Cheap broadband deals explained
In this guide
- Why choose cheap broadband?
- Cheapest broadband deals in July 2020
- What's the cheapest type of broadband?
- Who are the cheapest broadband providers?
- Five things to consider when comparing cheap broadband deals
- What about cashback, gifts and rewards with low-cost broadband deals?
- Are limited broadband deals cheaper than unlimited deals?
- Can I get cheap broadband if I have bad credit?
Most UK households pay too much for their broadband, and you could be among them. Remember, there's more to choosing the cheapest broadband deal than just opting for the lowest price. Our handy guide breaks down everything you need to know about finding a cheap broadband deal.
Why choose cheap broadband?
It doesn't necessarily follow that a cheap broadband deal will always provide you with slower speeds or some sort of data allowance or limit. Although, this can be true in some cases. And, the less data and speed you are using or need can in those cases save you some money.
More commonly, though, the amount you pay and whether your broadband deal is considered cheap will depend on the deals and offers currently available. Also, your choice of provider and the equipment they supply you, and of course what you consider 'cheap' in the first place will also play a part. Thankfully, it's easier to switch than you think.
Cheapest broadband deals in July 2020
-
Plusnet Unlimited Broadband
- 10Mb average speed
- Unlimited usage
- PAYG calls
£60 Reward Card -
NOW Broadband Brilliant Broadband
-
EE Standard Broadband
-
SSE Unlimited Fibre Broadband
What's the cheapest type of broadband?
The cheapest type of broadband is usually standard broadband or ADSL broadband which has a slower average download speed than fibre broadband. Standard broadband prices start from £17.99 per month.
Who are the cheapest broadband providers?
To see what offers are available right now you need look no further than the table at the top of this very page. However, generally speaking, the following providers tend to be known for their cheap deals over and above most others.
- Plusnet broadband – The Yorkshire-based provider, now owned by BT is a fairly no-frills service in the grand scheme. But as a result it commonly finds itself listed among the cheapest deals in the country
- John Lewis Broadband – Was once considered one of the more expensive providers, trading on its prestige brand. These days, though, it finds itself commonly competing amongst the cheapest deals out there
- Direct Save Telecom – Is the very definition of a no-frills service. Few extras and a basic router may make Direct Save less appealing for some, but it's always cheap, and delivers broadband as well as most other providers
- NOW Broadband – You may have heard of NOW TV, Sky's TV streaming service. Although Sky already offers its own broadband, NOW Broadband aims for the cheaper end of the market. Plus, there are no credit checks with NOW Broadband, making it an excellent choice if you have a few money troubles in your recent past
- TalkTalk broadband – As the only provider of the biggest four that pitches itself as a budget provider, TalkTalk tends to be cheap all year round. TalkTalk also offers some deals that promise not to hike the price you pay at any point in exchange for a longer contract
- SSE Broadband – Once purely an electricity and gas provider, SSE's broadband deals tend to vary from the cheapest end of the table to somewhere near the middle. Its broadband deals are typical of providers who operate on the Openreach network (everyone except Virgin Media)
- Sky Broadband – Tends to lean towards the middle to more expensive end of the table when it comes to cheap broadband deals. However, when Sky Broadband has special offers on it truly means business, sometimes offering the cheapest deal in the UK or a generous cashback or gift voucher sweetener
- EE Broadband – Owned by BT and predominantly known as the UK's leading mobile network provider, EE also offers broadband deals under its own brand, but does tend towards the more expensive end of the price spectrum
- Vodafone broadband – Still somewhat a newcomer, Vodafone already has an excellent reputation for itself for both a high-quality service and rock-bottom prices. Vodafone offers great value for money. You'll get high-quality equipment and good speeds with Vodafone broadband, you just won't pay as much for it
- Virgin Media Broadband – Offers the fastest (by far) and most reliable (by a hair's breadth) broadband in the country. But it's only available to 60% of UK households and as very much a premium service, it's rarely to be found among the cheapest deals. Value-for-money-wise, though, Virgin Medis is hard to beat
