BT vs Sky Broadband: Which Is Better?
A detailed comparison of two of the UK's biggest broadband providers, both using the Openreach network.
Quick Verdict
- • You want BT Sport included in your package
- • You have an EE mobile and want combined bills
- • You need faster Full Fibre speeds (300-900 Mbps)
- • You value BT's technical support options
- • You want the Complete WiFi guarantee
Speed Comparison
| Speed Tier | BT | Sky | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| Entry Level | 50 Mbps (Fibre 1) | 36 Mbps (Superfast 35) | BT |
| Standard | 67 Mbps (Fibre 2) | 59 Mbps (Superfast) | BT |
| Fast | 300 Mbps (Full Fibre 300) | 145 Mbps (Ultrafast) | BT |
| Ultrafast | 500 Mbps (Full Fibre 500) | 500 Mbps (Ultrafast Plus) | Tie |
| Gigabit | 900 Mbps (Full Fibre 900) | 900 Mbps (Gigafast) | Tie |
BT and Sky both use the Openreach network, but BT offers more speed tiers at the higher end. At standard speeds, both providers are competitive.
Feature Comparison
| Feature | BT | Sky | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| Network | Openreach (FTTC/FTTP) | Openreach (FTTC/FTTP) | Tie |
| UK Coverage | 99% of UK | 99% of UK | Tie |
| Contract Length | 24 months | 18 months | Sky |
| TV Bundles | BT Sport, NOW | Sky TV, Sky Sports | Sky |
| Mobile Bundles | EE mobile deals | Limited options | BT |
| Price Guarantee | None | Sky Price Lock | Sky |
TV & Entertainment: The Big Difference
BT TV
BT offers TV packages through BT TV and NOW (formerly NOW TV). You can add BT Sport, and integrate with streaming services. BT TV uses the BT TV Box with Freeview channels.
- • BT Sport (TNT Sports) available
- • NOW entertainment bundles
- • Apple TV 4K option
- • Integration with Amazon Prime
Sky TV
Sky is the UK's leading pay-TV provider with Sky Q and Sky Glass. Their entertainment packages are more comprehensive, especially for sports and cinema fans.
- • Sky Sports (all 11 channels)
- • Sky Cinema (1000+ movies)
- • Sky Q with 4K HDR
- • Netflix, Disney+ integration
Verdict: If TV is important to you, Sky generally offers a more comprehensive entertainment experience. BT is competitive for sport, but Sky's overall TV package is hard to beat.
Our Recommendation
For broadband-only, both BT and Sky offer similar speeds since they use the same Openreach network. BT has more Full Fibre options, while Sky offers shorter contracts and price lock protection.
For TV bundles, Sky is generally the better choice with their comprehensive Sky Q platform, Sky Sports, and Sky Cinema. BT is competitive if you specifically want BT Sport.
For value, compare the specific packages available at your address. Both providers regularly have promotions, so the best deal changes frequently.