Best broadband deals for September 2023

In the UK, we're fortunate that the vast number of properties in the country are served by multiple broadband providers. In fact, most of the country's most popular broadband providers can offer connections to more than 90% of properties. 

But, although this level of competition has helped drive down prices over the past decade, the sheer amount of choice can make finding the right broadband provider for your needs difficult. 

Only a decade or so ago, most families had very little choice when it came to broadband. After all, only a handful of providers existed and almost all of them used the Openreach network. Due to this, it was difficult for customers to find value deals or an option that met their exact needs. 

Thankfully, this is no longer the case and today customers can choose from almost 20 different internet service providers (ISPs), including both household names and challenger brands that specialise in cheap deals. 

Of course, each of these providers has its own specialisms and is known for different things. For example, while BT is known as the reliable industry standard, Sky is best known for its broadband and TV bundles. By contrast, Virgin Media is known for providing the fastest speeds on the market. At the other end of the scale, Plusnet and TalkTalk usually compete to offer the very cheapest deals available. 

Struggling to know where to start when it comes to finding the right provider? Well, here's an overview what each provider is best known for: 

Several different types of broadband available in the UK. However, most people choose one of two options: an ADSL connection or a fibre broadband deal. In short, while ADSL deals are usually cheap, they're also slow. Conversely, fibre broadband deals are more expensive, but they provide faster download speeds. 

It can be difficult to decide whether an ADSL deal or a fibre package is best for you. However, this decision will primarily be determined by three main factors: where you live, what you'd like to use the internet for and how much you'd like to pay. 

Firstly, depending on where you live, you may not be eligible to receive either an ADSL connection or a fibre broadband connection. 

Thankfully, the UK's fibre rollout is continuing at pace, and this means that around 95% of homes can now get connected to fibre. However, you should not take availability for granted. If your home is located in a rural or remote area, you may not yet be eligible to receive a fibre connection. Conversely, if you can receive a fibre connection, then ADSL deals may have been pulled from the market at your address. 

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. 

If you do find that you can receive both an ADSL and a fibre connection, you need to decide which type of connection is best for your needs. This will largely be determined by how you use the internet. 

For example, 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. This is because the speeds supplied by an ADSL package will likely be quick enough for your needs. These packages will also be cheaper than fibre deals, so you'll save a little bit of money. 

On the other hand, 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 an ADSL deal will be unable to support your needs and you'll suffer from buffering and lag. So, in these scenarios, it's worth paying a little more to access faster download speeds. 

But remember, although ADSL and fibre packages are the two most popular types of broadband in the UK, other broadband types 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. 

If you’re searching for a new broadband deal, you’ll find that there’s a great amount of choice available in terms of speeds. These are usually represented in megabits per second (Mbps) and, the more Mbps a package offers, the faster your broadband will be.

That said, the faster the speeds you receive, the more expensive your package is likely to be. For this reason, before you pick a package, you need to ensure that the speeds you’re receiving are enough for your needs and that you’re not overpaying for speeds you’re not using. With this in mind, here's a rundown of the different speeds available and what kind of household each type of package is suitable for: 

0-12Mbps - These are ADSL broadband deals and they offer the slowest speeds on the market. Once the most popular choice available, ADSL deals are now seen as being outdated and inappropriate for most people (you’ll struggle to watch Netflix and download large files). But, if you live on your own or you only use the internet for casual browsing, then these speeds may be fast enough for you.

25-50Mbps - These speeds are provided by entry level fibre broadband deals. Options like these are usually suited to medium-sized households with families of around four people. However, although these deals can be suitable for busy families, they may not quite be quick enough if you live in a particularly large house or if your family is very active online. For example, you may have some buffering or lag if multiple people are watching Netflix at the same time.

50-100Mbps - These speeds are provided by upgraded fibre broadband packages. If you work from home or live in a property where multiple people stream simultaneously, these speeds will be ideal. That said, although these speeds are quick and will allow you to stream 4K TV or download films in UHD, quicker packages are still available.

100Mbps+ - These deals are the fastest on the market and some packages will offer you speeds in excess of 1Gbps. However, although these so called gigabit internet packages are great for people with incredibly high download demands, streamers and the busiest households around, you should check that you actually need these speeds before you sign up. Otherwise, you may end up overpaying for your internet.

Broadband deals show the average download speeds you can expect to receive in megabits per second, which is displayed as MB or Mbps. 

In this context, 'average' is defined as the download speed in Mbps that is received by over 50% of users in the UK between 8pm and 10pm. This is the peak time for internet use.

This 'average' speed is useful because it provides you with an illustration of the speeds you can expect to receive when you take out a particular deal. This way, you can compare this new deal to your current package or get an idea about whether it's suitable for your needs. 

But you should always remember it remains an average rather than a speed guarantee. For this reason, before you sign-up with your chosen provider, you should check whether there's a minimum speed that you’re guaranteed to receive. This should be detailed in your contract. This way, you can check that even the slowest speeds will still be quick enough to match your needs.

As of August 2023, estimates from Openreach suggest that 95% of properties in the UK are now able to access fibre broadband deals. In fact, the rollout is now so advanced that Openreach is asking providers in certain areas to remove old and outdated ADSL connections from the market from 2024. 

Added to this, 'faster than fibre' and Full Fibre deals are now available to around 10 million homes. Thanks to advanced cables, these connections can provide average download speeds of up to 1Gbps.

However, we should stress that although fibre and Full Fibre packages are more widely available than ever, they're still not universally available. This may mean that your home can only receive an ADSL connection. To find out exactly what speeds you're able to receive, pop your postcode into the widget at the top of this page. We will then run a broadband comparison and find out exactly which options are available in your area.

