How Plusnet Broadband Compares to Other UK Providers

Amy Fenton
Authored by Amy Fenton
Posted: Friday, July 26, 2024 - 13:05

Established in 1997, Plusnet is one of the most trusted and leading broadband providers in the UK. It uses the Openreach network, which covers almost the entire nation, and offers a wide range of broadband packages to serve all types of customers.

However, it’s not the only broadband provider in the UK, as there are tons of other options to choose from. If you want to know how Plusnet compares to other popular options, continue reading. It’ll help you choose the right broadband for your house or business based on your needs.

Plusnet Details

As mentioned already, Plusnet is among the most reliable and well-established broadband providers in the UK, because of its affordable packages and service quality. All the deals it offers feature unlimited data allowance and each one of them comes with a free router, called the Plusnet Hub Two.

While the router might not be the most advanced one as compared to modern models available in the market, it makes for an excellent option for regular use. That’s because it comes with 4 Gigabit Ethernet ports and a couple of antennas for 2.4GHz, as well as, 5GHz Wi-Fi connections.

Additionally, Plusnet also has a qualified and responsive customer support team, which you can reach using phone, live chat, and Twitter. On the downside, the provider charges a £49.99 installation fee and increases prices each 1st March, based on CPI + 3.9%.

Click here to read a detailed Plusnet review to know more about it.

Comparison Table: Plusnet Vs Other UK Broadband Providers

Provider

Speed

Contract Length

Data

Price Range

Plusnet

66 Mbps – 900 Mbps

12 or 18 months

Unlimited

£24.99 - £41.99 per month

4th Utility

50 Mbps – 900 Mbps

30 days, 12 months, or 24 months

Unlimited

£10.00 - £26.00 per month

Hyperoptic

50 Mbps – 900 Mbps

30 days, 12 months, or 24 months

Unlimited

£15.00 - £66.00 per month

Cuckoo

150 Mbps – 900 Mbps

12 or 24 months

Unlimited

£28.00 - £47.00 per month

Sky

36 Mbps – 900 Mbps

24 months

Unlimited

£27.00 - £43.00 per month

NOW Broadband

61 Mbps – 100 Mbps

24 months

Unlimited

£23.00 - £25.00 per month

Zzoomm

150 Mbps – 2000 Mbps

12 months

Unlimited

£24.95 - £55.00 per month

 

Plusnet Vs Other UK Broadband Providers: Detailed Information

Let’s discuss the broadband providers mentioned in the table above in detail to understand how they compare to Plusnet.

4th Utility

If you’re looking for a more affordable alternative to Plusnet, 4th Utility might be the ideal choice. That’s because it offers cost-effective packages, starting just at £10 a month. However, unlike Plusnet, which keeps its prices the same for the entire year, 4th Utility increases its prices after the first 3 months.

For example, if you opt for their “100Mbps SUPER FAST” deal with a 24-month contract, you’ll start at £13 monthly for the first 3 months, and then the price will increase to £18.00 a month.

Hyperoptic

Started in 2011, Hyperoptic is known as one of the fastest broadband providers in the UK. Currently, it covers more than 60 cities and towns and offers a vast array of high-speed fibre broadband packages. Additionally, its installation/activation fee is lower, ranging from £19 to £39, compared to Plusnet.

Cuckoo

Cuckoo is another popular UK-based broadband provider that also offers competitively priced full fibre packages. What sets this provider apart from the competition is that there are no mid-contract price hikes, which means you pay the same amount for your entire contract length. However, its installation fee is £70.80, which is higher than Plusnet and many other providers on this list.

Sky

Sky is known as the second-largest internet provider in the UK, which offers broadband deals for all types of users. While all of its packages are reasonably priced, what really makes it value for money is that it charges no set-up fee. Just like Plusnet, Sky also increases its broadband prices annually, which was 6.7% in 2024.

NOW Broadband

Although NOW broadband is managed by Sky, it offers distinct services for broadband packages. It also doesn’t charge any activation or delivery fee and allows you to opt for NOW Entertainment to bundle sports and movie memberships with your broadband. However, NOW Broadband does have an annual price increase, which was £3 in 2024.

Zzoomm

Zzoomm is a UK-based full-fibre broadband provider that was established in 2019. Within this short period of time, the company has built a strong reputation in the country and offers reasonably priced packages for both households and businesses. Unlike Plusnet, Zzoomm has no installation costs and does not increase the monthly price during the contract.

Conclusion

Plusnet is an excellent option to go for if you need an affordable and reliable broadband package. However, there are also many other options available in the market that you can consider.

The best way to make sure that you choose the right option is to first determine your requirements and then start looking for broadband providers that meet them. It’ll allow you to make the most informed decision based on your unique needs and preferences.

Image by freepik