The Best UK Current Accounts with No Monthly Fee
Why Pay Monthly Bank Fees?
Many UK consumers pay £5–£25 per month for packaged accounts with benefits they rarely use. Some of the best current accounts in the UK are completely free. Here's where to find them in 2026.
Top Free Current Accounts
Starling Bank
Pays interest on your balance, includes a Mastercard debit card with no overseas fees, and provides 24/7 customer support. No foreign transaction fees, no minimum monthly deposit, no hidden charges. FSCS-protected to £85,000.
Monzo
Offers instant spending notifications, budgeting Pots, and free ATM withdrawals abroad up to £200 per 30 days. The app is excellent, and the coral-pink card has become iconic.
Chase UK
1% cashback on everyday spending, plus a linked savings account paying competitive rates. No monthly fee, no minimum deposit, full FSCS protection.
First Direct
No monthly fee and consistently rated number one for customer service by Which? Offers a £250 interest-free overdraft in the first year. Backed by HSBC, FSCS-protected.
What Free Accounts Miss
Free accounts exclude travel insurance, phone insurance, and breakdown cover — the main perks of packaged accounts. Run the numbers: does the insurance cost less separately than the monthly fee? If not, free beats paid.
For most people, Starling, Monzo, or Chase will match or exceed a paid account's core features without the monthly cost.