- BT Broadband – Everyone is going to be familiar with BT. As a premium provider, it has some of the best equipment and extras out there. However, it does not come cheap, generally speaking. It's a good idea to wait for an offer period where BT is offering reduced pricing or a generous gift voucher if BT is your preferred choice
Five things to consider when comparing cheap broadband deals
- How much data do you need: Chances are you'll want to stream Netflix or iPlayer or Amazon Prime. In which case, you can ignore this consideration since you're going to need an unlimited deal. If, however, you only use the internet to surf, shop and use social media, you could save some money on a limited package. Limited packages cost less, but cap the amount of data you can use
- Check the fine print for hidden costs: Primarily you're going to want to make sure you understand the up-front costs involved. Lucky for you all of our comparison tools add up and display the up-front, costs so you can take it into consideration
- Contract length and leaving fees: Think carefully about how long you want to be tied in. Most broadband contracts are 12 months and there are some heavy fees for leaving early. TalkTalk offers some deals with two-year contracts, and for that commitment they promise not to raise the price during that time. Not every contract length will suit everyone, so consider it carefully
- Don’t wait for a better deal: If you see a deal you like, snap it up. Deals come and go frequently, so it's always best to get a deal you like now rather than later. It may not be here tomorrow
- You could save with a bundle: If you're also interested in a subscription TV service from the likes of Sky or Virgin Media, consider getting broadband and TV as a bundle. Bundles are almost always cheaper than the two services would be sold separately
What about cashback, gifts and rewards with low-cost broadband deals?
Compare our cheap deals using the tools at the top of this page. Deals with freebies, cashback and other rewards will be clearly marked. For the most part, though, you're going to find that the more 'budget' the deal, the less likely it is you're going to get extra stuff thrown in.
If you would rather have gifts or cashback than an outright cheaper monthly rate, we suggest you take a look at broadband deals from Virgin Media, Sky and BT to see what they are currently offering.
Are limited broadband deals cheaper than unlimited deals?
Limited broadband deals can save you a little money if you don't use very much data. They're actually quite rare these days with few providers still offering them. In fact, at the time of writing there were currently no limited deals on the market. However, they do come back from time to time.
Sky and BT are the two providers who tend to offer them. You just need to be sure you're not going to go over your monthly limit. A good rule of thumb is that if you stream a lot of video (watch films and TV on Netflix, Amazon, BBC iPlayer and so on), you probably use more data than a limited deal will provide.
Our advice is to opt for an unlimited deal. You'll have far more choice available and you will never have to worry about hitting your limit and potentially incurring fees.
Can I get cheap broadband if I have bad credit?
Yes – providers will offer you a deal no matter how poor your credit rating is. Policies vary and change over time, but there’s no reason to assume you won’t get a cheap deal from your chosen provider. If you want to be absolutely certain, try NOW Broadband – it carries out no credit checks whatsoever.
Frequently asked questions
Who is the cheapest broadband provider?
Prices and deals change almost every day so it’s difficult to say who the cheapest is from day to day. You’ll find some of the most competitive cheap deals from TalkTalk, Plusnet, NOW Broadband and SSE.
How do I find the cheapest broadband where I live?
It’s easy. Simply enter your postcode in the broadband checker at the top of the page, then sort by cheapest and we’ll show you all of the cheap deals available in your area. We don’t store your personal data, so doing so is completely safe.
How much is broadband normally
The price varies from provider to provider and prices change depending on the offer available at the time. Some service providers start their broadband offers at as little as £17.99 per month.
Is cheap broadband less reliable?
No, just because you pay less for your broadband doesn’t mean you’ll get a less reliable service as a result. Most broadband providers use the same Openreach network which means the reliability of service is pretty consistent across the board. Virgin Media have their own network so if you’ve had reliability issues from an Openreach provider, you might want to consider them.
Can I get cheap broadband if I have bad credit?
Yes, there are a number of providers who don’t do credit checks and offer cheap deals on broadband. If you’re worried about your credit history, have a look at our broadband with no credit check deals for a deal that suits you.