Six national providers side by side: connection types, top speeds, contract lengths, routers, social tariffs and bundles. Every detail comes from the provider's own website. Prices aren't shown because they change often and depend on your address.
Details checked 27 October 2026
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| Provider | BT | EE | Plusnet | Sky | TalkTalk | Virgin Media |
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| Connection types |
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| Top advertised speed | Up to 900Mbps | Up to 1.6Gbps | Up to 900Mb | Up to 5Gbps in selected areas | Up to 900Mbps | 1130Mbps average at peak (Gig1) |
| Contract length | 12 or 24 months | 12 or 24 months | 24 months | 24 months | 24 months (full fibre) | 24 months or 30-day rolling |
| Router | Smart Hub | Smart Hub 7 Plus (most full fibre plans) | Hub Two | Sky Hub | Wi-Fi Hub 3 (full fibre) | WiFi Hub |
| Social tariff | BT Home Essentials | None on Ofcom's list | None on Ofcom's list | Sky Broadband Basics | None on Ofcom's list | Virgin Media Essential Broadband |
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| EE SIM-only deals for customers |
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| Check prices | Visit BT | Visit EE Ofcom's list includes EE Basics, but EE describes it as a SIM-only mobile plan, so we haven't listed it as a broadband social tariff. | Visit Plusnet | Visit Sky The fastest Sky full fibre tiers are only available to a small share of homes. | Visit TalkTalk | Visit Virgin Media Virgin Media runs its own network, which doesn't cover all of the UK — check your postcode first. |
Ofcom's list includes EE Basics, but EE describes it as a SIM-only mobile plan, so we haven't listed it as a broadband social tariff.
Visit EEThe fastest Sky full fibre tiers are only available to a small share of homes.
Visit SkyVirgin Media runs its own network, which doesn't cover all of the UK — check your postcode first.
Visit Virgin Media“Not stated” means we couldn't confirm it on the provider's own website when we checked. It doesn't mean the provider doesn't offer it — ask them.
Start with what's available at your address: every provider's speeds and packages depend on where you live, and Virgin Media's own network doesn't reach every home. Then compare contract length, the router and any bundles you'd actually use, and check live prices — including how the price can change during the contract — on the provider's site.
Not sure what speed you need? Read what broadband speed do I need? and how to switch broadband provider. Running a business? See business broadband.
Broadband prices change often and depend on your address, the speed you choose and any current offers, so a price in a table goes out of date quickly. Use the table to narrow down providers, then check live prices at your address on the provider's site.
Not necessarily. The top speed is the provider's fastest advertised package, which isn't available everywhere. The speeds you can get depend on your address, and providers must give you a speed estimate before you sign up.
A cheaper broadband package for people receiving certain benefits, such as Universal Credit. Ofcom keeps a list of available social tariffs, and eligibility varies by provider.
Alphabetically. This table is a reference, not a ranking, and the order doesn't reflect commission or any judgement about which provider is best.
In most cases you only need to contact the provider you're moving to. Under Ofcom's One Touch Switch process, it arranges the switch and the cancellation of your old service. Check whether you'd pay an early exit fee first.
Details come from each provider's website, checked on the date shown. Social tariffs are from Ofcom's social tariffs list (updated 2 October 2026). Providers are listed alphabetically, not ranked. Packages change, so always confirm details with the provider before you buy. Spotted something out of date? Tell us.