Compare broadband deals in your area

Everyone loves saving money, and the good news is there are multiple ways to cut your broadband costs without sacrificing the service you need.  Here are some top tips for reducing your monthly broadband bill:

• Compare Deals and Switch: Broadband prices are very competitive, especially for new customers. One of the simplest ways to save is to use a broadband comparison tool to find a cheaper package and then switch provider.  Many UK broadband companies offer introductory discounts or special offers for new sign-ups, which could significantly slash your bill – sometimes by hundreds of pounds a year.  If you haven’t switched in a while, you’re likely to find a much better deal now.

• Negotiate with Your Current Provider: If you’re happy with your current provider’s service but not the price, it’s always worth calling them - you can see the contact details of most UK internet services provides here.  Explain that you’re considering switching to save money and ask if they can match a competitor’s offer or give a loyalty discount.  Providers know it’s cheaper to keep an existing customer than to find a new one, so they often have retention deals.  Be polite but firm – mention specific cheaper deals you’ve seen.  In many cases, you might snag a lower monthly rate or a faster package for the same price just by asking.

• Reassess Your Needs: Make sure you’re not paying for more than you require.  For instance, if you’re on an ultrafast fibre plan but your household only uses the internet for basic browsing and Netflix, you could downgrade to a slower (and cheaper) plan and likely not notice the difference. Many providers offer basic plans with slightly lower speeds or fewer add-ons at a lower cost.  Use your provider’s app or bills to see how much data and speed you actually use each month.  If it’s well below your plan’s capabilities, a downgrade could save you money.  Use the free speed assessment tool from RightSpeed to determine what speed you 'actually' need.

• Watch Out for Mid-Contract Increases: Unfortunately, some UK broadband deals include mid-contract price rises (often tied to inflation each year).  As of 2025, new ofcom rules require providers to be very clear about any future price hikes in your contract.  Always read the fine print: a deal that looks cheap now could increase in a year’s time.  Opt for fixed-price deals or shorter contracts if you want to avoid this.  And if your provider does hike the price beyond what was agreed, you may have grounds to exit the contract or renegotiate – so don’t just accept the increase without question.

• Check for Social Tariffs or Assistance: If anyone in your household claims Universal Credit or certain other benefits, you might qualify for a social tariff – these are special low-cost broadband packages (often £15–£20 a month) that providers offer to help those on lower incomes.  They often provide decent speeds at a much reduced cost.  It’s worth checking Ofcom’s website or asking providers if you’re eligible. Also, if you’re struggling with bills, Citizens Advice can offer guidance and even speak to providers on your behalf in some cases.

By taking these steps, you can trim your broadband expenses and still get the service you need. Whether it’s by switching to a new provider with a great offer or haggling a better deal from your current one, don’t be afraid to explore your options – you could end up saving a lot on your broadband bill each year

To find the right broadband speed for your home, consider the number of people and devices online, and what you do on the internet.  Tools like the free RightSpeed.co.uk questionnaire can help by asking about your usage – streaming, working from home, gaming, etc... and then suggesting an ideal speed range.   This no-nonsense approach helps you avoid overpaying for speed you don’t need, or conversely, getting too slow a package for a busy household.

When choosing a broadband deal, it’s crucial to pick a speed that meets your needs.  Faster isn’t always better if you won’t use it – but too slow can cause frustration. Here’s a quick guide:

• Light Use (1–2 people) – If you’re just browsing websites, checking email, and occasionally watching YouTube in standard definition, basic ADSL speeds around 10 Mbps might be sufficient. This is the kind of usage one or two people could manage with on a standard broadband connection. Keep in mind 10 Mbps is quite limited – it will struggle with HD streaming or multiple devices at once.

• Moderate Use (Typical Family) – For a household with several devices (phones, a couple of TVs or laptops) streaming HD videos, video calling, and maybe online gaming, look for speeds in the 50–100 Mbps rangesearchswitchsave.com.  Many superfast fibre packages (FTTC or cable) offer average speeds of 50–70 Mbps, which is suitable for most families.  Around 50–100 Mbps can comfortably handle a few streams or downloads at once without buffering.

