Family Finance Guide
Best Junior ISAs UK 2026
Compare cash and stocks & shares Junior ISAs — the £9,000 tax-free allowance, top rates, and how to choose between them.
Last updated: August 2026
Quick answer
You can pay up to £9,000 per child into a Junior ISA in the 2026/27 tax year, split however you like between a Cash JISA and a Stocks & Shares JISA. For long-term saving (10+ years until your child turns 18), a Stocks & Shares JISA has historically grown faster than cash, though returns aren't guaranteed. For shorter timeframes or if you want certainty, a Cash JISA is the safer choice.
A Junior ISA (JISA) is a tax-free savings or investment account for children under 18, opened and managed by a parent or legal guardian but belonging entirely to the child. The money is locked away until they turn 18, at which point it becomes theirs to use. Here's how the allowance works, cash versus stocks & shares, and which providers are worth considering.
How the £9,000 allowance works
The Junior ISA allowance for the 2026/27 tax year is £9,000 per child, and this is set to stay unchanged until April 2031. You can split it however you like between a Cash JISA and a Stocks & Shares JISA — for example, £6,000 into stocks & shares and £3,000 into cash — but you can only hold one of each type at any one time. Anyone can contribute — parents, grandparents, family friends — it all counts toward the same £9,000 limit per child, and unused allowance doesn't roll over to the next year.
Cash or stocks & shares?
Cash JISA
- Fixed, predictable interest rate — no risk to the amount you pay in
- Best suited to shorter timeframes, or if you want certainty over growth
- Currently the top rates are around 3.7%–3.85% AER
- Money can't fall in value, but may not outpace inflation over many years
Stocks & Shares JISA
- Returns depend on market performance — no fixed rate
- Historically stronger growth over long periods (10+ years)
- Value can fall as well as rise — capital is at risk
- Best suited to younger children with more years until they turn 18
Illustrative example: a £100/month contribution from birth could reach roughly £32,000 in a Cash JISA at 4% by age 18, versus roughly £50,000 in a Stocks & Shares JISA at an average 7% return — but stock market returns are never guaranteed, and past performance doesn't predict future results.
Top Cash JISA rates
| Provider | Rate (AER) | How to open |
|---|
| Leek Building Society | 3.85% | Post or branch only |
| NS&I | 3.70% | Online |
| Coventry Building Society | 3.75% | Branch, post, or online |
Rates confirmed current as of August 2026 — variable, and can change at any time. Always check the provider's current rate before opening an account.
Comparing Stocks & Shares JISA providers
Unlike cash accounts, stocks & shares providers don't compete on a fixed rate — what matters is the account fee, dealing charges, and how wide a range of investments you can choose from. Here's how the main UK providers compare:
| Provider | Account Fee | Dealing Fee | Fund Range | Best for |
|---|
| Hargreaves Lansdown | £0 | £0 online (phone/post £29) | Widest — 14,000+ options | Maximum choice, established brand |
| AJ Bell | Capped at £2.50/mo on shares | From £3.50/trade | Broad — funds, shares, ETFs | Strong customer service, mid-market value |
| Fidelity | £0 | £7.50/trade (funds free) | Funds and investment trusts mainly | Simple, fee-free fund investing |
| Vanguard | Capped, low | £0 on Vanguard funds | Vanguard's own funds only | Lowest cost if you're happy with one fund range |
| Beanstalk | Low, beginner-friendly | Varies | Curated, simplified | Total beginners, minimal effort setup |
Fees are based on providers' own published rates as of August 2026 and are subject to change — always check the current fee schedule directly before opening an account.
Our recommendation
There's no single "best" provider — it depends on what you value:
- Want the widest choice and don't want to think about fees again? Hargreaves Lansdown — no account fee, no online dealing fee, and the largest fund range of any provider here.
- Want strong customer service and don't mind a small monthly cap? AJ Bell — its £2.50/month cap on shares is a rounding error over 18 years, and it's been Which? Recommended for eight consecutive years running.
- Mainly investing in funds rather than individual shares? Fidelity — genuinely fee-free if you stick to funds, though share dealing costs more than HL.
- Want the simplest possible setup with no investment knowledge required? Beanstalk — built specifically for parents who don't want to pick individual funds themselves.
What about Child Trust Funds?
If your child has an older Child Trust Fund (CTF) rather than a Junior ISA, you can transfer it into a JISA at any time, and doing so doesn't use up your annual allowance. CTF fees tend to be higher and investment options more limited than modern JISA providers, so transferring is usually worth it. A child can't hold both a CTF and a Junior ISA at the same time — the transfer typically takes up to 30 days once you contact your chosen JISA provider.
Already thinking about your child's first bank account too?
See our comparison of the best kids' debit cards and bank accounts — for when they're a bit older and ready for their own spending money, alongside their Junior ISA.
Read the kids' bank accounts guide →
Frequently asked questions
How much can I pay into a Junior ISA in 2026/27?
Up to £9,000 per child, split however you like between a Cash JISA and a Stocks & Shares JISA. This allowance is set to remain unchanged until April 2031.
Can I have both a Cash JISA and a Stocks & Shares JISA for my child?
Yes — you can hold one of each type at the same time, and split your £9,000 allowance between them in any proportion you choose.
Who can pay into a Junior ISA?
Anyone — parents, grandparents, or family friends can contribute. All contributions count toward the same £9,000 annual allowance per child, regardless of who pays in.
When can my child access the money?
Not until they turn 18. At that point, the Junior ISA automatically becomes an adult ISA in their name, and the money is entirely theirs to use as they choose.
Can I transfer a Child Trust Fund into a Junior ISA?
Yes, at any time, and it doesn't use up your annual allowance. CTF fees and investment options are usually less competitive than modern JISA providers, so transferring is generally worthwhile.
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