Best Broadband Deals this October

Finding the best broadband deals in UK for you will depend on what you need from your service. If you just use the internet for social media and emails, then a cheap package with low average speeds could be good for you. If you binge-watch Netflix shows and do a bit of online gaming or you have children using the internet for all the above, you should go for deals offering fast download speeds.

If you’re often on the move, the best option may be either a no-contract internet package or a mobile broadband deal. Look at mobile deals from providers like Vodafone and EE to find the best mobile broadband deals. Ultimately, the best broadband deal is one that offers the services you need for a monthly price you can afford. We’re here to help you compare broadband deals, broadband comparison and their deals to ensure you get one that meets your needs.

Our Picks for the Best Broadband:

• Best cheap broadband: Three
• Best fibre broadband: Shell Energy
• Best no-contract broadband: Virgin Media or NOW
• Best broadband and TV package: Virgin Media or TalkTalk
• Best broadband and phone package: Plusnet or Vodafone

1. Three 5G Hub (24-month contract)
2. Shell Energy Fast Broadband
3. NOW Brilliant Broadband

At the moment, the cheapest broadband deals belong to Three. The provider offers affordable mobile broadband packages to suit those who need fast speeds and added flexibility. Shell Energy is offering the cheapest standard broadband package - it’s not as fast as Three’s superfast package and comes in at £8 a month more expensive for the first year. Bear in mind, however, that after the first year Three ups its price to £20 a month, though this is still a great price for 100Mbps speeds.

Most cheap internet deals tend to come with a low average download speed and even lower upload speeds. Shell and NOW Broadband a offer a low price for internet, but their 11 Mbps average download speeds may not be enough to suit your usage.

If you’re not looking to stray from the larger UK broadband providers, Plusnet offers affordable plans backed by the BT Openreach network. Plusnet deals can also come with BT products, such as BT Sport and phone packages, as add-ons for those looking to get more form their package.

Explore and compare broadband deals from cheaper broadband providers, but be aware that some deals shown could be temporary and once the offer ends, they will revert to standard pricing.

*Updated as of 18/09/2023. Prices and average download speeds may vary by location.

1. Three 5G Hub (24-month contract)
2. Three 5G Hub (12-month contract)
3. Shell Energy Full Fibre 100
4. TalkTalk Future Fibre 150

The fastest fibre broadband deals around are full-fibre, also known as “fibre-to-the-premises” deals. These packages can reach up to 1Gbps, which are unnecessarily fast for most households and can be expensive. The above providers are offering speeds of 100Mbps or more for £32 a month or less. Once again, the cheapest is Three, whose mobile broadband deals (which run on mobile data) can be taken out on a 24-month or 12-month contract.

Shell Energy and TalkTalk offer the best price on fibre broadband, their ultrafast packages offering more than enough speed for the typical household that loves streaming and is reguarly online with more than one user at once.

While these three broadband providers offer the fastest average speeds, they won’t be available to everyone. If you can’t get the above broadband packages for your home, you can now find hyperfast fibre broadband packages from providers such as Virgin Media and BT Broadband. Virgin Media also offers broadband without line rental for those not interested in a phone line.

Explore more fibre broadband deals.

*Updated as of 18/09/2023. Prices may vary by location.

There are currently no no-contract broadband deals available from our pool of providers. If you go direct through the provider, however, you’ll see that many providers offer no-contract options. Virgin Media also offers rolling 1-month plans across all its deals, though this will set you back a lot more than a long-term contract.

With each package coming from the same provider, the best no-contract broadband deal for you will depend on the speed you require. Bear in mind that many providers charge a setup fee for month-to-month contracts which they forgo in long-term deals. All of these packages give you the flexibility of a month-to-month plan:

*Updated as of 18/09/2023. Prices may vary by location.

1. Virgin Media Big Bundle
2. Virgin Media Bigger Bundle
3. TalkTalk TV with Fibre 65

There’s no shortage of options when looking for broadband and TV packages. Finding the best deal will depend largely on what TV channels you want access to. Some packages include more channels and faster internet speeds at a higher cost. The Virgin Media Big Bundle is our top choice if you’re looking for an affordable deal with superast speeds and a decent TV package. If you need more channels, the Bigger Bundle is includes the added bonus of BT Sport and Sky channels, though it does come in at a than a tenner a month more.

