Cheap Broadband Deals with No Upfront Cost

Broadband Packages
July 8th, 2025
Cheap Broadband Deals with No Upfront Cost

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Why look for cheap broadband with zero setup fees?

With monthly bills going up and many monthly price increases tied to the Consumer Price Index, more people in the UK want a broadband plan with no upfront cost. Skipping set-up or activation fees can help you save about £25 to £70 right away. You can use that extra money to get a better router or enjoy a month of Netflix. But to really get a broadband deal that lets you start for free, you need to know about the different types of broadband. You also have to read the fine print about minimum term contracts. It’s good to compare broadband offers before you make a change, so you don’t end up with hidden costs.

James Ford Broadband Deals Reviewed by James Ford, TV and Broadband Expert

500Mbps Fibre Broadband

  • New customers only
550Mb average* speed
Unlimited Downloads
£0.00 Setup costs
24 Month contract
Pay as you goCalls
£20.00per month
Buy Now
or call 0800 977 5741

500Mbps Fibre Broadband - 12 months

  • New customers only
550Mb average* speed
Unlimited Downloads
£0.00 Setup costs
12 Month contract
Pay as you goCalls
£29.00per month
Buy Now
or call 0800 977 5741

5G Home Broadband

  • New customers only
  • Plug and play
150Mb average* speed
Unlimited Downloads
£0.00 Setup costs
24 Month contract
Pay as you goCalls
£19.00per month
Buy Now
or call 0800 977 5741
View All Broadband Deals

How do “no-upfront-cost” broadband deals work?

Most major broadband provider deals with £0 setup cost are for new customers only. You will need to sign up for an 18-month or 24-month minimum term. When you do this, the broadband provider does not charge you for starting your service or sending your equipment. They often give you a free hub or router, too.

Typical eligibility conditions:

  1. Order your service on the website and pay with Direct Debit.
  2. Go through a credit check.
  3. Use One Touch Switch to make sure your old provider is cancelled by itself.

Remember, if you leave your current contract before it ends, you could have to pay exit fees. This might take away any upfront savings. So, always check your current contract end date.

Which broadband providers offer zero-setup deals?

Broadband provider Connection type Download speed (avg) Upfront cost Month minimum term Extras for new sign-ups
Virgin Media M125 Cable/FTTC mix 132 Mbps £0 18 WiFi guarantee, free Virgin Media Hub 5
Virgin Media M250 Cable 264 Mbps £0 18 Optional O2 SIM bundles
Vodafone Full Fibre 150 FTTP 152 Mbps £0 24 Apple TV 4K offer + free Anytime calls for 6 mths
Plusnet Full Fibre 74 FTTP 74 Mbps £0 24 BT Sport add-on £10/mth
Community Fibre 75 Mb FTTP (London) 75 Mbps £0 12 60-day satisfaction guarantee
TalkTalk Fibre 65 FTTC 67 Mbps £0 18 Amazon e-voucher worth £75
Three 5G Home Wireless ~150 Mbps (location) £0 1-mo rolling Cancel anytime

These packages were looked at in June 2025. All of them show £0 setup for normal installs. It’s good to always compare broadband tariffs at your postcode so you can check what is available for you.

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Key differences between the broadband technologies

Technology Also called Uses copper wire? Typical average speeds Landline needed? Good for…
ADSL Standard broadband Yes (whole line) 10–15 Mbps Yes Light browsing
FTTC Fibre broadband Yes (last mile) 36–76 Mbps Usually Families on budgets
FTTP Full fibre broadband No 150 Mbps–1 Gbps No Heavy streaming / gaming
DOCSIS 3.1 Virgin Media broadband No (coax) 132–1,130 Mbps No High-speed bundles
5G Home Wireless No 70–600 Mbps No Renters, quick installs

If you are looking for the UK’s best broadband, FTTP is the way to go. There are no copper cables, so you will have less buffering. You also get the same speed for upload and download.

How to spot a genuinely cheap deal

1. Check effective monthly price

To work out the cost for FTTP, you need to divide the total cost (monthly fee times the contract length) by the number of contract months. For example, if you have a FTTP package that is £24 each month for 24 months, and there are no setup fees, it will still be £24 per month on average.

Now, let’s say there is another offer. This one is £20 a month, but it has a £60 setup fee. The average comes out to £22.50 per month for the first year, and then £20 per month after that.

This way, you can see which FTTP deal works out better for you when you look at both price and setup costs.

2. Look for free equipment reappointment clauses

Providers like BT and Virgin Media will give you a new router at no extra cost if you are still in the warranty period. If you are not, you might have to pay an extra cost for any faults.

