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Broadband providers often apply in-contract price increases each April. Since January 2025, Ofcom regulations require that any such increases must be clearly shown by the internet service provider before you complete your order. Not all suppliers increase prices during the contract, so be sure to check the pricing details at checkout to ensure a fair comparison between broadband providers.
There’s an overwhelming amount of choice when it comes to broadband providers in the UK. Whilst the big four BT, Sky, Virgin Media and TalkTalk continue to dominate, they don’t always offer the best option for every location. Smaller independent network providers regularly compete heavily on price and stand out for customer service. Our broadband availability checker can help narrow down which broadband deals are available in your area. The search will also highlight if alt-net (“alternative network”) providers such as Community Fibre, Hyperoptic, Hey Broadband, Truespeed, YouFibre and many more are available in your area.
If you’re out of contract, you’ll likely find the introductory rate you signed up to has significantly increased. Often referred to as the “loyalty tax,” you can re-contract with your existing provider, but you’re more likely to get a better broadband deal if you switch. The best broadband deals are usually offered to new customers, so take advantage of being out of contract and move to a new provider. Alt-net providers are also widening their coverage, and our broadband postcode checker keeps on top of this, so if there’s a bargain out there, we’ll help you find it.
Need a little help understanding the technical side of things? Our broadband terminology guide can help with that.
The right broadband speed for your household depends on how everyone at home uses the internet. The information below will help you compare the best broadband deals and choose a package that matches the number of users and their online activities.
Ideal for: Casual users who primarily browse the web, email, use social media and shop online.
Typical activities: light browsing, online news, streaming TV and make video calls. You may experience occasional buffering of TV content at the lower end of this speed (not suitable for ultra high definition 4K). This type of connection speed is typical of standard ADSL broadband, delivered over existing copper telephone lines. Some social tariff packages may also restrict your speeds to this level.
Ideal for: households with a few users who stream videos, engage in light gaming, or have children attending online classes.
Typical activities: moderate browsing, light gaming, and streaming TV. Speeds at the lower end of this range (25 Mb) may struggle to maintain smooth TV streaming during busy periods with three users. For a more reliable experience, consider a minimum speed of 45 Mb. Large video game updates can also disrupt internet activity for others online at the same time.
Ideal for: families with multiple users who frequently stream, game, or work from home. Fibre to the Premises (FTTP) is worth considering if you need faster and more reliable upload speeds.
Typical activities: streaming in HD or 4K, online gaming, and video calls. If you're working from home and need to upload or download large files (e.g. videos), we recommend the higher end of this speed range (closer to 100 Mb), especially when others are heavily using the connection.
Ideal for: larger households with multiple users engaging in high demand activities like 4K streaming, gaming, and working from home.
Typical activities: streaming in (4K), online gaming, and video calls. As a guide, allowing 50 Mb for each additional user gives a more comfortable connection. Beyond this, higher speeds are mainly about convenience, paying more to reduce waiting time when uploading YouTube content, transferring large files, or gaming updates.
If working from home is a priority, look for a broadband provider that includes a built-in 4G/5G backup. This automatically takes over for all your connected devices if your main broadband goes down, and switches back once the fault is fixed. Providers such as Vodafone, EE and BT offer this service for an extra monthly fee.
(Be sure to check the terms and conditions for data usage on backup 4G/5G services if you choose this option. Your minimum guaranteed speeds do not apply to 4G / 5G backup connections)
Keep in mind that the internet speeds advertised by providers are an average based on 50% of their customers. For example, an 80Mb broadband package might actually deliver 55Mb at your property. Before signing up, you’ll be given the estimated speed and a minimum guaranteed connection speed. Make sure the minimum speed is still adequate for your needs. To check the speed your property is likely to receive, try our dedicated tool to check broadband speeds available at your address. It provides realistic, address-specific estimates rather than general averages for the area.
According to Ookla’s Speedtest Global Index, the UK’s average fixed line broadband speed reached 143.83 in August 2025. While this is generally sufficient for most households, availability varies, and many rural areas continue to experience considerably lower speeds.
When choosing a broadband package, download speed isn’t the only thing that matters. Upload speed is also important if you create and share videos, live stream game content, or regularly transfer large files.
Fibre to the cabinet (FTTC) broadband always has slower uploads because part of the connection still runs over copper. Full Fibre (FTTP) removes that bottleneck and can deliver much higher upload speeds. Some networks can provide symmetrical speeds, meaning the upload speed matches the download speed.
For example, BT Full Fibre Gigafast runs on the Openreach network and delivers 900Mb download and 90Mb upload. While 90Mb is fast enough for streaming or live broadcasting, uploading large video files or high resolution images will still take longer.
In contrast, Hyperoptic provides 900Mb for both download and upload. That’s up to ten times faster than BT’s Openreach based option (at the time of writing). For heavy uploaders, symmetrical speeds can save a lot of time and improve productivity, although not essential for most households.
