Best broadband deals for June 2023

Going back a decade, customers only had the option to choose from a handful of broadband providers who all offered similar packages. However, this is no longer the case and today customers can choose from almost 20 different internet service providers (ISPs).

It's likely you've heard of a number of these providers before, as ISPs like Sky, Virgin Media, and BT are household names. However, a number of challenger brands also operate and many of these are actually owned by the market leaders. For example, Plusnet is owned by BT.

As an added bonus, many of these 'lesser-known' providers also use the Openreach network, meaning they use the same connections as Sky and BT. This means that each of these providers can still provide fast and reliable connections to your home. 

As you may expect, each ISP has its own specialisms. For example, Virgin Media is known for providing the fastest speeds on the market. Meanwhile, Sky is best known for its impressive range of broadband and TV bundles. At the other end of the scale, Plusnet and TalkTalk usually compete to offer the very cheapest deals on the market. 

With this in mind, here are the main broadband providers and the broadband deals they're best known for providing: 

There are several different types of broadband available in the UK. However, the two most popular are undoubtedly ADSL connections, which are slower and more affordable, and fibre broadband deals, which are usually faster and slightly more expensive.  

Deciding whether an ADSL connection or a fibre package is right for you can be tricky. This is because this decision is influenced by a number of factors, such as: where you live, what you'd like to use the internet for and how much you'd like to pay. 

Firstly, whether or not your property can actually receive a fibre connection will be determined by where you live. Thankfully, the availability of fibre broadband has improved significantly over the past few years, and now estimates suggest that around 95% of homes in the UK can now receive a fibre connection. However, but many homes and businesses in rural and remote locations cannot. For this reason, before you look into whether fibre or ADSL is right for you, we recommend that you try a postcode checker (like the one at the top of this page). This way, you can check exactly what packages are available at your address. 

It's also worth adding here that, if your home is eligible to receive a fibre connection, then some broadband providers will not provide you with an ADSL connection. This is because these older connections are slowly being phased out. But, this varies on a provider-by-provider basis and a postcode checker will reveal all. 

If you discover you can receive a fibre connection, you need to decide whether this type of connection is right for you. If you only use the internet to send emails, check your social media and browse the web, then an ADSL internet deal might be the best option for you because otherwise you may be paying for download speeds you won't use. So, in these instances, you can probably shop around for a provider that will still offer you an ADSL connection and save a little bit of money. 

But, if you regularly stream your favourite shows on Netflix, game online, or live in a household with lots of connected devices and family members who also want to get online, you'll be much better served by a fibre broadband deal. This is because the faster speeds you'll receive will prevent buffering and lag. In these scenarios, the small additional cost will likely be worthwhile. 

Of course, although ADSL and fibre packages are the two most popular types of broadband in the UK, other types of broadband are available. If you'd like a full rundown, take a look at our guide to the different types of broadband available in the UK. You may find that a connection that relies on mobile data or satellite signal is better for you. Alternatively, you may find that, given your demands, a full fibre deal that provides rapid download speeds is actually the best choice for you. 

Broadband speeds are represented in megabits per second (Mbps or MB). The more Mbps, the faster the broadband speed you receive at your property. A number of different internet types are available and each comes with its own range of advertised speeds. 

To help you work out which type of deal is likely to be best for you, here's a rundown of what some of the advertised average speeds mean in practical terms: 

0-12Mbps - This entry-level broadband speed is transmitted via an ADSL connection to your nearest BT exchange. Now considered to be an old form of broadband, ADSL deals are slowly being removed from the market. However, if you live on your own or in a small household and you're not bothered about speed, then an ADSL package may still be the best option for you. This is because an ADSL connection will still allow you to browse the web, check your social media and reply to emails. You may also be able to watch Netflix, but you'll likely experience some buffering. Plus, these deals are often the cheapest around. 

25-50Mbps - These speeds fall at the bottom end of the fibre broadband range. Generally speaking, these speeds are good for medium-sized households where multiple family members are continually online at the same time. However, if you live in a particularly large home or you have high download demands, you may suffer from some buffering and lag. 

50-100Mbps - If you live in a particularly connected household or have a family that's constantly streaming 4K TV or downloading films in UHD, then this might be the package for you. It's also worth mentioning that packages like this are now also increasingly popular with people who work from home and need reliable connections. 

