Best Automatic Savings Apps in the UK

Updated On: Feb 23, 2024
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Best Automatic Savings Apps UK

Contents:

Best Automatic Savings Apps

We’ve compiled a list of the best automatic savings apps in the UK. These are open banking auto-savings apps that help you save spare change by regularly moving small amounts of money into a separate savings account or rounding up your purchases and automatically saving the difference.

All the apps listed here are available on Android and iOS and are regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA).

Compare the best automatic savings apps in the UK:


Chip - Save the change; £50k Prize account; Up to 4.84% AER

Chip logo
Interest
4.84% AER
Cost
£0 - £5.99 per month
£85,000
Green check mark indicating yes
FSCS Protection

Chip is an automatic savings app that empowers you to save money in two ways: Automatic Savings powered by AI and Recurring Saves. Automatic Savings lets Chip identify idle money or spare change in your bank account and save it for you automatically. Recurring Saves is similar to a direct debit or a regular savings plan, where you instruct the app to save the same amount of money on a regular basis.

Chip offers two main types of savings accounts: an Instant Access Savings Account and a Prize Savings Account. With the Instant Access Savings Account, you can earn competitive interest rates on your savings up to £250,000. The interest is paid monthly, and you can start saving with as little as £1. The Prize Savings Account is similar to a premium bond where you do not earn any interest on your savings but stand a chance to win £50,000 in each monthly draw. Every £10 deposit represents one entry into the draw. In addition to the £50,000 monthly prize money, you could be one of 50, 100, 500, or 2,000 people who win £100, £50, £25, or £10, respectively, each month. Previous winners are also eligible to win more than once. Chip also offers a 90-Day Notice Account and an Easy Access Account via third-party financial institutions.

The Chip app is free to download on Android and iOS. All Chip savings accounts are protected by the Financial Services Compensation Scheme (FSCS) up to £85,000 per person.

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Monese - Round ups; Savings pots; Travel money

Monese Logo
Interest
0% AER
Cost
£0 - £14.95 per month
Red cross mark indicating no
FSCS Protection

Monese is a top choice among the best money saving apps in the UK, offering innovative Money Pots and interest-bearing accounts to help you achieve your financial goals. With Monese, you can create up to 10 Money Pots in multiple currencies, name them according to your specific goals, and access your funds whenever needed. Monese also enables you to build your savings faster with features like Recurring Payments and transaction round-ups, which can be multiplied by up to 10.

Through its partnership with Raisin, Monese also provides interest-bearing savings products with FSCS protection, allowing you to grow your money more quickly. The user-friendly Monese app, available in 14 languages and supported by a multilingual team, makes managing your savings effortless. Opening a Monese account requires just your ID and a selfie photo, with no credit checks involved. For couples looking to plan, save, and manage their finances together, Monese offers joint accounts, allowing both partners to create and track up to 10 Money Pots for shared goals.

While Monese Money Pots are safeguarded under the EU Electronic Money Directive 2009/110/EC and UK Electronic Money Regulations 2011, keep in mind that regular Money Pots do not earn interest. If you’re seeking interest on your savings, Monese’s partnership with Raisin offers a range of attractive savings products. In addition to its savings solutions, Monese provides travel money, international money transfers, and multi-currency accounts, making it a comprehensive and secure platform for managing your finances and achieving your financial goals.

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Kroo - Round ups; Overdrafts; Bill splitting; Up to 4.35% AER

Kroo Logo
Interest
4.35% AER
Cost
£0
£85,000
Green check mark indicating yes
FSCS Protection

Kroo is a new digital bank offering an award-winning current account with an impressive 4.35% AER interest on balances up to £85,000. The account is free to open, and with zero fees on spending abroad and a UK-based customer support team, Kroo ensures a hassle-free banking experience.

The Kroo app features intuitive spending, real-time spending insights, transaction categorisation, up-to-date notifications, spare change round-ups, and the ability to manage bill splitting and group expenses seamlessly in-app, providing users with comprehensive financial management. The account comes with no monthly fees, and applying for an overdraft is possible by invitation only (subject to status). For added security, Kroo offers biometric authentication, 256-bit encryption, and FSCS deposit protection up to £85,000 per customer. Users can also freeze and unfreeze their Kroo debit cards instantly within the app.