If upload performance is a priority, it’s worth choosing an ISP that offers symmetrical broadband speeds. These often cost no more than a standard full fibre package. Symmetrical connections are commonly available from providers such as Vodafone, Hyperoptic, Gigaclear and Community Fibre. Availability and pricing will vary depending on your location. Some providers, like Sky, use both the Openreach network and the CityFibre network so you’ll only get symmetrical speeds with Sky if your home is served by the CityFibre network.
Our broadband availability checker makes this clear. After you’ve entered your postcode, expanding the broadband deals information will show which network each package uses, along with the download and upload speeds you can expect at your address.
There are many broadband providers to choose from, and the best deal depends on your individual needs, such as cost, speed, reliability, and location. While large providers like Virgin Media, Vodafone, and BT cover most of the UK, smaller alternative networks (alt-nets) like Hyperoptic and Gigafast can offer highly competitive pricing and full fibre broadband. However, their availability may be limited to certain regions.
For those seeking ultra-fast speeds, Virgin Media is a strong option with its broad network. Hyperoptic and Gigafast also deliver excellent full fibre services where available. If you’re an online gamer focused on low latency and high upload speeds, BT broadband, EE and Zen Broadband are worth considering.
For budget-conscious users, TalkTalk regularly provides low cost packages with incentive deals. Plusnet is also competitive on price and scores well for its customer service. If portability is important or if fixed-line broadband isn't suitable for your home, 4G and 5G home broadband can be flexible alternatives. If you're receiving government benefits such as Universal Credit, Pension Credit, or Income Support and struggling with the cost of broadband, discounted social tariffs may be available to you. Take a look at our broadband social tariffs comparison to find the best deal for your circumstances.
We also provide a range of ISP reviews offering balanced, valuable insight into each provider’s performance. However, it’s worth noting that external reviews often lean towards the negative, as customers are more likely to share frustrations than positive experiences. Keep this in mind when assessing feedback, and focus on what matters most to your household. Ultimately, the best broadband deal is one that meets your specific needs. Use our broadband comparison tool to find the best package based on your requirements.
The fastest broadband in the UK is currently delivered via full fibre (FTTP) and DOCSIS 3.1 cable networks. FTTP packages now reach up to 5Gbps in selected areas, but availability varies depending on your address.
Full Fibre (FTTP): FTTP provides a fibre connection directly to the home, offering the most reliable and consistent speeds. Sky's new Gigafast+ package delivers average speeds of 5Gbps in CityFibre connected areas, making it the fastest service currently offered by any major UK provider (source City Fibre). Vodafone, who also use the CityFibre infrastructure, provides packages up to 2.2Gbps. BT offers speeds up to 900Mb, while EE offers up to 1.6Gbps in some locations. Community Fibre continues to offer up to 3Gbps in parts of London.
Several alternative networks also push the limits of residential broadband. YouFibre offers packages up to 7000Mbps (7Gbps) in select areas. As of July 2024, full fibre coverage has reached 69% of UK premises according to Ofcom, with gigabit-capable broadband available to 83%.
DOCSIS 3.1 (Virgin Media): Virgin Media’s Gig1 package uses coaxial cable (DOCSIS 3.1) to deliver average speeds of up to 1.13Gbps. It remains a strong option where FTTP is not yet available. However, it no longer holds the top spot for UK broadband speed among major providers.
To find out which high speed broadband packages are available where you live, use our broadband availability checker. You can also check broadband speeds and connection types at your address by entering your postcode and street-level details.
Not all UK broadband providers, but a large number of them. We compare most major national providers, alongside many smaller regional and independent networks. Our postcode checker shows only the broadband services that are actually available in your area, and you can apply filters to narrow the results by speed, contract, best value.
Our broadband comparison tool is independent, and the results are not influenced by paid rankings or commission. By default, results are ranked by best value, but you can change this to prioritise monthly or annual costs whichever suits your needs. All broadband comparisons are based on accurate availability data.
As of August 2025, the providers included in our postcode based results include:
4th Utility, Airband, BRSK, BT, BeFibre, BeeBu, Community Fibre, Cuckoo, Direct Save Telecom, Fibrely, Fibrus, Hey Broadband, Hyperoptic, KCOM, Lightspeed, NOW Broadband, Onestream, POP Telecom, Plusnet, Quickline, Rebel Internet, Sky, Three, Trooli, TrueSpeed, Virgin Media, Vodafone, YouFibre, Zzoomm.
We also compare social broadband tariffs. Discounted broadband plans for people who receive government benefits such as Universal Credit or Pension Credit. These are listed separately and may include smaller providers that don’t appear in the main postcode based results. Our social tariff comparison is a not-for-profit facility and fully impartial. Like all services on FasterBroadband, the information shown is free from sponsored results and not influenced by commission. This is part of our ongoing commitment to supporting digital inclusion and helping to close the digital divide.