If you want a bit of everything but are more limited by price, TalkTalk broadband offers a great deal, though it comes with lower speeds and less channels, and the cost is only slightly lower. This deal also allows you to use your streaming services and offers speeds fast enough to stream your favourite shows.

Explore more broadband and TV deals in our comparison.

*Updated as of 09/08/2023. Prices may vary by location.

1. Plusnet Unlimited Broadband
2. Vodafone Superfast 2
3. Plusnet Unlimited Fibre

As with most broadband offers, finding the best internet and phone package will closely tie to your personal preferences. If you’re looking for unlimited calling with a basic broadband service, Plusnet’s Unlimited Broadband with Home Phone could be the perfect fit for you.

For customers who want to pair unlimited anytime calling with a slightly higher average download speed, Shell Energy offers speeds of up to 38 Mbps for a low price, and Vodafone offers a similarly cheap deal. Although the Plusnet’s speeds are slower, the shorter 12-month contract could save you money in the long run if you aren’t willing to commit to the 24 months required by Vodafone.

Explore more broadband and phone deals.

*Updated as of 18/09/2023. Prices may vary by location.

Choosing the best internet plan can be easier when you can see and compare all of the packages you could get side by side.

Knowing the important factors upfront like;

• Your internet usage
• Your budget
• The broadband speed you’re after
• Additional services or features you want
• A contract length that works for you
• The provider with the best customer service
• Any added perks, extras, freebies or vouchers you can get by switching
• Which deals are available in your area
• New routers, hardware, or professional installation and whether a setup cost or activation fee will be charged

Don’t be fooled by providers who claim to have the best deal. Your needs will be unique to your internet usage requirements. While there is no one-size-fits-all internet package that’s best for everyone, we’ve compiled a few factors that can help you compare and make an informed decision based on what’s most important to you.

Usage

Internet usage is often the main factor in determining which broadband deal is best for you. How often do you use the internet and what are you using it for? If you find yourself barely having time to check your email and don’t tend to stream TV, the best deal for you will be very different from someone who works from home, binges series, or frequently plays games online.

Affordability

What is your budget and does that budget align with your usage? If you’re a high usage customer, you’ll want at least a mid-tier package, but if you choose the cheapest plan, you’ll likely end up frustrated when your service cannot deliver the activities you care about. It’s better to understand what speed you need first and then compare deals in that range to find one that balances your budget and lifestyle.

We recommend paying attention to the standard pricing offered by providers as a guide. Users are often reeled in by a special offer and are caught out when the offer ends and they’re put on the provider’s standard pricing.

Speed

The general rule is: the higher the average speed, the higher the average monthly cost. Although it’s generally believed that it’s best to have the highest speed possible, it’s useless to pay extra for a speed you don’t need. If your internet usage only involves regular browsing and there aren’t many users or devices in your home, broadband that offers 30Mbps will be fine for you and help you save compared to a high-speed plan. This underlines the importance of step 1: it’s extremely important to understand your usage.

Availability

It is very important to check whether the broadband deal you want is available in your area. If you live in a remote area, you might not be able to enjoy a fibre-optic broadband connection. Similarly, some broadband providers might have better broadband coverage in your area than another one. It’s a good idea to check which providers are available near you early on in the process of shopping for a broadband deal, so you don’t waste time comparing plans that won’t be available to you.

Additional Services

Are you also looking for additional services like phone and call allowances or features like TV bundles and entertainment deals? Instead of finding a separate deal for each of these services, you can find a bundle deal that offers all these services together. Bundling these services always results in a lower price than purchasing them separately, so it is important to know what you want before choosing your broadband deal.

Hardware Requirements

This is often overlooked when shopping for broadband service, but knowing your hardware requirements can save you money in the long run. One provider may have the cheapest deal, but if that deal comes with a hefty setup cost or requires you to purchase new equipment, you may end up spending more than you expected.

If you’re switching from BT to Sky, you will need a Sky Broadband router at your home. Equally, if you’re switching to Virgin Media for the first time, you’ll need new wiring installed to link up to its cable network. If the price of that equipment pushes you over the budget you have set for your broadband, you will likely be better off finding a deal that does not require hardware upgrades.

