Switching your broadband provider in 2026 can help you save money. Around 65% of people who switch providers are likely to be offered a cheaper package, which gives them access to faster connections that is more reliable.
If you’ve not switched providers in a long time, and have traditionally stayed loyal to your internet provider, then switching can be a little daunting and challenging.
Not only do you need to choose which provider is best for you to switch to, but you also need to know how the switch works and what it will cost to leave your original contract before you take out a new one. Doing this can quickly unravel into a messy and annoying process.
To help, here’s a definitive guide detailing the step-by-step process you need to follow to switch broadband providers successfully, as well as a detailed look at the top UK providers to help you switch to the right provider for you in 2026.
How To Switch Broadband Providers in 4 Easy Steps
1. Check that you’re eligible to leave your current provider
Unfortunately, you cannot leave your current provider any time you like. Typically, you’ll be tied down to a contract where you must serve a minimum period before you can easily leave.
Most contracts these days last between 12-24 months, with many providers trying to keep customers in arrangements for longer to limit the amount that switches around.
It’s essential to check how long into your contract you are and if you’re able to leave. If you’re unsure, it’s best to contact your provider to find out.
If you try to leave while still under contract, you’ll be hit with heavy cancellation fees. Many providers will force you to pay the leftover months in your contract simultaneously, meaning that switching early can be a massive expense. Under One Touch Switch, your current provider must send you details of any early termination charge before the switch goes ahead, so you will know the cost before you commit.
If you have been with your current provider for longer than your minimum term, then you should be able to switch hassle-free and without paying anything to your current provider. Your old provider also can't charge you for a notice period that runs past your switch date, so there is no need to give it 30 days' notice.
Do note that your current provider will be desperate for you to stay, so you could be offered a cheaper broadband deal to incentivise you not to switch. Doing this can be an excellent haggling technique, but stick to your guns if you’re determined to move.
Also, be aware that some providers intentionally make the cancellation process challenging to put people off. For some, the process can involve hours with customer service, and you may also be hit with hefty fees. Ofcom's rules say a provider's cancellation procedures must not put you off leaving, and when you switch, One Touch Switch means you don't need to go through your old provider's cancellation process at all.
2. Choose a new broadband deal
Once you’ve seen that you’re eligible to switch providers, or if you’re happy to pay the cancellation fee, the next step is to choose your new provider.
You must take your time with this step and not go with the first deal you see. Compare your options by using a comparison table or by reading up about each provider.
When choosing who to switch to, you’ll need to consider which providers actually cover your local area, which package and speeds you require, and of course, how much things will cost you.
You’ll also want to consider the contract length of your package. If you intend to switch providers again to chase the cheapest deals, then you’ll want to opt for a provider that offers shorter-term contracts. However, if you’re happy with a long-term deal, these contracts are usually a bit cheaper.
It’s also wise to look at the reviews of each provider that you’re interested in, as this can illuminate what you should expect when you’re a customer. Look out for providers that have a high amount of complaints of bad customer service and who seem to have frequent outages. Ofcom's quarterly complaints figures are a useful check: from January to March 2026, the industry average was 6 broadband complaints to Ofcom per 100,000 customers, and the big providers ranged from 4 for Plusnet to 10 for TalkTalk.
If you’re going to be using review websites like Trustpilot, be aware that many broadband companies have pretty low scores compared to other industries. This is likely because broadband is an essential service, and it can be distressing when it goes wrong. It’s important to compare these ratings relativity with other broadband providers; otherwise, none are going to look like good options. Scores now vary widely between the big providers: when we checked in October 2026, Vodafone UK, EE and BT scored above 4 out of 5, while Sky, TalkTalk, Virgin Media, Plusnet and NOW scored below 3. Each Trustpilot profile covers the whole company, including any mobile or TV services, not just its broadband.
3. Contact your new provider
When you’ve settled on your new provider, you must contact them to activate your broadband connection and sign up for their package.
If you’re switching from one provider who uses Openreach telecoms to another, then your new provider will be able to arrange the whole transfer for you and seamlessly manage the process. Since 12 September 2024, the same is true whichever networks the two providers use: under Ofcom's One Touch Switch process you only contact the new provider, your current provider sends you important information about the switch, including any early termination charge, and the new provider arranges the switch for the date you choose.
You’ll likely receive letters or emails from both providers to confirm what’s going on, including when your old service ends and when your new contract commences.
4. Let the new provider handle the switch
Under Ofcom's switching rules the new provider manages the changeover and must keep any loss of service to a minimum; you do not need to phone your old provider to cancel.
The new provider contacts your current provider, which must then send you important information about the switch, including any early termination charge and the effect on other services you have with it; once you confirm, the new provider arranges the switch for the date you choose.
You give your details to the new provider only; your old provider is told by the new one.
The switch happens on the date you agree with the new provider, and providers must keep any loss of service to a minimum.
Which Broadband Provider Is The Best To Switch To?
