluding bonus	Including bonus
£1	0%	0%	0%	0%

Eligibility

Maximum Age	Unlimited
Maximum Investment	Unlimited
Minimum Age	18 years
Permanent UK Resident

Santander Everyday Current Account

Account fee & requirements

	Gross rate	Gross rate	AER rate	AER rate
	Excluding bonus	Including bonus	Excluding bonus	Including bonus
£1	0%	0%	0%	0%

Eligibility

Maximum Age	Unlimited
Maximum Investment	£2,000,000
Minimum Age	18 years
Permanent UK Resident

Santander Edge Up

Account fee & requirements

£5 per month, pay in £1,500+ per month

Arranged overdraft

39.94% EAR variable

Interest rate

3% AER (on up to £25,000)

More Information

Rate Tiers

	Gross rate	Gross rate	AER rate	AER rate
	Excluding bonus	Including bonus	Excluding bonus	Including bonus
£1	2.96%	2.96%	3%	3%
£25,001	0%	0%	0%	0%

Eligibility

Maximum Age	Unlimited
Maximum Investment	Unlimited
Minimum Age	18 years
Minimum Monthly Credit	£1,500
Permanent UK Resident

Barclays Bank Account

Account fee & requirements

Join Barclays Blue Rewards* for £5 a month and get access to an Apple TV+ subscription, enhanced savings rates and cashback on your everyday spend.

*Eligibility, conditions and a £5 monthly fee apply.

More Information

Rate Tiers

	Gross rate	Gross rate	AER rate	AER rate
	Excluding bonus	Including bonus	Excluding bonus	Including bonus
£1	0%	0%	0%	0%

Eligibility

Maximum Age	Unlimited
Maximum Investment	Unlimited
Minimum Age	18 years
Permanent UK Resident

Monzo Current Account

Account fee & requirements

We pass Mastercard’s exchange rate directly onto you with no extra charges.

More Information

Rate Tiers

	Gross rate	Gross rate	AER rate	AER rate
	Excluding bonus	Including bonus	Excluding bonus	Including bonus
£1	0%	0%	0%	0%

Eligibility

Maximum Age	Unlimited
Maximum Investment	Unlimited
Minimum Age	18 years
Permanent UK Resident

TSB Spend & Save

Account fee & requirements

	Gross rate	Gross rate	AER rate	AER rate
	Excluding bonus	Including bonus	Excluding bonus	Including bonus
£1	0%	0%	0%	0%

Eligibility

Maximum Age	Unlimited
Maximum Investment	Unlimited
Minimum Age	18 years
Permanent UK Resident

Santander Edge

Account fee & requirements

£3 per month, pay in £500+ per month

	Gross rate	Gross rate	AER rate	AER rate
	Excluding bonus	Including bonus	Excluding bonus	Including bonus
£1	0%	0%	0%	0%

Eligibility

Maximum Age	Unlimited
Maximum Investment	Unlimited
Minimum Age	18 years
Minimum Monthly Credit	£500
Permanent UK Resident

TSB Spend & Save Plus

Account fee & requirements

£3 per month

Arranged overdraft

£100 interest free, then 39.9% EAR variable

	Gross rate	Gross rate	AER rate	AER rate
	Excluding bonus	Including bonus	Excluding bonus	Including bonus
£1	0%	0%	0%	0%

Eligibility

Maximum Age	Unlimited
Maximum Investment	Unlimited
Minimum Age	18 years
Permanent UK Resident

We are classed as a credit broker for consumer credit, not a lender.

Our services are provided at no cost to you. We may receive a commission from the companies we refer you to, but this does not affect what you will pay for the product you choose.

Compare another type of current account

What type of current accounts are you looking for?

What is a current account?

A current account lets you carry out everyday banking transactions. This includes:

having your salary deposited
withdrawing cash
making payments
setting up Direct Debits
arranging standing orders

Different types of current accounts

Online current account

An online bank account allows you to manage your money online. Most traditional high street banks offer some form of online banking, but there are also new app-based (or digital-only) banks that don't have any physical branches. These banks exist only as an app on your smartphone. Their accounts allow you to conduct most typical banking transactions.

Packaged current account

A packaged current account has all the usual features you would expect from a current account but with some extra benefits besides. Typically this includes things like free breakdown cover or mobile phone or travel insurance. Other popular rewards include discounts when you buy from particular shops or go to certain restaurants. In most cases, you'll be charged a fee to use these accounts.

High-interest current account

With these accounts, interest is paid on your balance based on the annual equivalent rate (AER) of interest. Often these accounts require you to deposit a set amount of money every month. There's typically a limit to the amount of money these accounts will pay interest on.