3. Confirm price-rise rules

Most internet providers include price rises of CPI plus 3.9% each year. For someone on a £25 fibre plan, this means they pay about £1 more every April. But some, like Hyperoptic and Community Fibre, keep prices the same for the whole contract.

4. Use a postcode checker

Coverage depends on your postcode. Some premises in rural areas may give you only standard broadband. But if you live in an urban flat, you can get full fibre with speeds up to 900 Mbps. Use a checker tool to compare broadband speeds, contract times, and extras. You can look at all the important things side by side.

Understanding minimum term contracts

  • 12-month minimum term: You need to stay for a year. After that, it is easy to leave. The cost each month is a bit higher.
  • 18-month minimum term: This choice is in the middle. You see it a lot with Virgin Media.
  • 24-month minimum term: This has the lowest monthly cost. But you have to stay the longest with this minimum term.

Leaving before your contract ends means you will have to pay for all the months left, or you may get a lower charge instead. To avoid extra costs, try to line up your move-out date with the day you get your new address.

Typical real-world speeds

Package tier Advertised broadband speeds Ofcom 2024 measured peak-time** % of advertised
38 Mbps FTTC 38 Mb down / 9 Mb up 34 Mb 89 %
67 Mbps FTTC 67 Mb down / 18 Mb up 60 Mb 90 %
132 Mbps VM 132 Mb down / 20 Mb up 127 Mb 96 %
500 Mbps FTTP 500 Mb down / 70 Mb up 480 Mb 96 %

Running a broadband speed test when your service goes live can help. If your broadband slows down, you will have proof to show your ISP.

Bundles, perks and hidden costs

Perk / Cost Typical Value Notes
Free TV (Apple TV, set-top box) £60–£170 Some FTTP deals include 3–6 mths of Apple TV+
WiFi guarantee £0–£5/mth add-on Money-back if every room doesn’t meet stated Mbps
Line rental N/A on FTTP Still applies on ADSL/FTTC if you keep a home phone
Delivery of router £0–£15 Waived on most £0-setup offers
Engineer late fee £25–£40 If you miss your slot

Moving home without upfront fees

Many providers will move your service for free once each year. Under the One Touch Switch plan, you can move inside the Virgin Media or Openreach area. This move can be done in 48 hours. There is no break in service at all, even if you switch to a new internet company at the same time.

Social-tariff options

If you get Universal Credit, you may be able to get a social plan with a £0 setup fee.

Provider Plan Name Speed Monthly Fee Contract
BT Home Essentials 2 67 Mb £20 12 mo
Virgin Media Essential Plus 54 Mb £20 30-day
Sky Basics 36 Mb £20 18 mo

Social tariffs are a good option if your budget is tight, but you need to use the internet at home. With these, you can have a stable internet connection. This helps you keep up with video calls or job applications. A good internet connection is important, so look at social tariffs if you want to save money but still need to use the internet every day.

Cheap broadband checklist before you order

  1. Use a good checker to compare broadband offers.
  2. Check the upfront cost is really £0, including delivery, activation, and equipment deposits.
  3. Check the minimum term and see if there are any CPI rules.
  4. Make sure the router works for your devices. Pick Wi-Fi 6 if you can.
  5. Book an install date that matches when you leave your current provider.
  6. Keep your order email. It helps if there is a problem.

Cheap broadband checklist before you order

Correct as of 18 June 2025

FAQs about cheap broadband with no upfront cost

Are no-setup deals really free?

Yes, you can save money if you stay for the whole contract. But if you leave early, the exit fees can be more than what you saved.

Can I keep my landline number?

If you still need to have a home phone, ask your new ISP to move your old number when you sign up.

Will speeds drop at peak time?

FTTC broadband can get slow when a lot of people near you are streaming videos at the same time. This is because many homes share the same fibre part before it gets to the streets. Full fibre or Virgin Media broadband does not have this problem as much. Using Virgin Media or full fibre broadband means you are less likely to feel slow speeds, even when there are a lot of people who stream in your area.

How often can I switch to keep costs low?

Ofcom rules say you can switch broadband without a penalty when your contract ends. So, mark this on your calendar. It is a good idea to compare broadband every 12 to 24 months. This way, you can see if you get a better deal.

Do I need a speed test after install?

Yes. Do a broadband speed test on your first day. If the broadband is much slower than the minimum promised, tell them about the issue within 30 days.

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Grab the cheapest Broadband & Phone Deals

Make savings up to 44% & keep the operational cost lower!!!

Compare Now
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