When trying to figure out which broadband provider is best for you to switch to, the best option for you will depend on a few factors that are unique to your situation. That’s why it’s almost impossible to say which provider is best, as the answer will differ for each person.
Even when you try to simplify the choice and choose based on the price of each broadband provider, these costs will alter depending on your location. For example, the cost of broadband may be one price in Essex but more expensive in Lincolnshire, despite being the exact same package.
That’s why you need to compare different providers before switching broadband to find the right broadband provider for you.
To help you choose which provider you should use, here’s an evaluation of eight of the biggest broadband providers in the UK. By focusing on their key features, positives and negatives, costs, and reviews, you’ll be able to make a more informed decision on who you should switch to.
BT Broadband
BT is by far the most well-known broadband provider in Britain and serves millions of customers in the UK and Europe.
BT has been in the telecommunications industry for over 160 years and has built a legacy in that time while also ushering in revolutionary technology. BT has the experience and know-how to provide a good broadband service. In fact, BT is one of the most trusted brands in the market.
BT offers a full suite of broadband products, from part-fibre to full fibre, plus everything else; its current deals no longer include a copper-only ADSL package (checked October 2026). You can also get your landlines and TV products from BT, making them a good option if you want to switch to a bundle package.
BT are the pioneers of Openreach, meaning that they have an expansive network where you’ll likely get coverage no matter where you live.
BT broadband features
BT is a perfect option for average usage families looking for broadband, as its full fibre packages offer download speeds of up to 900Mbps where full fibre is available, and its part-fibre packages up to 74Mbps elsewhere (checked October 2026). Even 74Mbps is great for streaming on multiple devices at once and should be powerful enough to support an average-sized household.
BT provides a lot of free equipment when you switch to them, giving you things such as the wireless router free of charge. Most of the other big providers now include a router at no extra cost too, so this no longer makes BT stand out (checked October 2026).
This router that they give you is also one of the best on the market. The BT Smart Hub uses cutting-edge AC Wi-Fi to deliver a strong connection and provide a quality service for the entire home with no weak spots. BT's current deals page features its Smart Hub 3 and Smart Hub 2, while some rivals now supply WiFi 7 routers, such as EE's Smart Hub 7 Plus (checked October 2026).
BT also have very good additional products that you can get in part of a bundle. BT Sports is one of the leading media channels in the UK, and they also offer one of the best landline services, helping you to build a reliable bundle of quality services. BT Sport was renamed TNT Sports in July 2023, and BT's TV packages now come through EE TV, with apps including TNT Sports on HBO Max (checked October 2026).
Prices, speeds and review scores change often – use the live comparison on our broadband deals page for today's deals.
BT broadband cost
BT offer a wide array of packages that vary in price depending on the speed and other add-ons you get.
BT's fastest broadband is now Full Fibre 900, which costs £35.99 a month on a 24-month contract and averages 900Mbps, rising to £39.99 from 31 March 2027 and £43.99 from 31 March 2028 (checked October 2026). Do be aware that if your home doesn’t have the required technology, you’re unlikely to get these speeds.
Their cheapest packages are now £28.99 a month on a 24-month contract, for Fibre 1 with an average speed of around 50Mbps or Fibre Essential at around 36Mbps (checked October 2026). This is a perfect speed for an individual user, but it may struggle to support a family.
BT's online deals had a £0 activation fee when we checked, although BT, EE and Plusnet brought back one-off activation fees for new customers from 31 July 2026, so check the upfront cost before you order (checked October 2026).
Prices, speeds and review scores change often – use the live comparison on our broadband deals page for today's deals.
BT broadband customer reviews
On Trustpilot, BT has a score of 4.2 out of 5 stars, one of the highest among the big broadband providers, although the profile covers BT as a whole rather than just its broadband (checked October 2026).
Trustpilot's summary of recent reviews says customers often praise BT's staff for being helpful, polite and patient, while Ofcom's figures for January to March 2026 put BT slightly above the industry average for broadband complaints, with 7 per 100,000 customers against 6.
Prices, speeds and review scores change often – use the live comparison on our broadband deals page for today's deals.
Reasons to switch to BT broadband
- You can get BT from pretty much anywhere in the UK
- They offer millions of hotspots that you can connect to when away from home
- Get given a router and online storage for free
- No fair usage policies, meaning you can use as much broadband as you want
Reasons to avoid BT broadband
- One of the more expensive broadband providers
- There are faster broadband options that are similar in price
EE Broadband
EE is best known as a mobile network, but it is also BT Group's main brand for home customers: BT made EE its flagship consumer brand, and EE broadband runs on the same Openreach network as BT's. You can compare EE broadband deals to see what is available at your address.
EE sells full fibre and part-fibre broadband, and its Entertainment TV bundles add an EE TV box with NOW Entertainment and Netflix Standard with adverts, making EE a good option if you want a broadband and TV bundle. You can also get a monthly saving of up to £20 when you add an EE unlimited data SIM to your broadband plan (checked October 2026).