• Heavy Use (Power Users or Large Household) – If you have a lot of people or smart devices, or you do data-heavy activities like 4K streaming, frequent large downloads, or online gaming on multiple consoles, you’ll benefit from ultrafast speeds.  Plans offering 300 Mbps or more are ideal for these cases.  Today, many full-fibre (FTTP) services offer 300–900 Mbps packages.  For example, a family with multiple 4K video streams and work-from-home users might be happiest with a 150–300 Mbps service, while even busier homes or small businesses could want 500 Mbps or above.

Remember that these numbers are just guidelines – it’s always better to have a bit of extra headroom. If you’re on the fence, err on the side of a slightly faster package to “future proof” your connection (especially as devices and streaming quality increase over time).  Just don’t get sold on gigabit (1000 Mbps) speeds if you truly have a basic household; most people will never utilise anywhere close to that bandwidth.

One more tip: if you’re unsure, try RightSpeed’s online quiz .  It will ask about your specific household scenario and recommend a speed bracket (for example, it might tell you something like “Between 50–100 Mbps” or “Around 300 Mbps” based on your answers). This can give you confidence that the broadband deal you choose is the right speed for your needs.  And before switching, it’s not a bad idea to test your current speed (more on that below) to see what you’re getting now and if it’s falling short for your usage.

Broadband availability can vary street by street in the UK, so checking what you can get at your address is important.  The easiest way is to use a postcode checker on a comparison site.   On SearchSwitchSave’s homepage, for example, you can enter your postcode and it will show all the broadband deals offered by various internet providers in your area, including the speeds and prices. This saves you from having to manually check each provider one by one.

When you use a postcode checker, it taps into databases of networks to see which technologies and providers service your location. Here’s why that matters:

• Different areas have different broadband technologies.  In cities and many towns, you might have access to full-fibre (FTTP) networks offering gigabit speeds, cable broadband via Virgin Media, as well as the slower ADSL options on the old phone lines.  In more rural or remote areas, full-fibre coverage may be limited or non-existent for now, meaning you might only have ADSL or maybe a 4G/5G home broadband option available.  The UK is rapidly expanding fibre coverage (the government’s Project Gigabit is investing in bringing fast broadband to harder-to-reach communities), but as of early 2025, about 75% of homes could get full-fibre while others still rely on older tech.

• Not every provider is in every region. Some providers (especially smaller ones or “alt-nets” like community fibre companies) operate only in specific towns or counties.  The big players like BT (Openreach network ISPs), Sky, TalkTalk, Virgin Media, etc., have wide coverage, but even they don’t cover literally every address.  For example, Virgin Media’s cable network covers a bit over half of UK homes, mostly in urban areas.  A postcode search will show if Virgin is available for you or not. Similarly, it will show local fibre operators if present (for instance, someone in London might see Hyperoptic or Community Fibre deals, while someone in rural Yorkshire might see a wireless broadband provider or need to consider satellite).

• Speeds can vary by location.  Even with the same package, the speed you get can depend on your line and location.  Postcode results often include an estimated speed range for your address.  For instance, a “67 Mbps average” fibre deal might actually be estimated at 50–60 Mbps for you if you live far from the street cabinet.  The checker uses data from providers to give you a realistic expectation. Always take note of the estimated speed range given during the signup – UK providers are required to disclose this, and it’s specific to your line.

To use a postcode checker, just input your postcode (and usually select your address from a list).  It will then list available deals. You can typically filter or sort the results by speed, price, contract length, etc., to narrow it down.  On SearchSwitchSave, you can even filter by broadband type (standard, fibre, etc.) and by providers, amongst other filter options.  This makes it easy to, say, show only fibre optic deals or only providers you’re interested in.

In summary: use a comparison tool and postcode checker to see all the broadband deals for your area.  This ensures you don’t miss out on a provider that serves your location.  It will also reveal what maximum speeds you can get (for example, if gigabit full-fibre is available or not).  Knowing your options empowers you to choose the best broadband deal available to you, rather than a generic “one-size-fits-all” offer.

