Best Broadband Under �20 a Month (2026)

The best broadband under �20 a month includes NOW Broadband (36 Mbps, around �18/month rolling), Shell Energy Superfast (38 Mbps, roughly �19/month) and Community Fibre (150 Mbps FTTP, from �20/month in London). Social tariffs start from �12.50/month for eligible households.

Superfast Broadband Deals Under �20

Several providers offer superfast broadband (30-80 Mbps) for under �20/month as of March 2026. NOW Broadband leads at approximately �18/month for 36 Mbps on a rolling monthly contract with no setup fee and no exit penalty. Shell Energy Superfast delivers 38 Mbps for roughly �19/month on an 18-month contract. TalkTalk occasionally runs promotions bringing its 38 Mbps plan under �20/month. Plusnet runs periodic deals at �18-�19/month for 36-66 Mbps, though these are time-limited. At these prices, you get FTTC broadband over the Openreach network - the same infrastructure used by BT, Sky and Vodafone, just at a lower speed tier. All plans include unlimited data with no usage caps. The main limitation is upload speed, capped at 10-20 Mbps on FTTC, which may cause issues for regular video calling or large file uploads.

Full Fibre Under �20 a Month

Full fibre (FTTP) under �20/month is now possible in certain areas. Community Fibre in London offers 150 Mbps FTTP from �20/month on a 24-month contract with no mid-contract price rises - extraordinary value for full fibre. Hyperoptic sells a 50 Mbps FTTP plan from �20/month in supported buildings. Some smaller alt-net providers occasionally dip below �20 with promotional pricing - Toob's 150 Mbps plan has been spotted at �19.99/month in limited areas. Social tariffs bring FTTP under �20 from several major providers: BT Home Essentials at �15/month for 36 Mbps FTTP, Vodafone Essentials at �12.50/month for 38 Mbps and Community Fibre's social tariff at �10/month for 20 Mbps. If you receive Universal Credit, Pension Credit or other means-tested benefits, a social tariff is almost certainly the cheapest way to get connected.

What You Get for Under �20 a Month

At the sub-�20 price point, expect 36-38 Mbps download on FTTC or up to 150 Mbps if FTTP is available from an alt-net provider. This speed handles HD and 4K streaming on one device (25 Mbps), video calling (5-10 Mbps) and general browsing comfortably. Two people can stream HD simultaneously without issues. Upload speeds on FTTC plans under �20 are typically 10 Mbps, which works for standard Zoom calls but may struggle with simultaneous uploads. Routers included at this price tier are basic but functional - NOW Broadband's Hub Two covers an average two-bedroom flat adequately. You get unlimited data, a UK-based phone helpline and the same network reliability as premium plans on the same infrastructure. The trade-off is slower speeds, no mesh Wi-Fi add-ons and basic customer support without priority queues. For light users, couples and pensioners, sub-�20 broadband is genuinely all you need.

Watch Out for Price Rises on Cheap Deals

A broadband deal advertised under �20/month may not stay there. Mid-contract price rises from April 2026 push many budget plans above �20 - Shell Energy and TalkTalk both add around �3-�4/month, turning a �19/month deal into �22-�23/month. Plusnet increases by �4/month. NOW Broadband on a rolling contract does not apply mid-contract rises, keeping your cost fixed at the advertised rate. Community Fibre and Hyperoptic also hold prices fixed during contracts. Out-of-contract rates are another risk - when your initial term ends, the monthly price can jump by �10-�15/month automatically. Set a calendar reminder 30 days before your contract ends and either renegotiate or switch. Setup fees are mostly �0 on budget deals, but check for router delivery charges (�3-�5). To guarantee staying under �20/month for the full contract, choose NOW Broadband or Community Fibre where available.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Can I get broadband under �20 a month?

Yes. NOW Broadband costs around �18/month for 36 Mbps. Shell Energy offers 38 Mbps for roughly �19/month. Community Fibre in London delivers 150 Mbps FTTP from �20/month. Social tariffs start from �12.50/month for eligible households on benefits.

Is cheap broadband fast enough?

For one or two people, 36-38 Mbps handles 4K streaming, video calls and browsing without issues. It struggles with multiple simultaneous 4K streams or heavy gaming downloads. For larger households, consider stepping up to 66-80 Mbps at �22-�25/month.

What speeds can I get for under �20?

Typically 36-38 Mbps on FTTC from NOW Broadband or Shell Energy. If Community Fibre or Hyperoptic cover your address, you can get 50-150 Mbps FTTP for �20/month or less. Social tariffs range from 15-38 Mbps.

Will the price go up during my contract?

Most providers apply annual increases from April. Shell Energy and TalkTalk add �3-�4/month. NOW Broadband on rolling contracts does not increase prices. Community Fibre and Hyperoptic also guarantee no mid-contract rises on fixed-term deals.

Related Guides

Cheapest Broadband in the UK � Best No-Contract Broadband UK � Broadband Social Tariffs Explained � Best Broadband with No Mid-Contract Price Rises

Methodology & Sources

Information in this guide is sourced from Ofcom market reports, Openreach coverage data, ISPreview.co.uk, provider websites and independent broadband research from Point Topic and Thinkbroadband. Prices and availability are checked monthly. Speed data reflects advertised average speeds from provider Key Facts documents.