Check contract end date and whether you qualify for social tariff before switching.
Entry-level deals run £15-20/month. Social tariffs are cheaper if you qualify. Prices shift constantly so check direct before signing.
Choose by household
- 1-2 light users: 30-50 Mbps.
- Mixed household: 50-80 Mbps.
- Heavy use (4K, gaming): 100+ Mbps.
Compare total contract cost, not month one.
Price benchmarks by speed tier
Fine for everyday stuff like browsing, email, the odd video call, and streaming on one device.
| Provider | Speed | Monthly | Lock-in | Setup | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Now Broadband | 36 Mbps | £18-22 | 12 months | £0-10 | Price stays put during contract |
| TalkTalk | 35 Mbps | £20-24 | 18 months | £0 | Prices can go up mid-contract |
| Plusnet | 36 Mbps | £22-26 | 18 months | £0 | Uses BT’s network, fairly solid |
| Vodafone | 35 Mbps | £20-24 | 18 months | £0 | Good support team |
These prices move around, so check directly with the providers for what they’re actually offering right now.
Superfast broadband (50-80 Mbps)
Good if you’ve got multiple devices, someone’s streaming HD, you play online games, or you work from home.
| Provider | Speed | Monthly | Lock-in | Setup | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Now Broadband | 63 Mbps | £22-26 | 12 months | £0-10 | Locked price |
| TalkTalk | 67 Mbps | £24-28 | 18 months | £0 | May increase |
| Vodafone | 63 Mbps | £24-28 | 18 months | £0 | Family-friendly |
| Sky | 59 Mbps | £28-32 | 18 months | £0 | Often bundled with TV |
Ultrafast broadband (100+ Mbps)
For big households, 4K streamers, serious gamers, or anyone who wants loads of bandwidth.
| Provider | Speed | Monthly | Lock-in | Setup | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Virgin Media | 132 Mbps | £28-32 | 18 months | £0 | Quickest widely available |
| Vodafone | 100 Mbps | £28-32 | 18 months | £0 | Decent value |
| BT | 100 Mbps | £32-36 | 24 months | £0 | Reliable name |
| Sky | 145 Mbps | £35-40 | 18 months | £0 | Often comes with TV |
Not everywhere gets ultrafast speeds, so check you’re covered before you order.
Social tariffs: if you qualify, use them
If you’re on certain benefits, social tariffs are hands-down the cheapest option. You’ll get broadband for £10-15 a month in some cases, which beats standard deals by miles.
Who qualifies? Universal Credit, Employment and Support Allowance, Jobseeker’s Allowance, Income Support, Pension Credit, Personal Independence Payment. Eligibility varies by provider so check their site.
| Provider | Speed | Monthly | Contract | Setup | Needs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| BT Home Essentials | 36 Mbps | £15 | None | £0 | UC, ESA, JSA, IS, PC |
| Virgin Media Essential | 15 Mbps | £12.50 | None | £0 | UC, PC, IS, ESA, JSA |
| Sky Broadband Basics | 36 Mbps | £20 | None | £0 | UC, PC, IS, ESA, JSA |
| Vodafone Essentials | 38 Mbps | £12 | None | £0 | UC, PC, IS, ESA, JSA |
| Now Broadband Basics | 36 Mbps | £20 | None | £0 | UC, PC, IS, ESA, JSA |
| Hyperoptic Social | 50 Mbps | £15 | None | £0 | UC, PC, IS, ESA, JSA |
| KCOM Full Fibre Flex | 30 Mbps | £14.99 | None | £0 | UC, PC, IS, ESA, JSA (Hull only) |
Availability and pricing change, so always check provider websites.
To apply, confirm you’ve got a qualifying benefit, contact the provider (you’ll need proof), and that’s it. No credit check needed and no contract to break. You can walk away anytime.
Contract strategy
Fixed contracts (12 to 24 months) usually work out cheaper per month, they waive setup fees, and you know your price won’t change. The catch is you’re locked in. Leave early and you’ll pay £10-15 per remaining month (sometimes just a flat fee). Plus some allow price hikes mid-contract.
Rolling monthly deals let you leave anytime with 30 days notice and you’re not stuck if things change. Downside is you’ll pay more per month and some providers still charge setup fees. Prices can also shift with 30 days notice.
Go rolling monthly if you’re moving soon, you’re renting, or you genuinely might need flexibility.
How much speed do you actually need?
Depends entirely on what you’re doing with it:
| What You Do | Bare Minimum | Probably Better |
|---|---|---|
| Browsing and email | 10 Mbps | 20-30 Mbps |
| Video calls (Zoom, Teams) | 5-10 Mbps per call | 20-30 Mbps |
| Netflix and iPlayer | 5 Mbps per stream | 25-50 Mbps |
| 4K streaming | 25 Mbps per stream | 50-100 Mbps |
| Gaming online | 10-20 Mbps | 50-100 Mbps (ping matters more) |
| Working from home | 20-30 Mbps | 50-100 Mbps |
| Big household (4+ people) | 50 Mbps | 100+ Mbps |
Most people are totally fine with 30-50 Mbps. Only push higher if you’ve got multiple people doing heavy stuff at the same time.
Watch out for these hidden costs
Setting up broadband sometimes has fees attached. Some providers want £10-50 just to install it. Hunt for deals with zero setup fees, especially on shorter contracts.
Mid-contract price rises catch people out. Most providers can increase prices during your contract (usually inflation plus a few percent). Some, like Now Broadband, promise you no rises. Others reserve the right to push prices up. Read the fine print.
Routers can be a grey area. Some providers include them free but want them back when you leave. Others charge rental (£5-10 a month, though it’s usually hidden in the price). You can buy your own for £50-100 if you want.
If you break your contract early, you’ll pay £10-15 per remaining month, or sometimes just a flat fee. It adds up quickly, so check this before signing.
When your contract ends, your price usually jumps by £10-20 a month. Set a phone reminder a month or two before it’s due and shop around or call your provider to haggle.
Switching playbook
How to switch
It’s pretty easy. Compare what’s out there using a comparison site or going straight to providers. Check that whoever you’re choosing actually covers your address. Place an order and the new provider basically handles everything, including telling your old one to stop. You usually keep your phone number if you’ve got a landline. The whole thing takes 10-14 days, and you might get a brief blip in service but nothing too dramatic.
When to switch
Switch when your contract’s ending (that’s when prices shoot up), if you spot somewhere cheaper, if you’re fed up with your current provider, or if you’re moving house. Set a calendar reminder 1-2 months before your contract ends so you’ve got time to shop around.
If you’re already in
Already got a supplier and you’re out of contract? Ring them up and ask what they can do for existing customers. Mention you’re looking at competitors. They often have retention deals that’ll match new customer pricing. If they won’t budge, actually be prepared to leave because that’s what gets them to move.
You can genuinely save £5-15 a month this way, especially if you’ve been a loyal customer.
Moving house
Cancel your current broadband (check how much notice they need), sort out new broadband at the new place, and check what speeds you can actually get there (might be different).
Wrapping up
Bottom line: cheapest entry-level deals are £15-20 monthly. Social tariffs get you lower still if you qualify. Watch out for setup fees, price hikes mid-contract, router costs, and exit charges. Most people don’t need more than 30-50 Mbps. Switch at contract end to avoid creeping price increases, and never shy away from ringing your provider to negotiate if you’re out of contract.
For more on cutting household bills, check out our guide to reducing bills.
Check whether you’re eligible for a social tariff and see which providers offer them in your area.