Kroo stands out not only for its competitive interest rate but also for its commitment to sustainability. In partnership with One Tree Planted, Kroo plants two trees for every new customer who opens a current account, aiming to plant 1 million trees by 2024. With a user-friendly interface, transparent fees, and a focus on both user benefits and environmental responsibility, Kroo is a good choice for individuals seeking a well-regarded savings app in the UK. Tap the button below to download Kroo. If you are on a desktop device, you’ll need to scan the QR code with your mobile phone after clicking the button below.

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Plum - Round up purchases; Auto-save and invest; Up to 4.21% AER

Plum Logo
Interest
0% - 4.21% AER
Cost
£0 - £2.99 per month
£85,000
Green check mark indicating yes
FSCS Protection

Plum is a top-rated savings app in the UK that automates your savings and helps you reach your financial goals more efficiently. With its smart algorithm, Plum analyses your income and expenses to ensure intelligent saving and offers various saving modes like Round Ups, Weekly Depositor, 52 Week Challenge, Rainy Days, Pay Days, Naughty Rule, and the 1p Challenge to help you deposit more effectively. You can earn up to 4.21% AER with an Easy Access Interest Pocket and create customised pockets for your saving targets.

Security and privacy are paramount with Plum, which employs face and fingerprint ID and 256-bit TLS encryption. The app provides outstanding customer support, with a dedicated team available seven days a week. Plum is compatible with both iOS and Android devices and offers tiered interest rates for Premium, Pro, Ultra, and Basic subscribers, with some requiring a subscription starting from £2.99 per month.

Opening and managing your account with Plum is straightforward, with no minimum deposit or upper limit. UK residents aged 18 or over can manage their accounts exclusively through the Plum app. Users can withdraw money from their Plum Interest Pockets at any time, with no limits or fees, and withdrawals are processed within the same working day (up to 3 pm). Combining automated savings, competitive interest rates, and a user-friendly interface, Plum stands out as one of the best saving apps in the UK for individuals seeking financial control and success.

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Moneybox - Round ups; Auto-save and invest; Up to 3.00% AER

Moneybox
Interest
3.00% AER
Cost
£0
£85,000
Green check mark indicating yes
FSCS Protection

Moneybox is a highly-recommended savings app in the UK that simplifies your savings journey and helps you reach your financial goals more efficiently. With its Simple Saver feature, you can earn an impressive 3.00% AER variable interest and access your money when it suits you, starting with as little as £1 deposit. Withdrawals are available on the next working day, limited to one per calendar month, providing a great balance between saving and flexibility. One of Moneybox’s standout features is the Round-Up, which allows you to save spare change by rounding up your card transactions to the nearest pound and saving the difference. For example, if you spend £2.30 on a coffee, Moneybox automatically saves 70p for you, making it easy to save without even thinking about it.

Security and privacy are top priorities with Moneybox, as the app employs bank-level encryption for your personal information. Also, deposits in the Moneybox Simple Saver are protected by the Financial Services Compensation Scheme up to £85,000. The app is compatible with both iOS and Android devices and offers an award-winning platform recognised by industry experts and customers alike.

Opening and managing your account with Moneybox is a breeze, with no account fees or charges and a maximum deposit of £85,000. UK residents aged 18 or over can manage their accounts exclusively through the Moneybox app. Users can make payments into their savings account via direct debit arrangements, ensuring a seamless experience. Combining flexible savings, competitive interest rates, and a user-friendly interface, Moneybox stands out as one of the best savings apps in the UK for individuals seeking financial growth and success.

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Monzo - Round up purchases; Set savings goals

Monzo logo
Interest
0% - 3.70% AER
Cost
£0
£85,000
Green check mark indicating yes
FSCS Protection

Monzo is a leading digital bank in the UK that simplifies the process of saving, helping you achieve your financial goals more efficiently. With Monzo Savings Pots, you can earn interest, customise pot images, automate savings, and round up spare change, all while enjoying the protection of a fully regulated UK bank.

Creating an Easy Access Savings Pot with Monzo requires a £10 minimum deposit, offering variable interest rates perfect for short-term savings goals, such as holidays or a new bike. You can access your savings instantly, any time you need, with interest paid monthly. Additionally, Monzo allows you to enable Round-ups, which automatically rounds up transactions to the nearest pound and add the change to your Savings Pot. Automated savings features also help you build a consistent saving habit by putting money aside every time you spend.

