Sky vs Plusnet Broadband: Comprehensive Comparison

January 29th, 2025
Sky vs Plusnet Broadband: Comprehensive Comparison

Sky and Plusnet are two leading broadband providers in the UK. They both offer broadband deals that stand out for different reasons. Sky is well-known for its high-quality services, which include Sky TV bundles and the advanced Sky Broadband Hub. On the other hand, Plusnet provides a more affordable option. It focuses on being simple and reliable, while also showcasing its Yorkshire roots.

Sky vs Plusnet Broadband – A Unique Comparison

When picking between Sky and Plusnet, it’s important to know what makes them different. Here’s a simple breakdown to help you see which provider is a better match for you:

Feature Sky Broadband Plusnet Broadband
Monthly Price Starts from £25, offering competitive plans with additional features like TV bundles. Begins at £25.99, focusing on affordable broadband-only deals.
Setup Cost £5 setup fee, fully refundable on your first bill, making it cost-effective. No setup fee, ensuring a simple and budget-friendly start.
Contract Length Fixed 24-month terms for all plans, ensuring stability for a longer duration. Similar 24-month contracts, designed for users seeking consistency.
Annual Price Rise Subject to inflation-based increases; rates may vary yearly. A fixed £3 monthly increase starting each 31st March.
Connection Types Offers part fibre for basic plans and full fibre for faster speeds. Provides both part fibre and full fibre, matching Sky’s network reach.
Download Speeds 61Mb, 75Mb, 150Mb, 500Mb, 900Mb; suitable for streaming, gaming, and multi-users. 66Mb, 74Mb, 145Mb, 300Mb, 500Mb, 900Mb; a range catering to all users.
Upload Speeds 16Mb to 90Mb, covering general online activities like uploads and streaming. 17Mb to 115Mb, slightly faster uploads for gamers and large file users.
Router Technology The Sky Max Hub with Wi-Fi 6 for superior performance; mesh options available. Plusnet Hub Two, a solid choice but limited to Wi-Fi 5 capabilities.
Wi-Fi Guarantee Optional for £4/month, ensuring a minimum speed of 25Mb in every room. No Wi-Fi guarantee, requiring additional devices for signal extension.
Parental Controls Includes Sky Broadband Shield, ideal for managing online content at home. Features Plusnet SafeGuard, providing simple content filtering.
Home Phone Line Included in all packages, with options for anytime or international call add-ons. No phone line options available for new customers.
Anytime Call Plan £16/month, covering unlimited UK mobiles and landlines. Not applicable due to the absence of phone line services.
TV Services Comprehensive bundles with Sky TV, including Sky Sports and TNT Sports. Not offered, leaving customers to source TV separately.

Key Insights from the Comparison

  • Sky Broadband is great for homes needing TV bundles, phone services, and advanced router tech. The optional Wi-Fi guarantee is helpful for homes with internet problems.
  • Plusnet Broadband is perfect for those looking for cheap, simple broadband with better upload speeds. The free setup makes it a wallet-friendly choice for new users.

Pricing Comparison: Which Is More Affordable?

Sky and Plusnet have similar prices for full fibre broadband. However, their services are different in value.

Sky and Plusnet Broadband Deals

Full Fibre 74

  • New customers only
  • UK-based customer service
74Mb average* speed
Unlimited Downloads
£0.00 Setup costs
24 Month contract
Pay as you goCalls
£27.99per month

Full Fibre 500

  • New customers only
500Mb average* speed
Unlimited Downloads
£0.00 Setup costs
24 Month contract
Pay as you goCalls
£32.00per month

Full Fibre 75

  • New customers only
75Mb average* speed
Unlimited Downloads
£0.00 Setup costs
24 Month contract
Pay as you goCalls
£25.00per month

Full Fibre 145

  • New customers only
  • UK-based customer service
145Mb average* speed
Unlimited Downloads
£0.00 Setup costs
24 Month contract
Pay as you goCalls
£28.99per month

Full Fibre 150

  • New customers only
150Mb average* speed
Unlimited Downloads
£0.00 Setup costs
24 Month contract
Pay as you goCalls
£27.00per month

Fibre

  • New customers only
  • UK-based customer service
66Mb average* speed
Unlimited Downloads
£0.00 Setup costs
24 Month contract
Pay as you goCalls
£27.99per month

Key Takeaways

  • Plusnet is slightly cheaper for most plans. However, it does not include a phone line.
  • Sky provides better value for homes that need landline services or extra features like Sky TV.

Broadband Speeds: How Do They Compare?

Both providers use the Openreach network for their full fibre broadband. They offer similar speeds.

Provider Plan Download Speed Upload Speed Best For
Sky Superfast (Part Fibre) 61 Mbps 16 Mbps HD streaming, small homes
Plusnet Unlimited Fibre Extra 66 Mbps 17 Mbps Similar uses, slightly faster uploads
Sky Full Fibre 500 500 Mbps 60 Mbps Large homes, multiple users
Plusnet Full Fibre 500 500 Mbps 75 Mbps Heavy uploads, gaming
Sky Full Fibre Gigafast 900 Mbps 90 Mbps Advanced users, seamless 4K streaming
Plusnet Full Fibre 900 900 Mbps 115 Mbps Power users, large households

Key Differences

  • Upload Speeds: Plusnet has faster upload speeds. This makes it a good choice for people who upload large files or often make video calls.
  • Speed Guarantees: Sky provides a promise of minimum speeds. If the speeds go below what they promised, users can get compensation.

