
How to find cheap broadband deals
Do you need fibre?, top picks, how to switch & much more
Millions blindly overpay for broadband and line rent as costs rocket when promo deals end. So if you're out of contract, check now if you can save £100s/year by switching to our top picks below, or do a broadband comparison to find the best deal in your area.
Best broadband deals
To benchmark, those out of contract typically pay BT £52/mth and Virgin Media £44/mth for fibre.
9 broadband need-to-knows
These are the golden rules to give you chapter and verse, but if you just want a quick comparison, try our Broadband comparison tool.
Broadband is the standard way to connect to the internet, but the key differentiator is speed, measured in megabits per second (Mbps or Mb) – and the faster the speed, generally the pricier it gets.
Have a look at the table below to see what broadband speed you need.
Type of broadband | Speed | What's it good for? | Devices per household |
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Standard | Up to 29Mb | Also known as ADSL, it's the most the basic level and currently being phased out and replaced with Fibre to the premises (FTTP). Usually only good for webpage browsing or viewing emails. | 2 |
Fibre | 30 - 99Mb | Most common option and good enough for most things, including streaming and online gaming. If there's more people online in your household, it could struggle. (1) | 3 - 4 |
Fast fibre | 100Mb+ | Best for large households that are streaming, downloading large files and online gaming. (2) | 5 - 6 |
Superfast fibre | 500Mb+ | Similar to fast fibre, but deals at this speed are likely to be more expensive so it's very much a luxury. (3) | 6+ |
(1) This is mostly delivered through more sophisticated glass or plastic wires before connecting to your home. See fibre deals. (2) This requires more sophisticated wiring usually direct to your home. See our Fibre to the premises guide for more info. (3) Uses the same wiring as fast fibre, it's just faster.
Quick questions
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If there's a lot of demand, can they slow my speed? At peak times or when a lot of people are using the internet at the same time, some providers will prioritise certain traffic, meaning your connection may slow down to ensure everyone receives decent speeds. This is called traffic management.
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How do I check my broadband speed? There are a number of free speed tests online to check what speed you're actually getting. Try it at different times of the day to get a range of speeds, as it can vary. Regulator Ofcom also has a coverage checker, which shows the maximum speeds capable at any postcode, though it won't be precise enough to check your home.
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How do I boost my broadband speed? There are a number of simple checks and fixes if you are struggling speed-wise. There's a full checklist of tips and tricks to get quicker in How to improve your broadband speed.
To help you navigate this postcode lottery, our Broadband Comparison tool shows which best buys are available where you live. Standard fibre speed broadband (30Mb+) is available in the vast majority of the UK, but there are still odd pockets where you can't get it.
Fast fibre (100Mb+) is still being rolled out across the UK, though around 75% should now be able to get it. Most big cities have access, but some rural areas may not.
To switch, it's best to allow for about 10 working days, though if you need an engineer it's partly down to availability.
On the day itself, you're only likely to be offline for a few hours at most. If you have enough mobile data allowance, you can use this to cover any outage until you get back online.
Here are some more key details:
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Often, there's no need for an engineer to come round. Only if you need a new line or on some fibre installations. Otherwise, just plug in any new kit you're sent.
Switching to a different network such as Virgin Media? If you're moving from one broadband network to another (for example, Openreach to Virgin Media), it's likely you'll need an engineer to set up your service with your new provider. This will usually involve work to the exterior of your property.
If you're switching to Virgin Media, 60% of customers won't need an engineer sent round – if you're in that group, it'll tell you BEFORE you sign up. If you're one of the 40% that do, an engineer may need to come into your home or just go to a nearby exchange, but you won't be told which in advance.
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You don't usually need to tell your current provider. Under Ofcom's 'one touch switch' rules introduced in September 2024, the new firm will do the communication work for you and tell your current provider that you're moving.
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Some firms insist you pay to receive their router. Though the cost isn't usually prohibitive and we include router costs (where applicable) in all the deals below.
It's important to understand that advertised speeds are based on the average speed received by at least 50% of a provider's current customer base between 8pm and 10pm – when most people are online.