When it comes to broadband, a variety of different contract lengths are available. The shortest of these only last for 30 days, while the longest run for two years. As you may expect, each option has its own pros and cons that you should be aware of. 

Is flexibility your number one priority? Then a 30-day contract will likely be best for you. Traditionally popular with those moving homes or people wanting to try an ISP's offering, these contracts allow you to cancel at pretty much any time. However, this increased flexibility comes at a cost and these deals are usually the most expensive on the market. Added to this, they normally come with large upfront fees and rarely feature incentives.

At the other end of the market we have two-year deals. As you may expect, these are inflexible and lock you in for a long time. However, if you're willing to make a longer commitment then you may be able to grab a cool incentive like a gift card. These deals are also usually the cheapest on a monthly basis.

Of course, both 12-month and 18-month deals are also available (although one-year contracts are becoming rarer). As you may expect, these sit somewhere in the middle in terms of both affordability and flexibility. Generally speaking, you will usually also have to pay some form of upfront fee, but you might receive an incentive if there's a sale or promotion on.

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 it's true that some specialist ISPs do not charge upfront fees when you take out a new broadband package, the vast majority of the UK's best and most popular providers do charge some form of setup or upfront fee. 

The good news is that in recent years these prices have reduced dramatically. As a result, if you do need to pay an upfront fee, then it's unlikely this will break the bank. Today, many ISPs charge between £10 and £30, which covers setup costs and the delivery of your new router. However, it's important to stress that some providers do charge more than this, especially if you only sign a short contract. In these instances, upfront fees can rise to around £100.

It's difficult to say exactly how much you'll need to pay when you take out a new broadband contract, as this will primarily be determined by your chosen provider and the length of the contract you take out. 

Generally speaking, the shorter the contract length, the higher the upfront fee. The longer the contract, the more likely it is that your provider will either waive or reduce any fees as an incentive. 

Broadband contracts that don't include a landline are usually the cheapest. These are known as 'broadband only deals'. However, this isn't always the case. 

When you look for your next contract, you may find that some providers are offering deals that include free call plans. As a result, you should always shop around for the best deal and you should never just assume that broadband only deals are cheapest or the best. 

If you find that broadband only is the cheapest option (as is usually the case), then you should check whether you actually need a landline before you pay for one to be added to your deal. The best way of doing this is checking out our detailed explainer guide on the subject. By doing your research, you'll discover whether you actually do need to have a landline included in your package. If not, you may be able to save some money.  

Today, lots of people use the terms 'Wi-Fi' and 'broadband' interchangeably. However, they do actually mean slightly different things. So, it's important that you know the difference. 

For your home to receive a broadband connection, a cable is run into your home from the street outside. This connects your home to your internet service provider. Once this process has taken place, your home can receive a broadband connection. 

When the connection is active, you can then connect your router. This device wirelessly distributes Wi-Fi, which is the method by which devices like your mobile and your laptop connect to your broadband connection. 

It is possible to cancel your internet plan early. But, generally speaking, this isn't an option you should consider. This is because you'll usually have to pay either an early exit fee or a cancellation fee. Both of these can be very expensive. 

The exact amount you'll need to pay will be detailed in your contract. This varies on a provider-by-provider basis. This is because some internet service providers will ask you to pay a certain amount per month you have left on your contract, while others will charge a flat fee. 

Thankfully, your contract will show you exactly how much ending the agreement early will cost you. It will also outline the exact steps you need to take (you can't just cancel your direct debit). 

That said, there are some limited circumstances where you won't need to pay this fee. This applies when the provider hasn't met the minimum standards expected of them. For example, if they've failed to offer a  connection that meets a minimum speed guarantee. 

Again, these minimum standards will be listed in your contract. If you think your provider isn't meeting their end of the agreement, you'll need to notify them and follow the correct process. 

You definitely should. If you're currently out of contract, then it's likely you're paying far too much for your broadband. This is because your introductory offer will have expired and the price will have risen. 

Remember, the vast majority of the UK's providers save their best deals for new customers. Instead of rewarding loyalty, they also hike their prices when a current customer reaches the end of their contract! 

So, if you're out of contract currently, use this page to find the best broadband deal for you. By switching now and locking in a great new deal,  you could save a considerable sum of money. On top of this, you may also be able to grab a great incentive, such as a gift card or reward card. 

If you like your current provider and you'd like to stay with them, this is also an option. Start by running a broadband comparison and finding the best deals on the market. Then, call your provider and use these figures to negotiate with them. Even if they cannot match the price you've found or offer you the same incentive, they may reduce their so-called 'best price'. 

If you struggle to receive a traditional fixed-line connection, then take a look at the latest and best 4G and 5G home broadband solutions instead. 

These are forms of 'mobile broadband' and they work differently to the fixed-line connections we've spoken about in this guide. Rather than relying on cables, these solutions instead use mobile data (like your smartphone does). This means no cables are required and your router/hub instead contains a SIM card. 

Both 4G broadband and 5G broadband options offer a number of advantages. For example, there's no need for an engineer to visit your home, you can get online the next day and the routers are portable. 

But, as you may be expecting, there are also downsides. For example, if you don't live in an area with a reliable 5G connection, then you can only select a 4G home broadband deal. Similarly, many plans come with data limits that can be problematic if you love to stream or download in HD. 

Unsure whether 4G broadband and 5G broadband are right for your needs? Take a look at our in-depth guides.