Broadband in the UK is delivered over a few different technologies.  The two main ones you’ll hear about are standard broadband (ADSL) and fibre broadband.  The experience you get can be very different between them:

• Standard Broadband (ADSL): This uses the old copper telephone lines to deliver internet. It’s available almost everywhere in the UK (if you have a phone line, you can get ADSL).  However, it’s slow by modern standards – typically up to around 10 Mbps download speed.  In practice, many ADSL users get maybe 5–8 Mbps, especially if they live far from the telephone exchange.  ADSL can struggle if you have multiple devices online or want to stream video in HD.  It’s best suited for very light usage or as a last resort in rural areas with no faster options.

• Fibre Broadband: “Fibre” broadband actually comes in two main varieties:

  • FTTC (Fibre to the Cabinet) – This is part-fibre: there’s an optical fibre line running to your street cabinet, then the final leg to your house uses the old copper phone wire.  FTTC is widely available (about 97% of UK households can get it) and offers much faster speeds than ADSL – commonly up to 80 Mbps (with some packages advertised around 67 Mbps average).  The downside is that because of the bit of copper, the further you live from the cabinet, the lower your top speed.  But for most, FTTC is a huge improvement over ADSL.

  • FTTP (Fibre to the Premises) – This is full fibre all the way to your home. There’s no copper at all, which means much higher speeds (commonly 100 Mbps, 300 Mbps, 900 Mbps packages, etc., up to 1 Gbps or more) and reliability.  FTTP doesn’t degrade with distance like copper does.  The catch: it’s not everywhere yet.  As of 2025, full-fibre is gradually expanding (roughly 60–75% of UK homes have it available, with coverage increasing every month).  Cities and many towns have FTTP from providers like Openreach, Virgin Media (which is upgrading its network to full fibre), or smaller local fibre companies.  Rural areas are getting connected via schemes like Project Gigabit, but some places still have a wait.

• Cable Broadband: This is offered by Virgin Media primarily.  It’s similar to fibre in performance – Virgin uses coaxial cable (originally for TV) for the final connection, but offers packages up to 1.1 Gbps.  We lump it in with “fibre” when talking about speed, because cable is also much faster than ADSL.  Virgin’s network covers about 55% of UK households, often in urban areas.

• Mobile Broadband (4G/5G) and others:  There are also 4G/5G home broadband options and even satellite broadband.  These can serve areas without good wired connections.  5G can be impressively fast (100–200 Mbps or more), but you need a strong signal and the right plan/equipment.  Satellite (like Starlink) covers anywhere but tends to be expensive and with higher latency.  These are usually considered if fibre/cable isn’t available.

Now, is it worth upgrading to fibre? In most cases, yes if you can get it, especially if you use the internet for more than just basic tasks. Here’s why:

• Speed and Performance: Fibre/fast cable gives you many times the speed of ADSL.  Even if you don’t think you need crazy speeds, you’ll notice the difference in everyday browsing, streaming, and downloads.  Websites load snappier, Netflix doesn’t buffer in the evening, and large files download in minutes rather than hours.  If you have multiple people or smart devices in your home, a fibre connection ensures everyone can be online at once.  For working from home, streaming video calls, online gaming, or 4K video streaming – fibre is almost essential for a good experience. ADSL’s 10 Mbps simply might not cut it for those uses in 2025 and beyond.

• Reliability: Full fibre is generally more reliable and consistent.  It’s less prone to interference or slowdowns at peak times.  Copper lines can be affected by electrical interference, distance, and even weather to some degree.  Fibre optic cables don’t have those issues, so you get a more stable speed.  If you’ve had frequent drop-outs or your broadband slows down every evening, moving to fibre could solve that.   It’s also worth noting that a lot of the old copper phone network is being retired by 2027, and everything is moving to digital voice over broadband – so upgrading is somewhat future-proofing.

• Availability considerations: If fibre or cable is already available at your address, upgrading is usually as simple as ordering a new service – engineers might not even need to visit inside if you have the infrastructure. The cost of entry-level fibre deals is often similar to or only slightly more than ADSL nowadays (in fact, some providers price them the same to migrate everyone to fibre).  So you might get 5-10 times the speed for only a couple of pounds more per month, which is a great trade-off.  However, if fibre is not yet available where you live, you might have to stick with what you have a bit longer.  Check your postcode or ask your provider about plans – the good news is the government and industry are pushing hard to extend full-fibre across the country.