Most have signed up to a code of practice committing to give a personalised estimate and a minimum guaranteed speed before you sign up. If your speeds drop below this minimum for three consecutive days, you can ask your provider to check for a fault – and get it fixed if so. See our How to improve your broadband speed guide for how to check your speed.
If it remains unresolved for 30 days, you should be able to exit your contract penalty-free. This applies both to broadband-only deals AND packaged deals that include TV and a landline phone, provided you bought them at the same time as the broadband. If you're unhappy with your provider, try free complaints handling tool Resolver.
Most broadband, mobile, landline and TV firms have terms that allow it to raise prices each year, even if you're in a contract. When this happens, you can't usually leave without penalty.
From January 2025, firms (and comparison sites) now have to tell you exactly how much your bill will increase in pounds and pence before you take out a new contract.
However, some providers (such as Sky) don't include price hikes in the T&Cs of the contract. If so, then you can leave your contract penalty-free when it hikes prices mid-contract. All you have to do is tell your provider within 30 days of getting notification from it, and you can leave penalty-free.
For those taking out new contracts, here's how the biggies will hike prices:
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BT, EE , Plusnet, TalkTalk and Vodafone. These firms all currently state that prices will rise every April by £3 a month.
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Virgin Media. It currently says prices will rise every April by £3.50 a month.
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Sky and Now. No price hikes included in Ts&Cs, but they tend to hike prices each year - if they do, you can leave penalty-free.
Our broadband comparison tool shows you exactly how each deal will increase each year (where we know), and factors it in to the equivalent price we show.
Previously, most firms hiked prices in line with inflation between February and April each year, using either the Retail Prices Index (RPI) or Consumer Prices Index (CPI) measure of inflation, plus a percentage on top. If you've not switched recently, it's likely you'll still be under these old rules.
Switching usually nets you the cheapest prices, but if you are out of contract – or nearing the end of your contract – you could try to haggle.
As there's stiff competition, companies are frantic to keep hold of customers. That is why in our polls on haggling with service companies, communication providers are frequently among the easiest to haggle with.
In our December 2024 poll, 71% of those who haggled with their broadband provider were successful. Virgin Media customers reported an 84% success rate, TalkTalk customers a 76% success rate, and Now broadband customers 75%. For top tips, see our Broadband Haggling guide.
In total, 11 providers – BT, EE, Hyperoptic, Plusnet, Sky (including Now Broadband), TalkTalk, Virgin Media, Vodafone, Utility Warehouse and Zen – have signed up to regulator Ofcom's automatic compensation scheme, which means customers could get money back from their broadband/landline provider when certain things go wrong. Ofcom says it covers 90% of broadband users.
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If your landline or broadband stops working and is not repaired within two working days of reporting it, you'll receive £9.98, and then £9.98 for each day it remains unfixed.
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If your new landline or broadband service is not up and running on the day promised, you'll receive £6.24 for each calendar day activation is delayed, including the missed start date. There's no limit on this, so you'll keep accruing the compensation until it's sorted.
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If an engineer doesn't arrive for an appointment as scheduled, or it's cancelled with less than 24 hours' notice, you'll receive £31.19.
If you are due compensation, it's automatically paid as bill credit within 30 working days of the issue. If you choose to leave your provider while you still have bill credit to spend or before you get it, this will be refunded to the bank account you use to pay your direct debit or sent as a cheque.
Quick questions
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Should I opt for a provider that hasn't signed up? So far, only the biggies are signed up to the scheme (which covers 90% of customers), but the biggies aren't always the cheapest. This opens up the question of whether to stick with a compensation scheme provider. Here's Martin's view...
"There is a huge price difference between the very cheapest providers and what most people pay. Someone on an ongoing BT standard broadband contract can save £400/year switching to the cheapest.
"Provided that company has a decent service record, I wouldn't pay a big premium for the compensation. Especially as I hope that quite soon most competitive providers will join it. Yet if a compensation scheme member is cheap, pounce on it."