EE broadband features
EE's full fibre plans run from 100Mbps up to 1.6Gbps, and in Guildford, Woking and the surrounding areas it is rolling out even faster Full Fibre 2.3 Gigabit and Full Fibre 8 Gigabit plans (checked October 2026).
Every EE full fibre plan comes with a WiFi 7 router, the Smart Hub 7 Plus, or the Smart Hub 7 Pro on its 1.6Gbps plans, along with unlimited downloads and WiFi controls in the EE app. Each plan also has a Speed Guarantee: if your speed stays below it and EE can't fix the problem, you can leave your contract without paying an early exit charge.
EE was named National Broadband Provider of the Year at the Uswitch Telecoms Awards 2026, taking the title from Plusnet.
EE broadband cost
EE's cheapest full fibre plan, Full Fibre 100, costs £26.99 a month on a 24-month contract plus a £30 activation fee, rising to £30.99 from 31 March 2027 and £34.99 from 31 March 2028 (checked October 2026).
Its fastest widely available plan, 1.6Gbps, costs £42.99 a month plus a £30 activation fee, while its 900Mbps plan costs £33.99 a month with a £10 activation fee when you order online (checked October 2026). You can also choose a 12-month contract, although EE says its 24-month deals work out cheaper each month.
If you're switching from another provider, EE will credit your account with up to £200 towards your leaving fees, or up to £300 if you're switching TV too (checked October 2026).
EE broadband customer reviews
In Ofcom's figures for January to March 2026, EE had 6 broadband complaints per 100,000 customers, matching the industry average and down from 10 in April to June 2025. It did have the most pay TV complaints of the providers Ofcom listed, at 4 per 100,000. On Trustpilot, EE has a score of 4.3 out of 5, one of the highest of the big providers, although the profile covers EE as a whole, including its mobile network, and Trustpilot's summary of recent reviews says customers often praise its staff for being helpful, patient and knowledgeable (checked October 2026).
Reasons to switch to EE broadband
- Full fibre speeds up to 1.6Gbps, and up to 8Gbps in parts of Guildford and Woking (checked October 2026)
- A WiFi 7 router with every full fibre plan
- A monthly saving if you add an EE unlimited data SIM
- Up to £200 towards your old provider's leaving fees (checked October 2026)
Reasons to avoid EE broadband
- A one-off activation fee on most plans
- Prices rise by a fixed amount every 31 March during your contract
- The fastest 2.3Gbps and 8Gbps plans are only available in a small area (checked October 2026)
Sky Broadband
Since its launch in the early 1990s, Sky has been a significant player in a lot of different telecommunication sectors, including broadband and digital TV. In fact, Sky was one of the first providers of satellite TV in the UK, making it a pioneer and an industry leader.
However, despite their focus on providing TV, Sky is also a massive broadband provider in the UK and is second to only BT in terms of customers.
Sky offers multiple broadband products, and you are able to get broadband-only deals with them. However, they’re most valuable when you bundle their leading TV service into your deal. If you want a comprehensive product, a bundled deal with Sky is a good option for switching. With Sky TV, you can get access to exclusive sports, TV, and movies, making it a good service.
Sky broadband features
No matter which broadband package you switch to, Sky will give you unlimited downloads, meaning that you shouldn’t expect any charges for going over a limit. You also get given McAfee internet security to protect you from viruses and malware when using your broadband. McAfee is one of the best internet security products on the market.
The biggest selling point about Sky is that when you bundle it with your TV, you’ll get access to one of the most comprehensive TV libraries. You’re able to build bundles that suit you, being able to add and remove certain products to build a service that’s tailored to you.
Sky broadband cost
Sky is one of the most expensive options in the industry, with their fastest broadband package costing around £52 a month, and that’s before any additional costs such as accessing premium TV channels are factored in. (July 2025 pricing)
Sky's Full Fibre Gigafast package averages 900Mbps, but Sky now sells faster packages: Full Fibre 1.6Gbps on the Openreach network and, on CityFibre's network, Full Fibre 2.5 Gigafast+ and Full Fibre 5 Gigafast+, which are available to 14% of UK homes; 5 Gigafast+ averages 5,000Mbps (checked October 2026). Every Sky package comes with a Speed Guarantee: if your download speed drops below your guaranteed minimum for three days in a row, you can leave your broadband and Talk contracts without early termination charges.
Sky’s cheapest broadband is an 18-month contract costing £25 a month for just 36Mbps of speed. This is expensive for this service, however you do get a Sky Q broadband hub with this package. (July 2025 pricing) Sky's broadband contracts are now 24 months, and its entry-level package is Superfast 35, a part-fibre service averaging 35Mbps (checked October 2026).
Sky broadband customer reviews
Sky has a Trustpilot score of 2.7 out of 5, well below BT's 4.2, and the profile covers Sky as a whole, including its TV and mobile services (checked October 2026). In Ofcom's figures for January to March 2026, Sky Broadband had 5 complaints per 100,000 customers, below the industry average of 6.