In short, fibre broadband is worth it for most people in 2025.  The exception might be if you genuinely use the internet very little – but even then, the cost difference is small and the user experience is much better.  If you’re currently on standard ADSL and fibre is offered in your area, it’s a wise upgrade to consider.  You’ll enjoy faster speeds, better reliability, and you’ll be ready for the more internet-intensive applications that are becoming the norm. To see what fibre options (FTTC or FTTP) are available for you, just run a postcode search – you might be surprised that a full-fibre gigabit service has rolled out in your neighborhood without you knowing!

If you’re chasing raw speed, the fastest broadband speeds in the UK are generally delivered by the full-fibre (FTTP) providers and Virgin Media’s cable network.  However, the “fastest” provider for you will depend on what’s available at your address.  Here’s the lay of the land:

• Virgin Media (Cable/Fibre): As a major provider available to more than half the country, Virgin Media currently offers some of the top speeds widely available – up to 1.13 Gbps on their fastest plan.  In ofcom speed tests, Virgin often comes out on top for download speed among nationwide providers.  For instance, in early 2025 Virgin’s median download speed was about 264 Mbps, far ahead of the next best large provider. The fastest 10% of Virgin customers (those on gigabit packages in good areas) see speeds around 700–800 Mbp. So if Virgin’s network is in your area and you opt for their Gig1 service, you’ll likely get the highest speeds available to most UK households.  Do note Virgin’s upload speeds are lower (around 50 Mbps max on Gig1). Virgin is also upgrading fully to fibre by 2028, which will further improve performance.

• BT (Openreach FTTP) and Providers Using Openreach Full Fibre: BT, EE, Sky, TalkTalk, Vodafone and others use Openreach’s full-fibre network to offer speeds up to 900 Mbps or 1 Gbps on some plans.  These are gigabit-capable and in areas that have FTTP, they’re extremely fast and reliable . In practice, providers like BT and EE report median speeds in the 60–100+ Mbps range because many customers are still on slower plans or FTTCispreview.co.uk.  But if you have Openreach FTTP, you can get a 900 Mbps package that will perform similarly to Virgin’s top tier.  The “fastest provider” title in Openreach areas might be less about the brand and more about having FTTP technology available – since many providers sell the same 900 Mbps Openreach service.

• Alt-Nets (Alternative Network Full Fibre Providers): These are smaller companies building fibre networks in specific regions – examples include Community Fibre, Hyperoptic, Gigaclear, toob, Zzoomm, CityFibre (wholesale, used by others like Vodafone/TalkTalk), and many more.  Some of these offer speeds above 1 Gbps.  For example, Community Fibre in London has packages up to 3 Gbps; Hyperoptic offers 1 Gbps; Zzoomm has 2 Gbps plans, etc.  In speed tests, these providers often show extremely high average speeds because most customers take a fast full-fibre package.  Recent data shows some of these smaller full-fibre ISPs achieving median download speeds of 300–500 Mbps or higher.   ISPReview found toob (a fibre provider in the South of England) had an average around 508 Mbps in 2024.  Aquiss (a niche full-fibre ISP) even clocked a 909 Mbps median in one set of tests.  These networks are blisteringly fast – the challenge is they’re only available in limited areas. If you are lucky to have one in your area, they could be your fastest option (and often good value too).

• 5G Home Broadband: In some areas, especially cities, 5G mobile networks can deliver speeds in the hundreds of Mbps.  A provider like Three or Vodafone might offer 5G home broadband that, under ideal conditions, gives 200–300 Mbps or more.  But mobile signals can be unpredictable and slower at peak times, so while 5G is a great alternative where fibre isn’t available, it’s not typically faster than the above wired options in a consistent way.

In summary, no single provider is the absolute fastest everywhere – it depends on availability:

• Where Virgin Media is present, their top package (1.13 Gbps) makes them one of the fastest widely-available option.

• In areas with Openreach FTTP, providers like BT/EE or others can give you up to 900 Mbps, which is essentially just as fast for practical purposes.

• If you have a local full-fibre provider (alt-net) in your town, they might offer 1 Gbps or more, often with less congestion (some of the highest speed test results come from these alt-nets).