100Mbps+ - These are the quickest speeds on the market today. However, you should be aware that unless you live in a vast house, have loads of connected devices or every family member is continually streaming in UHD, you're unlikely to get much value. As a result, you should consider whether you actually need these speeds before you buy such a deal. If not, you'll find yourself paying a premium for a service you don't really need. 

When you're searching for a new broadband deal, you'll notice that the vast majority of providers tell you the average download speeds you can expect to receive when you take out a particular package. This is usually displayed in MBs or Mbps. Both of these mean the same thing: megabits per second. The higher this number, the faster your internet connection will be.  

Put simply, the speed you're shown is an illustration of the speed you can expect to receive if you take out this package. However, it is not a guarantee of the speed you will actually receive. 

Since 2018, the Advertising Standards Authority has said that all internet service providers must publicise 'average' speeds rather than 'up to' speeds. In this context, the 'average' is defined as the speed in Mbps that is received by over 50% of users in the UK between 8pm and 10pm, which is the peak time for internet use. 

But, although more than 50% of users will receive this average speed, not all users will. As a result, before you sign up with a provider, you should also check the minimum speed you're guaranteed to receive. By doing so, you can make sure that even this slower speed is enough to suit your needs.

As we mentioned earlier, fibre broadband deals are now widely available. In fact, around 95% of households are now eligible to receive a fibre broadband connection. Those that aren't are usually located in remote or isolated areas; particularly in Scotland. 

On top of this, the fibre network has become so advanced that around 10 million homes are now also eligible to receive so-called 'full fibre' broadband. Some of these packages are much quicker than traditional fibre packages and are even capable of delivering gigabit-capable speeds!

But, the availability of either a fibre or a full fibre package shouldn't be taken for granted. Thankfully, it's incredibly easy to see what broadband packages are available at your home address. The easiest way of doing this is heading to the widget at the top of this page. Simply provide us with your postcode and we will run a broadband comparison and find out exactly which options are available for you.

The shortest broadband contracts last for 30 days, but the longest run for two years. It's important that you find the right deal for you as each offers different pros and cons. 

For example, one-month contracts are favoured by people who are looking for increased flexibility. This is because you can leave the contract and switch providers at almost any time. However, this increased flexibility comes at an additional cost and these deals are usually the most expensive on the market. Added to this, they often also come with upfront costs. 

On the other side of this equation, two-year deals cost less on a monthly basis and you may not have to pay any upfront fee at all. In fact, you may even receive an incentive for signing up, like a gift card or a voucher. But, these contracts tie you in for a long time and the majority also come with hefty cancellation fees. As a result, they're not a good choice if you might be moving soon or you're unsure whether that deal really is the right one for you. 

We should point out that these are the extremes and a lot of the major providers do offer deals that last for 12-18 months. 

Whether you opt for a long-term deal, a short-term option or a mid-length contract is largely a personal choice. So, carefully consider which option fits your circumstances best before you commit. 

Although the majority of broadband deals do come with some form of upfront fee, this isn't always the case. 

Whether or not you need to pay an upfront fee as part of your internet package will largely be determined by the provider you choose and the length of contract you take out. 

While some broadband providers don't charge anything upfront when you take out a new contract, they tend to be lesser known. Unfortunately, the majority do charge some form of delivery fee, setup fee, or installation fee. 

However, while major providers do tend to charge some form of upfront fee, they're usually happy to either waive these fees or vastly reduce them if you sign-up for a long-term contract. Many also eliminate fees entirely when they put offers on. 

Upfront fees vary on a provider-by-provider basis, but generally speaking they vary between £5 (for delivery of your new router) to £60 (for an engineer visit and installation). If you add a TV package to your deal, there may also be an additional fee to pay for a separate engineer visit. 

Generally speaking, most broadband contracts do work out cheaper if you take out a 'broadband-only' deal and don't get a landline as part of the package. However, this isn't always the case and many providers put deals on throughout the year that include free call plans as part of the package. For this reason, you shouldn't just assume that a broadband-only deal will be the cheapest option.

