Plusnet vs NOW Broadband: Which Is Better? (2026)

Plusnet and NOW Broadband are two of the UK's cheapest broadband providers, both running on the Openreach network. Plusnet starts from around £25/month for 66 Mbps on a 24-month contract, while NOW Broadband offers 36 Mbps from £22/month on a rolling monthly deal with no long-term commitment required.

Overview: UK's Top Budget Broadband Providers

Plusnet and NOW Broadband both target cost-conscious households looking for reliable Openreach broadband without premium pricing. Plusnet is owned by BT Group and has operated since 1997, building a reputation for friendly Yorkshire-based customer service. NOW Broadband is Sky's budget brand, launched to compete in the value end of the market. Both use the Openreach network (FTTC and FTTP where available), so underlying line speeds match those of BT, Sky and Vodafone at the same address. Plusnet offers 24-month contracts with traditional pricing, while NOW Broadband's headline feature is rolling monthly contracts — you can leave with 30 days' notice at any time. This makes NOW especially popular with renters and students. The UK broadband market has 82% FTTP coverage on Openreach, and both providers can access full fibre where it is available.

Speed and Price Comparison

NOW Broadband's Brilliant Broadband (36 Mbps ADSL) starts at around £22/month on a rolling monthly basis. Super Fibre (63 Mbps) costs about £25/month and Ultra Fibre (100 Mbps) roughly £32/month. Plusnet Unlimited Fibre (66 Mbps) costs approximately £25/month on a 24-month contract, while Plusnet Full Fibre 145 (145 Mbps) is about £30/month. Plusnet offers higher-speed FTTP tiers up to 500 Mbps at around £40/month — NOW Broadband caps out at 100 Mbps, limiting its appeal for speed-hungry households. On a like-for-like basis at 63–66 Mbps, prices are nearly identical. However, Plusnet's 24-month contract includes a £4/month mid-contract rise from April 2026, while NOW's rolling contract means any price change lets you leave immediately. For households needing more than 100 Mbps, BT or Vodafone on the same Openreach network offer faster options.

Customer Service and Flexibility Compared

Plusnet has traditionally been praised for its UK-based customer service team in Sheffield, though Ofcom's 2025 data shows its complaint rate has risen to around 10 per 100,000 customers. NOW Broadband's complaint rate is higher at approximately 14 per 100,000, partly reflecting the challenges of serving a more transient customer base. Plusnet's main strength is the personal touch — calls are answered by named agents, and the average wait time is under five minutes. NOW Broadband support is primarily online, with live chat as the main channel. The critical flexibility difference is contract length: NOW's rolling monthly terms let you cancel anytime with 30 days' notice, while Plusnet's 24-month contracts carry early exit fees. Vodafone and BT offer longer-contract alternatives at higher prices, and Hyperoptic provides flexible terms in its coverage areas.

Verdict: Plusnet or NOW Broadband?

Choose NOW Broadband if you need flexibility — the rolling monthly contract is ideal for renters, students and anyone who may move within two years. NOW is also the cheaper option for basic broadband at 36 Mbps. Choose Plusnet if you want faster fibre options (up to 500 Mbps), prefer UK-based phone support, or plan to stay at the same address for at least two years. Plusnet's 24-month contract price is competitive when factored against the annual price rise. For households needing more than 100 Mbps who want budget pricing, Vodafone offers full fibre to 900 Mbps at lower prices than BT on the same Openreach network. Overall, NOW wins on flexibility and basic value, while Plusnet wins on speed options and customer service quality.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Is Plusnet cheaper than NOW Broadband?

At the entry level, NOW Broadband is cheaper — 36 Mbps from £22/month vs Plusnet's 66 Mbps from £25/month. At the 63–66 Mbps level, prices are nearly identical. Plusnet's mid-contract price rise of £4/month from April 2026 adds to the long-term cost.

Which has better speeds, Plusnet or NOW?

Plusnet offers faster options, with FTTP plans up to 500 Mbps. NOW Broadband maxes out at 100 Mbps. At comparable speeds (63–66 Mbps), performance is identical since both use the Openreach network.

Is NOW Broadband more flexible than Plusnet?

Yes. NOW Broadband's rolling monthly contracts let you cancel with 30 days' notice at any time. Plusnet requires a 24-month commitment with early exit fees if you leave before the contract ends. NOW is the clear winner for flexibility.

Which has better customer service?

Plusnet has the better reputation, with UK-based phone support and a more personal approach. Ofcom data shows Plusnet's complaint rate at around 10 per 100,000 versus NOW's approximately 14 per 100,000. Plusnet support is generally quicker and more responsive.

Related Guides

Plusnet Broadband Review · NOW Broadband Review · Cheapest Broadband in the UK · Best No-Contract Broadband

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.