Compare Basic Current Accounts

Basic current accounts are 'no-frills' products that only provide everyday banking services with no monthly fee
Use our quick and easy comparison tool to compare basic bank accounts available from high street banks and internet providers
Compare up-to-date information on account features to find your ideal account

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First Direct 1st Account

£100 welcome when you switch to First Direct*
A £250 interest-free overdraft (subject to status)
Access to First Directs 1.00% AER/gross Regular Saver Account

See Deal

*To be eligible you must switch using the Current Account Switch Service and pay in at least £1,000 within 3 months.

What type of current account are you looking for?

9 products found

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Starling Bank Personal Current Account
Monthly Fee
Free

Interest Rate
0.05%

Arranged Overdraft Rate
15.0%

Minimum Monthly Credit
None
See Deal + More info
Product Features
- Speedy set up in minutes. No paperwork, monthly fees or branch visits
- 24/7 support via phone, email or in-app chat
- Save smarter with Goals, the digital change jar to put money away for the stuff you need
Eligibility / Restrictions
- Must be a UK resident
- Cash deposit facilities via Post Office branches
- Cheque deposit facilities via app or post
Representative Example: If you use an arranged overdraft of £1,200, you'll be charged the equivalent annual rate of 15 % EAR (variable). Representative APR 15% (variable).
Barclays Bank Account
Monthly Fee
Free

Interest Rate
0%

Arranged Overdraft Rate
35.0%

Minimum Monthly Credit
None
See Deal + More info
Product Features
- Contactless debit card to make payments easier
- Stay in control of your account with free text alerts
- Track your spending and manage your accounts and payments easily using the Barclays app
Eligibility / Restrictions
- Apply online for an account if you are 18 or older, not in full-time education and are a UK resident with a regular income or salary that you pay into your account
- You need to be 16 or over to use the app. T&Cs apply.
- Overdrafts are subject to application, financial circumstances and borrowing history.
Representative Example: If you use an arranged overdraft of £1,200, you'll be charged the equivalent annual rate of 35.0% EAR (variable). Representative APR 35.0% (variable).
TSB Spend & Save Plus Account
Monthly Fee
£3

Interest Rate
0%

Arranged Overdraft Rate
39.9%

Minimum Monthly Credit
None
See Deal + More info
Product Features
- Earn up to £60 annually, on-going £5 Cashback every month, with 30 debit card payments per calendar month*
- Zero TSB card charges abroad. ATM operators/foreign banks may charge & sellers may apply a currency conversion fee on purchases
- Savings Pot, Save the pennies and Auto Balancer features
Eligibility / Restrictions
- *Eligible for Cashback, if you open a new Spend & Save Plus account, including changing from an existing TSB account (Direct Debits and withdrawals not included)
- Up to £100 interest-free arranged overdraft available subject to status
- UK residents, 18+ only
Representative Example: If you use an arranged overdraft of £1,200, you’ll be charged the equivalent annual rate of 39.9% EAR (variable). Representative APR 40.1% (variable).
TSB Spend & Save Account
Monthly Fee
Free

Interest Rate
0%

Arranged Overdraft Rate
39.9%

Minimum Monthly Credit
None
See Deal + More info
Product Features
- Earn up to £30 cashback: £5 per month for 6 months, with 30 debit card payments per calendar month*
- Saving Pots, Save the Pennies and Auto Balancer features
Eligibility / Restrictions
- *Eligible for Cashback if you open a new Spend & Save account, including changing from an existing TSB current account, other than from a Classic. Direct debits and withdrawals not included.
- UK residents only, 18+
- Assumed arranged overdraft of £1200: 39.9% APR representative variable. Subject to application, approval & repayable on demand
Representative Example: If you use an arranged overdraft of £1,200, you'll be charged the equivalent annual rate of 39.9% EAR (variable). Representative APR 39.9% (variable).
Santander 1|2|3 Current Account
Monthly Fee
£4

Interest Rate
0.30%

Arranged Overdraft Rate
39.94%

Minimum Monthly Credit
£500
See Deal + More info
Product Features
- Earn up to 3% cashback every month on selected Household bills paid by Direct Debit, capped at £5 for each cashback tier each month
- Earn monthly interest of 0.30% AER/gross (variable) on balances up to £20,000
Eligibility / Restrictions
- To be eligible you must pay a minimum of £500 into your account each month; have 2 active Direct Debits
- There is a £4 monthly fee for maintaining the account that will automatically be taken from your account each month
Representative Example: If you use an arranged overdraft of £1,200, you'll be charged the equivalent annual rate of 39.94% EAR (variable). Representative APR 39.94% (variable).
Santander 1|2|3 Lite Current Account
Monthly Fee
£2

