Recommendation for easy-access cash ISA Provider (Rate + Service)

Privacy

I'm planning to open a new easy-access Cash ISA. While it's easy to find lists of the best rates, reviews of top-rated accounts like Plum and Chip reveal lots of complaints about buggy apps, difficult processes, and absent customer service.

I'd rather sacrifice a bit of interest in favor of a more reliable service.

What providers do people have positive experiences with and would happily recommend?

Albermarle

Normally big banks are not recommended for savings accounts as the interest rates are not usually good.
However there are exceptions, so worth checking what your bank offer. 
Normally having the savings account with your current account provider will mean instant ability to move money around on their website/app.

sheslookinhot

I’ve found Leeds Building Society and Ford Money to have excellent customer service and they are not far off the top interest payers both having been recently in the Top Ten had compiled by soulsaver.

Mark_d

Marcus is excellent

refluxer

If you're happy with app-only banking then Zopa is a good option and their Smart ISA (at 5.08%) isn't far off the top of the table, rate-wise. Payments in and out of Zopa are generally pretty quick (1-20 mins max in my experience of their Smart Saver account) and the app is simple and easy to use.

The only downsides to Zopa are that they don't allow partial transfers out and some people have had issues transferring in other cash ISAs but if you don't plan to do this, then that obviously won't be an issue for you.

Albermarle

sheslookinhot said:

I’ve found Leeds Building Society and Ford Money to have excellent customer service and they are not far off the top interest payers both having been recently in the Top Ten had compiled by soulsaver.

Yes Ford Money works very well. Withdrawals are not instant though  and usually take around 2 or 3 hours to hit your bank account( and only during office hours as far as I know )

lohr500

It's early days, but I opened a Chip flexible cash ISA for the new tax year. After a minor challenge funding it due to my Santander banking App blocking the transfer, it has not been any problem since.

I withdrew a few £0000 from it last week to pay for an unexpected bill and the transfer was almost instantaneous to my nominated bank.  

It still features as the highest rate flexible easy access cash ISA in the MSE table.

hugheskevi

My experience from within the last year of some of the best buy providers:

Top-tier

Chip - loved the saving account, once set up it was instant and secure to move funds to and from linked account, nice interface, never any problems. Don't have a cash ISA with them due to not allowing transfers-in. Definitely recommend.

Moneybox - great service so far, easy to use, nice interface (especially if you like detail), instant, all very positive. Definitely recommend.

Okay

Cynergy - withdrawals can take several hours, all a bit clunky and not as modern as other interfaces but everything always works. Would recommend if they have best rates and meet needs.

Halifax - All works, interfaces all feel quite stale compared to the challenger banks. Would recommend if they have best rates and meet needs.

Virgin - it all works, but is frustratingly unjoined up between accounts, and interfaces all feel quite stale compared to the challenger banks. Would recommend if they have best rates and meet needs.

Avoid

Zopa - tried to set up a cash-ISA with them, but they refused to take deposits from a joint current account (myself and my wife). All far too much phaff to set up, went elsewhere. Would not recommend.

slinger2

The trouble is that so much depends on what's important to you? Chip seems good but doesn't currently allow transfers in and also requires you to sign up for the "open banking" link to your bank account. And some folk want desktop access not apps.

Runner_Duck

Marcus is good, but make sure you check their T&Cs for ISAs , my version, several years old, says partial withdrawals/transferrals not allowed.  Yorkshire Building Society seems good, not tried their app though.

Albermarle

Cynergy - withdrawals can take several hours, all a bit clunky and not as modern as other interfaces but everything always works. Would recommend if they have best rates and meet needs.

I think this is one of those providers where when they change rates, the rates on your account do not change automatically and you need to go in and update to the new issue ?