By Dr Alex J Martin-Smith, Strategic Lead
Direct answer: Broadband deals under £25 can be good value, but the monthly figure alone is not enough. Compare the full contract cost, any setup charge, stated future price rises, contract length and the connection available at your exact address before you switch.
- A deal below £25 may cost more overall if it includes a setup fee or a higher price later in the contract.
- Your address determines which networks and connection types you can order.
- Choose speed for the work, calls and devices in your household, not the largest headline number.
- Check installation timing before committing if you are moving home or need a new line.
- New contracts must show any in contract price rises in pounds and pence before sale, rather than relying on inflation linked wording (Ofcom, 2024).
Are broadband deals under £25 actually good value?
They can be, provided the total contract cost and service at your address suit your needs. A low monthly price is a useful starting point, particularly if you are out of contract or paying for more speed than you use. It is not a complete comparison.
Read the deal details for the length of the agreement, any activation or setup charge, delivery charges and the monthly amount due at every stage of the contract. A deal with a slightly higher advertised monthly price can be the better choice if it has fewer upfront costs, a shorter commitment or clearer terms.
Prices shown for broadband deals under £25 are current month illustrations, not fixed promises. They can change by postcode, exact address, available network and the provider’s eligibility checks. Compare only after entering your address details, then judge the deal on its full cost rather than its opening price.
What should I compare besides the monthly price?
Compare the full commitment, not just the first bill. The table below sets out the practical checks that separate a genuinely affordable package from one that only looks cheap at first glance.
| Check | Why it matters | What to look for |
|---|---|---|
| Total contract cost | Shows the cost across the full minimum term | Monthly payments, setup charges and any stated changes |
| Contract length | Determines how long you are committed | A term that fits your move date or expected plans |
| Connection type | Affects the service available at your address | Full fibre, FTTC, cable or an available altnet option |
| Speed estimate | Helps match the package to household use | Expected download and upload information for your line |
| Installation | Can affect a move or a new connection | Whether a visit, equipment or extra time may be needed |
A clear comparison also asks whether you need a new service installed or are switching an existing one. Installation arrangements can differ at the same address depending on the network already present. Do not assume that a service can start on the day you collect the keys.
What broadband speed do I need for a deal under £25?
The right speed is the one that supports your busiest realistic use, with room for more than one person online. A household mainly browsing, emailing and making occasional video calls may not need the same package as a home office handling frequent calls, large uploads and shared connections.
Start with the activities that happen at the same time. Consider working from home, video meetings, online learning, cloud backups and the number of people using Wi Fi. Upload performance matters as well as downloads for remote workers and sole traders, particularly where files are sent regularly or calls are central to the working day.
Full fibre, also called FTTP, brings fibre to the property. FTTC uses fibre for part of the route and a different connection for the final stretch. Cable and altnet networks may also be available at some addresses. The best value is not automatically the cheapest service or the fastest service. It is the option whose estimated performance, terms and total cost fit how you actually use broadband.
Will a cheap broadband deal include hidden costs?
A legitimate deal should state the relevant charges and future price changes before you order, but you should still read the order summary carefully. Look beyond the monthly headline for setup fees, delivery costs, installation conditions and charges that could apply if you leave before the minimum term ends.
For new contracts from 17 January 2025, Ofcom requires providers to set out any in contract price rises in pounds and pence at the point of sale. Inflation linked and percentage based price rise terms are banned for those new contracts (Ofcom, 2024). This makes the future monthly cost easier to assess, but it remains your responsibility to check the wording shown for the specific deal.
If a price is unclear, pause before ordering. A transparent comparison should let you see the contract term, charges and expected service details in one place. That is especially valuable for renters and movers, where a long commitment or an avoidable installation charge may not suit the next twelve months.
How long are broadband contracts on cheaper deals?
Contract length varies, so choose a term that works for your home plans rather than treating the lowest monthly figure as the only test. Longer agreements can sometimes reduce the monthly price, but they also mean a longer minimum commitment. If you expect to move, consider how that commitment would work at the next address.
Ask what happens if the new property cannot receive the same network or service type. Check whether the provider can continue the service there, whether a new installation might be needed and what options apply if it cannot. These answers are more useful before you place an order than after a tenancy ends.
Small businesses and home offices should apply the same discipline. A cheaper connection may be appropriate for a sole trader, but only if its estimated speed and installation timetable support the work being done. Treat contract length, support needs and downtime risk as part of the value calculation.
How long does broadband installation take when moving home?
Installation timing depends on the address, the network and whether the property already has the required connection in place. Some orders can be arranged without an engineer visit, whilst others need work inside or outside the property. Full fibre installations may require access to the building, permission from the owner or managing agent, and an agreed appointment.
Check availability as soon as you have a confirmed address. Renters should involve the landlord or agent early if access or permission could be required. Home movers should not cancel their existing broadband until they understand the new service start process and whether there could be a gap between services.
If continuity matters for remote work, prepare a short plan for the installation window. Confirm the expected activation date, keep essential work files accessible and make sure someone can attend if an appointment is needed. It is practical planning, not pessimism, and it reduces the chance of a stressful first week in a new home.
How do I switch to a cheaper broadband deal?
For most residential switches, choose the new service and let the new provider manage the process. One Touch Switch went live on 12 September 2024 and is run by TOTSCo. Under the process, the customer contacts only the new provider, which then coordinates the switch (TOTSCo, 2024).
Before ordering, confirm the exact address, compare the contract details and check the estimated service information. Keep a copy of the order confirmation and read any messages about installation, equipment or actions needed from you. If you are moving, make clear that this is a new address order rather than assuming it will follow the usual switching path.
Independent comparison is useful because it puts the available choices alongside the details that affect value. Focus on what is available to you, what it costs over the minimum term and whether it meets the demands of your household or business.
Are broadband deals under £25 available at every address?
No, availability and deal pricing are address specific. The networks serving one street can differ from those serving the next, particularly where full fibre, cable or altnets are concerned. The connection already installed in a property can also affect what is straightforward to order.
That is why a postcode search is the useful first filter, followed by an exact address check. It helps distinguish between deals that are widely advertised and services that can genuinely be supplied to your home. It also gives you a better basis for comparing installation requirements and expected performance.
Do not choose based on a national advert alone. The strongest decision is based on the options returned for your property, with the contractual terms read before checkout.
Frequently asked questions
Can I get broadband for less than £25 a month?
It may be possible, but the deals shown will vary by postcode, address, network availability and current month pricing. Check the complete contract cost, setup charges and any stated future monthly increases before deciding that a deal is within your budget.
Is full fibre always available on broadband deals under £25?
No. Full fibre availability depends on the exact address and the networks serving it. Where full fibre is not available, FTTC, cable or another available connection type may appear instead. Compare the expected service details, not the connection label alone.
Do I need to cancel my old broadband before switching?
For most residential switches using One Touch Switch, contact the new provider only. The new provider manages the switching process (TOTSCo, 2024). Moving home or changing to a service outside the usual process can require different steps, so check your order details.
Can my broadband price rise during the contract?
For new contracts from 17 January 2025, any in contract rises must be shown in pounds and pence at the point of sale. Ofcom banned inflation linked and percentage based rises in those new contracts (Ofcom, 2024). Read the terms for the individual deal before ordering.
What should remote workers check before choosing a cheaper deal?
Check the estimated download and upload performance, the contract length and the installation timetable. Consider how many simultaneous video calls, uploads and connected devices your home needs to support. A lower monthly price is only good value if the connection is suitable for your working pattern.
Enter your postcode to compare the broadband options available at your address, then choose based on transparent total cost and the service you need.
Last reviewed: July 2026