Are you paying too much for your internet? Don’t worry, most of us are. Take a look at these seven simple steps to find the best broadband deal. You could save as much as £200 per year and it won’t take up much more than 30 minutes of your day.
The broadband market has changed a lot in recent years. Fibre optic is now available across much of the UK, and more people are ditching their landlines altogether. The good news? There are still plenty of deals out there — you just need to know where to look.
Some of the info in this post you might already know (like broadband speeds), so feel free to skip around. Hopefully, you’ll still learn something new.
Step 1 – Visit a price comparison site
It might seem obvious, but this is a crucial first step. Comparison sites usually list all the big providers, showcase different packages, and often include exclusive discounts you won’t find elsewhere.
Important: Not all comparison sites are created equal, so it’s worth checking more than one.
Here are a few to try:
Step 2 – Choosing your speed
Once you enter your postcode, you’ll see the broadband deals available in your area. Then, you’ll need to choose your speed — and if you’re not tech-savvy, this might feel a bit daunting. But don’t worry, it’s pretty straightforward.
Broadband speed is measured in Mbps. The higher the number, the faster your internet.
- Standard broadband (10–24 Mbps): Fine for small households, browsing, and watching videos. But speeds can drop under 5 Mbps at busy times.
- Fibre broadband (up to and beyond 1,000 Mbps): Great for streaming, gaming, and multiple users. Most UK homes now have access to fibre, but some still rely on slower connections via phone lines.
Tip: Always check the provider’s average speed — this gives you a better idea of what you’ll actually get.
Some providers now offer broadband without a phone line. If you never use your home phone, this might save you a few pounds. It won’t make a massive difference, but every little helps.
Step 3 – Find out the monthly cost
Each contract will list the monthly price — but beware of mid-contract price hikes. Most providers will increase the cost partway through your deal (usually by a couple of pounds). It should be stated in the small print, but it’s easily missed.
Who knew a “fixed” contract wasn’t really fixed?
Step 4 – Find out the one-off cost
Some providers charge an upfront fee, though it’s becoming less common. At the time of writing, Sky charges £5. In the past, BT has charged as much as £59.99!
These fees fluctuate depending on offers, so factor them into your calculations. Saving £2 a month isn’t worth it if you’re paying £50 to get started.
Step 5 – Find out the length of the contract.
Generally, you will be tied into a two year contract. You may occasionally find a shorter option, but they seem to have been phased out. No matter how long your contract is, it’s important to note when your contract ends, as this is when you can look for a cheaper deal.
Don’t expect your broadband company to tell you when you’re out of contract, as they rarely do.
Also worth reading
See if you qualify for a social tariff, which could drastically cut the cost of your broadband.
Step 6 – Check for gift cards
Most broadband deals now tie you in for 24 months. Shorter contracts still exist, but they’re rare and often more expensive.
Make a note of your contract end date. Your provider probably won’t remind you, and you could end up overpaying if you don’t switch when your deal ends.
Step 7 – Now check for cashback deals
Many deals come with gift cards worth £50 to £100. These offers might come from the comparison site or the broadband provider — check both to see who’s giving you the freebie.
(Find out about cashback sites).
Step 8 – Work out the best deal
Once you’ve gathered all the info, do the maths.
Example:
- £30/month for 24 months = £720
- Minus £50 gift card
- Minus £150 cashback
= £520 total cost
That’s just £21.67/month in real terms.
Just remember — cashback isn’t guaranteed. Occasionally, claims can go wrong or get rejected, so factor that risk in.
A real example
If you’ve got this far, well done! Now I’ll show you an example of how I search for a new deal.
First, I went to GoCompare and had a look through the deals. I saw one that I liked from BT. Fibre 2 cost £30.99 per month and I would receive a £50 gift card.
I checked other comparison sites and they had exactly the same deal.
I then went straight to the BT website and found that the price was exactly the same there.
Knowing that, I went to check the cashback deals at various cashback sites. The best offer was from TopCashback, which offered £90 by using their link.
So, for about 5 minutes of my time, I’ve saved myself £90. It’s as simple as that.
Hopefully, some of these tips will help you find the best broadband deal. Good luck!