But, before you pay for a landline, it's first important to understand whether you actually need one. Nowadays, a lot of people use the terms 'phone line' and 'landline' interchangeably, but they actually mean very different things. If you'd like to learn more about this, check out our detailed explainer guide on the subject. It's well worth doing your research, as you don't want to pay for a landline if you don't actually need one. 

Done your research and decided you do need a landline? Well, we recommend that you run a broadband comparison on this page. This way you'll be able to see exactly how much one will cost. If you're certain you need a call package, you can filter your results so you only see options that include 'broadband & phone' options. 

Yes and no. It's slightly confusing because most people use these terms interchangeably. However, 'Wi-Fi' and 'broadband' are actually two different things. Let's explain in greater detail... 

For your home to receive a stable and reliable broadband connection, a cable is usually run from a cabinet on your street into your home. This cable is then used to connect you to an internet service provider. Once you're connected, the cable provides you with a high-speed connection that's known as a broadband connection.

Once you have a broadband connection, you can then receive Wi-Fi. This is the method by which your broadband connection is distributed from your router or hub to your devices. This process occurs wirelessly. 

In some limited instances, you can cancel your broadband contract for free even if you're still under contract. However, the majority of the time, you'll need to pay a cancellation fee. This can be expensive, so we only recommend taking this step if you absolutely have to. 

Generally speaking, while you're still under contract, your current provider can charge you a fee for leaving unless they've failed to meet the terms set out within your contract. Some examples of this include failing to offer a reliable connection or failing to provide an internet connection that meets a minimum speed guarantee. The exact reasons why you may be able to leave your contract early differ on a provider-by-provider basis. Yours will be detailed in your contract, so we recommend that you read it closely. 

If your provider has met the minimum standards expected of them and you'd still like to leave, then you'll need to pay a fee to leave your contract early. The exact amount you'll need to pay for leaving your contract will primarily be determined by your current provider and the amount of time you have left on your deal. For example, if you still have a year left on your contract, then it will usually cost you more to leave than if you only had a few months left. However, while some internet service providers ask you to pay a certain amount per month you have left, others charge a flat fee.

To find out exactly how much you'll need to pay, you should check the information within your contract. This document should clearly state both what you need to do to cancel your contract early (you can't just cancel your direct debit) and how much it will cost. If this information is unclear, you should speak to your provider directly. In an attempt to not lose you as a customer, they may switch you to a different deal that's better for your needs. However, you should be aware that they're under no obligation to do this and may charge you a fee for this service. 

Absolutely! If you're not currently under contract, then it's more than likely that you're paying far too much for your broadband. Plus, you might also find that you're able to access faster speeds than you were before your current contract started. 

Many of the UK's top broadband providers save their best deals for new customers. Plus, most also offer incentives like gift cards. So, if you're out of contract or your current contract is coming to a close, then we recommend that you use this page to find the best broadband deals available in your area. 

After all, if you fail to run a broadband comparison and instead allow your current provider to move you onto a new deal, then you'll likely be paying over the odds. 

If you instead actively hunt out the best deals, then you'll be able to save a considerable sum. That said, if you like your current provider and you want to stay with them, then it's worth ringing them and haggling over price. Even though loyalty isn't often rewarded, certain providers like Sky are now gaining a reputation for customer retention. 

If a traditional fixed line connection isn't right for you, or if you don't get reliable signal in your area, then it may be worth looking into 4G and 5G home broadband solutions. 

This is because these forms of mobile broadband work slightly differently to a fixed line connection and may be able to provide you with better coverage. For example, rather than relying on fibre optic cables and landlines, they instead work as your smartphone does and they harness the power of mobile data. 

This means that rather than using cables that enter your home, your router instead contains a SIM card that uses mobile data. It then sends this signal to your devices and allows them to connect to the internet in the same way they would if you had a traditional fixed-line connection. 

Both 4G broadband and 5G broadband offer a number of benefits over traditional broadband options. For example, the solutions are portable, you can get online the very next day, there's no need for an engineer to install your broadband for you and many also come with flexible contracts, including rolling one-month deals. 

However, as you may expect, there are also downsides to 4G and 5G broadband options that you should be aware of. For example, if you don't live in an area with a reliable 5G connection, then you can't purchase 5G home broadband. This means you can only select a 4G home broadband deal, which will be much slower than a fibre broadband package. Similarly, many plans come with data limits.