How to get the cheapest broadband deal
Did you know the average person could save £184 a year by switching broadband?
Stop giving money away to your provider and follow these handy hacks for a cheaper deal.
Not sure where to start? Here are the main steps we recommend everyone works through:
The 6 steps to finding the cheapest UK broadband deals
- Research the deals available to your home address: use Broadband Genie’s postcode checker
- Get haggling: call your provider and ask for better offers
- Look for rewards: use cashback, vouchers, gift cards, or promotional offers to reduce your effective costs
- Consider alternative providers: check out smaller providers (‘altnets) for competitive prices and better perks
- Explore social tariff deals: if you’re on benefits or low-income, look for discounted broadband packages
- Bundle services: combine broadband with TV or phone for more savings
Compare broadband by speed and household size
Cheapest broadband for 30Mb
- Broadband speed best for: 1-2 people with basic online needs
- Today’s recommended deal:
Cheapest broadband for 60-74Mb
- Broadband speed best for: 1-3 people streaming HD videos or using multiple devices
- Today’s recommended deal:
Cheapest broadband for 100Mb (entry-level full fibre)
- Broadband speed best for: larger homes (1-5 devices) streaming Netflix in HD, gaming, or video calling
- Today’s recommended deal:
Cheapest broadband for 300Mb+
- Broadband speed best for: 5+ people, frequent streaming, and large file transfers
- Today’s recommended deals:
Cheapest broadband for 900Mb/1Gb+?
- Broadband speed best for: data-intensive homes want the fastest download speeds
- Today's recommended deals:
Get more tips on beating annual broadband cost hikes in our ‘guide to broadband price rises in 2025’.
How to haggle for a cheap broadband deal
We know switching broadband isn’t always the most ideal solution, especially if you have limited options in your area, or you’ve been enjoying a tailored broadband and TV service.
But you should always find out if you can get a better deal if you’re out of contract.
Even if you have no intention to switch, go through the motions as if you were and play the game. You might be amazed how much your provider is prepared to slash off your bill to keep you as a customer.
Here’s how to do it:
Researching cheap broadband packages
We’ve made light work of researching the cheapest broadband offers currently available with our packages above.
Alternatively, if you’re after something specific, use our deals checker and make use of the filters to put together a shortlist.
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Contact customer service: Ask to speak to the retentions or cancellations department
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Be polite and persistent: Explain you’ve found better deals elsewhere
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Use specific examples: Refer to competitor prices and offers - do your research
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Don’t accept the first offer: Push back with phrases like:
“I’m sorry, that’s still too much for my budget.”
“Can you do any better?” -
Follow up: If you're unsatisfied, ask for time to think, and providers may offer follow-up discounts
Genie Tip:
Don’t forget to be polite. See it as more of a conversation than a challenge. Friendliness gets you a long way!
How to get cheap broadband deals with altnet providers
Keep in mind, there are many more broadband providers than just the big names.
Although you’ll find some altnets in the comparison tables on Broadband Genie, unfortunately we don’t list them all.
As well as a fast broadband connection, many of these smaller networks offer great customer service, competitive pricing and are more likely to offer other perks such as fixed price promises. You could end up with a real bargain.
For a deeper dive, read our guides:
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How to find altnet broadband providers in your area
What are altnets? Alternative network providers offer full fibre broadband (FTTP) and often better pricing and perks than traditional providers. Examples include:
Jot down any providers and packages that look interesting to you. Don’t forget, you can also use these deals as part of your haggling process too.
How to Find Them:
Google “full fibre in [your location].” Use ThinkBroadband’s advanced search with “home broadband” filters. Altnets might not have as much advertising budget as the bigger brand names, but it’s worth investigating for yourself.
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Getting cheap broadband if you're on benefits
If you’re currently receiving benefits such as:
- Universal Credit
- Job Seeker’s Allowance
- House benefit
- Disability allowance
You may qualify for a broadband social tariff. These are cheaper broadband deals that are only accessible to those who can prove their eligibility.
Not all broadband providers openly advertise social tariffs. It may be something you have to dig around for (check your broadband provider’s top or footer menu on its website). Or they might only be available to those who get in touch with customer support and mention they’re struggling with finances.
Ofcom has a full list of social tariffs available to various regions around the UK.
