Compare current accounts

See if you could switch to a better current account or banking app.

Promoted for switching bonus

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Get £175 for switching

Requires credit check. T&Cs apply.

No monthly fee
Easy to apply
Access to regular saver account

Promoted for welcome bonus

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£20 sign-up bonus

Low overseas fees
Quick sign-up
Earn cashback on spending

Best for extra features

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No overseas fees

Pay anywhere, in any currency, fee-free
Make fee-free cash withdrawals
Get worldwide travel insurance and more with Monzo Premium

How to compare current accounts

The best current account for a recent school-leaver in their first job probably won’t be the best for a jet-setting high-flyer, so think about which features are the most important to you. Here’s our checklist:

1. Check the ways you can bank. Do you need an extensive branch network that you can visit in person, or are you happy to manage all of your finances online or through an app? If your bank doesn’t have branches, how good is its customer support?
2. Check the bells and whistles. Some accounts just offer the basic features – fine if you just need your salary paid in and bills paid out. But perhaps you’re looking for a slick app, spending categorisation, budgeting tools, a flexible overdraft, etc.
3. Check the fees and costs. With free current accounts (all major banks offer these), there can still be charges for certain types of transaction, like using your card overseas. Need an overdraft? Confirm what interest you’ll pay.
4. Check if a “packaged” account would be better value. Some accounts charge a monthly fee in return for bundled benefits like phone/travel insurance or breakdown cover – great if the value of the perks outweighs the extra cost to you.
5. Is there a joining or switching incentive? Banks are vying for customers so they often have tasty offers to get you to sign up. The most popular incentive is (unsurprisingly) a cash lump sum.

How to switch

Had your account for years? Switching may seem daunting, and people stick with bad deals just to avoid hassle. But the process is in truth quite simple thanks to the Current Account Switch Service (CASS). Banks signed up to CASS switch your account for you in 7 working days, and you don’t need to do anything. Here’s how it works:

1. Your balance is transferred to your newly-opened account.
2. Incoming payments to your old account are redirected, along with outgoing direct debits, standing orders, etc.
3. Your old account is closed.

