Best broadband deals 2024
It can be hard to get the best broadband deal if you don’t know where to start looking. You can usually get the best deals from online comparison sites such as broadbandanalyst.co.uk, as the broadband prices we offer on our site are cheaper than the broadband providers themselves.
While the ISP’s website doesn’t contain all the best deals, discounts, vouchers and gifts, our exclusive broadband deals section offers deals that aren’t available on the provider’s website.
Top 10 Best Broadband Providers in 2024
Vodafone
Vodafone has low-cost fibre packages with speeds from 67Mbps to 910Mbps. The plans offer free setup, exclusive vouchers, and top-notch routers. You can choose Pro II packages which include Smart WiFi, ensuring guaranteed WiFi speeds in every room. Read our Vodafone Review
Virgin Media
Virgin Media offers a wide range of speeds (132Mbps – 1130Mbps) and comprehensive TV bundles. You can also choose “volt” bundles which offer faster speeds and an O2 SIM. Read our Virgin Media Review
BT
BT is known for its reliable service, great Smart Hub routers, and Complete WiFi. It also offers TV bundles and free extras for customers. Read our BT Review
Hyperoptic
Hyperoptic offers very affordable, reliable full fibre packages, but in selected areas. Its plans come with speeds up to 1000Mbps and symmetrical upload speeds, perfect for those who need ultrafast internet. Read our Hyperoptic Review
Sky
Sky offers reliable broadband and great TV packages. It’s known for excellent customer support and high customer satisfaction ratings. Read our Sky Review
Community Fibre
Community Fibre has cheap fibre packages with impressive speeds from 150Mbps to 3Gbps. They provide great routers and top-notch customer service, making them a popular choice in London where it is only available. Read our Community Fibre Review
TalkTalk
TalkTalk is competitively priced with a wide range of fibre and full fibre options. It also offers TV bundles that are cheaper than Sky and Virgin Media. Read our TalkTalk Review
EE
EE is known for great customer service and reliability. It offers ultrafast speed ranges, keeping all your devices connected at high speeds. Read our EE Review
Plusnet
Plusnet offers low-cost fibre plans with phone options, and they’re known for good customer service. It also offers no landline options, which can save you money. Read our Plusnet Review
Now Broadband
Now Broadband has flexible contracts for 12 months and 1 month. It offers basic fibre broadband with access to Sky TV channels through TV memberships. Read our Now Broadband Review
Why selecting the best broadband package matters?
It is important that you choose the broadband package that offers the right speed that you need. This ensures fast and reliable internet for a variety of online activities — whether it’s casual surfing, streaming high-quality video, or working from home.
Value for money can also save you money in the long run by allowing you to use additional services such as your home phone, TV, WiFi or free installation.
With the right broadband plan, you can get the internet you need without data or speed caps.
Last but not least, a good broadband service includes solid customer support that can help you with any connection, billing, or other issues.
Comparing the different types of broadband deals in the UK
There are different types of broadband services in the UK such as basic ADSL, FTTC hybrid fibre Broadband and full fibre Broadband (FTTP). Each type differs in speed, performance, features and cost.
ADSL broadband is the most widely available broadband type in the UK and is not always the cheapest option. It is suitable for those with basic internet needs such as browsing, email, and social media, however, it is slower with average speeds of around 10-11Mbps. Factors such as interference, network congestion, and the distance between your location and the exchange can affect speed and reliability.
FTTC broadband (fibre to the cabinet) offers faster speeds compared to ADSL, with average download speeds of around 35Mbps to 67Mbps. It is more reliable compared to ADSL broadband and is widely available in the UK and many providers offer competitive deals. FTTC broadband can offer maximum speeds of around 76Mbps and is not as fast full fibre broadband. It is also prone to congestion and slow down speeds during peak usage times.
Full fibre broadband or FTTP (fibre to the premises) offers the fastest and most reliable speeds in the UK, with average download speeds of around 300-1000Mbps. Although, full fibre broadband is more expensive compared to ADSL and FTTC broadband, it is not prone to interference, network congestion during peak usage times. In the UK, availability is limited to approximately 25% of the UK.
Which factors are important when selecting a broadband package that fits your needs?
When it comes to finding the perfect broadband deal for your specific needs, there are several factors to consider such as speed, total cost, contract length, customer support and any additional services offered by the provider.