Router Technology: Sky Max Hub vs Plusnet Hub Two

Both providers offer advanced routers. However, Sky is better because it has more features.

Feature Sky Max Hub Plusnet Hub Two
Wi-Fi Standard Wi-Fi 6 Wi-Fi 5
Mesh Support Yes (built-in) No (requires external devices)
Ethernet Ports 4 x 1Gb 3 x 1Gb
Security Protocol WPA3 WPA2

Sky Max Hub

  • Released in 2023, it supports Wi-Fi 6. This means faster speeds and better handling of devices.
  • It comes with mesh boosters to improve Wi-Fi coverage.

Plusnet Hub Two

  • The BT Smart Hub 2 works well enough but does not have mesh features.

TV and Additional Features

Sky TV

Sky offers extensive TV bundles, including:

  • Sky Sports, BT Sport, and TNT Sports are available.
  • Sky Stream lets you watch TV without needing a satellite dish.
  • You can get discounts if you bundle TV with broadband.

Plusnet TV

  • Not Available: Plusnet stopped its TV services in 2021. This change makes Plusnet less attractive for families who want entertainment.

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Call Plans: Home Phone Options

  • Sky includes a home phone line with all its broadband packages. You can also choose call plans for evenings, weekends, or international calls.
  • Plusnet no longer provides phone line services. This makes it less appealing for people who need a landline.

Setup and Activation

Sky Setup

  • Setup Fee: £5, which you will get back on your first bill.
  • Installation: You can self-install for part fibre. For FTTP, a professional will install it.
  • Activation: Many packages offer same-day activation.

Plusnet Setup

  • Setup Fee: There is no charge for any plans.
  • Installation: A pro must install full fibre connections.

Customer Service Comparison: Sky vs Plusnet

Customer service is very important when picking a broadband provider. Sky and Plusnet both provide support options. However, how well they perform can differ based on Ofcom metrics and Trustpilot reviews. Here is a clearer comparison:

Metric Sky Plusnet
Complaints per 100,000 (Ofcom) 20 43
Customer Satisfaction (Ofcom) 84% 79%
Average Wait Time (Ofcom) 2 minutes 14 seconds 2 minutes 8 seconds
TrustScore (Trustpilot) 1.3/5 (Bad) 2.1/5 (Poor)
Total Reviews (Trustpilot) 859 11,388
5-Star Reviews (Trustpilot) 7% 13%
1-Star Reviews (Trustpilot) 87% 77%
Key Strengths Fewer complaints, higher satisfaction UK-based support, budget-friendly pricing
Common Complaints Billing issues, poor response times Connection drops, slow fault resolution

Key Insights

Sky Broadband:

  • Fewer complaints: Sky has just 20 complaints for every 100,000 customers. This is a big improvement compared to Plusnet.
  • Higher satisfaction: Ofcom shares that 84% of customers are happy. This happiness comes from a clear plan to solve problems.
  • Drawbacks: Even with fewer complaints, Sky’s Trustpilot score is low at 1.3 out of 5. A large 87% of reviews give it 1 star. People often mention issues like billing mistakes and slow response times.

Customer Service Metrics: Sky vs. Plusnet

Plusnet Broadband:

  • UK-based call centres: Plusnet has a support team in Yorkshire. Many users like this because they want help from locals.
  • Affordable plans: A lot of customers like the good mix of price and quality of service.
  • Challenges: Plusnet gets a Trustpilot score of 2.1 out of 5. However, it still gets some complaints about its connection and slow issue fixing. Plusnet also has higher complaint rates, with 43 complaints for every 100,000 users, according to Ofcom data.

Verdict: Which Provider Is Better?

Choose Sky If:

  • You are looking for TV bundles or a home phone line.
  • You like advanced router technology with Wi-Fi 6 and mesh support.
  • You care about good customer service and speed guarantees.

Choose Plusnet If:

  • You want good value and a bit faster upload speeds.
  • You like free setup and don’t need TV or phone services.
  • You want a reliable service that is cheaper.

FAQs About Sky vs Plusnet Broadband

Which is cheaper, Sky or Plusnet broadband?

Plusnet usually costs a bit less than Sky broadband for most packages. However, Sky offers a home phone line. This feature might be useful for some users.

Which provider offers faster broadband speeds?

Both providers have similar download speeds. However, Plusnet has faster upload speeds. This makes Plusnet great for large files and video calls.

Does Sky broadband include a home phone line?

Yes, Sky includes a home phone line in every package. Plusnet does not provide phone line services anymore.

Which router is better: Sky Max Hub or Plusnet Hub Two?

Sky’s Max Hub is better. It has Wi-Fi 6, mesh support, and strong security features. Plusnet’s Hub Two supports Wi-Fi 5, but it does not have native mesh capabilities.

Can I bundle TV services with broadband?

  • Sky: Yes, Sky has many TV options. This includes Sky Sports and BT Sport.
  • Plusnet: No, Plusnet stopped TV services in 2021.

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