With that said, Sky sits in the middle of the big providers on Trustpilot, behind Vodafone UK, EE and BT but ahead of TalkTalk, Virgin Media, Plusnet and NOW (checked October 2026). Many reviewers complain about the price of Sky and how there seems to be a lot of additional costs and fees that aren’t obvious when you switch. There are also many reports of faulty connections producing slower speeds than advertised, suggesting that they may not be that reliable.
Prices, speeds and review scores change often – use the live comparison on our broadband deals page for today's deals.
Reasons to switch to Sky broadband
- Offer a very sophisticated TV and broadband package
- Can get it in a lot of places in the UK
- Sky TV gives you access to a wide choice of movies and sport
Reasons to avoid Sky broadband
- It’s expensive, and there are cheaper options elsewhere
- Requires a satellite dish to be installed to access Sky Q
- Sky products are available elsewhere for a lower price
Sky no longer requires a satellite dish for Sky TV: Sky Stream and Sky Glass deliver Sky TV over your broadband connection, while Sky Q remains the satellite option.
TalkTalk Broadband
One of the most well-known names in the telecom industry is TalkTalk. They focus on home broadband, with TV available as an add-on for TalkTalk broadband customers, and their website no longer lists mobile phone plans (checked October 2026). In October 2026 BT Group bought TalkTalk's consumer broadband business out of administration; BT says that, pending a regulatory review, TalkTalk and BT will operate separately and continue to compete, and that existing TalkTalk customers' prices, contracts and billing are unchanged (checked October 2026).
Regarding their broadband service, TalkTalk offers two types of connections, standard or fibre. This gives you the opportunity to select the option that best suits your need.
TalkTalk used to stand out for shorter contracts, but its current full fibre plans are on 24-month contracts, the same length as most of the big providers' deals (checked October 2026).
TalkTalk broadband features
TalkTalk no longer includes a mobile SIM with its broadband; instead, its full fibre packages come with the Wi-Fi Hub 3, which has Wi-Fi 6 and mesh technology for stronger coverage around the home (checked October 2026).
With TalkTalk, you’ll get free security software to protect your devices when using broadband. TalkTalk also allows you to set parental controls to limit what children can access, making it a great option for families.
Like other providers, you can also get free security software to help secure your internet. You can also set parental controls with TalkTalk, making it a great option for families.
TalkTalk broadband cost
TalkTalk still offers a very competitively priced service: its fastest speed is now 900Mbps, and its TalkTalk U plan, so far available only to selected customers, costs £25 a month on a 24-month contract whatever speed it gives you, up to 900Mbps, rising to £29 from April 2027 and £33 from April 2028 (checked October 2026). That is cheaper than many other companies’ fastest packages.
Their cheapest full fibre deals are listed on TalkTalk's website from £25 a month, with speeds from 65Mbps, which is a great speed for that price point (checked October 2026).
Prices, speeds and review scores change often – use the live comparison on our broadband deals page for today's deals.
TalkTalk broadband customer reviews
TalkTalk now has a Trustpilot score of 2.1 out of 5 stars, behind Vodafone UK, EE, BT and Sky (checked October 2026). In Ofcom's figures for January to March 2026, TalkTalk had the most broadband complaints of the big providers, at 10 per 100,000 customers against an industry average of 6.
Ofcom said TalkTalk's complaints were mainly about faults, service and provisioning, complaints handling and billing, and TalkTalk has plenty of negative reviews too. The most frequent are against their customer support team. This demonstrates that although they offer a great product, when things do go wrong, getting the support you need is tough.
Prices, speeds and review scores change often – use the live comparison on our broadband deals page for today's deals.
Reasons to switch to TalkTalk broadband
- Get a good speed at a competitive price
- Can get a good, yet stripped-back TV service
- Can add TV options flexibly
- Likely to get giveaways and vouchers when you switch
- Get free parental controls and security software
Reasons to avoid TalkTalk broadband
- They have a poor customer service team
- Can’t get TalkTalk TV on its own; it needs to be part of a bundle
Now Broadband
When Now TV first started, it focused on being an on-demand streaming service that gave you access to digital channels previously only available with a monthly subscription.
Today, Now also offers a good broadband service that could suit many UK customers who are looking to switch.
NOW's broadband is now sold as NOW Broadband Powered by Sky: you choose a plan on NOW's website and complete your order on Sky's, and its broadband page lists broadband-only plans rather than broadband and TV packages (checked October 2026).
NOW used to stand out because you could get its broadband without a long contract, but all of its current plans have a 24-month minimum term (checked October 2026).
Now broadband features
If you want simple, good-value full fibre, NOW keeps things straightforward with just three plans (checked October 2026).
All three plans are full fibre, so whether you can get them depends on your location: NOW says full fibre is available to 79% of UK homes (checked October 2026). The plans are NOW Full Fibre 75, 100 and 300, with estimated download speeds of 80Mbps, 100Mbps and 300Mbps, so the top speed is lower than the fastest packages from most big providers, although it should still be enough to provide a good service for a family.