Switching your broadband provider has become a more streamlined process, making it less cumbersome than in the past. Before initiating the switch, you must ensure you're no longer bound by a contract with your current broadband provider. Failure to do so may result in financial penalties, requiring payment for the remaining months on your contract. If your contract has ended and you're ready to switch, there's no need to contact your existing supplier directly. The switch is initiated by the new broadband provider you've chosen. An exception to this process arises when switching to Virgin Media. Virgin Media Fibre distinguishes itself by not relying on copper phone line cables for broadband delivery, setting it apart from other providers. If opting for a Virgin Media package, it's advisable to notify your current broadband provider after Virgin Media has provided an installation date. This ensures minimal disruption during the switch. If you're ready to start looking for a better broadband deal, enter your postcode into our broadband availability checker at the top of this page to compare broadband deals in your area.
The simple answer is YES! As long as you're not moving house away from your current telephone exchange. If you're switching to Virgin Media, they will allow you to keep your old telephone number. You will be asked which telephone number you would like to transfer during the sign-up process.
If you're only switching your broadband and not the telephone provider, your switchover should be almost seamless. If you are switching both your phone and broadband provider, this will require an engineer to visit your local telephone exchange. The switchover is usually complete within 3 hours of disconnection. If you are switching to Virgin Media, it is possible to keep your old broadband connection until your Virgin Media broadband has been installed and is active.
There's a bewildering amount of terminology that internet service providers (ISPs) use, and it can be confusing. While fibre optic broadband is generally faster, standard fibre connections still rely on your existing copper phone line for the final stretch from the exchange to your home. This is why some customers are surprised when offered a 'Full Fibre' upgrade for their 'fibre' connection. Below, we explain the different broadband options available, helping you make sense of the terminology.
ADSL Broadband (also referred to as ‘Standard Broadband’) is when the broadband connection is delivered using the original, old copper phone wire infrastructure. This method is being phased out as ISPs push to sell faster broadband. With a standard ADSL broadband connection, you can expect an average download speed of 10Mb. The connection speed will drop significantly the further you are from the telephone exchange. Whilst ADSL broadband might be the slowest option, it’s not necessarily cheaper than ‘fibre broadband’. If you’re out of contract and have an ADSL broadband connection, you’re likely to be paying more than you would with a new provider. The broadband market is very competitive, so it’s worth asking your current provider to see if you can get a better deal, then compare that offer with alternative broadband deals in your area.
Most home broadband connections in the UK are fibre to the cabinet (FTTC). FTTC Broadband is when the local (street cabinet) has upgraded its incoming connection to fibre broadband. This means that the local telephone exchange can deliver a faster broadband connection to your home. The broadband connection from your home to the local (street cabinet) will still be sent down the old copper phone line, but your broadband speed will be significantly faster than a standard ADSL broadband connection. A typical FTTC broadband connection in the UK would have an average download speed of 66Mb. Your broadband connection speed will vary depending on how congested the network is and your distance to the street cabinet.
According to Ofcom, as of July 2024, 69% of UK homes have access to install ‘Full Fibre Broadband’, also known as Fibre to the Premises (FTTP). As the name suggests, the fibre broadband connection doesn’t stop at the local street cabinet but continues directly to your premises. This means you no longer need to rely on your old copper telephone cable to get broadband. FTTP broadband doesn’t cost much more than a typical fibre broadband package. With FTTP, you can expect download speeds between 300Mb and 1Gb, and it is seen as the future of broadband in the UK. Slower FTTP speeds are also available for those who need a more affordable option. The upgrade also reduces line interference and dropouts, which are often caused by ageing copper phone wires.
G.Fast is a broadband technology that can supercharge your FTTC speeds up to 300Mb without fibre running directly to your premises. Since G.Fast uses most of the existing infrastructure, it's quicker and cheaper to roll out. However, there are limitations. Your property must be within 500 metres of your local street cabinet, and we’re not entirely convinced of G.Fast's long-term viability. It’s a clever interim solution until fibre coverage becomes as widespread as copper cables are today — think of it like the mini disc player before Apple launched the iPod. G.Fast is only available if your local exchange has been upgraded to support the technology. To check if G.Fast is available in your area, enter your postcode into the broadband availability checker above.
Cable broadband is uniquely different from fibre broadband. Instead of using a fibre cable, it’s delivered via a coaxial cable. Currently, Virgin Media dominates this market with its independent cable network, which uses DOCSIS (Data Over Cable Service Interface Specification) technology. DOCSIS allows for faster speeds and improved performance. Cable broadband can achieve download speeds of up to 1130Mb with Virgin Media's Gig1 broadband package.
There are alternative ways to get a faster broadband connection, such as satellite broadband, microwave radio transmission, or the more familiar 4G broadband. However, as fibre broadband now covers 95% of the UK, you're likely to be able to get a fast connection from one of the many UK ISPs. Enter your postcode into our broadband availability checker to explore the best broadband options in your area. Alternatively, you can compare 4G and 5G home broadband packages on our mobile broadband comparison page.