Plusnet vs Vodafone Broadband: How to Choose

Plusnet vs Vodafone broadband comes down to a close price contest on full fibre, with Plusnet often the lower-cost pick on entry and mid tiers and Vodafone frequently competitive on higher full-fibre speeds and bundle features. Both providers are selling 24-month deals in 2026, and both build in yearly price rises, so the deciding factors are the speed you actually need, the total cost over the contract, and which network reaches your postcode.

Free Price Compare checks live prices across UK broadband providers by postcode, so the right answer for you depends on what is available at your address rather than a national headline price. Below we set out the current price examples, speed tiers, contract terms and social tariffs for each, then help you decide which fits your household.

Last updated: July 2026

Written by the Free Price Compare editorial team | Reviewed July 2026

Which is cheaper, Plusnet or Vodafone?

Neither Plusnet nor Vodafone is always cheaper: the winner changes by speed tier and by the exact deal running at the time. Recent comparison snapshots have suggested that the cheaper option can vary by speed tier and by the deal available at the time. For example, one comparison of matched full-fibre tiers found Vodafone and Plusnet priced within a few pounds of each other on average, so the difference is modest rather than dramatic. On lower entry tiers, Plusnet’s Full Fibre 74 has often been priced a little below Vodafone’s equivalent, though the exact difference depends on the live deal and postcode. The practical takeaway is to compare the specific speed you need at your postcode, because a national average hides which provider is cheaper for your household.

Figures are indicative and may change.

Because these prices move month to month and by address, the honest answer to Plusnet’s Full Fibre 74 pricing or Vodafone’s equivalent is only settled once you check a live quote for your postcode.

Broadband Deals Reviewed by James Ford, TV and Broadband Expert

Offer Ends31/08/2026

Superior

• New customers only

900Mb average* speed

Unlimited Downloads

£0.00 Setup costs

24 Month contract

Pay as you goCalls

£29.99per month

Buy Now
or call 0800 977 5741

Offer Ends31/08/2027

Extra

• New customers only

500Mb average* speed

Unlimited Downloads

£0.00 Setup costs

24 Month contract

Pay as you goCalls

£27.99per month

Buy Now
or call 0800 977 5741

Offer Ends16/08/2026

5G Home Broadband

• New customers only
• Switch to Three and claim up to £200 switching credit
• Next working day delivery

150Mb average* speed

Unlimited Downloads

£0.00 Setup costs

24 Month contract

Pay as you goCalls

£15.00per month

Buy Now
or call 0800 977 5741

View All Broadband Deals

Compare live broadband prices for your postcode

Is Plusnet or Vodafone broadband better on speed and full fibre?

Plusnet and Vodafone both sell full-fibre (FTTP) tiers up to around 900Mbps, so the speed you can get depends far more on your address than on the brand name. Full fibre is now available to 82% of UK homes, some 24.9 million premises, and gigabit-capable broadband reaches 89% of residential premises, according to Ofcom’s Connected Nations update (Spring 2026, data as of January 2026). Both providers commonly deliver over the Openreach network, and in some areas Vodafone also uses CityFibre infrastructure, which can affect which speed tiers appear at your postcode. For most households, a Full Fibre 74 or Full Fibre 145-150 tier handles streaming, video calls and general use comfortably; only heavy multi-device homes or large-file uploaders need 500Mbps or Vodafone Full Fibre 900. The realistic speed you receive should also be quoted to you under the Ofcom Broadband Speeds Code of Practice before you commit, so ask for that estimate rather than relying on the headline number.

Gaming Fibre: do I get Vodafone or Plusnet?

For gaming, both Vodafone and Plusnet full-fibre connections offer low latency and symmetric or near-symmetric performance suited to online play, and neither is inherently a bad choice. What matters most for gaming is the underlying full-fibre (FTTP) line rather than the provider badge, since latency and jitter are largely a function of the fibre network and your in-home setup. A wired Ethernet connection to the router will always beat Wi-Fi for stable ping, whichever provider you pick. If you have had latency issues on an older FTTC (part-fibre) line, upgrading to a genuine full-fibre tier from either provider is the single change most likely to help.

Which provider has better customer service and fewer complaints?