NOW's broadband page doesn't currently show a first-months discount, but its plans come with a £0 activation fee and £0 delivery fee, making it a good option for those looking to switch to cheaper broadband (checked October 2026).
Now broadband cost
Now still has some of the lowest prices in the industry, with their fastest broadband, NOW Full Fibre 300, available for £27 a month on a 24-month contract with no activation fee, although NOW says the price may change during the minimum term (checked October 2026). You get 300Mbps at this price, which is plenty for a family, but if you’re looking for faster speeds, you may have to consider other options.
NOW no longer lists a basic low-speed package: its cheapest plans, NOW Full Fibre 75 and NOW Full Fibre 100, both cost £24 a month, so if both are available to you, the faster one is the better deal (checked October 2026).
Prices, speeds and review scores change often – use the live comparison on our broadband deals page for today's deals.
Now broadband customer reviews
Although being a cheap option to switch to, Now still has the worst score on Trustpilot among the leading broadband providers, with a score of 1.1 out of 5 for NOW as a whole, including its TV streaming service (checked October 2026).
The reason they have this score is clear when looking at their reviews because Now actually has a few mixed issues and not one definitive problem.
One issue is that getting broadband set up can take a while, meaning that you’ll be left without internet when you switch to Now. Plus, there are a lot of outages for both their broadband and TV, meaning that Now is not that reliable.
Prices, speeds and review scores change often – use the live comparison on our broadband deals page for today's deals.
Reasons to switch to Now broadband
- Get a decent speed at a very low price
- Now TV gives you access to Sky channels
- No activation or delivery fee on its current plans (checked October 2026)
Reasons to avoid Now broadband
- Unlikely to run any promotions or free gifts
- Can get much faster broadband elsewhere
Plusnet Broadband
Plusnet is a popular broadband provider that's no-frills and does what it says on the tin. They keep things simple and offer no additional ad-ons, making them a good choice if all you want is broadband.
Plusnet is known for its great customer service, which has helped them to achieve various rewards over the years. They could be a good option if you’re looking for an easy switch to a cheaper provider.
Plusnet broadband features
Plusnet is one of the most budget-friendly broadband options in the UK, and it now covers a much wider range of speeds than it used to: full fibre from 74Mb up to 900Mb, and part-fibre (its Fibre package) up to 66Mb (checked October 2026). That makes it worth considering whether you're a light user or looking to get comprehensive broadband for a family.
When you switch to Plusnet, you’ll get access to unlimited downloads, meaning that no nasty changes are waiting for you when you pay your bill. You can also get a wireless router for free if you have a contract longer than 12 months.
Plusnet is still a popular choice for people changing broadband providers: it won Best Broadband Provider for Customer Service at the Uswitch Telecoms Awards 2026, although Uswitch's National Broadband Provider of the Year title went to EE after three years with Plusnet.
Plusnet broadband cost
Plusnet offers a package for around 66Mbps of average speed for £24.99. This is for an 18-month contract, and the speeds provided suit a family of average internet users. (July 2025 pricing) Plusnet's broadband packages are now all on 24-month contracts, with the monthly price rising by £4 each 31 March (checked October 2026).
Plusnet really comes into its own when you’re looking for lower broadband speeds, as you can get a 12-month contract for 10Mbps for just £18.99. This makes Plusnet the provider of choice if you’re a light internet user. (July 2025 pricing) Plusnet no longer lists a 10Mbps package: its slowest option is now Fibre, with speeds up to 66Mb (checked October 2026).
Prices, speeds and review scores change often – use the live comparison on our broadband deals page for today's deals.
Plusnet broadband customer reviews
Plusnet now has a Trustpilot score of 1.7 out of 5 stars, which puts it near the bottom of the big providers, ahead only of NOW (checked October 2026). Ofcom's complaints figures tell a different story: from January to March 2026, Plusnet had the fewest broadband complaints of the big providers, at 4 per 100,000 customers against an industry average of 6.
In the reviews, one of the biggest complaints is that Plusnet’s coverage can be slow and may also fail and disconnect from time to time. These issues are likely happening because the customers have a package that provides speeds that are too low for them. When you opt for Plusnet, make sure you don’t require faster speeds, as you can easily end up with a service that is not right for you.
Thankfully, Plusnet has the best customer service in this industry, so they are able to provide support whenever you need it.
Prices, speeds and review scores change often – use the live comparison on our broadband deals page for today's deals.
Reasons to switch to Plusnet broadband
- Cheapest provider around
- Simple broadband-only deals, with no phone line or extras to pay for (checked October 2026)
- Excellent customer service
- Available all across the UK
Reasons to avoid Plusnet broadband
- Can’t get combined packages; they only sell broadband
- Its top speed of 900Mb is lower than the fastest packages from EE, Sky, Virgin Media and Vodafone (checked October 2026)
Virgin Media Broadband
Virgin Media offers one of the most premium broadband options and is well known across the UK as providing one of the fastest services available in the country.