• And, of course, technologies like satellite (Starlink ~150 Mbps) or 4G/5G can be fast, but usually they’re Plan B for when the wired options are limited.

To figure out your fastest provider, do a postcode check and see what top speeds are available.  If gigabit service is an option, you’ll see it in the results.  You might find “Full Fibre 900”, “Gigafast”, or similar naming – that indicates near-gigabit speeds.  If not, the next best might be a 300 Mbps FTTP or a 67 Mbps FTTC.  Always look at the “average speed” listed on deals: this gives a quick comparison.  And remember, a faster service only improves things if you actually need the extra speed – but it can be great for heavy usage or busy homes.

It’s a good idea to check your broadband speed occasionally – especially if you suspect you’re not getting the performance you should. Here’s how to go about it:

• Use an Online Speed Test: The quickest method is to run a speed test on a reputable site.  You can use the one on SearchSwitchSave (which links to UKSpeedTest.co.uk ), or popular tools like Speedtest.net by Ookla. Simply visit the site and hit the “Go” or “Start” button to measure your download and upload speeds in a few seconds.  For the most accurate results, do this from a device connected via Ethernet cable to your router.  If you must use Wi-Fi, try to be in the same room as the router to avoid Wi-Fi slowdowns affecting the test.  Also, run multiple tests at different times of day – speeds can dip in the evenings when many people are online, so you want to see a full picture. Take note of the download speed, upload speed, and ping (latency) reported.

• Compare to Your Expected Speed: Next, find out what speed you’re supposed to be getting.  Check your broadband contract or the provider’s website for your plan’s details.  Many UK providers advertise an “average speed” (e.g. “Average 50 Mbps download”) and also give you a personalised estimated range when you sign up (for example, “We estimate 45–55 Mbps at your address”).  Compare your test results to these numbers. If you’re within, say, 10-20% of the expected speed, that’s generally normal. If you consistently see, for example, 20 Mbps but you’re paying for 50 Mbps, that’s a red flag.

• Account for Factors That Can Affect Speed:  Before blaming your provider, consider if anything on your side might be causing slowdowns.  Wi-Fi signal is a common one – speeds over Wi-Fi, especially on older routers or if you’re far from the router, can be much lower than a wired connection.  Old devices might have outdated Wi-Fi hardware that can’t handle high speeds.  Also, other network traffic could influence it: if someone in your house is downloading or streaming 4K video during your test, it will make the speedtest result lower.  For a fair test, try to ensure no one else is doing something heavy online at that moment, or test at off-peak times. That said, if speeds are still nowhere near what was promised, it could be an issue with the line or the provider’s network.

• Contact Your Provider if Speeds Are Much Lower: If your real-world speed is significantly below the promised or minimum guaranteed speed for your package, reach out to your provider’s customer support. They can run diagnostics to see if there’s a fault on your line or perhaps send an engineer if needed.  Sometimes a router replacement or a line reset can improve things.  Importantly, ofcom’s code of practice allows you to exit your contract early if the provider fails to deliver the minimum guaranteed speed after you’ve given them a chance to fix its.   So keep notes of your speed test results (many providers ask you to do a few tests while plugged into the master phone socket, etc. to troubleshoot).  If they can’t get you back up to speed, you shouldn’t be stuck paying for a service you’re not receiving.

• Check Other Options: In cases where you’re just on a slow technology (e.g. you have ADSL and get 8 Mbps, but that’s all that line can do), consider switching to a faster service if available.  Use a postcode checker to see if you can upgrade to fibre or cable.  If your tests show you already get close to the maximum your line supports, the only way to get more speed might be to change to a different broadband network (like fibre or 5G).  Tools like HowFast.uk can also give you an idea of line capabilities – it’s an independent speed tester that might estimate what your line can do.

Bottom line: Run speed tests to verify your broadband performance.  If you’re paying for, say, 100 Mbps but only seeing 30 Mbps on a wired test with no congestion, something’s wrong.  Engage your provider – you have a right to decent service, and most will work to fix issues. And if they can’t, you have the option to switch to a better broadband deal that provides the speed you need.

