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What is no-contract broadband?

No-contract broadband (also known as short-term broadband) is a flexible internet package that doesn't tie you in for a long, fixed term.

Despite the name, you're still signing up to a contract, but you have shorter agreements to choose from – usually one to 12 months.

You can also cancel for free with 30 days' notice. With longer contracts, you typically need to pay a hefty early exit fee.

Because you're not committing to a longer contract, monthly costs can be higher than fixed-term broadband deals. But it could be a good option if you want the freedom to switch providers whenever you like.

Is no-contract broadband right for me?

No-contract broadband is ideal if you want internet without the long-term commitment. It can be handy in these situations...

Moving home

Flexible broadband could help if you're moving soon or are only staying somewhere for a short time.

Short-term renting

Rolling broadband can work well if you're in temporary accommodation or renting for less than a year.

If you're a student

You may only need broadband during term time or for part of the academic year, making no-contract broadband ideal.

But bear in mind that short-term deals tend to be more expensive. So it depends whether you value price or flexibility more.

Trying a new provider

No-contract broadband lets you test a provider before committing to a longer deal.

Staying in a second home

No-contract broadband could suit homes you’re not using all year round, such as a second or holiday home.

If you're a digital nomad

You might find no-contract broadband useful if you travel often or work remotely from various locations.

What are the pros and cons of no-contract broadband?

Pros of no-contract broadband

No long-term commitment – enjoy the flexibility of switching as often as you like
No cancellation fee – cancel for free any time, usually with 30 days' notice, if you're unhappy with your current setup
Quick switches to cheaper deals – swap your broadband as and when a better deal comes along
No change in performance – you’ll get the same speed and reliability as a long-term broadband deal
Different contract lengths – you can typically sign up for one, six or 12 months.

Cons of no-contract broadband

High setup fees – if the provider charges a setup fee, you’ll have to pay it each time you sign up to a new package
Higher monthly cost – rolling monthly and short-term broadband deals are usually more expensive than longer contracts
No special offers – the discounts, vouchers and freebies used to entice long-term customers aren’t usually offered with short-term contracts
Fewer options – not all providers offer short-term broadband deals, so you may have fewer options to choose from.

Things to check when comparing no-contract broadband

Setup fees

No-contract broadband can come with higher setup fees than longer contracts. These can really add up if you switch often.

Some providers might charge setup fees, but it’s worth double-checking before you sign up.

Equipment costs

Some providers may charge for routers and other equipment. Check this to make sure the deal still offers you good value.

Availability

No-contract broadband might not be available everywhere. Use our broadband postcode checker to see if your postcode is covered.

Price

Don't assume that shorter contracts are cheaper. Check how much you’ll pay overall to make sure the total price aligns with your budget.

Remember to check for any mid-contract price rises – these can affect flexible broadband deals too.

Broadband speed

You should be able to get the same broadband speed regardless of the type of contract you’re on. That means you may be able to get a fibre connection even on a short contract.

But availability and network coverage will depend on where you live.

What our expert says...

“If you know you only need internet for a few months, no-contract broadband could provide better value than getting tied into a long contract. For example, if you're a student, tenant, working away from home, or planning to move soon.

"But before signing up, compare the total cost you'll be paying – not just the monthly price. Flexible broadband often comes with higher setup fees, so it's worth doing the maths first to see if the short-term deal will truly pay off."

Matthew Brewer, Broadband and mobile expert

Where can I find broadband with no contract?

You can compare no-contract broadband deals here at Compare the Market in just 1 minute¹. Just enter your postcode and your current provider to see what's available in your area.

On the results page, you can select the provider, broadband speed and contract length you're happy with. We'll also show you which deals include mid-contract price rises, so you can find the right option for you.

Enter your postcode

What are the alternatives to no-contract broadband?

If no-contract broadband isn’t quite right for you, consider these other flexible ways to get online...

Mobile broadband

Get a 4G or 5G connection through a USB dongle, data SIM or small wireless router.

Speeds and signal strength depend on your address.

Mobile broadband contracts tend to include monthly rolling and 12-month plans.

Tethering

Use your phone as a WiFi hotspot and 'tether' the connection to another device.

Tethering uses a lot of data, so it's suitable if your phone has a high data allowance. If your data is limited, watch out for extra charges.

Student broadband

Many providers offer cheaper and shorter broadband deals – usually 12 months – specifically for students.

You could also bag extra rewards, such as retail discounts and priority access to gigs.

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FAQs

Is no-contract broadband more expensive?

Yes, no-contract broadband is often more expensive than longer contracts. That’s because providers have less certainty about how long you’ll stay with them.

You may also need to pay setup and equipment fees, so it’s worth comparing the total cost against the monthly price.

Can I cancel no-contract broadband any time?

Yes, in most cases, you can cancel no-contract broadband any time with 30 days' notice.

What is a rolling contract?

A rolling contract is an agreement that continues from month to month until you give notice to end it. Rolling one-month contract broadband offers you flexibility as it doesn’t tie you down in the same way as a traditional 12-month WiFi contract.

You can find rolling contracts of different lengths, but one-month WiFi contracts let you cancel your deal and switch at the end of the month. That makes it easier to switch to newer deals.

The downside is that rolling contracts can be more expensive.

What’s the shortest length of time I can get broadband for?

The shortest agreement most providers offer is broadband for a single month. You may see this advertised as rolling one-month contract broadband, which means you need to give 30 days’ notice to leave.

As long as you do this, you won’t be charged for cancelling.

Can I get a six-month broadband contract?

A six-month WiFi contract is harder to find than a rolling one-month deal. Although you may still come across them, you’ll have fewer options. This means you’re unlikely to have the best choice of broadband deals.

How many UK providers offer no-contract broadband?

Many providers in the UK offer no-contract broadband deals.

These include:

Cuckoo
Hyperoptic
NOW Broadband
Plusnet
Virgin Media

How fast is no contract broadband?

Your broadband speed will depend on the type of connection you have, which might be:

Fibre broadband – often called superfast broadband. It uses a fibre-to-the-cabinet (FTTC) connection and gives you speeds of around 70 Mbps.
Full fibre broadband – often referred to as ultrafast broadband. It uses a fibre-to-the-premises (FTTP) connection and can provide speeds up to around 900 Mbps.
Gigabit broadband – offers the fastest speeds of all, delivering speeds of 1,000 Mbps (1 Gbps) or more.

What broadband speed do I need?

The broadband speed you need depends on how you use it. If you have a large family or live in shared house that spends a fair amount of time streaming and gaming, you’ll need the speeds provided by superfast fibre optic broadband.

If you live alone or only use the internet for light browsing, you could probably get away with less.

Does no-contract broadband come with any extra costs?

No-contract broadband usually involves paying a one-off setup fee. Setup fees vary but you could pay as much as £60. You may see these fees included in your delivery charge.

If you don’t have a WiFi router or telephone line installed at the property, you’ll probably have to pay a connection charge too.

Should I get a no contract deal if I’m moving house soon?

It should be fine to get a short-term internet deal if you’re moving home, as most broadband providers will let you move the service with you.

Each broadband provider offers different services. What’s available to you depends on your postcode. Depending on where you’re moving, you might have to change your plan.

Whether your service is portable comes down to the provider, your current deal and where you live.

Can I get no-contract fibre broadband?

Yes, you should be able to get no-contract fibre broadband, depending on where you live.

The likes of Virgin Media, Hyperoptic and NOW Broadband offer short-term full-fibre broadband deals.

Is it possible to get pay-as-you-go broadband?

No, pay-as-you-go (PAYG) home broadband isn’t available. But you can get PAYG mobile broadband without having to sign a contract or pay a monthly fee.

Simply top up your account as and when you need data. This gives you flexibility if you only occasionally use the internet, but it could be more expensive than short-term broadband.

Do I have to pay line rental?

It’s possible to get no-contract broadband without line rental, but options are limited because most broadband is supplied through a landline. So, in most cases you’ll still have to pay for line rental, which will be included in your bill.

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Reviewed 04 Sept 2026 by Matthew Brewer Broadband and mobile expert

With the UK racing towards gigabit speeds and our phones more integral to our lives, Matt wants to make sure you have great packages that can keep up. And with more than 10 years' experience working with digital brands, he’s shaping our broadband, TV and phone comparison journeys.

Methodology

¹ Correct as of June 2026.