Best Junior ISAs 2025

Looking to secure your child's financial future? This guide explores the best Junior ISA (JISA) accounts available in the UK, comparing top providers based on fees, investment options, ease of use, and long-term growth potential. Whether you're interested in a cash JISA for safer savings or a stocks and shares JISA for higher returns, this article will help you choose the right account to start building a tax-free nest egg for your child.

We'll break down the different types and the conditions attached and guide you through the process of opening an account. Finally, we'll compare the available top Junior Stocks and Shares ISA vs Cash ISAs.

Best Junior Cash ISAs Providers

Below, you will find our selection of the best Cash Junior ISAs available at the moment, featuring some of the best Junior ISA rates currently on the market.

Tesco Bank

Tesco Bank’s Junior Cash ISA delivers a 3.50% variable AER, striking a solid balance between accessibility and competitive returns. Applications take just around 10 minutes online or by phone, and you can start saving with as little as £1. The account is fully online-managed, yet you can also call customer service if needed.

You’re welcome to transfer existing JISAs into Tesco without affecting your annual allowance—making it a practical choice for consolidating or switching providers.

NS&I

Backed by the UK government and wholly guaranteed by HM Treasury, NS&I offers one of the most secure Junior ISAs, with a 4.00% tax-free AER. The account can be opened online with just £1, and allows transfers in from other Junior ISAs—ideal if you're seeking a worry-free and easy-to-manage savings option.

Nottingham Building Society

Nottingham Building Society offers a standout rate at 4.05% AER—one of the highest in the market. It must be opened in-branch with a minimum of £1, and once opened, it also allows transfers from other JISAs.

Additionally, its products come with FSCS protection and a reputation for helpful, in-person customer service, with many positive customer reviews praising both the rate and the personal touch.

Stafford Building Society

Stafford offers a competitive 4.00% AER/Gross, and you can open the Junior Cash ISA with just £1, either in-branch or by post, using a traditional passbook system. Withdrawals are prohibited until the child turns 18, and transfers in are allowed.

The account requires a child's birth certificate to open—reflecting its straightforward, long-term design.

Pros and Cons of a Junior ISA

How much can you contribute to the account?

For the 2025/26 tax year, you can contribute up to £9,000 to a Junior ISA (JISA).

This annual limit applies across both types of Junior ISAs:

• Cash Junior ISA
• Stocks & Shares Junior ISA

You can split the £9,000 between the two types, or put the full amount into one — but the combined total must not exceed £9,000 in the tax year.

Anyone (parents, grandparents, friends) can contribute, but only the parent or legal guardian can open and manage the account until the child turns 18.

When will my child get access to the account?

Your child will get access to their Junior ISA when they turn 18 years old.

Here’s how it works:

• From the age of 16, your child can legally manage the account — but they can’t withdraw the money yet.
• At 18, the Junior ISA automatically converts into an adult ISA, and your child gains full control of the funds.
• They can choose to withdraw the money, keep it in savings, transfer it to another ISA, or compare the benefits of keeping it in an ISA vs a regular savings account.

Until then, the money remains locked away, growing tax-free — and only the child can access it once they reach adulthood.

FAQs

What is a Junior ISA (JISA)?

A Junior ISA (Individual Savings Account) is a savings account set up by a parent or guardian on behalf of a child. It offers a tax-free way to save or invest for a child's future, ensuring the money grows without being subject to income tax or capital gains tax.

Keep in mind that to be eligible to open a JISA, the child must be under 18, live in the UK, and not have a Child Trust Fund.

Can I transfer the Child Trust Fund to a Junior ISA?

Yes, it is possible to transfer a Child Trust Fund (CTF) to a Junior ISA. However, not all Junior ISA providers support this transfer. Before making the transfer, it's essential to check with your chosen provider to ensure they can facilitate the move. The transfer process generally involves contacting the new provider, who will handle the transfer on your behalf, and the money will continue to benefit from tax-free growth within the Junior ISA.