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How do I complain if my provider hasn't signed up? Whether or not your provider has signed up to the code, you should still complain if you have issues. A company can't try to fix problems if you don't report them.
Most broadband packages still require a physical line, as the broadband connection is delivered through it. However, many providers still bundle standard line rental, even if you don’t plan to use the phone, rather than offering a discount for broadband-only deals. With traditional landlines slowly being phased out, you might see packages offering a ‘digital line,’ or VoIP, where calls are made using your internet connection – though these tend to be more expensive.
There are a few broadband-only options, such as Virgin Media and BT, which can be cheaper. However, bundling broadband with a landline often remains the most cost-effective option, but check our Broadband comparison tool to find the best deal for you.
Openreach – the UK’s main broadband network, which many of largest providers use (eg, BT, Sky, Vodafone) – is retiring its old copper telephone wires and replacing them with fibre.
It’s doing this gradually, region-by-region, between now and 2027. If yours is upgraded, it means your landline will start to use your internet connection to make phone calls - known Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) or by its branded name, Digital Voice.
Openreach says this will offer improved call quality and better connectivity as technology continues to advance – but there are downsides, including being unable to make calls if there's a power cut.
It's currently being rolled out, but not for all...
Digital Voice is currently being rolled out on a region-by-region basis and if you're in an area that's being upgraded, you'll likely be contacted by your internet provider to inform you of the next steps.
However, some customers won't be switched just yet, these include:
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Customers with a healthcare pendant (personal alarm)
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Customers who only use landlines
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Customers with no mobile signal
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Customers who have disclosed any additional needs
If you fall into any of these categories, you'll need to let your provider know so it's aware of your additional needs.
If you don't, but prefer to stick with your existing landline phone service, you may not need to transition to a digital phone service immediately. Traditional phone services will remain operational for a few more years. However, new customers or those renewing their contracts may loose the option to subscribe to traditional phone services.
If you switch, you could lose your landline and phone number
Right now, not all providers offer Digital Voice, including Plusnet and Now Broadband. This means if you're in an area where Digital Voice is being rolled out and you want to switch to these providers, you'll likely be offered a broadband only package (no landline). This'll mean you'll lose your landline and along with it, your home phone number.
Quick questions
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Will my phone work during a power cut? One of the main advantages of copper based landlines is that they work during power cuts. But whether your telephone will work with Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) during a power cut depends on what equipment you have.
Some providers offer battery backup solutions that can keep your phone operational during a power outage. These batteries can provide power to your router for around an hour, allowing you to make and receive calls.
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Do I need new equipment? Most cordless digital phones are compatible with VoIP and the phone’s base unit can be connected directly to your router. If you don’t want to have your phone near your router or have multiple phones around your house, you can use an adaptor. An adaptor is also needed if you have an older or corded phone.
Consider if you really have a need for the fastest speeds
Not all deals are available nationwide... but our comparison tool finds the best deals in YOUR area
Switching usually means only about two hours of downtime – and most people won't need an engineer to visit
At least 50% of customers must get the advertised speed at peak times
Be warned, most firms hike prices during your contract
Don't want to switch? Broadband and phone firms are among the easiest to haggle with
If something goes wrong, you could be due compensation
Still use a landline? You can still get one, but it'll likely be digital
Wanna know how to cut broadband costs – and when to do it?
The MSE App has a new tool called Bill Buster – give us a few details about your bill & we’ll track it, alert you when your contract's ending, then show you the cheapest deals based on speeds you can get in your area.
Top deals: Fibre broadband
We've got our pick of the best fibre broadband deals for new customers of each firm below, but to find out what's available in your area and compare further options, try our Broadband comparison tool.

Important. Most firms have yearly price rises written into their contracts. We'll highlight upcoming hikes where we know the details, but be aware 18-month or 24-month deals will likely see multiple rises during the contract.
At this speed, our top pick is this 75Mb Sky deal via Broadbandchoices. It's £22 a month but you'll be emailed the choice of a £50 prepaid Mastercard or shopping voucher within 4 months of your first bill (do check your junk folder if not received). Factor in the voucher, and it's equivalent to £19.92/month over the 24-month contract.