They’re a great option if you want to switch to a more robust and quality service, and their starting prices are now in line with the other big providers (checked October 2026).
Virgin Media broadband features
Virgin Media is more suited to providing a full suite of products, and although you can just get broadband deals, they like to focus on bundles where you can also get landlines, TV, and mobile services included.
Virgin does not offer slow speeds. In fact, the slowest package on Virgin's broadband deals page is M125, which averages 132Mbps and outperforms many other providers’ entry-level speeds (checked October 2026). These speeds no longer come at much of a premium either, as the costs below show.
At the top end, Gig1 averages 1,130Mbps and Gig2 averages 2,130Mbps on Virgin's cable network (2,000Mbps where it has full fibre), which is a fantastic option for those that like to stream in 4K and download massive files (checked October 2026).
Because of these speeds, Virgin is widely used for businesses, as it can provide broadband for multiple users, and it’s also well suited to very large households where everyone is likely to be using the internet at once.
Virgin Media broadband cost
The most expensive broadband-only deal on Virgin's broadband page is Gig2 Full Fibre, which costs £49.99 a month on a 24-month contract and averages 2,000Mbps (checked October 2026). For the speeds it gives you access to, it may be worth it, however, it may not be the right choice for you if you don’t require that speed. Virgin's gigabit deals now start from £29.99 a month, and its standard deals are on 24-month contracts, with 30-day rolling contracts also available (checked October 2026).
Their cheapest plan, M125, costs from £23.99 a month, which is a good price and also gives you access to a reliable speed that works well for average usage households (checked October 2026).
Prices, speeds and review scores change often – use the live comparison on our broadband deals page for today's deals.
Virgin Media broadband customer reviews
On Trustpilot, Virgin Media has a score of 2.0 out of 5 stars, behind Vodafone UK, EE, BT, Sky and TalkTalk (checked October 2026). It does better in Ofcom's figures, with 6 broadband complaints per 100,000 customers from January to March 2026, in line with the industry average.
One major issue with Virgin that often appears in the reviews is that they make the leaving process difficult. Some past customers say that they’ve been on customer services for hours trying to cancel their contract and have had to pay an additional fee to eventually leave. This can make it not a very good option if you’re looking to switch to a different provider while being a Virgin customer. Under Ofcom's switching rules the new provider manages the changeover and must keep any loss of service to a minimum; you do not need to phone your old provider to cancel. In July 2026 Ofcom fined Virgin Media £28 million after finding that its procedures were likely to have put customers off cancelling or switching between January 2022 and September 2024, before One Touch Switch arrived.
They do provide a very good service; it’s just this experience when you leave that makes its ratings suffer.
Prices, speeds and review scores change often – use the live comparison on our broadband deals page for today's deals.
Reasons to switch to Virgin Media broadband
- Its network offers gigabit speeds, with Gig2 averaging 2,130Mbps on cable (checked October 2026)
- Its slowest speed can still support a large household
- They offer great bundling options with TV and mobile
- You can get rolling contracts, although they’re more expensive
Reasons to avoid Virgin Media broadband
- Your monthly price rises by a fixed £4 each April during your contract (checked October 2026)
- Home phone isn't available in Virgin Media's newer network expansion areas (checked October 2026)
- Not everywhere in the UK can get Virgin Media
Vodafone Broadband
Vodafone is best known as a mobile network, but it also sells home broadband. It sells full fibre over several networks, including Openreach, CityFibre and Community Fibre, and says its full fibre is available in more homes than any other provider's (checked October 2026). You can compare Vodafone broadband deals to see what is available at your address.
You can take Vodafone broadband on its own, with a landline if you want one, or with Vodafone TV, so it suits people who want just broadband as well as those after a bundle.
Vodafone broadband features
Vodafone's standard plans offer speeds from 74Mbps to 910Mbps, and its Pro 3 Broadband, which is full fibre only, goes up to 2.2Gbps, with a 1.8Gbps option too (checked October 2026). In CityFibre and Community Fibre areas, upload speeds are the same as download speeds.
The standard plans come with the Power Hub, which uses WiFi 6. Pro 3 Broadband comes with the WiFi 7 Ultra Hub 7, a Super WiFi Booster and 4G Broadband Back-up, a dongle that switches you onto Vodafone's 4G network, with a 100GB monthly allowance, if your broadband goes down.
Vodafone won Best Value for Money Broadband Provider and Most Popular Broadband Provider at the Uswitch Telecoms Awards 2026. It also has a social tariff, Essentials Broadband, on a 12-month contract; our guide to broadband social tariffs explains who can get one.
Vodafone broadband cost
Vodafone's full fibre broadband starts from £24 a month on a 24-month plan, rising to £27.50 on 1 April 2027 and £31 on 1 April 2028 (checked October 2026).