Sometimes the issue isn’t your broadband package or provider at all, but rather how your home network is set up.  If you’re not ready to switch providers (or can’t due to contract), there are several tweaks and upgrades that can boost your internet speeds and Wi-Fi coverage in your home:

• Optimise Your Router Placement: Where your Wi-Fi router sits in your home can dramatically impact coverage.  Place the router in a central location, elevated (on a shelf or table, not on the floor), and as open/unobstructed as possible.  Walls, metal appliances, fish tanks, and other electronics can all absorb or block Wi-Fi signals.  For example, if your router is tucked in a corner behind your TV, try moving it out into the open.  Even a few feet of relocation away from other electronics can help.  Also, keep it away from sources of interference – microwaves, baby monitors, cordless phones, etc. all emit signals that can mess with Wi-Fi.

• Use a Wired Connection for High-Bandwidth Needs: Wi-Fi will always add some slowness and variability.  If you need maximum speed for a specific device (say a work PC or a gaming console), try to connect it via Ethernet cable to the router.  This can instantly improve stability and ping times, and often throughput as well, since it bypasses wireless interference. If running a cable is impractical, consider the next tip...

• Consider Powerline Adapters or MoCA: Powerline adapters extend your network using your home’s electrical wiring.  They come as a pair: one plugs near your router and the other in the room where you need a connection, carrying data through the mains wiring.  They effectively give you an Ethernet port in that far room without running new cables.  These can be great if your Wi-Fi doesn’t reach a certain area well (like an upstairs office). Similarly, if your home is wired with coax TV cables, MoCA adapters can use those to create a wired backbone.  These solutions can often deliver better speeds than Wi-Fi to distant rooms.

• Upgrade to Dual-Band or Mesh Wi-Fi Systems: If you have an older router (especially ones that only use the 2.4 GHz Wi-Fi band), upgrading to a newer dual-band or tri-band router can help.  New routers support both 2.4 GHz (longer range, slower) and 5 GHz (shorter range, faster) bands, and they often have better antennas.  Many broadband providers will give you an updated router if yours is old – it’s worth asking.  If you have a larger home or one with thick walls, consider a Mesh Wi-Fi system.  Mesh systems use multiple small routers (“nodes”) placed around your home that work together to blanket it in coverage.  They’re excellent for eliminating dead zones – you could have one node on each floor, for example, all on one network name.  Mesh systems (from brands like Google Nest, TP-Link Deco, etc.) are widely available and easy to set up.  Some broadband providers now offer their own mesh add-ons or Wi-Fi extenders for a small fee or included in premium packages.

• Reduce Wi-Fi Interference: Make sure your neighbors aren’t on the same Wi-Fi channel – modern routers usually handle this automatically, but it can be worth logging into your router settings and trying a less congested channel if you’re in a flat/block with many networks.  Also, disconnect or move any devices that might interfere.  Even something like a poorly shielded HDMI cable or a running microwave oven can knock down Wi-Fi speeds in the room next to it.  If you predominantly use 5 GHz Wi-Fi (which is faster), note that its range is shorter – you might want to enable both 2.4 and 5 GHz on your router so devices further away can at least maintain a connection on 2.4 GHz.

• Check Your Equipment: Sometimes, the bottleneck is an old piece of kit.  An older laptop or smartphone might not support the latest Wi-Fi standards and thus can’t achieve top speeds.  Or your router might be old and not capable of handling faster broadband speeds (for example, some older routers max out at ~100 Mbps due to 100Base-T ports or older Wi-Fi tech).  If you’ve upgraded your broadband package but not your router, ask your provider if they can send a newer model – especially if yours is over 5 years old.  Up-to-date equipment ensures you’re getting the speeds you’re paying for within your home.

By trying the above, you can often squeeze much better performance out of your existing broadband.  Many “slow internet” complaints boil down to Wi-Fi coverage issues or suboptimal setup, not the broadband line itself.  So it’s worth a shot, as these improvements are either low-cost or free.  If after all that, your connection is still not meeting your needs, then it might be time to look at upgrading to a faster broadband deal or switching provider.  But at least you’ll know you’ve maximised your in-home setup – which you should do even with a new fast service to truly enjoy the benefits.  Good luck, and happy surfing!