Note: Sky doesn't forewarn of mid-contract rises (and will likely do 'em and if so you can leave penalty-free) so the equivalent cost here may be artificially too low.
PROVIDER, AVG SPEED & EQUIV COST (1) | HOW IT WORKS |
Sky* '£19.92 a month' | Cheapest fibre (FTTP) with 'OK' service. Until Thursday 22 May, this Sky deal* (via Broadbandchoices) is £22 a month. Plus you'll be emailed a choice of a £50 prepaid Mastercard or shopping voucher within 4mths of your first bill (do check your junk folder if not received). Factor in the voucher, and it's equivalent to £19.92/month over the 24-month contract. Note: Sky doesn't forewarn of mid-contract rises (and will likely do 'em and if so you can leave penalty-free) so the equivalent cost here may be artificially too low. |
Zen '£32.84 a month' | Not the cheapest, but scores 9/10 in our customer service poll. With this Zen deal it's £15 upfront, then £32/month. Factor in the upfront, and it's equivalent to £32.84/month over the 18-month contract. |
(1) To compare, we use 'equivalent prices' – adding all fixed costs, deducting any promo cash/vouchers and averaging over the contract.
Top deals: Fast fibre broadband
Fast fibre broadband, commonly referred to as 'fibre to the premises' (FTTP) or accessible through cable networks like Virgin Media, is available to most households now. If you've never had it before, you might need an engineer to look at the externals of your home.
We've got our pick of the top fast fibre deals for new customers of each firm below, but to find out what's available in your area and compare other options, try our Broadband comparison tool.

Important. Most firms have yearly price rises written into their contracts. We'll highlight upcoming hikes where we know the details, but be aware 18-month or 24-month deals will likely see multiple rises during the contract.
At this speed, our top pick is this 150Mb Sky deal via Broadbandchoices. It's £24 a month but you'll be emailed the choice of a £80 prepaid Mastercard or shopping voucher within 4 months of your first bill (do check your junk folder if not received). Factor in the voucher, and it's equivalent to £20.67/month over the 24-month contract.
Note: Sky doesn't forewarn of mid-contract rises (and will likely do 'em and if so you can leave penalty-free) so the equivalent cost here may be artificially too low.
If you can't get Sky in your area, then there's this 132Mb Virgin Media deal via Broadbandchoices. It's £23.99 a month (increasing to £27.49 a month from 1 April 2026) for broadband only (no line). But you'll automatically get £80 bill credit added to your first bill. Factor that in, it's equivalent to £21.11/mth over the 18-month contract.
PROVIDER, AVG SPEED & EQUIV COST (1 ) | HOW IT WORKS |
Sky* '£20.67 a month' | Cheapest fast fibre with 'OK' service. Until Thursday 22 May, this Sky deal* (via Broadbandchoices) is £24 a month. Plus you'll be emailed the choice of a £80 prepaid Mastercard or shopping voucher within 4mths of your first bill (do check your junk folder if not received). Factor in the voucher, and it's equivalent to £20.67/mth over the 24-month contract. Note: Sky doesn't forewarn of mid-contract rises (and will likely do 'em and if so you can leave penalty-free) so the equivalent cost here may be artificially too low. |
Virgin Media* '£21.11 a month' | Cheap fast fibre but 'Poor' service. Until Wednesday 4th June, this Virgin Media deal* is £23.99/month (increasing to £27.49/month on 1 April 2026) for broadband only (no line). But you'll automatically get £80 bill credit added to your first bill. Factor in the mid-contract price rises and the bill credit, and it's equivalent to £21.11/mth over the 18-month contract. |
Vodafone* '£23.21 a month' | Cheapest fast fibre (FTTP) with 'OK' service. Until Monday 19 May, this Vodafone deal* (via Broadbandchoices) is £26/month (£29/month from 1 April 2026). Plus you'll be emailed a choice of a £115 voucher for Amazon, Tesco, Sainsbury's or M&S within 4mths of your first bill (do check your junk folder if not received). Factor in the voucher, and it's equivalent to £23.21/month over the 24-month contract. |
(1) To compare, we use 'equivalent prices' – adding all fixed costs, deducting any promo cash/vouchers and averaging over the contract.
