Cheapest broadband deals: compare low-cost UK deals by postcode
At a glance
Cheapest of all: social tariffs from BT, Sky, Virgin Media, Vodafone and Now Broadband, for eligible benefit claimants.
Cheapest on the open market: entry full fibre at around £20 to £25 per month, often at altnet addresses.
"Cheapest monthly" is not always cheapest over 24 months, because setup fees and in-contract rises matter.
Since 17 January 2025, Ofcom requires in-contract price rises to be stated in pounds and pence at sign-up, not linked to CPI or RPI.
One Touch Switch (launched 12 September 2024) lets you move providers in a single step at most UK addresses.
See what's cheapest at your address across 35+ UK providers. Independent, free, no signup.
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What counts as cheap broadband in the UK right now
For most UK households at typical addresses, an entry-level broadband deal sits somewhere between £20 and £30 per month at the headline price. Below that range, you are usually either on a social tariff, a short introductory offer, or a rolling 1-month deal.
Drawing on Ofcom's pricing and consumer engagement reporting, average household broadband spend runs a little above that range once add-ons, phone lines and mid-contract rises are factored in. For the detailed breakdown, see our average monthly broadband cost guide. For more ways to trim bills without guessing speeds, read how to save money on broadband. The compare by feature hub lists every filter-led route we publish.
We see three honest ways to pay less than the UK average:
Qualify for a social tariff.
Pick an altnet or challenger provider at a postcode where they have coverage.
Switch at the right moment, a few weeks before your existing contract ends.
Need the wider commercial context first? Our switching hub walks through notice periods, cooling-off and One Touch Switch in plain English.
The cheapest deals on the open market
If you're not eligible for a social tariff, your cheapest realistic route depends on what's live at your postcode.
Altnet full fibre
At many addresses covered by an alternative network builder, entry-level full fibre undercuts the big-brand providers. Some lead in at around £20 to £25 per month with zero setup and no landline. Names worth checking at your postcode include Community Fibre, Hyperoptic, YouFibre, Gigaclear, Connect Fibre, Brsk and Toob. Not every altnet reaches every postcode, which is why an address-level check beats a national "cheapest" list.
Challenger ISPs on Openreach
Providers like Cuckoo, Now Broadband and Plusnet often compete hard on price using the Openreach network. Their deal set shifts week to week.
Rolling 1-month deals
For short stays or temporary setups, a 1-month rolling contract avoids early-exit fees but carries a higher headline monthly cost. Useful, rarely the cheapest over a year.
FTTC where it's still sold
Standard fibre (FTTC) plans remain available at many addresses. In some areas they are genuinely cheap. The copper PSTN platform that supports legacy voice services is being withdrawn industry-wide; UK government connectivity guidance records migration timelines through late January 2027 for Openreach PSTN lines (see References). Where full fibre is available at your address, it's almost always the better long-term choice, often at a similar monthly cost.
Why "cheapest per month" can mislead you
A headline monthly price is one number. What you actually pay over 24 months can look quite different.
Three things to check every time:
- Setup fee
- A £30 or £60 setup fee spread over 24 months adds roughly £1.25 to £2.50 per month of hidden cost.
- Mid-contract price rises
- Under Ofcom's rules since 17 January 2025, any in-contract price increase must be stated at sign-up in pounds and pence, not "CPI + 3.9%". Read it before you sign.
- Router return charges
- Some providers charge for the router if you don't return it after you switch away. Small but real. See our router return charges guide.
Cheapest-deal comparison table
| Route | Typical monthly range | Best for | Honest watch-out |
|---|---|---|---|
| Social tariff | £12 to £20 | Eligible benefit claimants | Check eligibility and speed fit |
| Altnet full fibre | £20 to £25 | Addresses with altnet coverage | Not every postcode, build dates vary |
| Openreach full fibre entry | £22 to £28 | Most UK addresses over time | Mid-contract rises on some deals |
| FTTC entry | £22 to £28 | Addresses without fibre yet | Being retired, plan to move to fibre |
| 4G or 5G home broadband | £20 to £30 | Rural or poor fixed-line coverage | Variable speeds, check data policy |
| Rolling 1-month | £30 to £40 | Short stays, moves, temporary setups | Higher monthly cost, no term lock |
Ranges are indicative UK-wide at time of publication. Actual prices vary by address and provider coverage. Always confirm by checking your postcode before ordering.
How to find the cheapest deal at your address
- Enter your postcode to see real availability from 35+ providers.
- Filter by the contract length that suits you. 12 or 24 month contracts are usually cheapest per month.
- Sort by total contract cost, not headline monthly price.
- Check the in-contract price rise detail on each deal.
- If you receive qualifying benefits, compare social tariff options separately.
- Order through One Touch Switch, which handles the move from your old provider without a service gap.
- Read how broadband speeds are advertised and tested so the cheapest sync speed still fits streaming and uploads.
What cheap broadband does not usually include
- Unlimited data is standard on home broadband, though always confirm it on 4G or 5G packages.
- Free public Wi-Fi extras like BT Wi-Fi or Virgin WiFi are often bundled with pricier plans, not the cheapest.
- Top-tier parental controls and security suites are more common on mid-tier plans.
- Landline call bundles vary. Cheap deals are typically broadband-only.
None of these omissions make a deal a bad choice. They help explain the price difference.
Cheapest broadband deals: frequently asked questions
What is the cheapest broadband deal in the UK?
For eligible benefit claimants, social tariffs are cheapest, starting at roughly £12 per month for entry speeds. On the open market, entry-level altnet full fibre at around £20 to £25 per month is typically the cheapest credible deal at addresses with altnet coverage. Check your postcode to see which providers serve your address, because availability varies street by street across the UK.
Can I get cheap broadband without a contract?
Yes. Rolling 1-month deals are available from several providers including Cuckoo, Now Broadband, and Virgin Media on some packages. The monthly price is higher than a 12 or 24-month contract, but there is no early-exit fee. They suit short stays, moves and temporary setups rather than long-term saving.
Do cheap broadband deals include Wi-Fi?
Yes. Every modern UK home broadband deal includes a Wi-Fi router. Cheaper deals tend to ship a more basic model. For larger homes, a small router upgrade or a separate mesh system often matters more than the headline deal price for real-world coverage.
Are cheap broadband deals slower?
Sometimes, but not always. A social tariff at 67 Mbps is faster than a non-social ADSL line at 10 Mbps. Entry full fibre at £22 per month can deliver 100 Mbps to 150 Mbps. Check the advertised average speed alongside the monthly price, not the price on its own.
How do I avoid mid-contract price rises on a cheap deal?
Read the price rise clause before you sign. Since 17 January 2025, Ofcom requires providers to state any in-contract increase in pounds and pence at the point of sale. Some social tariffs and some altnet deals commit to no in-contract rises at all. Those are the safest choice if a predictable bill matters to you.
What if my cheapest option is ADSL or FTTC?
ADSL and FTTC are being phased out as the UK's PSTN switch-off progresses, now scheduled for 31 January 2027. If full fibre is available at your address, it is almost always the better long-term choice, often at a similar monthly cost. Where only ADSL or FTTC is available, 4G or 5G home broadband is sometimes a cheaper or faster alternative worth considering.
How do I switch to a cheaper provider without losing service?
Use One Touch Switch, introduced on 12 September 2024. You order with the new provider, they handle the move with your existing one, and in most cases there is no service gap. Your old contract ends automatically. Early-exit fees may still apply if you are inside your minimum term.
Is the cheapest broadband worth it for families or heavy users?
It depends on the speeds at your address. For a typical family of four with streaming, homework and occasional video calls, 60 to 100 Mbps is a sensible minimum, and entry full fibre often meets that comfortably. For larger households, gaming or frequent large uploads, spending a little more on faster full fibre usually saves hassle. See our what speed do I need guide for a household-by-household breakdown.
References
External government and regulator pages are cited in APA 7 (author, year, title, site name, retrieved date, URL). Last accessed 23 April 2026.
- Ofcom. (n.d.). Social tariffs for broadband and phone. Ofcom. Retrieved 23 April 2026, from https://www.ofcom.org.uk/phones-and-broadband/saving-money/social-tariffs
- Ofcom. (2026). Pricing and consumer engagement. Ofcom. Retrieved 23 April 2026, from https://www.ofcom.org.uk/phones-and-broadband/bills-and-charges/pricing
- Ofcom. (2025, January 17). Protecting consumers from uncertain and volatile inflation. Ofcom. Retrieved 23 April 2026, from https://www.ofcom.org.uk/phones-and-broadband/bills-and-charges/protecting-consumers-from-uncertain-and-volatile-inflation
- Ofcom. (2024, September 12). Simpler and quicker broadband switching is here. Ofcom. Retrieved 23 April 2026, from https://www.ofcom.org.uk/phones-and-broadband/switching-provider/simpler-broadband-switching-is-here/
- Ofcom. (2023, January 20). Telecoms price rises: what are your rights? Ofcom. Retrieved 23 April 2026, from https://www.ofcom.org.uk/phones-and-broadband/saving-money/telecoms-price-rises-what-are-your-rights
- UK Government. (n.d.). Telecommunications Modernisation: Connectivity Timeline. GOV.UK. Retrieved 23 April 2026, from https://www.gov.uk/guidance/telecommunications-modernisation-connectivity-timeline
- UK Government. (n.d.). UK transition from analogue to digital landlines. GOV.UK. Retrieved 23 April 2026, from https://www.gov.uk/guidance/uk-transition-from-analogue-to-digital-landlines
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Compare cheapest deals at your postcodeFirst published 10 April 2026 · Last updated 23 April 2026 · Last reviewed 23 April 2026
Social tariffs: the cheapest broadband if you qualify
Social tariffs are discounted broadband plans offered by larger UK providers to people receiving certain benefits. Eligibility commonly includes Universal Credit, Pension Credit, Employment and Support Allowance, Jobseeker's Allowance and Income Support. Rules differ by provider.
Current schemes you'll likely recognise:
Ofcom maintains a current list with indicative monthly prices. Headline prices at time of publication run from roughly £12 to £20 per month depending on provider and speed. Always confirm eligibility and the latest rate directly with the provider.
Social tariffs commonly come with:
If you qualify, this is almost certainly your cheapest route. See our full social tariffs guide for eligibility, speeds and how to apply.
If you are not eligible for a social tariff, keep the monthly cap explicit with deals under £25 or deals under £30, then confirm totals against lowest total contract cost deals.