Can I have different Junior ISAs?

Yes, you can hold both a Cash Junior ISA and a Stocks & Shares Junior ISA at the same time, as long as the combined contributions to both accounts do not exceed the annual limit of £9,000. You can also choose to have these ISAs with different providers. For instance, you might decide to open a Cash Junior ISA with one provider and a Stocks & Shares Junior ISA with another, but remember that each account will still be subject to the overall £9,000 contribution cap for the tax year.

Difference between a Cash ISA vs Stocks and Shares ISA?

1. Cash Junior ISA: Similar to the Cash ISA, it is comparable to a regular savings account, where you earn interest on the money you place. The interest rate can be fixed or variable, depending on the current interest rates.
2. Stocks and Shares Junior ISA: Like the regular Stocks and Shares ISA, this allows you to invest in various assets, including shares, bonds, and funds. While the growth potential is higher, it also comes with a higher risk due to market volatility which means that you could lose (part of) the invested allowance.

So the difference between a Cash ISA vs Stocks and Shares ISA lies in risk aversion. Cash ISA provides interest on cash placed into the account. It works similarly to a savings account. On the other hand, Stocks ISA allows you to invest in various products such as funds, ETFs, or stocks.

This could grant a higher interest, but it could also be more risky, as there could be losses depending on the investments. Exploring the best Stocks and Shares ISAs can help you find options with strong track records and lower fees.

Who can open an account?

A parent or legal guardian can open a Junior ISA on behalf of a child who is:

• Under 18 years old
• Living in the UK
• Not already holding a Child Trust Fund (CTF) — though CTFs can be transferred into a Junior ISA

Once opened, anyone (family, friends, etc.) can contribute to the account, but only the person who opened it can manage it until the child turns 16, when they can take over managing it themselves.

How to open an account?

Opening a Junior ISA account involves a few straightforward steps:

1. Choose the Type of ISA: Decide between a Cash Junior ISA or a Stocks and Shares Junior ISA based on your risk appetite and savings goals.
2. Research Providers: Compare different banks, building societies, and investment firms to find the best interest rates or investment options.
3. Gather Documents: You will need proof of identity and address for both the child and the parent/guardian.
4. Complete Application: Fill out the application form the chosen ISA provider provided.
5. Fund the Account: Transfer money into the account, ensuring it does not exceed the annual contribution limit.

Can you convert CTFs to a Junior ISA?

Yes, you can convert a Child Trust Fund (CTF) to a Junior ISA. However, it is important to note that the funds cannot be directly transferred from one to the other. Instead, you can transfer the CTF funds into a Junior ISA with a new provider. This can be beneficial as Junior ISAs tend to offer a wider range of investment options, and there are no restrictions on who can manage the account once the child turns 16, unlike CTFs where the account is managed by a parent or guardian until the child turns 18.

When transferring a CTF to a Junior ISA, make sure to check whether there are any fees or restrictions imposed by the current provider, and ensure you’re transferring to a Junior ISA that meets your needs in terms of interest rates or investment options.

Who does the account belong to?

A Junior ISA belongs to the child for whom it is opened. However, as the account is managed by a parent or legal guardian until the child turns 16, they are responsible for the decisions made regarding the account, such as contributing to it and choosing the type of ISA (cash or stocks and shares).

Are there penalties for withdrawing from the account?

Yes, there are specific rules when it comes to withdrawing money from an ISA. The main restriction is that the funds cannot be accessed until the child reaches the age of 18, except in specific circumstances, such as if the child becomes terminally ill.

Since the account is intended as a long-term savings vehicle for children, early withdrawals are not allowed. If funds are accessed before the age of 18, it will usually result in the closure of the account, and the money must be transferred to another account, potentially losing the tax benefits associated with the JISA.

Therefore, it is important to treat a Junior ISA as a savings tool for the child's future, with no access to the funds until they reach adulthood.