Speed
For example, if you only use the internet for surfing and email, a basic broadband plan with lower speeds may be sufficient. However, if you work from home or stream a lot of video or download large files, you may want a package that includes a powerful WiFi router, more reliable internet, and faster speeds.
Extras
Some broadband plans come with free extras like free phone calls or public Wi-Fi. When comparing broadband plans, consider these extras as they can add value to your package.
Contract Length
Check whether the contract length of the service suits your needs. Longer contracts can save money, but short-term contracts are flexible and easy to manage.
Cost
Once you know your internet usage needs, you also need to consider your budget. The prices of broadband plans vary widely, so it’s important to determine what you can afford. However, be aware that pricier plans may offer faster speeds and add-ons, such as landline plans or TV packages, that can save you money in the long run.
How to find the best broadband deal?
By speed
For most of us, broadband speed is the starting point of comparison. It’s important to choose a plan that provides the speed you actually need. Will standard 11Mb broadband be enough for me, or should I opt for an superfast or ultrafast fibre package?
With plenty of broadband plans available, with average speeds ranging from 10Mbps to 1130Mbps, you should be able to decide which speeds meet your needs and which ones are unnecessary.
If you’re not sure which speed is right for your home, use the following guides:
- Standard ADSL broadband (10Mbps/11Mbps average download speed) is suitable for general internet activities such as surfing the web, sending emails, shopping online and downloading. One or two users can easily get online with these connection speeds.
- Superfast, fibre broadband is often recommended for households with more than two users. With speeds between 35Mbps and 362Mbps, faster packages are ideal for streaming TV shows and videos in HD, downloading and gaming on line.
- Ultra fast broadband comes with 100Mbps+ speeds and is ideal for very busy households with streaming HD & 4K videos, gaming online and sharing.
- Households with more than two users are generally advised to use superfast fibre broadband. With speeds ranging from 35Mbps to 100Mbps, the faster plans are perfect for streaming HDTV shows and videos, downloading and online gaming.
- Ultrafast broadband with speeds over 100Mbps is perfect for busy homes, streaming, online gaming, and HD and 4K sharing.
Not all providers offer faster packages in the same price range. You’ll also need to find providers that offer faster packages at a cheaper price than others.
By package
When choosing a broadband plan, what type of package are you looking for? Is it a broadband and phone bundle, or a broadband, phone and TV bundle, or a broadband-only bundle?
Bundling can save you money when you need two or three services. If you’re just an internet user and don’t really need a phone or TV, broadband-only is a great money-saving option.
Some broadband plans have no contract or short-term contract options. They are expensive and only sought by users with specific needs
By price
When it comes to broadband, it’s hard to tell if a cheap package is worth the money. Don’t just look at price, you should look at the package as a whole.
A cheap deal can save you money, but it might not have everything you’re looking for. Conversely, if you spend more, you can find a better deal that comes with all the stuff you need. Affordability is a good thing to consider, but it should be weighed against value for money.
Finally, when you find the best deal for your needs, ask yourself if the deal is worth the money, or should you go for something cheaper?
By provider
You can choose a provider based on their strengths. For example, if you want good customer support and reliability, Plusnet and Sky are good options.
If you want great TV service then Sky is the first choice, but if you also want hyperfast broadband with TV broadband then Virgin Media is a better choice than Sky.
Likewise, TalkTalk, Vodafone, and Plusnet are great options if you’re looking for a cheap broadband package.
By customer service
If customer support is very important to you, you might consider providers such as EE, Plusnet and Sky, which are known for their quality of service and good customer support. They have the most satisfied customers compared to their competitors, according to Ofcom’s 2022 report
BT is also worth considering as it has improved its customer satisfaction rankings in 2022.
Do thorough research and read reviews
Finding the right broadband deal also requires you to avoid services that have had many complaints or problems in the past.
Customers want peace of mind when buying internet service or product. Unreliable providers can ruin that peace of mind and lead customers to look elsewhere for the best broadband deals.
To avoid this problem, it is important to do thorough research and read reviews before making any commitments. Knowing what problems other customers have with suppliers can help you make an informed decision when researching your options.
You can read reviews, guides and latest information about UK broadband providers to find everything you need to know about service quality and reliability before deciding which one is best for your needs.