Customer service quality between Plusnet and Vodafone varies by year and cannot be settled by a single figure, so check the latest Ofcom complaints and satisfaction data before deciding on service alone. Ofcom publishes quarterly broadband complaints per 100,000 customers and an annual customer service comparison, which are the authoritative UK sources for how providers rank against each other. Rather than rely on anecdote, look up the most recent Ofcom complaints table for both Plusnet and Vodafone at the time you are buying, because rankings shift as providers change their systems and staffing. If service is your priority, weight the current Ofcom data more heavily than headline price, and remember that any provider must resolve unresolved complaints through an approved scheme such as the Ombudsman Services: Communications after eight weeks.

For a fuller picture of one provider’s approach, our Plusnet supplier profile and Vodafone’s own 30-day cooling-off period are useful background before you commit.

Not sure which speed you actually need?

Compare Plusnet, Vodafone and other providers side by side by postcode.

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How do the annual price rises compare?

Both Plusnet and Vodafone apply annual mid-contract price rises, so the second-year cost is higher than the headline first-year price on many current deals. Both Vodafone and Plusnet apply annual mid-contract price rises, so the second-year cost is higher than the headline first-year price on many current deals. Under Ofcom rules that took effect in 2025, providers must now state any mid-contract price rise as a clear pounds-and-pence amount before you sign, rather than as a percentage linked to inflation. That makes it easier to compare true two-year costs: add the rise to the monthly price for the remaining months and compare the total, not just month one. When you compare a Vodafone Full Fibre 150 package against a Plusnet equivalent, factor in both providers’ scheduled increases before deciding which is cheaper overall.

See two-year costs across UK broadband providers

Can I get a shorter contract, or do I have to take 24 months?

Both Plusnet and Vodafone primarily sell 24-month broadband contracts in 2026, and shorter 12-month or rolling monthly options are limited and usually cost more per month. The 24-month term is where the lowest headline prices sit, because providers discount more heavily for the longer commitment. If you expect to move home or want flexibility, check whether either provider offers a one-month rolling tariff at your address, and weigh the higher monthly cost against the freedom to leave. Under Ofcom rules, you can leave any contract penalty-free within the first 14 days, and Vodafone additionally offers a 30-day cooling-off period on some broadband products, giving longer to change your mind. Outside those windows, leaving a 24-month deal early usually means paying the remaining monthly charges, so choose the term that matches how long you plan to stay.

Are there social or low-income tariffs with either provider?

Vodafone offers a broadband social tariff for eligible low-income households, which can be one of the cheaper options in the market. A broadband social tariff is a discounted deal for households receiving certain benefits such as Universal Credit, Pension Credit or Employment and Support Allowance, with no exit fees and no annual price rise during the contract. About 532,000 UK households were on a broadband social tariff as of June 2025, according to Ofcom, which the regulator notes is a small fraction of those who qualify. Plusnet’s social-tariff availability varies, so if you receive qualifying benefits, check both providers’ eligibility criteria before comparing standard deals, because a social tariff can be far cheaper than a discounted headline offer. You do not lose out by asking: eligibility is checked against your benefit status, and switching to a social tariff carries no penalty.

Do either offer TV bundles or streaming perks?

Vodafone tends to lean on broadband add-ons and occasional streaming or mobile-linked perks, while Plusnet keeps its offer focused on straightforward broadband and line. If a TV or streaming bundle matters to you, check exactly what is included and for how long, because introductory perks often end before the contract does. For most households choosing between the two, the decision rests on broadband price, speed and reliability rather than TV extras, since neither is primarily a TV-first provider. Compare the standalone broadband cost first, then treat any perk as a tie-breaker rather than the main reason to choose.

Check Vodafone and Plusnet deals at your address

How switching between Plusnet and Vodafone works

Switching between Plusnet and Vodafone is handled by your new provider under the One Touch Switch system, so you no longer need to contact your old provider to cancel. Over 2 million customers used One Touch Switch to change broadband and landline provider between its September 2024 launch and the end of 2025, according to Ofcom. You place the order with the provider you are moving to, and they arrange the switch and confirm a date, usually with minimal or no downtime where both services run over the same network. If your current contract has not ended, check for early exit charges before you order, because those are separate from the switching process. Keep your final bill from the old provider to confirm any refund of prepaid charges once the switch completes.

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Information correct as of 31 July 2026. Prices, tariffs, policy details and providers change frequently, so please check the latest details before making a decision. This article is for general information only and does not constitute financial advice. Free Price Compare is authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA).