Cheap broadband deals

What are the cheapest broadband providers?

If you want to get online as cheaply as possible, there are lots of broadband providers in the UK offering deals at a great value. The least expensive options will usually be for standard ADSL broadband only, with no home phone service included, and can usually be found for around £15 a month.

Some of the cheapest providers offering these deals include:

• Onestream — Only launching in the summer of 2018, this new provider offers a load of unlimited data plans for a super-affordable price.
• Post Office — The delivery service we all know and love gives you free weekend calls with a number of basic unlimited packages.
• Direct Save Telecom — Get a free wireless router when you pick an ADSL or fibre broadband package from this low-cost provider.
• POP Telecom — Enjoy high-speed broadband at low prices on a range of flexible contracts designed to suit all levels of internet usage.
• SSE Broadband — The Scottish energy giant has a varied selection of cheap but speedy broadband packages at no setup cost.
• NOW Broadband — The TV streaming service has ventured into the broadband sphere, offering a huge choice of premium TV and broadband bundles.

However, if you want faster speeds, you don't have to empty your wallet either. Many of these providers also offer fibre deals that come with superfast speeds for around £20 a month.

Cheapest broadband deals on uSwitch.com in January 2020

What's the cheapest broadband deal?

Broadband providers are always offering new deals and special discounts, so the cheapest broadband deal may vary from week to week. But you should also look beyond the headline monthly prices as many providers will often throw in extras such as vouchers that can bring the overall cost down.

For example, say a cheap broadband deal costs £20 a month for a 12-month contract, but if it comes with a £50 voucher or prepaid debit card to spend as well, this effectively works out to £15.83 a month. That's quite a saving.

This is why it pays to compare cheap broadband deals to see what the total cost will be, factoring in setup fees and any other discounts or special offers. Don't forget to look at the length of the contract either: if you find a very cheap deal, a longer contract with no guaranteed price rises will save you more than a shorter one where your bill increases at the end of the term.

Is it cheaper to get a bundle deal?

If you're sure you only want internet access, a cheap broadband-only deal is likely to work out less expensive than a packaged bundle. But if you do want to add on home phone or TV services, it pays to compare broadband bundle deals to see if it will work out cheaper.

For instance, if you opt for a cheap broadband-only deal that comes with phone calls on a pay-as-you-go basis, you'll need to think about how often you actually use the phone. If you are frequently chatting with friends and family, a bundle deal that gives you unlimited calls for a fixed price may work out cheaper in the long run, even if the headline cost per month is more expensive.

Can you find cheap fibre broadband deals?

It's easier than you might think to find cheap fibre broadband deals. On uSwitch, we regularly see fibre broadband deals for £25 a month or under, often with vouchers or cashback. But with so many offers and discounts available, it pays to check what deals are available at the moment. Many providers offer time-limited discounts, so comparing cheap broadband deals is a must.

Don't worry if you do miss out on a certain offer though — it's always possible to find a good broadband deal at a great price.

Things to consider when choosing a cheap broadband offer

Cheap broadband deals are ideally for individuals on a tight budget, such as students, or those who are just getting started with the internet.

But before you choose a cheap broadband deal, there are a few questions you should ask yourself. In particular, what do you intend to use the connection for?

The cheapest broadband deals will have relatively slow speeds. Averages of around 11Mbps are typical, though there are various factors such as your location that can affect this.

If you're only going to use your internet for browsing the web, keeping up with email and social media, or doing some online shopping, these speeds will be more than enough. It's only if you intend to download large files or stream HD video that you'll need a faster connection.

You should also be aware of any limits on what you can download. These days, almost every package will offer unlimited usage, but some providers may have certain traffic management policies that restrict the speeds you can get at certain times.

These shouldn't be an issue for most light users, but it's worth checking if you expect to be downloading large files or programmes at peak times, or use services like peer-to-peer file sharing.

Finally, don't forget to see if there are any extra expenses, such as setup fees, line installation, delivery charges or the need to buy a router that will add to the upfront cost of the service. It may be the case that a deal that's a little extra per month could work out cheaper if it has free setup and no other charges.