Cheap Broadband Deals October, 2026

In a world where everyone is trying to sell expensive hyperfast broadband that delivers insane, although perhaps excessive, speeds, it can be hard to find cheap broadband deals for those that don’t require this type of technology.

Most providers will give you the option to select their cheapest broadband package, although many purposely leave them as barebone services with little perks to deter you from it and convince you to get something more costly,

With that said, you can still get great packages with cheap broadband deals; you just need to know where to look. Browse broadband deals on Switch My Broadband to help you find great deals in 2026, or use this guide to learn more about the more bargain broadband options.

For most providers, when you get the cheapest broadband deal they offer, you’re not likely to get much.

The cheapest deals you can get are likely to be broadband only, meaning there are no extra perks included like digital TV access or landlines.

Instead, you’re just going to get a steady broadband connection, which for many is all they want and don’t want to confuse their package with additional bells and whistles.

In terms of download speeds, the quality of the broadband that you’ll get at the cheapest price point will alter between providers. With that said, the average download speed you’re going to be able to get is around 10Mbps. (speeds as advertised in December 2022)

Prices, speeds and review scores change often – use the live comparison on this page for today's deals.

Cheap broadband deals are often supplied through standard broadband, also known as ADSL connections. These use the copper wires from phone lines, the slowest methods of transferring internet data.

Even if providers wanted to offer you faster speeds on their cheapest broadband package, they’d most likely be unable to, as ADSL cannot reach speeds faster than 12Mbps even in the best circumstances. If you want a faster speed, you’ll have to consider fibre broadband deals instead, which we’ve compared on Switch My Broadband.

The best way to find cheap broadband deals is to compare the prices within the market. There are many places online where you can do this, including Switch My Broadband, and all you need to do is to enter your postcode to search for what’s available to you.

Somewhat unfairly, prices for cheap broadband are not consistent across the entire country. Depending on where you live, the same package with the same provider may cost more in one location than it does in another.

So, to find the cheapest package available to you, make sure to input your details to help you make a more informed decision about which broadband packages work best for you.

Due to the terrain or how rural your location is, there are also some cheap packages you can’t get, too. For example, if your property has previously had a fibre optic cable installed that runs directly to the house, you may not be able to get standard, cheap broadband because you no longer have a phone line. The traditional copper phone network (the PSTN) is being retired, with the switch-off due to complete by 31 January 2027: landline calls now run over the broadband connection as a digital voice service, and full-fibre and cable connections do not use a phone line at all.

Getting cheaper broadband can be an excellent choice for you, providing that you’re in the right circumstances. Although cheap broadband can be a great way to get affordable internet access, getting a package that’s too cheap for you can cause issues.

Depending on how you use the internet, you will have specific demands. Streaming multiple videos in high-definition will require larger download speeds than opening and sending emails.

If you are a heavy or even average internet user, the cheapest broadband options available by most providers will not be able to meet your demands. A household with a couple of average internet users will likely need around 30Mbps download speeds. Most cheaper broadband deals give you up to 12Mbps. This means that getting the cheapest broadband possible in this situation may not be a good idea, as you’ll likely experience issues.

Cheap broadband is best suited for those that live alone and do not demand a lot from their internet. If you’re getting internet for a family, then you won’t be able to get the cheapest option.

You can still get cheap broadband in these situations; you’ll just have to find the cheapest package that offers the right speeds that are relative to you. To find the cheapest broadband that suits your requirements, use Switch My Broadband to compare different packages.

All of the major providers will have a cheap broadband option for you to consider. However, the nature of each one and the specifics that you get with each provider will be a little different.

It’s hard to definitively say who has the best cheap broadband deals as many different factors are involved. Plus, what makes a good deal for you will be different for another individual.

Here’s a look at the cheapest broadband deal each major provider offers so that you see roughly which one falls into your budget and what you get with that provider.

The following prices are for a home based in Cheltenham, Gloucestershire. This has been chosen to represent what you can get and at what prices if you live in a large town in a rural area. (December 2022 pricing)

Prices, speeds and review scores change often – use the live comparison on this page for today's deals.

When choosing to get cheaper broadband, there are going to be many positives and negatives that you’re going to have to weigh up.

Of course, the most significant benefit of getting cheap broadband packages is that it gives you access to the internet at an affordable monthly price. With most providers’ cheaper packages costing between £18-£22, you can get an essential service for a relatively low price. (December 2022 pricing)

Prices, speeds and review scores change often – use the live comparison on this page for today's deals.

It’s also possible to make even bigger savings by bundling your broadband with other services, such as a landline. Creating a bundled package can have you spending less on multiple items, which is a key benefit of cheap broadband deals.

Because the majority of cheap broadband deals are provided through an ADSL connection that uses copper wires to transmit data, the majority of people in the UK are able to access affordable broadband. Most providers use Openreach to connect your houses with cheap broadband, which is a network that connects 99% of UK households. This means that unlike other, more expensive types of broadband, you’re able to get the lowest prices.

Cheap broadband is great for those who live alone or are light internet users, as the average speeds you get should be able to handle tasks like checking emails, browsing the web, and maybe even streaming content.

However, the biggest issue with cheaper broadband deals is that they may not provide you with fast enough speeds if you’re an average or higher user. This means that if you get cheap broadband with an average speed of 10Mbps, you’ll experience slowdowns, weak connections, and potentially a service that doesn’t work.

That’s why when you consider getting cheaper broadband deals, you need to be confident that the speeds you get are enough to handle your specific usage.

Social tariffs are cheaper broadband and phone packages for households that receive Universal Credit, Pension Credit or certain other benefits. They are offered by many of the large providers, usually on a short or rolling contract without an early-exit fee, and switching to one should not involve a fee if you are already with that provider.

Eligibility, prices and speeds differ by provider, so check the provider's own social tariff page. Ofcom keeps a list of the tariffs available.

Many broadband contracts include a price rise part-way through. Since 17 January 2025, Ofcom's rules require providers to show you, in pounds and pence and before you sign up, exactly how much your monthly price will rise and when. Inflation-linked rises (a percentage tied to CPI or RPI) are no longer allowed in new contracts.

When you compare deals, look at the full contract cost: the monthly price, any set-up fee, and the stated rise. The comparison on this page shows the terms for each deal.

Since 12 September 2024, every switch between UK broadband providers uses Ofcom's One Touch Switch process. You give your details to the new provider only. They contact your current provider, which must then send you important information about the switch, including any early termination charge, and once you confirm, they arrange the switch for the date you choose.

Your old provider is told by the new one, so you do not need to phone anyone to cancel. The process applies whichever networks the two providers use, and providers must keep any loss of service to a minimum.

Read more in our guide to switching broadband providers.

Where fixed-line speeds are poor, a 4G or 5G home broadband router uses the mobile network instead and can be set up without an engineer or a phone line. Performance depends on mobile signal strength at your address, and some plans carry data or fair-use limits, so check the provider's coverage checker before choosing one. These deals appear in the comparison alongside fixed-line packages when they are available at your postcode.