Length of Contract

The benefit of a longer contract is that the payment is divided into smaller chunks. On the flip side, longer contracts mean that you are tied to a particular deal for a longer period, and if you want to switch internet providers, you’ll have to wait longer or end the contract by paying contract exit fees, which is often just as expensive as staying with your existing provider.

If you move frequently, you could find that the best deal for you is a month-to-month broadband service, which works similarly to many pay-as-you-go mobile deals. Though the average monthly cost may be more, you’ll save by not having to buy out your contract when you move. However, if you have a home that you don’t intend to move from for several years, you can save quite a bit by choosing a lengthier contract.

No matter what you choose, it’s important to be aware of your contract end date. Most promotional pricing only lasts until the end of your contract period - after that date, the offer ends and your broadband provider is free to increase prices as they see fit.

Customer Service

No matter how good your internet provider is, you will always have to talk to customer service at some point. Whether it’s your initial setup, paying a bill, or dealing with an issue, it’s comforting to know that you’ll be dealing with a friendly and efficient customer service team. TalkTalk, Vodafone, and Virgin Media reputedly have some of the best customer service teams among broadband companies. Get more information on complaints about providers.

Added Perks and Extras

Some broadband providers offer freebies to promote their deals. Prepaid cards, cash back, vouchers are relatively common free perks often included in new customer deals. Gadgets, such as laptops, tablets, or mobile phones, are much less common but not unheard-of. This definitely something to keep an eye out for.

Free routers are common, being included in most packages, and most providers include line rental in the price of their internet. If you don’t want a phone line, some providers do offer broadband without line rental for less - Virgin Media is a notable example.

You will want to compare deals that offer free gifts against similar deals that don’t offer them. Often, the cost of the gift is simply added to the monthly price of your broadband. If the equivalent package is cheaper, then consider whether you really need a the gift at all.

The average speed of your internet is measured in megabits per second (Mbps). A download speed of 30Mb per second will allow you to download 30Mb of data in one second. To put it in perspective: a 5-minute YouTube video playing at 1080p quality is around 170Mb, so a download speed of 30 Mbps will get through it in under 6 seconds.

The download speed of your broadband package affects streaming quality while watching shows and movies, and can result in buffering if your download speed isn’t fast enough. Although you always want to have internet service fast enough to keep up with your online activity, without causing outages, it’s not always worth paying the highest price for the fastest broadband speed. It’s important to match the speed you pay for with your actual usage.

Upload speed is another factor that some users will want to consider. Not often advertised by providers, a package’s average upload speed is the speed at which you can upload data to the internet. This will be particularly important to you if you have a YouTube channel or a Soundcloud account which you regularly add content to, or if you often have to send large files at work. Bear in mind that deals with slow average download speeds will have even slower average upload speeds.

An average speed of 30 Mbps may suit a user who only uses the internet for regular browsing or social media. However, if you stream a lot of videos, are into online gaming, or have a large household with many connected devices, you may need something faster.

0-35 Mbps

Best deal for: Checking email, web browsing, social media
Devices: 1-2

This speed is suitable for a home with one or two users online at a given time. It will work for those who don’t do much with the internet except for web browsing and social media. Netflix claims you need 25 Mbps to stream 4K content and only 5 Mbps for streaming HD. However, if you plan on having anything else connected to your broadband at the same time, you’ll need to opt for a higher speed. Ideally, this speed is for light internet usage.

45-100 Mbps

Best deal for: 4K streaming and online gaming
Devices: 3-5

This speed range is generally for households having 3 to 5 connected devices at any time with moderate to high internet usage. If you’re looking to stream 4K video, this will be an ideal range. For fans of online gaming, this speed range should keep you running smoothly without interruptions.

100-920 Mbps

Best deal for: Working from home, downloading large files, live video streaming Devices: 6+

100 Mbps to 920 Mbps represent the fastest broadband speeds available in the UK currently and provide the best speeds you can get. For those who want the best connections and the fastest download speeds, these are the deals to compare. These speeds can handle the heaviest workloads and are perfect for people who work from home and frequently share large files.

While some could save money by selecting an internet plan with lower average speeds, a 2020 study showed that, on average, UK citizens have access to 9 connected devices in their home. Ranging from tablets to headphones and game consoles to speakers, the average person is using their broadband connection on much more than just their laptop or smartphone.

Having trouble determining what broadband speed you need? We can help. For home broadband, there are various speeds available that you can pick from according to your activities and location.