Best deals:
- Virgin Media Essential Broadband: £12.50/month (15Mb speeds).
- BT Home Essentials: Available for BT, EE, or Plusnet customers.
For more help understanding social tariffs, visit our guide to getting broadband on benefits.
Save with broadband bundles
If you’re currently paying for a TV subscription, or you spend a lot of time on the phone, you could end up saving money with a broadband and TV package bundle deal.
Virgin Media M125 Fibre Broadband + Flex TV offers great value for most households.
Here are some quick links to other broadband options that include phone or TV.
Compare TV and broadband deals
Compare broadband, TV and phone deals
Tips for Bundles:
- Double-check hidden costs during checkout
- Use filters on comparison tools to find tailored deals
- Leave your order in the basket for potential discount emails
- Do your sums to make sure you can afford to commit to a lengthy deal
It’s important to do the maths before you commit to a lengthy deal. When you sign up to a bundle, you’re committing to all those services for the entire duration of your contract. It can be very different to downgrade, and cancelling early could amount to an expensive early termination fee.
Hacks for slashing your broadband bill
Set a reminder when your current contract ends: research different providers before your contract end date to avoid overpaying
Filter deals by effective monthly cost: Focus on total savings over contract duration
Avoid add-ons you don’t need: Skip unnecessary features
Be aware of price increases: Big name providers tend to have an annual price hike, but smaller providers don’t. Look out for ‘fixed price promises’ in our results table.
The cheapest way to get TV with your broadband
One great way to keep the costs down but also get access to premium TV channels is to make use of NOW TV passes.
Unless you have a compatible Smart TV, you’ll have to kit yourself up with a device such as a Google Chromecast or Amazon Fire TV Stick to stream to your screen. But this means you’re free to add these on top of any ‘broadband only deal’.
With rolling monthly contracts, you can be confident you can cancel whenever you like.
Alternatively, NOW’s 6-Month Saver Entertainment pass does mean you’ll need to commit to half a year. But you’ll only have to pay £6.99 per month for the privilege. For this, you’ll have access to all the latest Sky shows, HBO series, exclusive Sky Originals and live Sky channels.
Frequently Asked Questions
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Do I still get a free router with a cheap broadband deal?
Yes, most providers include a router, though some may charge shipping or setup fees.
Our tip of working through a fake checkout to view all the hidden costs will help you understand whether there are any additional costs for routers.
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Can I cancel a contract early?
Check your contract terms. It’s common for there to be a 14-day cooling-off period when you sign up to a broadband deal. This means you can change your mind and cancel without penalty for any reason during this time. If you’re on benefits, you may be able to move over to a discounted social tariff.
It’s worth noting that BT’s Home Essentials social tariff is available if you’re an existing BT, EE or Plusnet Customer.
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How can pensioners find cheaper broadband?
Several broadband providers offer cheaper broadband social tariffs to pensioners receiving Pension Credit. These include: BT, 4thUtility, EE (via BT), Hyperoptic, KCOM, NOW Broadband, Plusnet (via BT), Sky Broadband, toob, Virgin Media, Vodafone and YouFibre.
The cheapest social tariff for pensioners you’re almost guaranteed to be able to sign up to is Virgin Media Essential Broadband for just £12.50 per month.
Find out more in our guide to social tariffs and cheaper broadband deals for people on benefits.
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Is it worth waiting for Black Friday to switch? Will I get a better offer?
Increasingly, broadband Black Friday deals don’t offer anything special or out of the ordinary. If you’re savvy and keep a lookout on our Broadband with Free Gifts page, you can get excellent deals all year round. We think it makes much more sense to switch or haggle as soon as you can, rather than wait around for Black Friday offers.
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How do I find the fastest and cheapest broadband on Broadband Genie?
It's easy to find the fastest and cheapest broadband deal using our deals tables. Start by entering your address. Then you can choose the fastest average speed using the 'Filter by' tool on the left-hand side of the screen. Next, sort by 'Monthly cost (low to high)'.
Enter your postcode below and start saving on broadband today!
Have you had a haggling success story? Let us know who you were with, how much you saved, and if you have any other tips you’d like to share with others. Tweet us at x.com/broadbandgenie or email us with the subject line 'haggle story'.