Your money in Monzo Savings Pots is protected up to a total of £85,000 by the Financial Services Compensation Scheme (FSCS). The Monzo app keeps your Savings Pots separate from your spending balance, ensuring a clear distinction between the two. With custom images for your Savings Pots, you can stay motivated and on track to reach your goals. Round-ups and automatic savings triggers, such as depositing a specific amount into a Rainy Day Pot based on weather conditions, encourage micro-saving, making it easier to boost your savings. By joining the Monzo Savings Squad, you can share tips and engage with the community to improve your savings journey. With its user-friendly features and competitive interest rates, Monzo stands out as one of the best money saving apps in the UK.

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What Is an Auto-Savings App?

An auto-savings app helps you save small amounts of money regularly by estimating how much you can afford to save and moving it into a separate savings account or wallet for you.

These “save the change” apps will also round up your purchases to the nearest pound and automatically put the change into a savings account on your behalf.

You usually have easy access to the money in an automatic savings app, and if you choose one of the standard savings accounts on offer, most of the apps will provide full FSCS protection.

The apps we feature on Koody are open banking auto-savings apps that help save spare change by regularly moving small amounts of money into a separate savings account or rounding up your purchases and automatically saving the difference.


Advantages of Auto-Savings Apps

  1. These apps help you set money aside regularly with little or no effort from you.
  2. They help you build good saving habits.
  3. They can be a fun way to learn about money.
  4. In some cases, you earn some interest.
  5. Your money is usually in a separate account, so the temptation to spend it all is reduced.


Disadvantages of Auto-Savings Apps

  1. Some of the apps don’t have full Financial Services Compensation Scheme (FSCS) protection - we’ll tell you which.
  2. You need to have a smartphone to use them.
  3. Some offer very little interest on savings, if at all.

1. What is the best app for saving spare change?

Here are some of the best apps for saving spare change:

  1. Chip - Save the change; £50k Prize account; Up to 4.84% AER
  2. Monese - Round ups; Savings pots; Travel money
  3. Kroo - Round up spare change; Overdrafts; Bill splitting; Up to 4.35% AER
  4. Plum - Auto-save and invest; Automatic utility switch; Up to 4.21% AER
  5. Moneybox - Round ups; Auto-save and invest; Up to 3.00% AER
  6. Monzo - Round up purchases; Set savings goals

2. Are automatic savings apps safe?

Banks such as Barclays and HSBC have the full £85,000 Financial Services Compensation Scheme (FSCS) protection, which means that if you bank with them, you can get your money back up to £85,000 per financial institution if they go bust.

Automatic savings apps are quite different. They only have FSCS protection on the money you keep in a standard savings account with them, not an e-wallet or electronic money account.

This doesn’t mean your money in an e-wallet isn’t protected. Instead of the FSCS protection, your money is held in a bank account ring-fenced from their operating cash - this is normally with a big bank such as Barclays or HSBC. Should the automatic savings app go bust, your money will be protected since it’s held separately from the firm’s own money.

Apart from FSCS protection, these apps also claim to use the same encryption technology as all major banks to protect your personal information. They are also regulated by the FCA, so you can rest assured that their activities are monitored by the financial watchdog.


3. Are automatic savings apps regulated by the FCA?

Yes, automatic savings apps are regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA). Most importantly, all the apps listed on Koody are regulated by the FCA.

4. How can I make my savings automatic?

There are two ways to automate your savings:

  1. Set up a standing order: Use your bank app to set up a standing order to move money from your current account to your savings account every payday. This way, you are saving money immediately after you receive your salary. If you have an investment account, you should also consider setting up a direct debit to automate transfers to your investment account.
  2. Use an automatic savings app: Automatic savings apps help you save small amounts of money regularly by estimating how much you can afford to save and moving it into a separate savings account or wallet for you.

5. Should I automate my savings?

You should automate your savings if you:

  1. Have spare cash you’d like to save
  2. Do not know how and when to save money
  3. Are not sure how much to save
  4. Constantly struggle to save
  5. Are saving towards a short, medium or long-term goal


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