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Unlike traditional broadband deals, no-contract broadband offers require minimal commitment, making them ideal for students or those living in short-term accommodation.
Despite their accessible nature, no-contract broadband packages do come with some downsides, meaning they’re not the perfect solution for everyone. We’ve looked into all the most prevalent pros and cons, as well as the best no-contract broadband deals on the market, so you can choose the best one for you.
No-contract broadband, despite what its name suggests, does require a contract – but it’s a little different to other broadband types. What it actually means is that when you sign up, you’re essentially opting into a one-month rolling contract.
It’s more accurate to refer to contract-free broadband as a short-term broadband contract that offers flexibility. For customers who are in the midst of moving home, a no-commitment contract with no cancellation fee would be well-suited.
Signing up for a monthly broadband plan comes with minimal commitment. It’s comparable to streaming service subscriptions such as Netflix – you pay monthly and don’t pay any cancellation fees. Though no-contract broadband is flexible, most providers do require a 30-day notice prior to your cancellation.
However, a no-contract wifi package is not the best deal for everyone. This type of deal can be costly and often includes higher set-up fees. If you know you’ll stick with your provider for a long period of time, and won’t move house in that timeframe – you’re more likely to find cheap broadband deals with a longer contract.
Broadband deals with no contract, often a rolling one-month contract, aren’t the only short-term deals available. The average length of a broadband contract is 18 months, but there are shorter-term contracts available.
Some providers offer 12-, 18- and six-month contracts. Typically, six-month contracts are a rare find, and usually, the lowest contract length offered is 12 months.
No-contract and short-term contract deals usually prove to be more expensive than longer-term commitments. Though the flexibility may sound appealing, you could end up paying more in the long run. Providers are also likely to charge higher set-up fees and offer no discounts or added extras to short-term contract customers.
Not all broadband providers offer no-contract deals, which can make finding one a little trickier than your average 24-month contract deal.
Use our comparison tool to find the best no-contract deal in your area. You should check what type of broadband each provider offers for its monthly broadband plans, namely if they offer fibre or full fibre broadband, since no-contract internet can sometimes come with slow speeds.
You can usually check the average internet speed in your area directly through the provider’s website.
Keep in mind that no-contract broadband deals also usually come with an expensive installation fee.
The most important things to compare are the price of the broadband deal, average internet speeds, installation or set-up fees and cancellation notice period.
It can be difficult to find providers that offer a no-contract broadband deal. To save you valuable time, we’ve found some providers that do offer no-contract or rolling contract deals that you might want to consider.
Hyperoptic offers monthly rolling contract fibre to the premises (FTTP) – also known as full-fibre – broadband with unlimited data. Its non-commital broadband plans cost upwards of £30 per month and only require 30 days’ notice when you’d like to cancel.
Hyperoptic has four no-contract broadband deals, with speeds ranging from 50Mbps to 1Gbps and its activation fees cost between £29 and £39, depending on which plan you choose.
G.Network offers three no-contract broadband plans – Ultrafast, Gigafast and Gigafast Extra, with speeds ranging from 300Mbps to 1Gb.
Every deal comes with a £29 installation fee, with prices ranging from £36 to £51 per month.
NOW Broadband offers three flexible no-contract deals depending on your postcode, with speeds ranging from 11Mbps to 63Mbps.
The slowest deal costs £20 per month, with the other two deals costing just £23 per month. The low monthly fee is counteracted by the pricey £60 activation fee and £9.99 delivery charge, however, customers can leave the service at no charge after 30 days’ notice. There are also broadband and phone and broadband and TV services that can be added on for an additional fee every month.
As one of the main broadband providers in the UK, Virgin Media offers a wide array of no-contract broadband deals for eligible customers.
The company offers its M50 to M350 range in a no-contract format, with speeds ranging from 54Mbps to 362Mbps. Virgin Media also offers monthly rollover deals in its Essential packages, which are aimed at low-income families.
All no-contract broadband deals come with a £35 set-up fee, as well as a £45 monthly charge, with the option to include a phone service along with your broadband.
Plusnet offers only one no-contract deal named Unlimited Broadband. This plan is an Asymmetric Digital Subscriber Line (ADSL) broadband connection. This means your broadband connection will work through copper wires of existing phone lines and will be slower than a fibre connection.
Customers who do not have an existing compatible wire are required to pay a £49.99 installation charge – and there could be additional construction charges on top.
Plusnet’s Unlimited Broadband package comes with Plusnet’s slowest speeds. Typically, ADSL broadband has an average speed of 10 to 11Mbps.
Speeds are dependent on your area, and all prices were correct at the time of writing.
No-contract broadband has both advantages and disadvantages. It does provide a lot of flexibility, as customers can cancel with minimal notice and avoid paying a cancellation fee. If you’re in the middle of moving home or are a student who will only reside at your current property for a short period of time, then a monthly rolling contract is ideal.
However, a short-term contract usually doesn’t come with any incentives or added extras. Installation fees also tend to be higher. For those looking for a more permanent deal, it’s best to steer clear of no-contract broadband. Longer deals are usually less expensive, come with added extras, and you’ll have more choice of providers to choose from.
No-contract broadband deals offer the same types as longer-term deals. Most providers will offer ADSL, fibre and full-fibre broadband, but monthly 4G and 5G mobile broadband plans are only offered by a few providers. Usually, providers will offer packages with internet speeds that are comparable to their longer-term contracts. However, there are times when the fastest broadband deals are not available for no-contract deals, such as Virgin Media’s M500 and G1 plans.
Although no-contract broadband appears to come without a contract, this isn’t strictly true. It’s a monthly rolling contract, which means you’re still required to give notice. Usually, providers require customers to give 30 days’ notice prior to terminating the contract. You should check with the provider about the exact timeframe, as it can sometimes vary.
You will most likely incur a higher set-up fee with a no-contract broadband deal, but this cost shouldn’t be hidden. Usually, providers will clearly advertise the set-up or installation fee, as well as any extra fees prior to you signing the contract.
