Compare broadband providers
Compare our best broadband providers
The UK has more than 200 internet providers. Popular ones include BT, Sky, Virgin Media, TalkTalk and Plusnet, but there are also smaller broadband providers you might not have heard of.
Each broadband provider has different pricing and has its pros and cons. To help you find the best internet provider for you, you need to know what to compare – and how.
We work with a range of UK providers for broadband comparison
Compare deals from these broadband providers on Confused.com:
BT broadband
Explore BT's broadband packages, beginning with the Fibre Essential plan, which offers speeds of 36Mbps. For a faster connection, consider the Fibre 1 package, which offers speeds of 50Mbps, or the Fibre 2 package, which provides speeds of around 67Mbps. For those seeking ultra-fast internet, BT also offers speeds up to 900Mbps and TV packages that include TNT sports.
Sky broadband
Sky is the UK's second-largest internet provider after BT. It offers excellent deals with a variety of internet speeds, ranging from 35Mbps to nearly 900Mbps through the Openreach full fibre network.
Virgin Media broadband
Along with BT, Sky, and TalkTalk, Virgin Media is one of the big four providers. It offers speeds of up to a rapid 1Gbps and a range of contracts, including 18 months. Virgin’s fast speeds are attributed to the fact that its broadband connections are delivered by its own cable network, which is more advanced than Openreach’s part-fibre network.
Compare Virgin Media broadband deals
Vodafone broadband
Vodafone made its first mobile phone call in 1985 and has since consolidated as one of the UK’s most well-known telecom providers. It offers competitive prices for superfast and ultrafast broadband deals.
Which broadband providers offer the fastest speeds?
Virgin Media offers the fastest speeds, which are widely available in the UK, with ultrafast broadband speeds of over 1000Mbps.
Some other providers offer ultrafast speeds, with a maximum speed of 1GB. However, they are also very small providers that currently operate in certain areas, so their availability is very limited.
Compare broadband providers in three easy steps
All you need to do is follow three easy steps on our site:
- Enter your postcode and see what broadband is available in your area.
- Choose the right deal for you. You’ll want to consider factors like price, upload and download speeds and whether your broadband could be bundled with any other services you want, like TV packages.
- Buy the broadband package on the provider’s website.
What should you consider when comparing broadband providers?
The broadband providers available to you will depend on where you live and whether your area has access to high-speed services. The further your property is from the local street cabinet, the slower your connection is likely to be. So, it’s important to make sure you choose a broadband provider that provides a strong connection.
When choosing a new broadband provider, here are some key points to consider:
- Internet speed – are you working from home? Do you stream or play games regularly? Think about the internet speed you and your household needs. And remember, advertised speeds are an average – could you manage if the actual speed you received was slower?
- Cost – what’s the monthly cost and does it offer good value for money? A Uswitch study found that the average cost of broadband in the UK is £26.90. It’s also worth looking at how often the internet provider increases their costs during your contract. Ofcom has publicly announced its concerns about unpredictable price hikes within the sector. Remember to consider any upfront set-up costs too.
- Packages – what’s the best package being offered by providers? Combining your phone, TV and broadband together into a bundle might save you some money.
- Perks – some providers, such as EE, offer perks for their broadband customers such as free cinema tickets or film rentals.
- Customer service – check online customer service reviews. You want a broadband provider with good customer service so that any issues are dealt with properly in the future.
- Reliability – how stable is the service? Do customers often experience broadband outages, for example? It’s worth reading reviews and checking out ratings to gauge people’s real experiences.
- Availability – does the broadband provider operate in your location?
Who regulates broadband internet providers?
Ofcom (the Office of Communications) is the official regulator of broadband providers.
Ofcom’s Broadband Speeds Code of Practice means you should get clear information about broadband speeds from your provider. Ofcom states that if you think your broadband is slower than it should be, you should contact your provider to find out why.
2023 Ofcom guidance also points out that broadband providers must tell consumers about the network that underpins their broadband service – using terms that are clear and unambiguous. For example, the terms ‘part-fibre’ and ‘full fibre’ should be described in clear detail where necessary.
Ofcom regularly publishes the number of complaints it receives about each broadband provider. It can be worth checking out the list before making a decision on which internet provider to sign up with.
Confused.com TV, Broadband Phone comparison is provided by Uswitch Limited, registered in England and Wales (Company No. 03612689). The Cooperage, 5 Copper Row, London, SE1 2LH.
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