Broadband comparison
Sky vs Virgin Media broadband
Sky doesn’t fix its rise in the contract — you can leave penalty-free if it goes up — while Virgin Media’s is fixed at £4 a month each year.
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Which is cheaper?
It depends on your address and the offers of the day — the deals below are for your postcode. Add each provider’s rises: Sky Not fixed, Virgin Media +£96 over 24 months.
Can I switch between them easily?
Yes. With One Touch Switch you only contact the new provider, even between Openreach, Virgin Media and full fibre networks.
What should I compare?
The 24-month total including rises, the speed guaranteed at your address, and set-up costs.
vs
- Rises over 24 months: Not fixed vs +£96
- Social tariff: yes vs yes
- Complaints: 5 vs 6 per 100k
Live deals from both providers for your postcode appear below.
Sky and Virgin Media side by side
| | |
|---|---|---|
| Network | Openreach plus CityFibre in some towns | Its own cable and full fibre network (with nexfibre): 18.8 million premises, all gigabit-capable |
| Contract | 24 months | 24 months; 30-day contracts on M125–M500 at a higher price |
| Price rises | No fixed amount in the contract (+£3 a month from April 2026). Because the rise isn’t written in, you can leave penalty-free within 30 days of being told | +£4 a month every April (contracts from 2 October 2025), applied to promotional prices too; Essential plans exempt |
| Added over 24 months | Not fixed | +£96 |
| Social tariff | Broadband Basics £20 (35Mb) or £24 (75Mb), 24 months, for existing Sky customers only | Essential Broadband £12.50 (15Mb) and Essential Plus £20 (54Mb), 30-day, no rises or fees; new and existing customers |
| Credit check | Light: a soft check or none; £5 refundable fee | Usually a soft check; a deposit is possible after a refusal |
| Set-up | £5 refundable or £0 | £0 with QuickStart self-install (engineer £30) |
| Leaving early | Monthly price × remaining months; 14 days’ notice | Early Disconnection Fee of about 78–96% of the remaining payments, no cap; 30 days’ notice |
| Guarantees | Speed Guarantee (leave after 3 days below the minimum); WiFi Max £6 a month — 25Mb in every room or a month back | WiFi Max £8 a month (free with Gig1/Gig2): 30Mb in every room or £100 credit |
| Ofcom complaints per 100k | 5 | 6 |
Verdict
Sky doesn’t fix its rise in the contract — you can leave penalty-free if it goes up — while Virgin Media’s is fixed at £4 a month each year. Sky had fewer Ofcom complaints in Q1 2026 (5 vs 6 per 100,000 customers). Network matters — Sky: Openreach plus CityFibre in some towns. Virgin Media: Its own cable and full fibre network (with nexfibre): 18.8 million premises, all gigabit-capable. Check which reaches your address.
Facts checked 24 October 2026 · Sky review · Virgin Media review
Sky and Virgin Media deals at your address
FAQ
Common questions
Is Sky or Virgin Media cheaper?
Sky doesn’t fix its rise in the contract — you can leave penalty-free if it goes up — while Virgin Media’s is fixed at £4 a month each year. Starting prices change often, so check both at your postcode.
Which has fewer complaints?
Sky, according to Ofcom’s Q1 2026 figures.
Do Sky and Virgin Media have social tariffs?
Sky: Broadband Basics £20 (35Mb) or £24 (75Mb), 24 months, for existing Sky customers only. Virgin Media: Essential Broadband £12.50 (15Mb) and Essential Plus £20 (54Mb), 30-day, no rises or fees; new and existing customers.