Joint accounts

This is a current account that you open jointly with a partner, family member or friend. All the account holders can withdraw money or pay into the account. This may be useful if you share bills and want to have a single account from which to pay them.

How to apply for a current account

Applying for a current account is simple. You just have to provide documents to prove your identity and address. Here are the most common documents you can use:

Proof of identity

passport
driving licence

Proof of address

council tax bill
utility bill
a bank statement
tenancy agreement

Proof of immigration status

If you are not a UK citizen, you may also be required to show your visa status and a letter from your university or employer.

Where to apply

You can apply for a current account at a bank or building society online, in a branch, by phone or by post. You can also use the Current Account Switch Service to swap over to a new current account at the same time as you close your existing account. Some deals even give you a cash reward for doing this.

What is the Current Account Switch Service?

Most banks subscribe to what is called the Current Account Switch Service (CASS). This free service makes it easy for anyone with a UK current account to switch to a new one. The account's provider takes care of the whole process for you. This includes:

opening a new current account
moving your balance
switching Direct Debits and standing orders
closing your old current account

The Current Account Switch Guarantee means that if anything goes wrong, you'll be refunded any interest and charges on both accounts.

Switching current accounts couldn't be easier. Here's a list of banks and building societies on the Current Account Switch Service.

What features might different current accounts have?

Overdrafts: these let you borrow money using your current account. Your balance is then negative until you pay it back.
Interest: the best current accounts give you monthly or yearly interest on your balance, but you only earn interest when you have money in your account.
Rewards: this refers to rewards, like cashback, which you get for using your debit card or paying bills from your current account.
Add-ons: these are optional extras, such as breakdown cover or travel insurance, that you can choose to include as part of your account.

Your current account is the most fundamental part of your personal finances, which is why it's important to know exactly what your needs are before you pick one. ”

Joe Phelan, Small business expert

Find the best current accounts for your needs

Sometimes, the best current account is one that's specifically designed for your situation. Here are some of the types of current accounts that you might like to consider:

Feature	Basic current account	Joint current account	Business current account
Ideal for	Everyday needs with no credit checks	Partner, housemate or family member	Sole traders, companies, charities
Overdraft	No	By arrangement	No
Interest	No	Up to 3% AER	No
Monthly fee	No	No	Yes
ATM withdrawal per day	£300 max	£300 max	£500 max
Digital banking	Yes	Yes	Yes

Compare joint current accounts

Compare business current accounts

Find the best current accounts for teenage or students

Students and those under 18 can also get a current account. These accounts enable you to pay money in, make card payments (in person and online), and set up automatic payments for bills.

Feature	student current account	under 18 current account
Ideal for	Student	Teenager or younger child
Overdraft	By arrangement	No
Interest	Up to 3% AER	Up to 3% AER
Monthly fee	No	No
ATM withdrawal per day	Included	Not included
Digital banking	£300 max	£100 max

Compare current accounts for teenager s

Current account FAQs

Can I have more than one current account?

Yes, but there may be limits to how many you can hold with the same bank. It's also worth noting that frequently opening new accounts may harm your credit record.

What happens if I spend more than I have in my account?

If you spend more than you have in your account, you are considered to be overdrawn. You will owe money on your overdraft until you pay it back, and you may be charged a fee. If your account does not have an overdraft facility, payments will be declined until you are back in credit.

Should I get a savings or current account?

It depends on what you need your account for. A current account is best suited for making payments by card as well as paying regular bills by Direct Debit or standing order. Savings accounts usually offer better rates of interest. Find out more about their differences and which one is best here.

What type of debit card will I get with my current account?

It depends on the account. Most current accounts offer a debit card from the likes of Visa, MasterCard or American Express, but you may get a prepaid card if you opt for a prepaid account.

Could I get an account with no fees?

Yes. There are accounts with no monthly fees but charges may be triggered if you use certain features, such as an overdraft. Read the terms and conditions carefully so you know what you are signing up for.

About our current accounts comparison

Who do we include in this comparison?

Our comparison tables include providers we have commercial arrangements with. The number of listings in our tables can vary depending on the terms of those arrangements, as well as other market developments. They are all from lenders regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA). Here is more information about How our website works.

How do we make money from our comparison?

We have commercial agreements with some of the companies in this comparison and get paid commission if we help you take out one of their products or services. Find out more here.

You do not pay any extra and the deal you get is not affected.

Explore current accounts guides

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Why compare current accounts with money.co.uk?

Comparing current accounts could save you money on overdrafts, get you cashback on bills or see you paid more interest on positive balances. Our multiple award-winning comparison service helps make sure you get the best deal possible based on your individual circumstances. Our aim is to provide you with the most up-to-date information, as well as useful tools and calculators so to help you make life's most important decisions and take control of your money.

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Last updated: 30 August 2022