Plusnet vs BT Broadband Deals

Plusnet and BT Broadband are two popular broadband providers in the UK. They are both part of the BT Group. Even though they share a parent company, they serve different types of customers. Plusnet focuses on low-cost broadband with few extras. On the other hand, BT offers premium packages that come with extra services like TV bundles, Wi-Fi guarantees, and hybrid connectivity.

At a Glance: Plusnet vs BT

Pricing: Winner – Plusnet

Plusnet is famous for its low prices. They have cheap broadband deals that are close in speed to BT. Plusnet and BT both use the Openreach network. Plusnet’s budget-friendly approach means you get more value for your money.

Broadband Deals Reviewed by James Ford, TV and Broadband Expert

Offer Ends31/01/2025

200 Full Fibre

• New customers only

200Mb average* speed

Unlimited Downloads

£0.00 Setup costs

12 Month contract

Pay as you goCalls

£32.95per month

Buy Now
or call 0800 977 5741

Offer Ends31/01/2025

500 Full Fibre

• New customers only
• £50 Amazon Gift Card when you switch to Zzoomm using promo code SWITCH50

500Mb average* speed

Unlimited Downloads

£0.00 Setup costs

12 Month contract

Pay as you goCalls

£24.95per month

Buy Now
or call 0800 977 5741

Offer Ends31/01/2025

1Gig Full Fibre

• New customers only
• £100 Amazon Gift Card when you switch to Zzoomm using promo code SWITCH100

1000Mb average* speed

Unlimited Downloads

£0.00 Setup costs

12 Month contract

Pay as you goCalls

£29.95per month

Buy Now
or call 0800 977 5741

View All Broadband Deals

Broadband Packages: Winner – BT for Extras

Plusnet is less expensive. Still, BT has better broadband packages. They have more options, such as TV bundles, Wi-Fi guarantees, and home phone plans.

Full Fibre Plans Comparison

Speeds and Performance: Tie

Both Plusnet and BT provide broadband services through the Openreach network. This means you can count on stable connections from both of them. Their average download and upload speeds are mostly the same. But, BT offers a Complete Wi-Fi add-on that boosts Wi-Fi performance in larger homes.

Broadband Speed Comparison

Router Comparison: Winner – BT

Both Plusnet and BT Broadband offer good routers. Still, the BT Smart Hub 2 is a better choice. It comes with extra features, such as support for mesh networks and strong Wi-Fi guarantees. This makes it a great option for larger homes or for users who need reliable performance on several devices.

Router Features Comparison

Wi-Fi Standard

• Both routers use Wi-Fi 5 (802.11ac). This standard provides good speeds for streaming, browsing, and downloading large files. It works well in many homes. But it does not have the efficiency of Wi-Fi 6. Wi-Fi 6 can be found from other providers, like Virgin Media.
• The dual-band feature (2.4GHz and 5GHz) offers more options. This is great for devices needing high speeds, like laptops. It also helps ADSL connections in older setups that need wider coverage.

Mesh Support

• Plusnet Hub Two: This model does not work with mesh networks. If you have a big home with weak Wi-Fi, you will need to buy a different mesh system. This will increase your costs and make the setup harder.
• BT Smart Hub 2: This hub is compatible with mesh networking. You can use the BT Complete Wi-Fi add-on for £10 a month. This feature helps improve Wi-Fi coverage in your home. It gives you a strong connection for streaming, gaming, or working at home.

Ethernet Ports

• Plusnet Hub Two: It has 3 Ethernet ports. This is good for connecting devices like smart TVs, gaming consoles, and desktop PCs.
• BT Smart Hub 2: It has 4 Ethernet ports. This gives extra options for people who need wired connections. It’s great for tasks that need fast internet, like online gaming or transferring large files.

Smart Features

• Plusnet Hub Two: This hub offers easy parental controls. Users can block certain websites or limit internet use at specific times. These features are good for regular households. However, it lacks more advanced management tools.
• BT Smart Hub 2: This hub provides advanced parental controls. Parents can control which sites are allowed and set specific rules for different devices. It also works with Digital Voice, BT’s new system that replaces old landline phones. This makes it a great choice for those who want voice services.

Why BT Smart Hub 2 Wins

• Wi-Fi Guarantees: BT customers can get Complete Wi-Fi. This add-on promises strong signals in every room. If you still have problems, BT will give you up to three mesh discs to boost the connection or a £100 refund.
• Better for Large Homes: The mesh network helps keep the connection strong. This is useful for homes with multiple floors or thick walls that can block signals.
• Extra Ethernet Port: The extra Ethernet port allows more devices to connect at once. This is good for BT broadband customers who have several devices like laptops or smart TVs that need a lot of bandwidth.

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Customer Service: Winner – Plusnet

Plusnet is popular for providing better customer service than BT Broadband. This is supported by Ofcom’s Complaints Data from 2023 and customer surveys. Plusnet offers dependable help from UK call centres located in Yorkshire. These centres are appreciated for their personal touch. Plusnet aims to fix issues quickly. This makes them a better choice for customers who value good service quality.

Ofcom Complaints Data (2023)

• Complaints per 100,000 Customers: Plusnet got 8 complaints. This is lower than the average of 10 complaints. BT had slightly more complaints at 10.
• Satisfaction with Complaint Handling: BT has a small advantage with 55% satisfaction. Plusnet is very close at 53%. This shows Plusnet focuses on good customer service.
• UK-Based Support: Both Plusnet and BT have call centers in the UK. Plusnet’s team in Yorkshire often gets praise for their friendly service.

Trustpilot Reviews: BT vs Plusnet

Both providers have struggled to keep their customers satisfied. You can see this in their reviews on Trustpilot. Let’s take a closer look at how they compare to each other:

BT Trustpilot Reviews

• Overall TrustScore: 1.3 out of 5 (Bad)
• Total Reviews: 18,130
• Review Breakdown:
  • 5-star: 7%
  • 4-star: 1%
  • 3-star: 1%
  • 2-star: 3%
  • 1-star: 88%

Key Issues:

• There are issues with price increases of contracts and weak wireless performance. This is true even with top routers like the BT Smart Hub 2.
• Users struggle to manage their broadband service accounts after they are activated.
• A lot of people feel upset because the minimum speeds are not reached when it gets busy.

Plusnet Trustpilot Reviews

• Overall TrustScore: 2.1 out of 5 (Poor)
• Total Reviews: 11,368
• Review Breakdown:
  • 5-star: 13%
  • 4-star: 3%
  • 3-star: 2%
  • 2-star: 5%
  • 1-star: 77%

Key Issues:

• Customers reported delays when starting their Plusnet broadband and saw changes in average speeds.
• A lot of people feel unhappy about rising prices in their contracts and how technical issues were addressed.
• Plusnet is known for good customer service, but some reviews mentioned slow replies to complaints.

Verdict: Which Is Better?

FAQs About Plusnet vs BT Broadband