Pro 3 Broadband starts from £39 a month, rising to £42.50 on 1 April 2027 and £46 on 1 April 2028, and an installation fee may apply to any plan (checked October 2026).
If you're switching, Vodafone will credit your account with up to £300 when you pay early termination fees to your old provider; terms apply (checked October 2026).
Vodafone broadband customer reviews
Vodafone's broadband complaints record is mixed: from January to March 2026, Vodafone had 8 broadband complaints to Ofcom per 100,000 customers, the second highest of the big providers and above the industry average of 6, although that was down from 11 in the previous quarter. Customer reviews are kinder: on Trustpilot, Vodafone UK has a score of 4.7 out of 5, the highest of the providers in this guide, although the profile covers Vodafone as a whole and many recent reviews are about phone upgrades (checked October 2026).
Reasons to switch to Vodafone broadband
- Full fibre in more homes than any other provider, according to Vodafone
- Speeds up to 2.2Gbps with Pro 3 Broadband (checked October 2026)
- A landline is optional, so you can pay for broadband only
- Up to £300 towards your old provider's leaving fees (checked October 2026)
Reasons to avoid Vodafone broadband
- More broadband complaints to Ofcom than most of the big providers
- Prices rise by £3.50 every 1 April (checked October 2026)
- The 4G back-up and WiFi booster are only included with the pricier Pro plans
Broadband Switching FAQs
Most asked customer questions when switching broadband providers.
When’s the best time to switch broadband?
To make sure that you’re not paying any additional charges or cancellation fees, it’s best to switch broadband once your minimum contract with your current provider is over.
If you’re looking to switch regularly, make sure to enter contracts lasting no more than 12 months. This will allow you to switch regularly without having to pay any fees.
Early exit fees can be very expensive, with many providers charging you the cost of any leftover months all at once. If you’re looking to exit early, this fee can make the switch not worth it.
One way to switch providers early without having to pay is if your current provider isn’t fulfilling their contract. For example, if you’re paying for an average speed of 60Mbps, but you’re only getting 30Mbps, you may be able to leave without paying.
You will have to prove this and have tests done on your home. If you’re having issues, Ofcom provides assistance. Providers signed up to Ofcom's voluntary broadband speeds code must give you a minimum guaranteed speed when you sign up, and if your speed falls below it and they can't fix it within a month, you can leave without paying an exit fee. There are other ways to leave without an exit fee too: you can usually cancel within 14 days if you signed up online or by phone, and if your provider tells you about a price rise or other change to your contract that wasn't set out when you signed up, you can usually leave without an exit fee within a month of being told.
Do I need to cancel my broadband before switching?
Under Ofcom's switching rules the new provider manages the changeover and must keep any loss of service to a minimum; you do not need to phone your old provider to cancel.
You do not have to manually cancel your current contract, whichever networks the two providers use: One Touch Switch covers moves between providers on the Openreach network, such as BT, TalkTalk and Sky, and moves to or from other networks.
Your new provider will instead be able to manage the process, making things easy and straightforward for you.
Since 12 September 2024, switching between broadband providers uses Ofcom's One Touch Switch process, whichever networks the two providers use: you only contact the new provider, your current provider then sends you important information about the switch, including what leaving your current deal would cost, and the new provider arranges the switch with your old provider for the date you choose.
The switch happens on the date you agree with the new provider, and providers must keep any loss of service to a minimum.
How long does a broadband switch take?
The entire broadband switching process can take up to two weeks from start to finish; however, this doesn’t mean that you’ll be without broadband that entire time. Under One Touch Switch, the switch date can be as soon as the next day, although it can take longer, for example if an engineer needs to visit, and any loss of service during the switch should not last more than one working day where that is technically possible.
This timeframe depends on the providers you’re switching between, as going from an Openreach network user to another will typically be a lot quicker. Plus, if you need to have new equipment and a new cable installed by an engineer, that can also prolong the process.
You give your details to the new provider only; your old provider is told by the new one.
Once your new broadband is in place, you should also allow a few days for it to get up to speed as it settles. You may experience periods of slowdown or not as quick broadband as you paid for, but this should change after a while. When this is happening, it’s important not to disconnect your router. Since September 2024, Ofcom requires providers to describe the technology behind a deal in plain terms: full-fibre (fibre all the way to your home, also called FTTP), part-fibre (fibre to a street cabinet, then copper to your home, also called FTTC), cable (Virgin Media's network) or copper (ADSL).
What is a good broadband speed to switch to?
The speed you switch to depends on your personal needs and how you plan to use the internet.
Most people will be attracted to the fastest internet speeds possible; however, those extreme speeds may not be necessary if you’re not constantly using them.
For example, suppose you’re a light internet user who only connects to check the news, browse emails, and online shop while living alone. In that case, you will only need around 10Mbps of speed, meaning that you can get by with the cheapest broadband available.
However, if you stream video and download games from the internet, you’ll need something closer to 30Mbps to handle those demands.
