Compare broadband deals

ADSL broadband works over the same line as your landline phone, but it’s on the way out. Openreach, the UK’s largest broadband network, is planning to retire the UK’s copper network on 31 January 2027 as it makes the switch to a fibre network.

However, for those who live in remote or rural areas, ADSL might still be the best broadband option for now. ADSL has the slowest average download speeds of around 11-12Mbps (megabits per second).

This offers speeds many times faster than ADSL, with a more stable performance, especially at peak times.

Fibre broadband is now the most popular choice for internet users and it’s ideal if you stream a lot of music and videos or enjoy online gaming. It’s also good for people who work from home or for families using multiple devices at the same time.

The download speeds you get with fibre broadband can vary a lot, depending on the type of connection and the deal you choose. Depending on what’s available in your local area, you may be able to get:

• Superfast fibre broadband (minimum 30Mbps)
• Ultrafast fibre broadband (minimum 300Mbps)
• Gigabit-capable full-fibre broadband (possible download speeds up to 1,000Mbps

Faster than ADSL, cable broadband uses the same wiring as a cable TV package. Virgin Media is the main provider of cable broadband in the UK. It also offers broadband without line rental.   

Cable broadband currently offers the fastest average download speeds in the UK, with an average of 270.6Mbps in the year to March 2023.

We don’t currently offer this type of broadband comparison. Mobile broadband is a service you can connect to at home and on the go. It’s convenient and doesn’t require a landline, but the speeds you could get depend on the strength of signal where you live.

You’ll typically use either a USB dongle, data SIM or wireless MiFi device to connect. A MiFi is a portable, battery-powered or rechargeable wireless device. It can tap into 4G or 5G mobile phone networks to create a mini broadband hotspot.

Satellite broadband is an option for people living in the few areas where a good ADSL, cable, mobile or fibre broadband connection isn’t available. We don’t currently compare satellite broadband deals.

It depends on what types of broadband connections are available where you live. Use our broadband postcode checker to see the average broadband speeds of the deals we compare that you could get at your address.

In many cases, your new broadband provider will cancel your contract for you when you make the switch. You should get a confirmation from your new provider and your old provider, with details of any cancellation fees or charges you’re due to pay.\

Many broadband providers operate on the same Openreach network, so switching between them can be straightforward. However, if you switch to a different network, you may have to reach out to your current provider to cancel.

Ideally, the best time to switch broadband is at the end of your current contract. That way you won’t have to pay any exit fees to end your contract early. 

Your provider should notify you when your contract is due to end. You can tell your new provider when you want your new deal to start, and they’ll normally arrange the switch for you. 

However, if your broadband is not reaching the minimum speeds you were promised, let your provider know. If their network is at fault and they can’t resolve the issue within 30 days, you can normally leave your contract early without paying a fee.

Yes, you can normally keep your landline number when you switch providers. That is, unless you’re moving house at the same time. 

Let your new provider know you want to keep – or ‘port’ - your number when you make the switch. They can explain what to do. 

You can request to keep your number even after you’ve cancelled your old service. You’ll just need to do it within 30 days of cancelling. 

Many providers will let you take your broadband with you when you move house, if they provide service at your new postcode. You may have to pay a fee to move your contract to a new address – check with your provider. 

It’s a good idea to give your provider as much notice as you can, so you’re not left without internet access when you move. Some providers may ask for at least a month’s notice.

It’s worth checking what broadband deals are available at your new address to see how your current deal stacks up. Depending on how much it costs to move your broadband, you may be able to save by switching to a new provider. 

You may be able to add a second line for your broadband, depending on your provider. Get in touch with them to find out. 

A second line could be useful if you work or study from home, and you want a dedicated line to use while the rest of your household is streaming or gaming. 

While the cost of broadband is an important consideration, it shouldn’t be the overriding factor. Speed also matters. If you can get a faster connection for a few pounds more, it could be worth paying the extra, depending on what you use the internet for.