Interest Rate
0%

Arranged Overdraft Rate
39.94%

Minimum Monthly Credit
£500
See Deal + More info
Product Features
- Earn up to 3% cashback every month on selected Household bills paid by Direct Debit, capped at £5 for each cashback tier each month
- Manage your account online or via mobile app
- Get access to a range of 123 offers
Eligibility / Restrictions
- To be eligible you must pay a minimum of £500 into your account each month; have 2 active Direct Debits and be over 18 years and live in the UK permanently
- There is a £2 monthly fee for maintaining the account that will automatically be taken from your account each month
- Log onto Online or Mobile Banking at least once every 3 months. You accept that this is a paper-free account, so documents, statements and some letters will be sent to your secure inbox in Online Banking
Representative Example: If you use an arranged overdraft of £1,200, you'll be charged the equivalent annual rate of 39.94% EAR (variable). Representative APR 39.94% (variable).
Nationwide FlexAccount
Monthly Fee
Free

Interest Rate
0%

Arranged Overdraft Rate
39.9%

Minimum Monthly Credit
None
See Deal + More info
Product Features
- In-credit interest
- Freedom to bank how you want; online, in branch or over the phone
- No monthly account fee for maintaining the account
Eligibility / Restrictions
- Must be a UK resident
- Must be at least 18 years of age
Representative Example: If you use an arranged overdraft of £1,200, you’ll be charged the equivalent annual rate of 39.9% EAR (variable). Representative APR 39.9% (Variable)
HSBC Advance Bank Account
Monthly Fee
Free

Interest Rate
0%

Arranged Overdraft Rate
39.9%

Minimum Monthly Credit
£1,750
See Deal + More info
Product Features
- Get an arranged overdraft of at least £1,000 when you open an account
- Access to a Regular Saver account
- No monthly fee
Eligibility / Restrictions
- You must be 18 or older and live in the UK or EU
- To be eligible for HSBC Advance, customers will need to pay in a minimum of £1,750 per month or £10,500 over 6 months and be approved for an overdraft of £1,000+.
Offer
Get £125 and a whole lot more when you switch to an HSBC Advance Account To qualify, open an HSBC Advance Account as a new customer, then switch within 30 days using the Current Account Switch Service with at least 2 Direct Debits or standing orders. You can't have held an HSBC current account, or opened a first direct bank account since 1 January 2018.

Representative Example: If you use an arranged overdraft of £1,200, you'll be charged the equivalent annual rate of 39.9% EAR (variable). Representative APR 38.9% (variable).
CardOneMoney Account
Monthly Fee
£12.50

Interest Rate
0%

Arranged Overdraft Rate
No overdraft

Minimum Monthly Credit
None
See Deal + More info
Product Features
- No credit checks
- Open to everyone with guaranteed acceptance (subject to proper identification)
- No charges for bounced Direct Debits or Standing Orders
Eligibility / Restrictions
- £1.50 UK ATM withdrawals; 2.75% overseas transaction fee; £3 plus 2.75% overseas ATM withdrawal fee
- Pay in cash at Post Office branches; pay in cheques at Barclays branches
- Must be a UK Resident and 18 years or over
No credit facilities on this account

Please note: Our comparison service features a selection of providers from whom we receive commission. This table is initially ordered according to our commercial arrangements. You can use the options above the table to order it according to various criteria.

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Published on 05 July 2017. Last updated on 16 March 2021.

Basic Bank Accounts FAQs

What is a basic bank account?

Basic bank accounts are intended for people with poor credit histories, which means they could struggle to be accepted for a standard current account. They are usually offered without the need for credit checks and can enable users to carry out basic banking functions.

These include receiving payments, withdrawing cash and making payments via direct debit. However, each product’s services can vary hugely, so it’s important to check the details of any basic bank account you are considering to ensure it offers you the services you require.

Who might need a basic bank account?

Well over a million people in the UK have no bank account at all and therefore have no access to banking services. This can mean they are unable to accept a job that pays a salary into a bank account or pay bills that require direct debits to be set up.

However, many banks offer basic bank accounts that can provide people with poor credit or those who would simply prefer not to take out a current account, with access to these services that have become fundamental to everyday life for most of us.

Can anyone open a basic bank account?

Banks make little or no money from customers who take out basic bank accounts as they offer no overdrafts. Therefore, they are less advertised to customers. Some banks will even limit access to their basic bank accounts to those who fail the credit check when applying for a current account. You may be able to open a basic bank account if you don’t have a poor credit history, but you will need to ask the bank first.

What services do basic bank accounts offer?

This varies from account to account but some of the services basic bank accounts commonly offer include:

Accepting payments
Setting up direct debits
Access to a Visa debit card
Buying items online
Taking out cash from an ATM
Access to mobile apps to help manage your money

Do these bank accounts charge fees?

Usually not, but in some cases you may incur fees for things like failed payments, using your card overseas, or you may be charged by a business to whom your payment fails. Check with the bank for details on the fees charged to basic bank account customers.

How can I apply for a basic bank account?

You will often be able to apply by going into a branch and asking to apply for a basic bank account. You may be asked to apply for a regular current account first, but some banks will allow you to apply for a basic account when you wish. You will usually be asked for a form of ID, such as a driving license or a passport, and you will also have to provide proof of address. There may also be other criteria for certain accounts, so it’s important to check before applying.