Compare UK Broadband Providers

How to choose a broadband provider

Choosing the right broadband provider can make a big difference to your online experience. Here are some key factors you should consider:

1. Cost

Broadband costs can vary widely between providers and packages. If you have a budget in mind, use our filters to find broadband companies offering affordable packages that suit your needs.

2. Speed

Broadband prices often depend on the speeds offered. Choose speeds that fit your household’s daily online activities, whether that’s browsing, streaming, gaming, or working from home. Our useful tool can help you determine what speed you need.

3. Services you need

You might be looking for broadband only deals or bundles that combine TV, home phone, or mobile connections as well. These often come at a higher cost, but can be more convenient than paying for each service separately.

4. Availability

Depending on your location, different broadband providers will be available to you. Use our postcode checker to find the deals you can get in your area.

5. Customer service

Before choosing a broadband provider, see what other customers say about them. Even if a package looks perfect, poor customer service can affect your experience if you have an issue. Sometimes, a different provider may offer better overall satisfaction.

6. Extra features

Broadband providers often include extras like gift cards or cashback through referral schemes. While these can be tempting, focus on finding the package that truly fits your needs first, and only consider perks offering tangible value.

7. A combination of these

Ultimately, the best broadband provider for you depends on what matters most to your household. Be sure to compare broadband provider reviews where possible so you can see how different providers stack up across various criteria.

Is it easy to switch broadband providers?

Yes. It’s easier than ever to switch broadband providers with the One Touch Switch process.

This system lets you seamlessly move from one broadband company to another, even if you’re switching networks (like from an Openreach provider to a full fibre altnet).

Here’s how it works:

• Your new provider handles the switch - You don’t need to contact your old provider to cancel
• Your new provider is your point of contact - Your new provider will update you throughout the process
• Your service won’t be interrupted - The switch should happen without you experiencing any downtime
• The handover is automatic - Both providers coordinate your switch behind the scenes, confirming a switchover date with you ahead of time
• You’ll get clear timelines and rights - This includes full information about the switch, details of any early termination fees, and a 14-day cooling-off period if you change your mind

Keeping you connected, One Touch Switch means less admin, no awkward cancellation calls, and more confidence that your broadband switch will be smooth.

FAQ’s

Who is the largest broadband provider in the UK?

According to ISP, BT Group, which includes BT, EE, and Plusnet, is the largest combined broadband provider in the UK, with approximately 8.8 million customers (as of July 2025).

Here’s how the other two top three UK internet providers compare:

• Sky ranks second with an estimated 5.77 million customers
• Virgin Media comes in close third, with around 5.74 million customers - just 0.54% less than Sky, or roughly 31,000 fewer customers

Glide, a niche provider focusing on student broadband, holds a notable position in sixth place with 500,000 customers.

These figures also highlight the competitive nature of the UK broadband market - particularly among alternative networks or altnets:

• Hyperoptic - 400,000 customers
• Community Fibre - 336,000 customers
• YouFibre / Brsk (Netomnia) - 310,000 customers

What Is The Size Of The Broadband Marketplace In The UK?

While you might be able to name a handful of UK internet providers, there are actually over 200 different broadband companies operating across the country.

UK internet service providers (ISPs) typically fall into three main categories:

1. Large national providers

These are well-known brands with nationwide reach, such as:

• BT
• Virgin Media
• Sky
• TalkTalk

They typically serve the majority of UK households and offer a range of services including broadband, phone, mobile, and/or TV bundles.

2. Medium-sized providers

These ISPs offer strong coverage and growing brand recognition, continuously expanding their reach and reputation for service quality. Examples include:

• Community Fibre
• Gigaclear
• Hyperoptic
• Zen Internet

3. Regional and specialist providers (Altnets)

These smaller ISPs typically focus on delivering full fibre broadband (FTTP) in specific regions - especially rural or underserved areas. Examples include:

• Lit Fibre
• Quickline
• Truespeed
• Zzoomm

The UK broadband market is also divided between consumer and business services. Certain ISPs focus exclusively on the latter but many, such as BT, Virgin Media, and TalkTalk, operate separate entities for both residential and commercial customers.

As a growing and diversifying marketplace, UK broadband providers offer more choice than ever, with deals to suit your budget, location, and usage needs.