You should also consider contract lengths and how long you want to be tied into a contract. And you may want to see if it’s more cost-effective to bundle your TV and phone together with your broadband.

Nearly everyone in the UK can now get superfast fibre broadband. And with more providers offering fibre broadband deals, it’s much more affordable than it used to be.

Fibre offers faster download speeds and greater reliability. That said, if you live in a remote or rural area, you may be one of the remaining 3% of households who still can’t get a reliable broadband service.

To find out what’s available in your area, enter your details in our broadband postcode checker, select your current provider (if you have one) and click on 'Find deals'.

If you compared with us and signed up for a broadband package that included extras like vouchers as part of the deal, our help centre can help you find out how to claim.

Yes, you can get certain types of broadband without a phone line. For example, you could get full fibre, cable, mobile and satellite broadband without paying for line rental.

Technology is changing rapidly and there are a growing nError! Hyperlink reference not valid number of providers, including Virgin Media, BT and EE, who now offer offer broadband without a phone line.

You may find there’s a smaller pool of deals available, but it’s worth comparing broadband deals to find the right one for you. 

Your broadband provider should give you a guaranteed minimum speed for your broadband when you sign up to a deal. If you find that your speeds don’t match this, get in touch with your provider

If it’s a fault on their network, they normally have 30 days to put it right. If they don’t, you have the right to leave your contract without paying a penalty.

Broadband providers should also give you a realistic estimated speed, which you’re likely to get during busier times of the day.

Under rules set by the Advertising Standards Authority (ASA), at least 50% of broadband customers should be able to achieve a deal’s advertised speeds during peak times. Ofcom defines peak hours as between 8 and 10pm.

Most broadband now comes with unlimited data as standard. This is the case for all broadband deals available through Compare the Market.

Unlimited data means you won’t need to constantly monitor your usage to avoid exceeding your data cap. An unlimited broadband deal is particularly useful if there are many of you in the house, and you all like to browse social media, stream music, TV and films, or game online.

You can switch your broadband provider whenever you like. However, that doesn’t mean you should.

If you’re still tied into an existing contract, you’ll usually have to pay an early exit fee to switch to a new provider. Make sure you check the potential saving against any early exit fees, to see if the switch is still worth it.

If you’re looking to switch because your existing provider isn’t giving you their minimum guaranteed speed, you should be able to avoid any exit fees. This could also apply if the price of your broadband has gone up by more than what’s agreed in your contract.

Get in touch with your provider if this is the case.

You can check the status of your broadband contract by asking your provider or by logging into your account online.

Ofcom states your broadband provider has to tell you if you’re still under contract, and they must warn you between 10-40 days before your contract ends by text, email or letter. You might also be able to find the date your contract ends on your provider’s app or by checking a recent bill.

After your broadband contract ends, your provider could automatically continue your service. But you may no longer qualify for the rate you were offered when you signed up to the deal. And that could mean you’re paying more than you need to.

Your broadband provider must send you an end-of-contract notification between 10 and 40 days before your contract is about to end, either by letter, email or text. It should tell you what you’ll pay after this date and give details of their best deals available – including those reserved for new customers.

If you’re coming to the end of a deal, it’s a good time to see what else is available. You could save money by getting a new contract with your existing provider or switching to a new supplier.

In many cases, you should be able to switch broadband provider with little or no service interruption. However, activation may take longer if you’re switching to a provider that runs on a different network.

On the day of your switch, your new provider should advise if you’re likely to lose your connection. It shouldn’t normally be down for any longer than an hour though. Under Ofcom rules, if you lose your connection for more than one working day, you’re entitled to compensation from your provider.

There might be installation costs involved when switching to a new broadband connection. That’s why it’s important to check for set-up costs on the deals you like the look of, to make sure you’ll still be saving overall.

When you compare broadband deals with us, set-up costs are clearly shown in all the deals we list. These costs typically include paying for a router to be delivered, installation and activation fees.