Compare current accounts

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Product	Finder Score	Account fees	Funding requirement	Interest (AER)	Arranged overdraft	Incentive	Representative example
Kroo Current Account	Finder score 7.1Great	£0	No minimum funding requirement	3.4% AER				View details Compare	loading Fetching your data...
Bank of Scotland Classic Account - with Vantage	Finder score Not yet rated	£0	Min. £1000 Per Month (Minimum two direct debit mandates on account per month)	1.5% AER	39.9% EAR variable	Everyday Offers - Earn up to 15% cashback from selected retailers when shopping with a Bank of Scotland credit or debit card.	Representative example: If you use an arranged overdraft of £1,200, you'll be charged interest at 39.9% EAR variable.	View details Compare	loading Fetching your data...
Virgin Money Current Account - Age 18 and over	Finder score Not yet rated	£0	No minimum funding requirement	1% AER	19.9% EAR variable	Cashback with participating retailers.	Representative example: If you use an arranged overdraft of £1,200, you'll be charged interest at 19.9% EAR variable.	View details Compare	loading Fetching your data...
Cater Allen Private Bank Account	Finder score Not yet rated	£0	No minimum funding requirement	0.2% AER				View details Compare	loading Fetching your data...
Danske Standard Account	Finder score Not yet rated	£0	No minimum funding requirement	0% AER				View details Compare	loading Fetching your data...
HSBC Advance Bank Account Finder Award	Finder score Not yet rated	£0	No minimum funding requirement	0% AER	0% EAR variable on the first £25 and then 39.9% EAR variable	Discounts and exclusive offers for dining experiences, leisure activities and shopping available through HSBC home&Away.	Representative example: If you use an arranged overdraft of £1,200, you'll be charged interest at 0% EAR variable.	View details Compare	loading Fetching your data...
HSBC Premier Bank Account Finder Award	Finder score 9Excellent	£0	No minimum funding requirement	0% AER	Interest-free buffer of £500, 0% EAR variable on the first £500 and then 39.9% EAR variable	Free overseas ATM cash withdrawals when using HSBC ATMs worldwide.	Representative example: If you use an arranged overdraft of £1,200, you'll be charged interest at 0% EAR variable.	View details Compare	loading Fetching your data...
Danske Choice Account	Finder score Not yet rated	£0	No minimum funding requirement	0% AER	39% EAR variable	£100 for accounts switched using the Current Account Switch Service.	Representative example: If you use an arranged overdraft of £1,200, you'll be charged interest at 39% EAR variable.	View details Compare	loading Fetching your data...
ICICI Bank UK Home Vantage Account	Finder score Not yet rated	£0	No minimum funding requirement	0% AER	15.79% EAR variable	Existing customers referring a friend will earn £20 per successful referral.	Representative example: If you use an arranged overdraft of £1,200, you'll be charged interest at 15.79% EAR variable.	View details Compare	loading Fetching your data...
Starling Current Account - Age 18 and over Finder Award	Finder score 9.6Excellent	£0	No minimum funding requirement	0% AER	15% EAR variable		Representative example: If you use an arranged overdraft of £1,200, you'll be charged interest at 15% APR variable. Representative APRs help you compare the cost of different credit products. Subject to financial status.	View details Compare	loading Fetching your data...
HSBC Bank Account Finder Award	Finder score 8.4Great	£0	No minimum funding requirement	0% AER	0% EAR variable on the first £25 and then 39.9% EAR variable	Discounts and exclusive offers for dining experiences, leisure activities and shopping available through HSBC home&Away.	Representative example: If you use an arranged overdraft of £1,200, you'll be charged interest at 0% EAR variable.	View details Compare	loading Fetching your data...
Metro Bank Current Account	Finder score 7.3Great	£0	No minimum funding requirement	0% AER	34% EAR variable		Representative example: If you use an arranged overdraft of £1,200, you'll be charged interest at 34% EAR variable.	View details Compare	loading Fetching your data...
Smile Current Account	Finder score Not yet rated	£0	No minimum funding requirement	0% AER	35.9% EAR variable	Eligible for preferential savings rates.	Representative example: If you use an arranged overdraft of £1,200, you'll be charged interest at 35.9% EAR variable.	View details Compare	loading Fetching your data...
Barclays Premier Current Account	Finder score 9.1Excellent	£0	Eligibility criteria applies. See below.	0% AER	0% EAR variable on the first £500 and then 35% EAR variable	Eligible for Barclays Blue Rewards.	Representative example: If you use an arranged overdraft of £1,200, you'll be charged interest at 0% EAR variable.	View details Compare	loading Fetching your data...
State Bank of India Current Account	Finder score Not yet rated	£0	No minimum funding requirement	0% AER	N/A		interest at EAR variable	View details Compare	loading Fetching your data...
AIB Classic Account	Finder score Not yet rated	£0	No minimum funding requirement	0% AER	0% EAR variable on the first £200 and then 20.75% EAR variable		Representative example: If you use an arranged overdraft of £1,200, you'll be charged interest at 0% EAR variable.	View details Compare	loading Fetching your data...
Royal Bank of Scotland Premier Select Account	Finder score 7.8Great	£0	No minimum funding requirement	0% AER	0% EAR variable on the first £500 and then 34.49% EAR variable	Free 24/7 Emergency Cash Service to withdraw up to £300 for online and telephone banking customers or £60 if not.	Representative example: If you use an arranged overdraft of £1,200, you'll be charged interest at 0% EAR variable.	View details Compare	loading Fetching your data...
Lloyds Bank Classic Account	Finder score 8.9Great	£0	No minimum funding requirement	0% AER	39.9% EAR variable	Everyday Offers - Earn up to 15% cashback from selected retailers when shopping with a Lloyds Bank credit or debit card.	Representative example: If you use an arranged overdraft of £1,200, you'll be charged interest at 39.9% EAR variable.	View details Compare	loading Fetching your data...
Barclays Bank Account	Finder score 8Great	£0	No minimum funding requirement	0% AER	0% EAR variable on the first £15 and then 35% EAR variable	Eligible for Barclays Blue Rewards.	Representative example: If you use an arranged overdraft of £1,200, you'll be charged interest at 0% EAR variable.	View details Compare	loading Fetching your data...
Ulster Bank Select Current Account	Finder score Not yet rated	£0	No minimum funding requirement	0% AER	39.49% EAR variable	Free 24/7 Emergency Cash Service to withdraw up to £300 for online and telephone banking customers or £60 if not.	Representative example: If you use an arranged overdraft of £1,200, you'll be charged interest at 39.49% EAR variable.	View details Compare	loading Fetching your data...

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Finder Score for bank accounts

To make comparing even easier we came up with the Finder Score. Fees, features and customer service across 20+ of the most popular banks are all weighted and scaled to produce a score out of 10. The higher the score the better the account – simple.

Read the full methodology

Frequently asked questions

• Can I get a current account?

  To be eligible to open a current account, you must be a legal UK resident, and at least 16 years old. Some banks may stipulate that you must be 18 if you don’t have parental approval. You may also need to be credit checked – this is because many current accounts will come with an overdraft that may be reduced if you have a poor credit history.

• How do I apply for a current account?

  With most banks, you can usually apply online – you will need to provide your personal and financial details. In some cases, you may then be asked to pop into a branch to have your ID verified. If you’re applying for an account with a digital-only bank, you’ll usually need to apply from the mobile app and to provide a picture of your ID.

• Can I add someone to my current account?

  You usually can. You’ll have to get in touch with your bank, who will be able to turn your personal current account into a joint account.

• How much should I pay into a current account?

  There are no fixed rules and you can keep as little as £1 in your current account. However, people usually have their salary paid into their current account and keep most of it there to spend it over the course of the month, together with some emergency funds that are thus easily accessible if anything goes wrong. It’s also a good idea to open a savings account to put your savings aside (so you’re less tempted to spend them). Finally, keep in mind that some current accounts may require you to deposit a minimum sum every month in order to access certain benefits.

• What type of current account is right for me?

  It all depends on your circumstances, but in a nutshell, you want: a) no fees, b) agility (your account must be easy to manage and use) and c) some nice rewards and perks if possible. In our opinion, the first two things beat the third one – rewards and bonuses are great, but being able to keep on top of your finances for free and with no headaches is much more important.