Compare broadband deals with confidence

Why trust Which? customer scores?

To find out which broadband companies you can rely on, we ask the people who know best: their customers. Every year, we survey thousands of broadband, home phone and TV customers to learn more about the service they receive, and we use the information to create our broadband reviews.

We ask broadband customers everything – from how much they spend each month to the type of broadband package they have. We also get them to rate the key elements of their broadband service, such as the speed and reliability of their connection, the technical support from their provider and value for money. We also find out about the frustrations they face – such as incorrect bills, outages and dropouts, or long waits to speak to customer service advisers.

We then create ratings that enable us to compare each provider's performance, and we give each broadband provider a Which? customer score based on customers’ overall satisfaction with the provider and their likelihood to recommend it.

Which? Recommended Providers

We name the best broadband companies Which? Recommended Providers (WRPs). These firms are the cream of the crop, and only broadband companies with a customer score of 70% or above are eligible.

But that's not all. We expect more than just top scores and reasonable prices from WRPs. Now, they must be signed up to Ofcom’s code of practice as well as its automatic compensation scheme.

The two are designed to ensure a fairer broadband market – the code requires providers to give customers clear indications of the speed they can expect, including a minimum speed that’s guaranteed. Automatic compensation ensures that those who experience poor service get money back when things go wrong – without having to chase it.

Both exist, in part, thanks to campaigning by Which? – but they’re also voluntary. We'll endorse providers only if they've committed to both schemes.

Which? Great Value providers

Great Value broadband providers offer broadband deals at a decent speed for a price that's cheaper than the market average, while also maintaining customer satisfaction.

Eligible providers must also have a strong customer score – although we’ll consider those that aren't quite good enough to be WRPs.

We also conduct a rigorous pricing analysis to look at the partial and full fibre deals on offer at the speeds required by most broadband customers. We don't only look at the headline price – we also check upfront and setup costs and factor in both introductory offers and price rises to check whether deals that might look attractive actually end up costing over the odds.

Yvette Fletcher, Which? Broadband expert, says:

Choosing a new broadband provider may seem like a daunting task, but our comparison service can help. Our customer scores and provider overviews are invaluable for weighing up the pros and cons of broadband providers before you sign up. And, unlike the providers themselves, we don’t just focus on special offers – we break down all of the relevant costs of a deal (including activation fees, price rises and introductory offers) so you can understand the full amount you’ll pay and more easily compare deals against each other.

Increased competition and infrastructure upgrades are making faster connections more affordable. Many can switch to faster, more reliable broadband and pay the same amount, or less, than they used to for a slower connection. Switching has also never been easier – the introduction of One Touch Switch means you’ll only ever have to contact one provider, and you must not be left without service for more than one working day.

Even if you ultimately decide not to switch, details on the deals available to you are still invaluable when it comes to haggling with your current provider. Making note of competitive offers from its rivals is a key part of the arsenal you can use to negotiate.

How to choose the best broadband deal

Start by picking a reliable provider that offers a good service, but also think about your specific needs. The best broadband type and speed for you will depend on the size of your household and number of connected devices, and the types of activities (such as streaming, video calls, web browsing) you do day-to-day.

What broadband speed do I need?

If you already have a broadband connection, you should have a fair idea of whether the service you're getting is adequate for your needs. Our broadband speed test can help you find out what speed you're getting. Here's a rough guide to what could be suitable for you, depending on usage.

• Up to 15Mbps – basic online activities such as web browsing, emails and watching low-resolution videos.
• 15-50Mbps – HD video streaming and managing a small number of smart devices in the home.
• 50-100Mbps – 4K video streaming on one or two devices, online gaming, and supporting a limited number of smart devices in the home.
• 100Mbps or more – 4K video streaming on multiple devices and supporting a good number of smart devices around the home.

What type of broadband do I need? Partial vs full fibre

The UK’s home broadband is primarily delivered using fibre networks. There are two types of fibre connection:

• Fibre to the Cabinet (FTTC) – also called partial fibre – offers connections with average speeds of between 36Mbps and 76Mbps. Available to around 99% of UK premises, these involve a fibre connection from the exchange to a cabinet in your street, with a separate connection running into your house.
• Fibre to the Premises (FTTP) – also called full fibre – can offer speeds exceeding 1,000Mbps (1Gbps). This involves a dedicated fibre connection from your house all the way through to the exchange.

Full fibre doesn’t only offer faster speeds, it’s also less susceptible to interference, damage and degradation, making it more reliable. Providers have to clearly tell you whether you are signing up to a partial fibre deal or a full fibre deal.

Find out more about the benefits of fibre broadband.

Do I need gigabit broadband?

