Costs and conditions
Monthly fees, charges and the small print behind headline rates.
Independent UK bank reviews
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| Barclays | Chase UK | |
|---|---|---|
| Monthly fee* | £0 | £0 |
| Interest | No in-credit interest | Linked savings available |
| Overdraft | Available, subject to status | No arranged overdraft |
| Access | App, online, telephone and branches | App only |
| FSCS | Eligible deposits protected | Eligible deposits protected |
*Fee for the standard account. Some providers also offer optional paid tiers with extra features. Checked against official provider pages · 8 September 2026
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Rates checked against provider pages
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Clear trade-offs, not universal winners
Every review says plainly who a product suits, and who it doesn't.
How we help
Here's the useful bit
We don't tell you which bank to choose. We show you what matters, highlight the trade-offs and help you decide what's right for your money — across 11 digital banks and 12 high street banks reviewed. A recognisable name doesn't automatically mean it's the best fit for you, so it's worth comparing on what actually matters rather than brand alone.
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Start with a banking style
Not sure where to begin? Compare different types of banks.
Digital banksEverything runs through the app: budgeting tools, instant notifications, no physical branches.High street banksIn-person help at a branch, from providers that have been around for decades.Business banksFor sole traders up to growing teams, with invoicing and multi-user access some personal accounts don't offer.Student banksInterest-free overdraft limits and sign-up incentives aimed specifically at students.
Explore all banking routes Compare by what you need
Choose a category to find the right accounts and features for you.
Current accountsMonthly fees, overdraft costs, cash access and switching incentives, compared side by side.Savings accountsInterest rates change often. See who pays the most right now, and how easy your money is to reach.Borrowing and overdraftsWhat arranged and unarranged overdrafts actually cost, and where else you could borrow instead.Credit cardsPurchase cards, balance transfers and cashback cards, compared on rates and fees rather than rewards branding.Travel bankingCard fees abroad, cash withdrawal charges and exchange rates, worth checking before you travel rather than after.FSCS protectionHow the £85,000 protection limit works, and what happens if a bank or e-money provider fails.
What we actually look at
Eligibility
Who can actually open the account: age, residency and any restrictions on how you'll use it.
Protection
Whether your money is FSCS-protected, or held under the weaker safeguarding rules some providers use instead.
Everyday access
How you actually bank day to day: the app, branches if you need them, and paying in cash.
Support
What happens when something goes wrong, how to reach a human, and how fast.
Limitations
The catches that don't make the headline: caps, exclusions and conditions attached to a good rate.
Editorial standards
How our work is checked
Read the complete methodology or learn how editorial decisions are kept separate from commercial relationships.