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1Scan for outdated or missing drivers - takes under a minute2Repair Windows errors before they cause bigger problems3Fix the driver behind crashes, sound loss and screen glitchesIt could be worthwhile if you are a new Starling customer, can open the Easy Saver within the qualifying window and will keep no more than £25,000 in it. Starling’s advertised 5.00% AER is variable overall: it includes a 2.50% AER bonus fixed for six months, while the underlying rate can change. The offer also requires a Starling personal current account, so the headline rate is not a standalone savings deal.
What Starling’s 5% Easy Saver offers
As checked on 3 October 2026, Starling advertises 5.00% AER (4.87% gross, variable) on Easy Saver balances up to £25,000. The account pays interest monthly and allows unlimited transfers to the linked Starling personal current account.
The 5% figure is not a guaranteed rate for six months. It includes a 2.50% AER bonus fixed for the first six months; the standard part of the rate is variable. Starling’s May 2026 terms say it will give at least 14 days’ notice before reducing the rate. AER is a comparison measure that assumes annual compounding; gross is the contractual rate before tax.
Who qualifies for the introductory bonus?
Moneyfacts’ 2 October 2026 listing says the promotion is for a new personal Easy Saver opened within 30 days of opening a new Starling personal current account. It reports that the offer applies to new personal current accounts opened from 1 October 2026. Check the terms shown during your own application, particularly if you already bank with Starling: existing customers should not assume they qualify.
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Starling’s terms require applicants to be at least 18, reside in the UK with the right to reside there, hold a Starling personal current account in pounds and use the saver for personal purposes. The product is subject to eligibility.
How the rate changes with your balance
The 5% headline applies only to the first £25,000. Moneyfacts’ 2 October 2026 listing reports 2.50% AER (2.46% gross) on balances from £25,001. The account’s maximum deposit is £1 million, but that does not mean the whole balance earns 5%.
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| Balance or feature | What applies |
|---|---|
| Up to £25,000 | 5.00% AER (4.87% gross, variable), including the six-month fixed bonus, according to Starling’s product page checked 3 October 2026. |
| From £25,001 | 2.50% AER (2.46% gross), according to Moneyfacts’ listing dated 2 October 2026. |
| Minimum opening amount | £1, according to Moneyfacts’ 2 October 2026 listing. Starling’s terms do not require a minimum balance. |
| Maximum deposit | £1 million, according to Starling’s May 2026 terms. |
How easy is it to access your money?
The Easy Saver is accessed through Starling’s app or online banking and is linked to your Starling personal current account. Under Starling’s terms, deposits and withdrawals must go through that current account; outgoing transfers are immediate and available there straight away. You cannot withdraw cash directly from the Easy Saver, pay cash or cheques into it, or use a saver debit card.
Moneyfacts describes withdrawals as unlimited and penalty-free. That flexibility can suit emergency savings, provided you are comfortable keeping the linked current account.
How it compares with alternatives
MoneyWeek’s comparison published on 1 October 2026 reported the following rates. They are date-specific snapshots, not assurances that the accounts or rates remain available. The AlRayan account is fixed-term, so it is not a like-for-like easy-access option.
| Account | Reported rate and terms | Access type |
|---|---|---|
| Starling Easy Saver | 5.00% AER up to £25,000, including a 2.50% AER bonus fixed for six months; the overall rate is variable. Starling rate checked 3 October 2026. | Easy access to linked Starling current account. |
| Zopa Limited Access pot | 4.56%, including a fixed 1.05% component for 12 months, as reported by MoneyWeek on 1 October 2026. | Limited access; check the provider’s current withdrawal rules. |
| Cynergy Bank saver | 4.55%, including a 2% bonus for 12 months, as reported by MoneyWeek on 1 October 2026. | Check the provider’s current access rules. |
| AlRayan Bank one-year fixed account | Up to 5.12%, as reported by MoneyWeek on 1 October 2026. | Money is locked away for one year. |
On that dated comparison, MoneyWeek said Starling led the easy-access market by headline rate. The figures can change; compare live rates, access conditions, eligibility, balance tiers and bonus duration before opening an account.
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What happens after six months?
The promotional bonus ends after six months. Since only the bonus component is fixed, the rate you receive before then may also change if Starling varies the underlying rate. Check the rate in the app or current account terms, and set a reminder to compare alternatives before the bonus expires. A strong introductory rate can become less attractive once the bonus is gone.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.Interest, tax and deposit protection
Starling says interest is calculated and compounded daily, then paid into the Easy Saver on the first day of each month. Its terms say interest is paid gross and that customers remain responsible for any tax due; the amount of tax, if any, depends on individual circumstances.
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Starling states that eligible deposits are protected by the Financial Services Compensation Scheme (FSCS) up to £120,000. Check current FSCS rules and how eligible balances held under the same banking authorisation are aggregated before relying on that limit.
Quick Recap
Who may find it worthwhile?
- Consider it if you are eligible as a new Starling customer, can meet the 30-day opening window, value easy access through a Starling current account and expect to keep no more than £25,000 in the saver.
- Compare other accounts if you already have a Starling current account, need to save more than £25,000 at the headline rate, do not want a Starling current account, or are willing to lock money away for a fixed term.
- Review it again before the six-month bonus ends, because the introductory rate is not a long-term guarantee.
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.