Gigabit broadband refers to connections with speeds of one gigabit per second (1Gbps, ie 1,000Mbps) or faster, and is available to more than four in five households. It delivers even faster download speeds and increased reliability. It also futureproofs homes, providing more than enough bandwidth to support connected gadgets and many individuals streaming high-definition video, video conferencing and online gaming.

Gigabit connections are predictably more expensive, but prices are falling. For those in large households, they are already an attractive and worthwhile upgrade over ultrafast broadband (speeds of 100-999Mbps).

For more, read our guide on What broadband speed do I need?

How to switch broadband provider

Follow three simple steps:

1. Check that you can leave your current provider

Before starting any broadband switching process, check your current contract and make sure you've completed the minimum term. If you're unsure, then give your provider a call. If you're still under contract, you could be hit with a cancellation fee for leaving early.

2. Choose a new broadband deal

Use our broadband comparison service to check which providers offer broadband where you live, compare offers and see whether prices are likely to rise mid-contract.

• Start by entering your postcode to compare the deals available for your home.
• Use the filters to choose a broadband package that offers the speed you want.
• Choose a contract length – shorter contracts offer more flexibility, longer contracts tend to be cheaper.
• Check our provider ratings and provider overviews – you’ll find links on each deal. These reflect feedback from thousands of customers or provide more information.
• Click 'More details' on each deal for extra information about features and costs.
• Click 'Visit now' to head to the deal on the provider's site and sign up.

3. Contact your chosen new provider

You no longer need to contact your old provider thanks to One Touch Switch (see below).

What is One Touch Switch?

In September 2024, Ofcom (the telecoms regulator) launched One Touch Switch, designed to make switching quicker and easier. It means you should only need to contact your new broadband provider to arrange the transfer for you.

The process will be faster, and providers will have to compensate you if something goes wrong and you're left without service for more than one working day.

For more information, read our full guide on how to switch broadband provider.

What are broadband social tariffs?

Social tariffs are special discounted deals available for certain low-income customers. They're generally cheaper than typical broadband tariffs, starting at just £12.50 a month. They’re also not usually subject to price rises or exit fees.

Social tariffs are designed to act as a safety net for households that may otherwise struggle to afford broadband services. Ofcom research has shown that an estimated 4.2m households in the UK are eligible.

You're likely to be eligible for a social tariff if you receive a means-tested state benefit, such as universal credit, pension credit or legacy equivalents.

Social tariffs are usually easy to switch to, as the major providers have instant eligibility checks. You also won't be expected to pay any exit fee if you're in a fixed-term contract and want to move to your provider's social tariff. Plus, there's a range of speeds on offer, including fast fibre options.

For more, read our guide to broadband social tariffs: all you need to know.

What is mobile broadband (4G and 5G home broadband)?

Instead of using telephone lines, 4G and 5G broadband dongles use the same signal as your smartphone to access the internet. As such, mobile broadband can be an ideal solution for those who struggle to get a good signal from their traditional ADSL/cable internet service provider (ISP). With a reliable 4G or 5G signal, you'll be able to use a dongle to access the internet on all your home devices.

How much is mobile broadband?

While 4G and 5G broadband used to be more expensive than standard fixed-line broadband, prices have become far more competitive, and unlimited data plans are more common.

You could pay as little as around £10 a month, but this will likely be for a limited amount of data. Expect to pay £20-30 a month for unlimited data.

How fast is mobile broadband?

5G will almost always be preferable to 4G, even if it's a little more expensive. The speed of 5G connections varies, but Three claims an average download speed of 150Mbps – faster than most standard fibre packages.

4G mobile broadband could still be a good alternative, with speeds comparable to standard fixed-line broadband.

For more, read our guide to mobile 4G and 5G broadband.

Why are some broadband deals unavailable at my postcode?

Which broadband deals are available at your specific property depends on the physical infrastructure in the area. While many providers use the same national network (Openreach), others – such as Virgin Media, Hyperoptic and around 100 smaller providers – are building their own. Sometimes, a provider may be available in your town or city but hasn’t laid the last mile of cable needed to serve your specific premises.

We filter out unavailable deals, so you’ll see only those that you can access at your address.

Will I pay exit fees to switch broadband?

Not if the minimum term of your contract has ended. When you sign up for a broadband deal, it will generally require a minimum commitment of 12, 18 or 24 months. Once that term has ended, you are out of contract and free to switch at any time.

However, if you’re still in contract (in other words, still within that minimum contract period), your provider will generally charge an exit fee (also called an early termination fee) if you switch away. This is typically based on a percentage of your remaining bills.

Either way, there won’t be any surprises. One Touch Switch rules mean that when you contact a new provider about switching, your old provider has to send you a summary of any fees due – including early termination fees. You can review this summary before giving the new provider the go-ahead.