If you’re getting broadband for a family of users where people are likely to be streaming video at once while also connecting online for gaming, then you may need a more robust speed of 60Mbps to ensure that there’s no buffering or slowdown.
If you’re a serious internet user who streams in 4K and who may have to conduct conference calls, for greater reliability, it may be best to get broadband at speeds of 100Mbps.
Plus, if you’re looking to get broadband for a business with multiple staff members using internet applications at once, then you may be required to get premium broadband that can deliver speeds over 100Mbps.
The best speeds for you to switch to are relative to your needs, so if you’re switching because your previous package wasn’t fast enough for you, then you may need to consider a package that offers better speeds.
What information do I need to switch?
When switching to a new provider, you’ll need a few details and pieces of information to make it as seamless as possible.
Before looking at providers, you’ll first need to know which ones offer good enough services for your area. This can stop you from switching to a provider that’s unable to give you the quality of internet that you want.
Once you’ve settled on your provider, you’re going to need to give them your basic information like your address, personal details such as your name, age, and marital status, and then your bank account so that they can take direct debits from it. The major UK broadband providers run a credit check when you apply; if that is a concern, look at social tariffs and shorter contracts, and read the provider's own help page on credit checks before you order.
You’ll likely also have to provide a date that you’d like the broadband from your new service to be activated. If you’re switching from an Openreach provider and already have a router, then this can be as soon as they’re able to do so. However, if you need a new router from the provider, make sure that the date you choose is after it is scheduled to arrive.
Since 12 September 2024, switching between broadband providers uses Ofcom's One Touch Switch process, whichever networks the two providers use: you only contact the new provider, your current provider then sends you important information about the switch, including what leaving your current deal would cost, and the new provider arranges the switch with your old provider for the date you choose.
How to check when your contract ends
Your provider must send you an end-of-contract notification before your minimum term ends, telling you what you pay now, what you will pay afterwards and its best available deals. Once you are out of contract you must also get an annual best-tariff notification. Out-of-contract prices are usually higher than the introductory deal, so treat either notification as the moment to compare.
Will my price go up during the contract?
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 our broadband deals page shows the terms for each deal.
Types of broadband connection explained
Ofcom now requires providers to describe the technology behind each deal in plain terms:
- Full-fibre (FTTP) – fibre all the way into your home. No phone line is involved.
- Part-fibre (FTTC) – fibre to a street cabinet, then the existing copper line to your home. Speeds depend on how far you are from the cabinet.
- Cable – Virgin Media's own network, which does not use Openreach lines.
- Copper (ADSL) – broadband over the phone line only. It is being withdrawn as the copper network is retired, with the switch-off due to complete by 31 January 2027.
- 4G/5G home broadband and satellite – alternatives where fixed lines are slow or unavailable.
Use the comparison on our broadband deals page to see which connection types are available at your postcode.
How One Touch Switch works
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.
When you're ready to switch, enter your postcode in the comparison on our broadband deals page to see the deals available at your address.
Frequently asked questions
What is One Touch Switch and do I need to contact my old broadband provider?
One Touch Switch is Ofcom's switching process, in place since 12 September 2024. You contact only the new provider; your current provider then sends you important information about the switch, including the cost of leaving your current deal, and once you confirm, the new provider arranges the switch with your old provider. You do not need to contact your old provider to cancel.
Will my broadband price go up during my contract?
It can, but since 17 January 2025 the provider must tell you in pounds and pence, before you sign up, how much the price will rise and when. Inflation-linked rises are no longer allowed in new contracts, so the rise shown on the deal is the one you will pay.
Do I need to give my old broadband provider notice when I switch?
No. Under One Touch Switch your new provider tells your old one about the switch, and your old provider can't charge you for a notice period that runs past the switch date. Your current provider will send you important information about the switch, including any early termination charge, before it goes ahead.
Will I have to pay to leave my broadband contract early?
Usually, yes. If you leave before your minimum term ends, your provider can charge an early termination fee, and under One Touch Switch it must tell you the amount before the switch goes ahead. Some providers offer credit towards these fees when you switch to them.
You can usually leave without a fee if you're within the 14-day cooling-off period after signing up online or by phone, if your provider tells you about a price rise or other contract change that wasn't set out when you signed up (you then have a month to leave), or if your speed falls below the minimum guaranteed speed and your provider can't fix it. Our guide to leaving broadband without an exit fee explains each route.
Is there a cooling-off period when I switch broadband?
Yes, if you sign up online or by phone you can usually cancel within 14 days without a fee. If your new service has already started, you may have to pay for what you have used. You don't have the same legal right if you signed up in person, although it's worth asking. Our guide to the broadband cooling-off period has the details.
Can I keep my landline number when I switch broadband?
Usually, yes. Tell your new provider you want to keep your number when you order, and it will move the number across as part of the switch. You may not be able to keep it if you're moving house at the same time, and if you choose a broadband-only deal with no home phone service, you can lose your number, so check before you order. Our guide to keeping your landline number when switching has more detail.