Top deals: Superfast fibre broadband
Like fast fibre, superfast fibre broadband is also delivered through as 'fibre to the premises' (FTTP) or accessible through cable networks like Virgin Media, is available to most households now. If you've never had it before, you might need an engineer to look at the externals of your home.
We've got our pick of the top superfast fibre deals for new customers of each firm below, but to find out what's available in your area and compare other options, try our Broadband comparison tool.

Important. Most firms have yearly price rises written into their contracts. We'll highlight upcoming hikes where we know the details, but be aware 18-month or 24-month deals will likely see multiple rises during the contract.
At this speed, our top pick is this 500Mb Sky deal via Broadbandchoices. It's £32 a month but you can claim (don't forget) a £70 prepaid Mastercard or shopping voucher. Factor in the voucher, and it's equivalent to £29.09/month over the 24-month contract.
Note: Sky doesn't forewarn of mid-contract rises (and will likely do 'em and if so you can leave penalty-free) so the equivalent cost here may be artificially too low.
PROVIDER, AVG SPEED & EQUIV COST (1) | HOW IT WORKS |
Sky* '£29.09 a month' | Cheapest 500Mb+ (FTTP) with 'OK' service. Until Thursday 29 May, this Sky deal* (via Broadbandchoices) is £32/month. Plus you'll be emailed a choice of a £70 prepaid Mastercard or shopping voucher within 4mths of your first bill (do check your junk folder if not received). Factor in the voucher, and it's equivalent to £29.09/mth over the 24-month contract. Note: Sky doesn't forewarn of mid-contract rises (and will likely do 'em and if so you can leave penalty-free) so the equivalent cost here may be artificially too low. |
Virgin Media* '£29.38 a month' | Cheap 500Mb+ but with 'Poor' service. Until Thursday 22 May, this Virgin Media deal* (via Broadbandchoices) is £31.99/month (increasing to £35.49/month on 1 April 2026), and you'll get an automatic £75 bill credit from Virgin Media. Factor in the mid-contract price rises and the bill credit, and it's equivalent to £29.38/mth over the 18-month contract. |
Vodafone* '£29.46 a month' | Cheap 500Mb+ (FTTP) with 'OK' service. Until Monday 19 May, this Vodafone deal* is £31 a month (increasing to £34/month on 1 April 2026 and £37/month on 1 April 2027). Plus you'll be emailed a choice of an £85 Amazon, Sainsbury's, Tesco or M&S voucher within 4mths of your first bill (do check your junk folder if not received). Factor in the voucher, and it's equivalent to £29.46/mth over the 24-month contract. |
(1) To compare, we use 'equivalent prices' – adding all fixed costs, deducting any promo cash/vouchers and averaging over the contract.
Cashback sites may pay you for signing up
It's often possible to grab extra cashback on top when you sign up for a broadband contract. To get it, you need to sign up via a specialist cashback website rather than directly with the provider. Cashback websites use affiliate links to generate revenue, so if they get paid when you sign up, you'll get paid.
Unfortunately, this cash is never guaranteed, as sometimes cashback sites don't track deals in progress, and they don't pay out on top of other offers that might be available (such as our Blagged deals). So if there are no cheaper deals about elsewhere, it's generally best to pick the right package first and view any cashback as an added extra. To find out more about how these sites can pay you, and how you can make the most of them, read our Top Cashback Sites guide.
How to complain about your broadband provider
The broadband industry doesn't have the best customer service reputation and while a provider may be good for some, it can be hell for others. Common problems include installation dates not being met, limited service or slow speeds, incorrect billing and more.
It's always worth trying to call your provider to sort the issue first, but if not then you can use free complaints tool Resolver. The tool helps you manage your complaint, and if the company doesn't play ball, it also helps you escalate your complaint to the free Ombudsman (or CISAS if you're complaining about Vodafone or Sky).